I didn't plan to be a copy editor and proofreader when I started in the newspaper business in 1979. I wanted to go to sporting events, take pictures, meet and interview famous people.
And I've done all of those things. I've interviewed everyone from Richard Petty to Nadia Comaneci, from Dale Earnhardt to Mark Gastineau, from Darrell Waltrip to Dan Jansen. I even got run into by William "Refrigerator" Perry while taking pictures at a Clemson football game.
But for 30 years I've also been a copy editor and proofreader. I've found mistakes and improved the writing for myself and for others. Everything I edit gets a little shorter, a little tighter, and, in most cases, a lot better. Same with my proofreading; it's only a matter of scale.
Everyone needs a good editor or proofreader, especially a good copy editor/proofreader like me.
I've found some great mistakes in my copy and elsewhere. I once left the score out of a game, and I recall at least one writer leaving off the first name of a college athlete who was being featured in the newspaper. This was pre-Internet, so I had to go to our photo file to find the athlete's first name.
Another time, my boss wrote a golf column with the names of four great golfers -- I know that Mark Calcavecchia's name was in there. I fixed two of the golfers' names, then learned the next day that the two other names were misspelled, too. After that, I never assumed that a writer has double-checked his facts and spellings.
I've had a few adventures on the desk. Once, I walked into the office, and I was pretty much working alone. One of the writers answered the phone for me, and I did everything else. Thinking back to the movie City Slickers, that might have been my best day.
I'm a pretty good editor, and I've worked for some terrific editors. One or two were simply outstanding. I learned a bit from all of them. Thankfully, I'm still learning.
And I've done all of those things. I've interviewed everyone from Richard Petty to Nadia Comaneci, from Dale Earnhardt to Mark Gastineau, from Darrell Waltrip to Dan Jansen. I even got run into by William "Refrigerator" Perry while taking pictures at a Clemson football game.
But for 30 years I've also been a copy editor and proofreader. I've found mistakes and improved the writing for myself and for others. Everything I edit gets a little shorter, a little tighter, and, in most cases, a lot better. Same with my proofreading; it's only a matter of scale.
Everyone needs a good editor or proofreader, especially a good copy editor/proofreader like me.
I've found some great mistakes in my copy and elsewhere. I once left the score out of a game, and I recall at least one writer leaving off the first name of a college athlete who was being featured in the newspaper. This was pre-Internet, so I had to go to our photo file to find the athlete's first name.
Another time, my boss wrote a golf column with the names of four great golfers -- I know that Mark Calcavecchia's name was in there. I fixed two of the golfers' names, then learned the next day that the two other names were misspelled, too. After that, I never assumed that a writer has double-checked his facts and spellings.
I've had a few adventures on the desk. Once, I walked into the office, and I was pretty much working alone. One of the writers answered the phone for me, and I did everything else. Thinking back to the movie City Slickers, that might have been my best day.
I'm a pretty good editor, and I've worked for some terrific editors. One or two were simply outstanding. I learned a bit from all of them. Thankfully, I'm still learning.
Mostly, I'm determined to make your writing shine.
EMAIL: tgilli52@gmail.com TWITTER: EDITORatWORK
MORE EDITOR@WORK BLOG ENTRIES
BLOG ENTRIES BY TOM GILLISPIE
ANECDOTES BY TOM GILLISPIE
ENTRIES FROM THE DOG BLOG
(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)
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