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Q. I just read your comments to the reporter who complained about the bad copy editors at his paper. You advised him to "babysit" his stories.

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I'd love to hear your advice as to how to do that as a reporter without getting the editors upset or annoyed with us. I'd also like to know how to beg, push or plead for a good and accurate headline without getting myself labeled as a "control freak" or "hard to work with."

Thanks

K.S.

A. Good question. Newsrooms run better when they do not have a lot of people who do great work and who don't require a lot of maintenance.

Here are some guidelines for shepherding (do you like that better than babysitting?) a story.

Front-end load: In cases where you are attempting something new, warn the editors all the way down the line. You want them to work with you, not against you, so you need to bring them on board with what you are are doing.

Joe Grimm

Pick your battles I: Don't try to manage the process on every story. That will drive you, and everyone else, crazy.

Pick your battles II: Don't get in a tussle over every change. Some changes are good. Some are bad. Some neutral. Concentrate on rolling back the changes that could spoil the work.

Be available: Put your phone number on every story. Always take calls from the copy editors and make the experience pleasant for them. You don't want them avoiding you.

Negotiate face to face: Message systems strip communications of nuance. You want to come across as invested, but respectful of the copy editor's role.

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Coming Wednesday: He has rapidly risen into the editing ranks and misses reporting. He wonders how to get back.

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