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From: Janis Walker Gilmore <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] editors
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:36:26 -0500
In-Reply-To: <E14D0655A38549CBA8BCFB4248B929FB@acer511eba12df>


This transitional genealogist would rather not have you speak for me. I find
the BCG standards to be just fine -- for me. Not "fuzzy."

I could not disagree more strongly with your view that a "technical writer"
would do a better job - coming from a family of writers, both technical
(literally, in the engineering field) and otherwise. I think writing the
standards requires greater insight into the scholarly concepts that they
represent than someone stepping in as a technical writer could bring to the
table. (Convoluted sentence presented with apologies, and no time for
rewrites!)

I truly understand your often-expressed viewpoint, and completely endorse
your right to hold it.

Janis Walker Gilmore
Pawleys Island, SC, & Seattle, WA



On 3/12/10 9:09 AM, "LBoswell" <> wrote:


>
> think of how happy you'd make thousands of transitional genealogists, who
> could then wrestle just with the concepts (lots of wrestling there to keep
> them busy!) and not with the fuzzy wording!
>
> Larry Boswell BA, PLCGS
> www.TheBackstairs.com
> http://thebackstairs.com/blog/
> "Historical & Genealogical Research Services"
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> To:
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [TGF] editors
>
>
> Larry wrote:
>> the normal procedure is to have the editor work directly with the
> experts
> in whatever field it is. Not have the editor go off somewhere to work
> alone. The editors role is just to make certain that the description is
> clearly expressed, under the direction of the editor.
>
>> the above is that way most technical writers work. Their role is simply
> to
> make certain that what the experts are trying to say is what actually gets
> to print. Otherwise the outcome could well be as you describe.
>
>
> In the ideal world!
>
> Having published over 500 articles and essays in the fields of history,
> sociology, and literature, as well as genealogy---including popular-press
> magazines and newspapers as well as academic journals, university presses,
> and commercial presses---I've reached the conclusion that this ideal world
> all too rarely exists.
>
> What's more, the investment in editorial time is significantly shrinking
> at
> most presses today, and editors are increasingly likely to make editorial
> decisions without getting back to the writers.
>
> We can dream. We can battle. But in the end we also have to accept
> reality.
> Otherwise, the outcome is that a writer doesn't get published. :)
>
> Elizabeth
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG
> Tennessee
>
>
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