The Orientation: Day Two

Today was another day of orientation. Actually, we did have our first legal writing class today, but we didn’t have a first day assignment, so it was easy to ease into the class. I really enjoyed our professor, he seems like a knowledgeable guy and he’s not particularly intimidating. Since I’ve written, edited, been edited, and published before, I’m actually looking forward to legal writing. My “self-editing” can really be improved and I’m anxious to learn a style of writing that is specific to a profession. I can’t tell you how many times we were warned, “Don’t be shocked if you don’t do as well on the first assignments as you hoped. There will probably be some tears.” I say, bring it on, man, bring it on!

I remember when I first started writing technical books; I had such a negative reaction to being edited. I think all beginning writers have this idea that there prose is sacrosanct. When they face the red pen of the editor, they bristle at every cut or suggestion. Well, now I’ve written enough books to know that a good edit is what makes the difference between a decent writer and a great writer. An editor isn’t as married to the text. They can more easily cut extraneous information and often they can help reorganize the text to help it flow and be an easier read. If legal writing is going to help teach me the skill to be a better self editor, I’m all for it. Then my writing will be in even better shape when I pass it along to my editors and peers, and when I get their comments back then I’ll be able to take my writing even further!