I found another great "use" of editors - making sure you're explaining your idea effectively. I have (co)authored three books (latest is "Notes and Domino 6 Programming Bible", Wiley 2003), and I find that my editors (both copy and technical) not only make sure my language is clear, but also that I have fully explained the "weird" areas that the average reader may not understand. When writing technical books you tend to take your reader for granted - you assume they have a base set of knowledge, and often you assume their knowledge is the same as yours.

Usually this is a bad assumption.

Copy Editors are usually the best at making sure you are explaining the idea well. Why? Because they tend to not be technical experts, they are English language experts (hopefully ;) ). Your technical editor tends to have the same base knowledge that you do, so they may make the same assumptions that you do.

So, if you write, I cannot agree more with Rands - you must trust your editors. They're professionals, and they know what they're doing. They will undoubtedly make you sound smarter and more eloquent, and that is priceless.

Oh, and my grammatical "hangup"? It isn't elipses - it is hyphens (See? There I go again). I love them, and I find that I have to really watch my use of them.

Isn't it funny how most of us have hangups in writing? I liken them to the speakers who say "you know" or "uhhm" all the time. Best to nip all those hangups - auditory and written - in the bud.

Great article Rands. Thanks for posting it. And I can't wait for your book!

--Rock