What Do Rosh Hashana and the Art of Editing Have in Common?

Image courtesy of Noach Gruen

This summer was bursting with several major projects and challenges, including this brand new website, which I am thrilled is now live and generating lots of well deserved kudos for designer Amanda Keller of Northwoods Creates. I loved working with Amanda, who suggested this fresh presentation my abilities, which proudly showcases my editing services: developmental editing, manuscript assessment, writing coaching, and ghostwriting. I have been doing this work for years and enjoy it immensely, but had never given it adequate play on my previous sites.

Writing has always been vital to my sense of well being and purpose, but helping others learn to find their voices and get their own stories and messages out to the public is enormously gratifying. Books I’ve edited are out in the world, often having transformative impact on thousands of readers. I love the teamwork of taking my clients’ ideas, philosophies, and expertise and working it all into clear, concise, engaging text that makes a difference. Editing and coaching also balance the intensity of my personal writing, unleashing a different kind of creativity. And creativity is energy.

My rebranding is timely coming so close to Rosh Hashana. “Shana” not only means “year” but also, appropriately, “change.” I realized that both Rosh Hashana and editing are about the art of revision. Both require honest assessments that can usually benefit from a caring, insightful, objective third party. Rosh Hashana offers us the opportunity of change and internal revitalization, a sort of self-editing, if you will.

When I return to my writing or editing work after a day or more, I instantly see the material with the fresh perspective that time away has provided. When we return to ourselves on Rosh Hashana, we hope to also see ourselves with new eyes, understanding where some revisions, deletions, and additions can make us more of who we aspire to be.

I used to dread Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, understanding they were “days of awe,” but interpreting that as “awful” rather than “awe-ful.” Today I know better. The Almighty knows the tests He has sent my way, and I have never doubted they have a purpose. I also realized that the tests—not just over the past many months, but throughout my life—have stretched me in a good way, continuing to affirm my relationship with God.

Ultimately, this is what the season of renewal is all about.

I hope that when you dip the apples in the honey on Rosh Hashana, you will taste the sweetness and promise of this time of renewal.