Seiji tilted his head. "Editor, huh … Thank you for your evaluation, although I don't quite understand."
He didn't quite understand what Editor Yoshizawa meant. Although he knew that Yoshizawa was praising him, he didn't understand what part of what he had just done was worthy of such praise.
Saki only smiled in response to Seiji's confused expression.
What should an excellent editor be like?
Different people would have different answers to this question.
Back when Saki was still a newcomer, she had once discussed this topic with Head Editor Sozo Hattori. At the time, Sozo's words had left a deep impression on her.
"An excellent editor doesn't necessarily need to be able to do everything well. They only need to do the basic things well. However, it's not easy to do all of these 'basic' things well.
For example, when it comes to communicating with an author, many people believe that an excellent editor should be able to accurately judge a story, give the author good suggestions, and help the author improve their work. Or, when a story fails, the editor should be able to raise the author's spirits and encourage them to maintain their passion and continue writing … There's nothing wrong with this view, but I believe that it's not entirely correct.
Whether it's judging a story, giving suggestions, or comforting or encouraging the author, these aren't the 'basic' things at the end of the day. They're just additional tasks for the editor. Of course, it's good if you can do it well, but if you can't do it well, it's fine if your work remains mediocre as long as you don't mess it up.
I believe that there are two 'basic' things to communicating with an author. The first is to help the author understand the situation, and the second is to help the author understand themselves.
The first is relatively easy to do, but the second is quite difficult.
If you can help the author understand the situation, then you'll be a passable editor. And if you can help the author understand themselves, then you'll be an excellent editor. It doesn't matter even if you're mediocre in all other areas. At the very least, if I were the head editor, I would treat an editor who could do this as my ace.
At first glance, there might seem to be many similarities between authors, but they're actually all individuals with unique personalities. This personality is usually internal, and very few will show it outwardly. In fact, even if an author does show it outwardly, it's not certain that it's their true personality.
"There are very few editors who can make an author recognize themselves, know who they are, what kind of person they are, what they want to create, and what they can create … Thus, they can stimulate the author's passion and potential, and create works that match their personality or even surpass themselves."
"That's because it's far too difficult to see through the author's inner personality and use appropriate words to wake him up." Head Editor Hattori sighed sincerely.
Saki, who was still a newcomer, didn't quite understand the chief editor's words at the time, but she remembered them.
After getting used to the job, he slowly understood what the chief editor meant.
It was really difficult for an author to recognize himself.
Some authors' personalities were hard to see through, and some were easier to see through, but that might not necessarily be the author's true personality. And even if they could see through it, it would be even more difficult for them to recognize themselves.
Even if the words were spoken bluntly, the other party might not necessarily accept or understand. It was possible for them to resist or even be angry. Only accurate and appropriate words could achieve that.
However, such a difficult task was naturally accomplished by the young man in front of him!
'At most, I'll make him recognize his own will, that's all.' 'That's not all, Harano … Haruta-kun.' Saki praised him in her heart.
She didn't explain it to him, because he wasn't an editor, and it was impossible for him to become one. It was fine as long as he knew.
…
After parting ways with Editor Yoshizawa, Seiji went to buy a digital drawing tablet for his computer before returning home.
When he arrived home, he immediately told Little Shi that he had won the competition and showed her his own drawing as well as Demon Soldier Sensei's drawing.
"This sensei drew quite well as well, but Brother Seiji's drawing is even better," Little Shi said sincerely. "I'm really looking forward to seeing all of Brother's drawings."
"It'll take some time to finish all of them. I'll do it as soon as possible, so that we can get published as soon as possible. "Seiji smiled as he showed her the drawing tablet that he had just purchased.
"This can be used to draw on the computer. It'll be much more convenient, and it'll be able to speed up the process while still maintaining the quality."
Afterwards, he went to his study to connect the drawing tablet to the computer and tried using it.
After confirming that the drawing tablet was working smoothly, Seiji opened up his dating sim system and exchanged for the [Drawing Card — Drawing Tablet].
A new card appeared in front of him. On the card was a black figure smoothly drawing on a white drawing tablet.
Seiji went to lie on his bed and chose [Use]. The card transformed into starlight that entered his brain.
It felt similar to when he used the [Writing Card]. His brain heated up for a moment, and then it suddenly became clear.
He then sat down in front of his computer, opened up his software, picked up his drawing tablet, and picked up his drawing brush.
The tip of his brush landed on the drawing tablet and smoothly drew lines. He didn't seem shaky at all when he first started using the drawing tablet.
As expected, his drawing speed increased.
It didn't increase by as much as when he used the [Writing Card]. After all, he was still drawing with a brush.
But after a while, Seiji discovered that not only did his drawing speed improve, but his drawing quality also greatly improved!
Compared to drawing on paper, using the drawing tablet on the computer was much easier and more detailed. The quality of his drawings also improved.
Excellent.
As Seiji continued drawing, he became immersed in his work.
…
At night.
Seiji, who was still drawing, received a phone call.
The caller was Fuuma Airi.
The figure of the sweet-faced little girl with short sky-blue hair appeared in his mind. He immediately answered the call.
"Good evening, big brother …" A slightly nervous voice sounded from the other side of the phone.
"Good evening, little sister Fuuma."
Hearing this gentle male voice, Airi clearly recalled what had happened earlier.
When she thought that she had accidentally killed her own brother, and was panicking, afraid, and uneasy, he was the one who comforted her, called the ambulance in time, encouraged her to contact her father, and accompanied her before the friend her father had requested arrived …
After that, Airi wanted to contact this gentle, prince-like big brother who had helped her several times. However, due to various emotions in her heart, she didn't have the courage to make the call.
Until yesterday, when her parents invited him to their home to express their gratitude. She then took the initiative to request that she contact him.
"Big brother, are you free tomorrow?"
Seiji looked at the computer screen.
"I have something to do, but it's not like I'm completely free … Is something the matter?"
"Mom and Dad said that they'd like to invite you to our home for dinner."
Dinner … was a way to express their gratitude. Seiji thought about it.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
