The Scripted Podcast: The Editor & Writer Relationship
Channel: Scripted.com
Date: 12/10/2021

In this episode of The Scripted Podcast, we sit down with veteran Scripted Editors Matthew Thompson & Rachel MacAulay to talk about the often contentious, but symbiotic relationship between a writer and their editor. 
How should an editor approach their relationship with freelance writers? 
How can a writer use an editor to improve their skill and communicate better? 
We explore these subjects and more in the first episode of Season 3 of The Scripted Podcast! 


Podcast Video Timestamps: 

00:00 Intro
00:19 Welcome to the Scripted Podcast!
00:59 Today we’re gonna be talking about editors, and we'll be joined by Scripted editors Rachel MacAulay and Matthew Thompson, and we'll be chatting a bit about their history as editors, their careers, and also a little bit about, you know, how writers can avoid having their content sent back to them, by editors, for revisions. 
02:19 Editors are not your enemy. Matt and Rachel, welcome to the show.
02:26 How you got your start as an editor? Rachel’s start. 
04:01 How you got your start as an editor? Matt’s Start. 
08:37 Closed Captions Editors 
09:01 Why do you think editing is important?
12:03 Do you think there's like a point where a piece can be edited essentially endlessly, and where do you draw the line?
13:03 Is that what it is then? The deadline essentially? You know that the painting is finished essentially?
14:44 Could you edit it to death?
16:25 I want to talk about your work on Scripted. Both of you have been long-time on the platform. When did you guys both start?
19:39 You have to work with the writer and the client. You're basically a representative of the client to the writer. We also represent Scripted.
20:40 Have you ever encountered a topic that required too deep of a dive to sort of put yourself into that mindset?
22:10 Where do you think the adversarial relationship with a perceived adversarial relationship between writers and editors comes from, and how do you feel about that?
23:15 How have you learned basically to deal with that potential ego problem? Like, is there an approach when you submit editorial requests that you know kind of softens a blow for a certain writer that you know is particularly sensitive?
26:50 What kind of mistakes are editors encountering out there on the platform?
28:34 You have to have a certain love for writing and any analytical mind. Would you say those are two of the probably primary traits? Patience.
30:09 What's your favorite word and your least favorite word?
31:28 So what books should all writers read? 
34:20 One space or two spaces after a sentence?
35:22 When to use semicolons?
36:55 Do you guys have any thoughts, final thoughts, for the editors out there who may feel frustrated with the work that's in front of them right now? What advice do you have for them?
38:15 Podcast Final Thoughts 
43:01 See You Next Time! 


When you hire a Scripted writer, you can also expect an editor with effective communication skills. Scripted editors are available for questions or concerns anytime throughout the order process. They make editing easy, moving through revisions quickly because they understand your style and vision.
Scripted also provides high-quality work for a fair price, an easy-to-use interface, and access to the best writers in the business.
Sign up for a free Scripted trial: https://www.scripted.com/business/register
Are you curious how Scripted can propel your writing career forward? Apply to become a Scripted writer today: https://www.scripted.com/become-a-scripted-writer