"A Mothering Editor" - Rev. Dr. Walter McCray's Mother's Day Tribute to Mary C. Lewis

Chicago, IL, May 6, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Rev. Dr. Walter A. McCray is a Chicago-based author, publisher, leading voice in black evangelicalism, and servant of the Church and community. He is a Gospelizer, a holistic “Good News messenger” of the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ.

This Mother’s Day he has shared an Editorial regarding a Tribute to His Mother Wordsmith:

A Mothering Editor - My Mother’s Day Tribute to Mary C. Lewis

[ Excerpts Below]

The 2016 season of Mother’s Day is a fitting occasion for me to highlight several special qualities of the person I claim as my “mothering editor.” In the process of editing, she “mothers” the child-like creations of both novice and mature writers alike, by offering the best of her gifts and professional qualities to help us write and publish better.  My mothering editor is Mary C. Lewis.

A mother gives birth or receives a child as her own. She then gives the child her all. She nurtures . . . teaches . . . assists . . . warns . . . heals . . . believes in . . . rejoices. A great mother—loves, anyway and always. Such are her compassionate acts of “mothering.”

In the spirit and paradigm of motherhood, I focus my thoughts on the value of “mothering editors,” and especially on mine. Some editors are great wordsmiths; they bring the art and discipline of “mothering” to the process of writing and publishing. These editors are good, really good. Their editorial work bears the excellent character of a good mother’s nature. All good writers learn to respect the value of their mothering editors, and give them honor. I do so here.

In what condition would serious writers find themselves without the assistance and precious qualities of a competent editor who takes it upon herself to “mother” their written thoughts and ideas?

It is nearly impossible for most writers to clearly and effectively communicate a written message without the close reading and careful revisions of a mothering editor. Most first-time writers would be lost in wandering without her critical and compassionate support. Most seasoned authors would make embarrassing blunders.

Most writers desperately need a mothering editor. I do. I know that I do. I began my professional writing experience nearly 40 years ago. And I still know that I do. My knowledge and experience emphatically drives home the point: The services of a mothering editor are indispensable for those who would become good writers.

Sometimes I wonder, “How would my writings have developed over the years had it not been for my mothering editor?” I am so glad that her competent services are yet accessible. And my, is she competent.

As an African-American author, most times I write black Christian biblical literature that requires the qualities of a mothering editor. At once, she must be biblically and theologically literate, culturally in-depth, mature and sensitive, and spiritually practical. My mothering editor brings to the table competencies in all these areas. She is really good, and expeditious too. Without reservation I depend on her proficient efforts.

She is of the kind who brings to her editing table the experience, virtues and qualities that are most helpful, if not crucial, for inspired writers to write and communicate their message successfully.

The services of a mothering editor show up in a variety of ways.

Whereas a writer usually gives birth to an idea, a mothering editor most often helps the writer give birth to a completed written project that flows from an original draft or manuscript on the idea.

Consider that she . . .

             . . . welcomes the drafted idea or first-stage manuscript that a writer submits for editing . . .

             . . .  keeps a positive perspective on the author’s ideas, research and writing abilities. She believes in the writer . . .

             . . . works to develop the writer’s idea and draft to suit a clear intent, purpose and audience . . .

             . . . straightens out the author’s spelling, grammar, and the ways he forms sentences and paragraphs in the manuscript . . .

             . . . takes time to encourage a writer to write it over, to write it right, and to refine the writing . . .

             . . . truly desires to help the addicted perfectionist by moving his work from a phase of perpetual continuation to the desired goal of a completed publication . . .

             . . . takes the time to craftily fashion the author’s work in a way that makes his message more presentable and attractive to the reading world . . .

             . . . evaluates the writer’s original draft, painstakingly reforms content, proofs and enhances the project, and ushers the author’s finished work into its destined venue. Her labor and enthusiasm reveal a lot about her love, her willingness to work with a struggling writer, and how much she enjoys doing the projects that he has entrusted to her mothering editorial care. 

             . . . rejoices over the completion of the writer’s finished composition. Now it’s time for our mothering editor to celebrate, and for us to celebrate our mothering editor.

             . . . prays for her own guidance, and also for her client’s . . . How thankful I am to God for divinely answering the requests of my caring, my mothering editor. Those answers to prayer have often given me strength, and have made a great difference in my life of writing.

             Do right by financially compensating a mothering editor. Paying them well is good and responsible . . . and showing appreciation and honor to a mothering editor—for all the hard and considerate work she does behind the scene—is a great commendation and reward.

             Largely because of my mothering editor, my writing and publishing are improved; even my presentations, and preparations for preaching are better.

             With these few humble words, I am grateful to honor Mary C. Lewis. In my estimation, your editorial work is outstanding. Thank you from my heart for being my mothering editor.

Allow me to bless you, Mary, with the grace of our Lord; and may His sacred peace that is internal, external and eternal—His holistic peace—always be with you. Amen.

MCL Editing, Etc. — Contact Editor

             Good Writers

             Honor “Mother” Wordsmiths

             Who Give Their Crucial, Critical

             and Compassionate Support.

 Rev. Dr. Walter Arthur McCray

 Gospelizer

www.blacklightfellowship.com   © 2016    Contact Author

Click Here for Complete Article – “A Mothering Editor”

Contact Rev. Dr. McCray   www.blacklightfellowship.com

Source: BLACK LIGHT FELLOWSHIP

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