Careful, I May Be Editing Your Writing!

I couldn't count how many times people tell me they get nervous to write me e-mails because they think I'm editing their writing and judging them.

Here's the thing: Now that I am a professional editor, I do look at all the words I see with an editor's eye. I have always paid attention to the rules of grammar and punctuation, but now that I am required to pay attention to those things, it has become a habit. I like to think it's what happens with all professions. That is, for example, a hair stylist notices good or bad hair everywhere he goes; an animator could appreciate or criticize the computer graphics of a movie; a musician pays special attention to the sound quality of music; and a scientist recognizes the problems and inaccuracies of pseudo research.

I am trained to edit everything: cereal boxes, road signs, billboards, ads, Web sites, and yes, even e-mails.

So do I notice your misspellings? Your misuse of commas? Improper formatting? Yes, yes, and yes.

Do I judge you? NO!* Even editors need editors! I make mistakes, too! Also, the fact that I don't use red pens to edit should be a dead giveaway to my nonjudgmental editing nature.

So send me e-mails! Leave comments on my blog! Write a text or two! I won't think you're an idiot, if you accidentally type "their" instead of "they're."


*There are, in fact, times when I have judged people by their writing. It's when the writing is particularly egregious and especially when it's something from a guy I'm dating. :/


Thing I'm thankful for: ceiling fans!