Editing And Stereotypes

Editing There is a reason bookstores are divided by genre; people are drawn to particular stories. While my oldest child reads dystopian fantasies, my youngest enjoys historical non-fiction. These preferences are sometimes innate, other times born from our experiences. We can expand this to apply to cultures, whose stories are often influenced by history, environment, and societal rules. These authentic tales leave a cultural impression. If we are sharing stories from other cultures, the question then becomes, how much can we change a story and have it remain the same? The editor is tasked with finalizing a story. This goes well beyond correctly placing a comma and checking for spelling errors. They must gauge their audience against the material,

Some come to us from cultures no longer in existence, and should be treated with the utmost respect and care. Others represent history that should be preserved. If this is indeed the goal, then readers must come to the story prepared. That may include researching the culture, looking up words, and familiarizing oneself with the customs. Each of these enhances the reading experience. If on the other hand, this is a capitalistic venture, then the consumer’s preferences take precedent. That is to say, the editor must bring the book to the readers. Changes are made to make the story palpable to its audience. For instance, our modern society has a penchant for sheltering children from violence and sexual content. In fact, many classmates found some of these stories inappropriate for their children. Therefore, changes are made for mass appeal and happily ever afters are expected. As for me, I have become very discerning with the books I read. I want to read the last page and feel something. While I enjoyed many of the stories in this course, Rabbits had the greatest impact on me. Ironically, it had the fewest words. In addition, I appreciate the story that deepens my understanding of human nature. Often times that involve a truer depiction of the circumstances the characters find themselves in and subsequent consequences. Needless to say, I prefer to read stories that have minimal editing in regards to