by RNS | Oct 11, 2016 | Writing
There is a language to proofreading; a series of squiggles and signs that indicate errors. And finding errors is the only function of proofreading. The problem with such a code, as with any language, is that both parties have to understand its meaning, and few do, especially outside of the publishing business. I have yet to meet a student who knows it. Moreover, most of the writing I receive to work on contains problems in a number of areas, not just a final tidy-up and check for glitches. Therefore, what I mean by proofreading is that final edit, the polish that comes after all the other problems are fixed. However, I work on the various problems in a text as part of the editing process, and proofreading is buried in that process, so typos, grammar errors etc are removed immediately rather than remedially. The result is usually a lot of red ink and sometimes a disheartened client, but the task of editing and proofreading is condensed and therefore more efficient and cost effective. So get ready to see red ink all over your hard work but understand the benefits to your text and your bank account.
by RNS | Oct 4, 2016 | Writing
When I marked papers as Graduate Assistant and then as a teacher, I would hand back any papers that had more than a few spelling or grammar errors. My rationale was that if the student could not be bothered preparing the paper properly then why should I be bothered marking it. That was many years ago. It felt like a losing battle then and feels like one now when I review books or read student papers that are full of errors. The modus operandi appears to be it is easier to make the mistake then apologize. The problem with that is by the time you come to apologize it may be too late to rectify the damage you have caused by making a poor first impression, and reputations are often built on the competence of the first action not the reaction. In publishing, that leads to reduced sales, and avoidance of your work by potential readers; for students, that could be the difference between an A and a B. That is why hiring a proofreader is important, even if just to put a last objective pair of eyeballs on a piece of writing. Your final point on your writing checklist then should be the first item you write down: proofread!
by RNS | Sep 28, 2016 | Hamster Wrangling
It will probably surprise people who know me that I would start a blog entry with ‘no comment’. I am usually never short of something to say. What ‘no comment’ refers to here though is my decision not to allow comments on my blog entries. The reason for this is that when I attempted a blog before, my comments section was bogged down in no doubt well meaning people offering me SEO advice , offers to buy new sunglasses , and adverts for enlargement devices for certain parts of my anatomy! So I have decided to forego the comments this time round but have added a Contact Me page instead. Therefore, if you have viewed my new website and have a comment please contact me. In fact, contact me anyway, but note I do not need sunglasses or SEO advice.
by RNS | Sep 23, 2016 | News
Hello, and welcome to my new website!
I am going to post some Blog stuff as I go along, though in the meantime have a wander around the site. If you have any observations, please send them along via the Contact Me facility.
Also, please send the link to anyone you know who might need a writer or writing tutor. Like any freelancer, I am always looking for new clients and projects but as always the time to jump on board is now while there is still room.
Also, many thanks to John Peace at Big Purple Box for delivering the content for my website and coming up with a stylish and clean layout, exactly what I wanted! Check out the Big Purple Box website.
