Trusting the Writer - Poynter

"Chris Lavin edited the "Metal to Bone" series published in "Best Newspaper Writing 1994" and featured in " Best Newspaper Writing Brown Bag #2: The Power of Details. At the time, Lavin was Sunday Features and Discovery editor at the St. Petersburg Times. He has worked as a writer, writing coach, and editor at the Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union and the Finger Lakes Times in Geneva, N.Y."

"It was really just constantly reminding Anne to trust her own instincts. Heavy lifting in editing is when your hands are on the keys, and you're actually doing some of the synthesis for the reporter. I never had to do word one of that. Our conversations were across a table, looking at sections of the story that worked and that didn't work. And reminding her of things she would say to me in conversation, analytical things, that didn't find their way into the story."

"I never used the word "bad." I just said, "We can do a lot better." I've seen editors who, as a tool, will be aloof, distant, and doubting; you figure you'll milk the most out of the writer's energies by making them scared. I don't like that technique. I like to be hard-assed about my judgments, but I like to say "I'm with you" up until I have to say, "It's not working.""

Chris Lavin guided a reporter through rigorous revision by emphasizing the reporter's instincts and conducting conversational critique rather than heavy-handed rewriting. Lavin provided candid, supportive feedback, avoided tactics that intimidate, and framed criticism as collaborative improvement. Each piece returned through roughly three or four drafts, often requiring near reinvention; successive versions gained energy, stronger voice, and sharper analysis. Lavin's background includes roles as Sunday Features and Discovery editor, reporter and editor at regional newspapers, travel reporting across Florida, an anthropology degree from Hobart College, and a senior editor role overseeing special projects at a major newspaper.

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