Some of this may seem familiar as the elements do crossover into different areas of the editing process and the editor/author relationship.
One being…an editor’s duty is to be an author’s second pair of eyes. Beyond what Beta readers recommend. As with any editor, it is my job to read critically and push on anything that makes me stop. Too be as nick-picky as possible.
I do not ghostwrite or rewrite the author’s story. The story is their work in their voice and style. It’s up to me to work within this framework. Yes, overused words, repeating words and phrases, typos, spelling, grammar, and story flow/logic are musts. And, different editors will have different views. This is fine. It’s bound to happen and up to the author to keep what makes sense, feels right for their work and toss the rest – well toss what isn’t vital like bad spelling or missing periods, dialogue quotes, these could land anyone in trouble.
The one thing any editor should never do is rewrite or re-structure something as how they would write it. Suggest – yes. Give example – yes. Explain – yes. Push – by all means. But once the author makes their decision the editor must back away.
The manuscript is not ours to write.
Any solid author/editor relationship will learn each other’s voice and habits. It’s a growing relationship that thrives on mutual trust.
Develop that and the rest comes easy.