mentoring

“On the Right Path”: An Emerging Editor’s Journey (Part 1)

By Dana Sorensen

I haven’t been an editor for very long. In some ways, this career snuck up on me.

An equity trader for my entire professional life, I started in that industry partly to make use of my BA in Economics. I was over the moon to have a job I excelled at and where I fit in! As time went on and we were able to trade from home, I used the time I saved on commuting to care for my daughter and my mom-in-law.

 As much as I appreciated my job for the perks, social standing, and the thrill of trading, secretly I knew a big part of my mind was either dormant or only used after hours. Through those years, I had a recurring dream of rediscovering a secret room in my house with built-in bookshelves, a big chair, soft lighting, and even a library ladder!

Cartoon books on shelves enclosed within a heart-shaped frame

In my dream, I was ecstatic that such a soulful, interior place could exist and continue to exist for my whole life. At those times, I knew a crucial part of my mind was going unused, but it would not be ignored forever.

As my life circumstances began to change, I had the urge to use my mind in a new way.  I went through a career exploration package with a local counsellor. It didn’t take much to uncover my aptitude for creative communication and more specifically, editing.

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In Conversation with JJ Lee: The Art and Business of Memoir Editing

In this candid interview, JJ Lee guides us through the tricky waters of memoir editing. From the mentoring skills needed to do the job to identifying an author’s narrative springboard, JJ’s insights can help enhance any editor’s toolkit.

A black and white photo of JJ Lee
JJ Lee

WCE

Let us start. How do you approach storytelling and personal narratives in your work? And what drew you to the nonfiction genre?

JJ Lee

Oh, that’s a three-part question. What drew me to nonfiction is my background. When I was approached to start writing, I was already a radio journalist and had started participating in semi-experimental programs like Outfront at the CBC, where they were bringing in first-time broadcasters to do small 15-minute documentaries. I challenged a former Globetrotter, Mel Davis, to one-on-one basketball, then I did a documentary called “Typewriter Guy” and another one, “Sing Like Marvin.” That began my role of jumping in and doing things. 

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Meet Your Future Self: Student-Focused Group Networking Event

Calling experienced editors!

BC has one of the largest concentrations of student editors in all of Editors Canada—and they are starting their careers in one of the most challenging job markets many of us have ever seen. To support our student editors, Editors BC is organizing a free student-focused group networking event in which one experienced editor will meet with two or three groups of three, four, or five student editors for conversation, relationship-building, and advice-giving.

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