Everything moves forward with time. Adapts to new and changing circumstances.
So it is with the evolving coronavirus pandemic.
New Jersey began reopening in a limited way throughout June and July. As a result my routine has shifted … somewhat…
Tag Archives: Proofreading
An Editor’s Shelter-In-Place Diary 5-14-20: Website Revamp & Bulb Update
Two full months into the coronavirus stay-at-home life, I’ve finally tackled a task put off for far too long: revisions to this website…
An Editor’s Shelter-in-Place Diary 4/28/20: First Entry and Bulbs
Like so many, I’ve been sheltering in place this spring due to coronavirus. In my case this began partially on March 16, 2020, the first day that my son’s public school became fully online…
Is spellcheck enough? Nope! Have an eyeball or two review that writing project.
When people discover I’m a freelance editor at networking events or through casual conversation, they occasionally ask this question: “Why does anyone need an editor when they can just use spellcheck?”
Planning to write a blog. Planning to view totality. (Similarities? Totally!)
I geek out about many things.
The need for an apostrophe before the last “s” in a word (singular possessive: “the cat’s kittens”) or after (plural possessive: “the cats’ kittens”). A perfect cup of hot tea. Any episode of Star Trek TOS (The Original Series, for you neophytes). Terrific historical fiction and non-fiction. Almost anything science-related and explainable in lay-person terms … including this year’s nationwide craze over the first total solar eclipse to traverse the continental United States since 1979!
I toyed with totality for a whole year. All (excuse the pun) the stars aligned: the eclipse took place on third week in August, our usual time for family summer vacations; my son’s camp ended the previous Friday; and the eclipse was going over the East Coast!
Planning the excursion was similar to the writing and editing process for any article or blog….
Typos in the pre-digital age. Or, why proofing your work matters then … AND now.
Think back to a high school or college writing assignment. Term paper, book report … anything, really. Did you get dinged for typos? (Shorthand for typographical errors, in case you were wondering.) Does a particularly egregious error come to mind?
Allow me to get this conversation going, with an embarrassingly cringe-worthy example out of my own not-so-recent past….
To know what you REALLY wrote? Record, replay, LISTEN!
Back in July on LinkedIn, I shared the following 10-step technique for out-loud proofreading that works with any and all types of copy:
1. Print out a copy of your writing.
2. Grab your favorite pen.
3. Read aloud to yourself slowly…
Pamela Barroway 