‘ALL WRITING IS EDITING’

Here’s a truism, whatever you do: If you’re not communicating, you’re confusing. And, alas, losing.

So maybe the Holy Grail we have been seeking is not a cup, a dish, or a statuette; it’s not a fountain or a hilltop; it’s not an engraving, a letter of transport, or a signal in the sky.

Maybe it’s the ability to connect with other people.

We can’t be our best in any field without communicating well. Whether we’re running a company, setting policies, developing products, seeking funding, enticing customers, we need to express ourselves in words.

When we write with clarity and energy, all of the pieces of the operation work well. When we fail, we create a trail of missed opportunity.

To write well, you need to edit well. Fran Lebowitz said it best: “All writing is editing.”

HELP IS ON THE WAY

Let me introduce myself.

I am Charlie Euchner, an experienced writer and editor. Now the Special Projects Editor for New America, on a parttime basis, I also work as an editor for a wide range of clients.

I have written and edited just about every kind of document: books, reports, case studies, articles, web copy, speeches, presentations, RFPs, proposals, and video scripts. I have also explored a wide range of issues, including politics, public policy, business, education, psychology, the brain, writing, sports.

I am ready to help you. 

YOU DO YOU

In your work in business, the law, medicine, consulting, government, or academe, you need to focus on your core responsibilities.

Every unnecessary hour you spend wrestling with an unruly document is an hour you could be using to focus on your core mission.

So let me ask you: How would you like a seasoned pro by your side to work on reports, memos, proposals, RFPs, speeches, web copy, and more?

I have been doing this work for decades. In government, business, academe, journalism, and publishing, I have played both roles–as a writer and editor. I have also taught writing at Yale and Columbia.

Working with writers, clients, and students, I have helped turn messy and confusing and lifeless documents into clear and energetic final works. 

If you need help, send a quick email. I’m ready to get to work.

THE GOLD STANDARD FOR EDITING

When you send your work out for editing, he’s what you should expect:

  • A clear message–“the One Idea”–that connects with readers right away.
  • Clear organization, with headlines and subheads that help the reader navigate the piece.
  • Strong sentences and paragraphs, each one making a clear point and driving the document forward.
  • Words that energize your prose–rather than falling back on passivity, hedges, and vagueness.
  • Grammar and punctuation that help you make your points, line by line.
  • A tone and voice that expresses who you are–and engages the reader–with the right level of formality or informality.
  • Readability throughout the document, so the reader never gets lost or confused.
  • A clear sense of “what’s next,” with clear “calls to action” and “next steps.”

I can deliver on each one. To arrange a free consultation, drop me a line.

EXPERIENCE

I have written in a wide range of settings–academe, business, government, nonprofits. I’m not Zelig, but I know how to fit in and meet your needs. Over my career I have written (and edited):

  • Countless memos on a wide range of internal topics—simple, clear, direct, to the point.
  • Reports and case studies for business, government, and education.
  • Proposals and RFPs for government agencies and universities, outlining projects of all scales—bringing in the money to pay for major projects and initiatives.
  • Hundreds of articles, from “spot news” to op-ed articles to long feature stories in magazines.
  • Hundreds of speeches, lectures, and presentations, for both specialized and general audiences.
  • Books on a wide range of topics: the presidency, civil rights, political activism, cities, sports, economic development, writing, business, and more.

You can see a collection of my articles, reports, and case studies here. You can see some of my books here. I have been also taught writing, both at universities and in seminars across the country. I now teach writing at Columbia University and have also taught at Yale, SUNY-Purchase, Holy Cross, and other schools. Why does this matter? Because I can not only deliver, but also explain what I do, how, and why.

LET’S TALK

If you need help—whether you need to “get it done yesterday” or have longer-term needs—please email here.