At clovio, we pride ourselves on the quality of the content we produce for our media brands. While we work with a team of international writers, we want to ensure that our users have a seamless and consistent reading experience – no matter which language they’re reading our content in. That’s where our Native English Editors come in. In this interview, our editor Saskia tells us more about how she works with our writers and even gives some advice for anyone looking to launch their career as an editor.
What is your role in the clovio team?
I’m the Native English Editor for Best Reviews and the clovio blog, so I edit our writers’ articles and tweak them until they appear to be written by native speakers. Our team is international so it’s also my job to help everyone improve by explaining my edits in detail. But variety is the spice of life, and my job is more than just editing. I do a little bit of writing, record voice-overs for our YouTube channel and am responsible for helping shape the voice of the company through making Style Guide decisions.
How did you get into editing?
A long time ago, I did an English Literature degree as I always loved reading and writing, and sort of fell into working at a London newspaper afterward. Following this, I worked as a production editor on an English language newspaper in Norway and I found editing very satisfying. I launched myself as a freelance editor when I moved to France and found my job at clovio not long ago.
What do you consider the most important aspect of your role with clovio?
I would say it’s twofold. The first is the communication I have with the writers. They are creating the content and it’s my job to help them hone their craft. I’m not there to reprimand them and want to encourage them and make the whole process enjoyable. The second aspect is having a sharp eye. I am a perfectionist and want the content we release to be as spotless and enjoyable to read as possible.
What does your ideal work setup look like?
I’m pretty happy with my current setup as I have sun streaming through a window in the mornings and a nice big screen. I’m a laptop lover but it’s clear that having a second screen makes everything so much easier. The only downside is that my desk is in our living room and as I have small children, it’s impossible to work if they’re at home wreaking havoc. Oh, and coffee. Coffee is my ‘ideal work setup.’
What do you like to do in your spare time and on weekends?
I tend to be found running around after my kids in my spare time. We like to socialize so can often be found having picnics on the beach or BBQs in our garden (thankfully we live somewhere warm so we can be outside most of the year). Another favorite thing to do on the weekend is to have coffee in town and then buy something tasty from the market to take home for lunch.
You’re originally from the UK. What made you decide to live in France?
I’m from London and it’s a city that has everything. But I wanted to find a different way of living so I was keen to leave after my studies. I tried New York, which I loved but it was too fast-paced, and then tried Oslo, which I really enjoyed, but it was too calm. When I moved to France, I found the right balance and am now very happy with the mix of speedy and serene I have in my life.
What advice do you have for those who want to work as an editor?
Read. Write. And as with most things in life, if you think you want to do it then just do it. Many people do an internship, which is great for dipping your toe in different fields. But I learned on the job. It was a ‘sink or swim’ approach and it was intense and not particularly easy, but I learned what I needed to.
On a separate note, I’ve personally found that learning another language has made me look differently at my mother tongue, as well as helped me have empathy and patience for those learning it. Patience and being able to explain things clearly are essential qualities for this job.
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