Another way to explain my work

[redbird]

I'm chatting with livredor about the difficulties of explaining what each of us does professionally. In my case, part of the problem is that people don't see why it's difficult enough to be necessary, but I've hit a thought that might be useful, so I'm recording it here:

My job is to be the person who asks the writer questions, because once it's in print the reader doesn't really have the chance.:

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

No, because once it's in print the writer no longer has a chance.

B

[redbird]

Also true.

"Because once it's in print, it's too late for the writer to answer them"?

Le Guin commented somewhere that the trouble with print is that it never changes its mind.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

That is the trouble with print.

On the other hand, the trouble with the Internet is that things change without notice.

B

[treadpath.livejournal.com]

I like your description! :)

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

(here via friendsfriends page)

You could always show them (or send them to look at) this explanation of what a copyeditor does (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/24/17137/5461). It's a bit wordier than "I ask questions that need asking before the book gets to print", and some people, at least, will appreciate the detail.

[rosefox]

"I'm the annoying friend" works pretty well. *)

[beginning.livejournal.com]

I like that!

I've been struggling lately to find a quick way to explain to people what a television news producer does. I always thought it was one of those jobs people understood at least a little, but I guess not. :/

[rosefox]

I have no clue what any kind of producer does.

[doseybat.livejournal.com]

Yep, I have trouble with that. I sometimes say that I am the "plant name police", the only summary I have managed to come up with that I actually like, but that seems to confuse them further..