We All Need Editors!
The nature of blogging is it’s off the cuff. This blog, like many others, even most, doesn’t have a copy editor that checks for mistakes and typos before it’s published.
Now, anyone who knows me knows I’m not a copy editor! My spelling is creative at best. Of course, computers catch many errors, but not all of them, not by a long shot. Recently I’ve blown two sets of words the computer things are fine either way. The first was typing your instead of you’re; the second was scrambling lose and loose. And yes, I do know the difference and it’s quite possible I would have spotted either or both errors if I let my blog copy rest a day before I hit the publish button.
It ain’t gonna happen folks, not with this blogger. I blog on the fly. Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t point out errors… in fact, do so, but in the comments here so others can also benefit.
Meanwhile, read Barbaa Fifer’s excellent article called: The Editorial Process. She knows her stuff and if you need a copy editor, consider her.
Write well and often,
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POSTED IN: Musings From A Freelance Writer
13 opinions for We All Need Editors!
Angela Williams Duea
Feb 21, 2008 at 10:19 am
Ahh, blog editing…so many times I’ve checked my writing, then published…and winced at something that slipped by me. Sometimes we are just too close to our own work to see our errors. Thanks for pointing me to a helpful professional.
Anne Wayman
Feb 21, 2008 at 10:32 am
Angela, I simply can’t edit or proofread my own work… not copy edit… like you say, I’m too close to it.
George Thekkiniyath
Mar 15, 2008 at 12:20 am
I was just curious to find out if there are some like minds who have the same thoughts as mine. I get angry when I see people sending me e-mail or SMS etc. never bothered about what they just typed and sent it to me. People are so care less these days in drafting anything. I will be happy if I could make some money by reading proof or writing copy etc. Please let me know.
KathleenL
Mar 16, 2008 at 9:30 am
George — you are right.
Folks don’t seem to take much care.
Heck, my sister even gives me grief if I send her an e-mail note with typos.
I have gone to typing my blogs, articles, etc. into word and then cutting and pasting. I is my only recourse.
I do make money at editing folks’ manuscripts but not their blogs… not yet.
Anne – we are all guilty of re-reading what we have written and seeing what we meant to write. That’s why this writer welcomes someone looking over my stuff.
Send it to me… I’ll set a new set of eyes on it. :)
Anne Wayman
Mar 16, 2008 at 10:11 am
Kathleen, what do you charge for editing?
Kathleen L
Mar 22, 2008 at 5:09 am
Anne,
I charge $1.75 per page.
Anne Wayman
Mar 24, 2008 at 11:29 am
Seems reasonable.
KathleenL
Mar 25, 2008 at 7:39 am
Yes, it is.
For that price I give a line-by-line, color coded editing that my clients seem to appreciate.
Do you need, desire to have something looked at?
Anne Wayman
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:09 am
Not at the moment, but I like to keep a couple of editors on tap as it were.
George Thekkiniyath
Apr 9, 2008 at 1:07 am
I am running a Graphic Design/Advt. firm and see these other agencies making typos in their advt. and other contents and I am running a campaign among these “professionals” urging them to look more seriously into their campaigns and do proof reading before publishing. I would love to do some editing / proof reading / copywriting assignments.
Kathleen L
Apr 9, 2008 at 7:31 am
Yes, George I agree, that typos are irritating.
I know I am not perfect, I am human and fallible, but I even get irritated at myself for letting some of the typos through.
I remember one of my clients saying, when I noticed a typo that was created by the typesetter of a brochure (a typo I e-mailed her about and requested the change… but she ignored my request)… Back to the client’s comment — he said, “Well, if anyone says anything, at least we will know that people are reading our brochure.” Hence, I wonder if the mistakes in ads etc. are seen in that same light.
George Thekkiniyath
Jul 16, 2008 at 5:26 am
I was off this page for a while. I agree to what you are saying. The readers some times needs provocation to reply or speak up. It can be a Typo or a unusual or nasty comment. It is pretty difficult to read the mind of people at times
Anne Wayman
Jul 16, 2008 at 7:57 am
maybe I should include a deliberate type or two to increase comments? Nah, I make enough without trying ;)
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