From the editor

I’m an editor. I like to edit things. When someone gives me a text with commas in all the wrong places, or with dangling modifiers, misplaced apostrophes, or run-on sentences, I get excited. I love to put commas in their place, undangle modifiers, remove extraneous apostrophes, and partition sentences into their correct elements.

I like to edit things. I need imperfection in order to do that editing. I need imperfect writers who may not even consider themselves writers. I need others’ expertise so that I can use my expertise.

I like to edit things. I like to edit experiences, recommendations, extrapolations, narratives, and explanations. I like to edit instructions, biographies, treatises, and documentaries. I am a voracious consumer of editable content.

I like to edit things.

So if you have knowledge but think, “I’m not a great writer,” please have no fear! I like to edit things!

If you worry you have too much to say and would make a story too long, please worry no more! I like to edit things!

If you consider that you might sound like a braggart or a “toots-his-own-horn” sort, please reconsider! I like to edit things!

If you write too little, please write more. I like to edit things! But making something from nothing is hard to do as an editor. And, as you know, I like to edit things!

Please send me your stories, and know they are safe with me. After all, I like to edit things.

To sign up as a contributing writer for the Contact or Say So, please reach out to me at editor@ okumc.org.

To learn about our publication standards and processes, click here.

Jena Barber is Editor of Publications at OKUMC.