When I write, I hate to have my writing cut. I have written for editors, and rarely am I pleased with their ‘improvements’ to my work.
But as a reader, I bless them mightily.
I have spent all morning reading a recommended book. I won’t mention the name, because the book only becomes useful at about page 109. I believe that if an editor had sent the book back to the authors and said, “I want you to reduce the first 110 pages to 20 pages, it could have been done. It not only would have made the book better, but it would have saved ME valuable time.
That, I see, is the real blessing of the editor. He saves my time by helping authors say what they need to say and then get out of the way.
God bless editors.
Even those who mess with MY stuff.