I could have neverimagined in my wildest dreams that I would be working in the career and performing in an industry that I would grow to love so much. Honestly, before now I really don’t think I could have articulated what kind of fulfillment and happiness I was looking for or even where to find it. I began my search knowing my love of words, language, and communication. By no means have I arrived at my full potential, but I have arrived in the vicinity leading to operating fully in what God has designed me for.
I relish my work as an editor. I feel so at home working with authors and their life messages, yet I am wonderfully challenged with the editorial and conception process. There is nothing else I’d rather be doing—except singing, which I do frequently as well. I look at a rough concept or manuscript in much the same way as Michelangelo looked at slabs of marble: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” I am in no way comparable to a Michelangelo (and I am sure I didn’t even have to say that), but I love the passion and determination that writers have when it comes to a burning idea or story that plagues them until it is released onto paper.
My purpose is to partner with them to bring out their story, concept, advice, or cause in the best, most compelling way to win over raving fans and enlightened readers. Their words are treasures that should be handle with care yet those same words should be pushed into being far grander than even the author could have intended. I also believe that balance is the key to good editing; sometimes a light hand goes a long way.
So now I am at a juncture where I must do something to enhance where I am without changing what I love. Strange as it may seem, I do not want to move to management, sales, or even full-time acquisitions. (Although, assisting my team in those three areas is definitely desirable.) I just want to be full and valuable as a developmental editor. I was really racking my brain on this one day, when my husband asked me how I view my career. He asked me what more do I see myself doing. So I gave him my half-developed answer, and he replied, “I see you becoming a cutting-edge editor.” I’m like, “What?” He explained that he saw me becoming an editor whose skills are in demand. In other words, he saw me creating such a great network of authors and doing such impactful work that they would talk about me to their peers and by word-of-mouth these peers would seek out the publishing company I work for just to work with me. Authors would specially request to have me edit their work. Husbands are wonderful when they support you as enthusiastically as my husband supports me.
While I heard his answer and was overwhelmed with the possibilities, I was even more overwhelmed at that fact that he had taken time to think so carefully about something I love so much—being a good editor. He actually thought, "What could make Jevon even more successful?" His thoughts toward my career were thoughts of greater success, greater visibility, and greater resourcefulness to my company and my field. I am energized by his thoughts and will take them as a challenge. So here I am now at the beginning stages of strategy and implementation, and I ask myself, "How can these thoughts move from abstract to concrete in such a way that transforms my brand as an editor but keeps me focused on what I love and am passionate about?"
The answers will come. I just know it! I can't wait to see what develops!