Why do only authors have editors?

photo Chris Ayres

Okay, I might alienate some folk with this post.  But here it is.

Painters, sculptors and artists don't have editors.

Composers don’t have editors.

So why do authors?  

Are we incapable of critically assessing our own work? What does that say about our faith in our abilities and creative spirit? 

I'm not attacking the profession of editors, by the way. Or saying editing isn't important - writers are constantly editing.  It's part of the writing process. There are different kinds of editing, and different reasons for it. It involves re-creation and selection. It can be subjective and political.  So I'm curious. It seems to be accepted as fact that when it comes to writing, other people are more qualified to edit our work than ourselves.  Why?  Where did this idea originate? How many visual artists would happily pay someone to add a splash of paint here, a brushstroke there, to enhance the canvas?  I don't know any concert composers who would invite opinions on how to structure a dramatic passage or score their finale. 

Just putting it out there......

photo Jane Ayres

To read what I was saying about editing back in 2012 go to: http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/patchwork-quilts-and-writing-novels.html

Garrets and Gatekeepers in Creatabot

Really pleased that my post (or rant as my brother called it!) about the difficulties of visibility for creatives is in http://creatabot.co.uk/2012/11/01/garrets-and-gatekeepers-by-jane-ayres/

Do check it out as I would love your views.  And here is the cool pic taken in Tallin that my talented brother took which I used to illustrate the article. 

Photograph by Chris Ayres
http://scubabeer.uk.to/jalbum