Little marks make a big difference in the readability and meaning of a story. A missing or misplaced apostrophe, comma, period, quotation mark, etc. may disrupt and confuse readers—and no author wants that. When proofreading, I watch for the following: Apostrophes • Contractions An apostrophe takes the place of missing letters or numbers. Examples: don’t, who’s, you’re, I’m, ’80s • Possessives An apostrophe may […]
I come across a wide variety of typos and errors when proofreading manuscripts, but certain mistakes pop up repeatedly. Familiarize yourself with these common mistakes so you can correct them—or avoid them entirely—in your own writing. 1. A single quotation mark instead of an apostrophe Examples: Incorrect: Go get ‘em. Correct: Go get ’em. An apostrophe—not a quotation mark—takes the place of a missing letter or letters. The direction that […]
Reading out loud is a highly effective proofreading method used by many writers, and for good reason. Whether your manuscript is long or short, reading out loud forces your eyes to slow down and keep pace with your voice. And when you slow down, you’re more likely to catch errors. Additionally, hearing your words aloud instead of silently in your head will highlight problems that your eyes alone simply don’t […]
In honor of National Grammar Day (did you even know that was a thing?), I’m sharing four pairs of frequently misused words. Why four? Because National Grammar Day is on March 4, of course! 1. It’s or its It’s is always a contraction and means “it is” or “it has.” The apostrophe indicates the missing letter(s) and is NOT indicating possession. Example: It’s going to be a long day. Its is possessive. […]
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to editing. So if you’re considering hiring an editor or proofreader but not really sure who or what you need (or what to expect), this excellent Writer’s Digest article clarifies the matter: 10 Things Your Freelance Editor Might Not Tell You—But Should. I recommend paying particular attention to the differences and degrees of editing versus proofreading. Like most professional proofreaders, I believe […]