In this highly social world, our words travel at the speed of thought.
Let's ensure they're the right ones.
As an editor, my job is to provide a second set of eyes. Everyone makes mistakes, including editors. But a fresh pair of eyes can help reduce errors and heighten meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Editing
Q. You started a sentence with a conjunction up there! Isn't that bad grammar?A. I'm glad you asked. Many people think of editors as "grammar nazis" who annihilate split infinitives and made-up words like "ain't." I'm not a prescriptivist, though. English is a living language, a tool we use to communicate with one another. As long as human beings speak it, a language will continue evolving. Sometimes using a fragment or starting a sentence with a conjunction can bolster meaning or grab the reader's attention.
Q. Do you use AP Style, Chicago, or something else?
A. I'll use whatever your in-house style guide specifies. If there isn't one, I'll use Chicago. If you aren't sure, but you have specific preferences (if you hate serial commas, for instance), just let me know what those are. This is especially important for novelists, as certain characters may have their own quirks. The more information you provide, the better I can meet your needs.
Q. What's a serial comma?
A. Also known as an Oxford comma, a serial comma is the last comma before "and" in a series. The boy ate an apple, an orange, and a peach contains a serial comma. Some styles, such as AP style, omit the serial comma: The boy at an apple, an orange and a peach. I prefer to keep the serial comma in all cases, for clarity and consistency. Others have gone into more detail about this than I will here.
Q. Do I have to sign any contracts to work with you?
A. Anytime you work with a freelancer, editor or otherwise, contracts help protect both parties.
