How to Listen to Your Inner Editorial Voices (All of Them)

…and how to let each and every one of them do their authentic “job.”

As a writer across genres—and a creative writing, poetry, and journalism educator and instructor—I know that editing is a gift. And yet, sometimes, I think there’s something wrong with me when I need to edit my own work. The fact that I didn’t manage to beget the perfect draft out the gate? It feels like a fail.

In my heart, I know that’s not true. But here’s the thing. Sometimes I do write something that comes out immaculate at first go. But that’s not the rule. Lately I’ve been pondering: How can we appreciate—and know—our unique inner editorial voices in helping us strengthen our work?

I have come to think of editing my own work as a conglomeration of multiple editorial voices. And I believe we all have at least three, a trifecta council on whom our editorial skills rest:

• a “knowing” voice

• a “diagnostic” voice

• a “worker bee” voice

Together, they lovingly work in tandem to co-create our strongest work by relinquishing judgment and doubt. The key is figuring out how to let these three voic…