Wednesday, October 15, 2003
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Wednesday, October 15, 2003 |
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Editor speaks to Fayette Writers Group At a recent meeting of the Fayette Writers Group, Kristie Flanigan explained how she, with a strong background in technical writing and communications, would be an asset to our writers/authors. It is important for writers to remember that no one can create masterpieces alone. Both editing and criticism are necessary to create a brain child. Writing a book is a process involving numerous sources. Flanigan explained to the group the Four-Pass Method of editing she uses: • Copy editing. Getting the grammar and punctuation correct. • Reading for content. Making sure it flows and all required information is correct. • Reading for continuity. Does everything match up? • The post-second editor read, or final read. Was everything caught? Does it make sense? Would the reader be able to read, enjoy, and understand this? Did the editor make any mistakes? Would a reader think it was complete? Editing is as laborious and time-consuming as writing. No matter how good an editor is, a second editor needs a pass at the work. This not only double-checks the work, but checks the editor’s work as well. It insures the editor is on track and the work is as good as possible. Flanigan defined how she was always interested in writing, even as a child. When given the option, she chose an essay over an exam throughout her schooling. Like many, Flanigan did not recognize her passion instantly. During her education at Saline High School in Michigan, when she wasn’t involved with English or literature she could be found in the graphic arts photo lab. Flanigan competed in local and statewide graphic design photography contests and consistently won first place at the regional level. This allowed her to compete at the state level, where she placed second and third. During her junior year at Eastern Michigan University Flanigan surprised herself and became aware she had a gift. In her advertising course, out of 25 students, she was one of three that passed and she was the only A. She realized her strengths and recognized the areas of education to pursue. Flanigan went on to earn her BA in business administration, concentrating in marketing and advertising. She then went on to earn her master’s in interdisciplinary technology, concentrating in communications. Flanigan now is also three credits short of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and graphic design. This dynamic young woman truly pursued her talents and interests and says that she now speaks English and engineering-ese. Trained as a technical writer, Kristie Flanigan first worked as technical writer and designer at Quantum Compliance Systems, an environmental compliance software company. Flanigan wrote numerous volumes of user-friendly documentation. Without checks and balances in place, she experienced no growth and moved on. The Genix Group, a data processing outsourcing company, gave Flanigan opportunity to rewrite procedural manuals and process manuals. Though highly regarded by company management, there was a lack of project support. Flanigan felt she could do better elsewhere. CSC Healthcare employed Flanigan in their Technical Writing Department. There she wrote and rewrote procedure and process manuals for new and existing clients. Flanigan feels that her talents were being fine-tuned, and she learned from other writers’ examples. Often Flanigan filled in for the editor of the department and was offered numerous promotions, including senior writer and lead writer and manager. Since retiring to devote herself to raising her three children, Flanigan has edited countless term and research papers and a thesis. She has also been hired as photographer for weddings and class reunions. Flanigan prides herself on being a free lance editor and photographer and currently works with Stellar A Productions. Flanigan says editing and photography go hand in hand and also compliment each other nicely. She is editing Ines Arnsberger Hatch’s “Marsha’s Song” and working on publicity photography. Flanigan has also agreed to edit the second edition of Hatch’s book, “The Adoption Eclipse,” whose sales are doing better than expected. “I am excited about joining writers and artists of the Fayette Writers Group,” said Flanigan. “I am looking forward to helping them in the collaborative creation of their works.” Ines Arnsberger Hatch |
