Why I Became an Editor

Books have been a big part of my life as far back as I can remember. My parents and siblings read to me, and when they were too busy, I learned to read to myself. Reading was my portal to other worlds, my friend, my constant companion. No matter what went on in my life, reading was there for me. Stories held a certain fascination for me, and that fascination expanded to the English language as a whole in elementary school. Learning the rules, the way things flowed together...it was wonderful. This love of reading turned into a love of writing.

In second grade, my teacher started having us write short stories. I loved every minute. Admittedly, mine weren’t the greatest, even compared to my peers. Still, I learned that I could create worlds. I could set things in motion, inspire and entertain others. It was a spark I would carry with me my entire life. I wrote many stories in the years that followed, hoping to one day become a published author. At 15 years old, I started researching the publishing industry. At around the same time, my oldest sister started reading submissions for a publishing company.

I thought this was a neat job, but filed it away for later. Much later. At 24 years old, already married with a family, I started looking into jobs I could do while still staying home with my family. I also started writing again. I stumbled upon an advertisement calling for freelance editing, but they wanted someone who could work set hours that did not fit with my lifestyle. Still, I was intrigued. I sought training and put myself through a certification program specifically for editing. I continue to take courses and refresh my knowledge of the English language and its rules. When I first started editing, I went through freelancing websites. These are great for a beginner, but take a portion of the payment for each job completed. This is why I decided to launch my own website and work for myself.