The Critic and Her Publics Leo Carey: "What's Not There"
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Jun 17, 2025 Leo Carey, a Senior Editor at The New Yorker for 25 years, shares insights on the intricate writer-editor dynamic. He humorously navigates professional relationships and dream interpretations, reflecting on collaboration and creative ownership. Carey discusses the art of brevity in writing, emphasizing clarity over length. He dives into celebrity culture's impact on storytelling, sparked by a dream involving J.Lo's iconic dress. The conversation is rich with personal experiences, highlighting the emotional sensitivities in editorial work.
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Editing Reveals Reader's Perspective
- Editing helps writers see their work from a fresh perspective and understand the reader's experience.
- An editor balances expert and naive reading to catch unclear points and ensure clarity for the average reader.
Editing Is Infinite Options
- Editors juggle limitless options, often pushing writers toward better but unexpected choices.
- The editor's role is to help find the best fit among many possibilities to strengthen the piece.
Balance Style With Clarity
- Spend time finding the right word or phrase but avoid being overly precious about prose.
- Effective writing balances distinctive style with clarity and service to the content.