Pencil and Manual Typewriter - How Writers Used to Do Their Work

It’s fascinating how the Internet has changed our world and how we work. As an editor and writer, I’ve seen my career and how it works change most dramatically. Because while I once would write articles on a manual Olivetti typewriter and then mail the hard-copy articles with some glossy photographs or transparencies to magazines and newspapers so they could be published, now I keyboard the articles on my computer, upload some digital photos, and the articles appear in print (or right here in the virtual world)!

I provide editorial (and writing) services through my connections through the Internet. My clients find me through various means on the Internet. I do the work they require right here (on my computer), and then I send the completed work back to my clients. They pay by PayPal (or other arrangement). This is the new trend in working. More and more folks are working virtually–through their computers. I work mostly as a “Virtual Consultant” (VC) (an Editorial Consultant)–if required, I could also work as a Virtual Assistant (VA). To learn more about how to be a Virtual Consultant or Virtual Assistant, check out the following Banner Link:

Most critical to have, to read, to know:

• Strunk and White’s Elements of Style
• Rudolf Flesch’s  The Art of Readable Writing

Any or all of the following style manuals:

• The Associated Press Manual of Style
• The University of Chicago Manual of Style
• CBE (Council of Biology Editors) Style Manual

Typo as big as a barn - Aspapagus

Banner-sized typo – Liouidation Sale

As I go about my daily chores and running around (and when I go see my various clients for on-site meetings), I sometimes see bloopers as big as a barn. It’s one of the reasons why I keep a disposable camera in my car – or, sometimes, I’ll have my regular camera with me. In a pinch, I’ll use the camera on my cell phone if I don’t plan on being back to get a picture. I’ll post some of them here as well as on my other blogs and websites.

Me? I’m a professional writer/editor – have been working in the technical and scientific documentation field for the past 28 years. I’ve also been a newspaper and magazine freelance and staff writer/photographer, an English grammar and composition teacher, and a science teacher.

I like playing with language and languages–have studied Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Have also learned a few phrases in Tagalog, Kampampangan, Chamoru, Palauan, Arabic, and Korean. This experience with fooling around with languages helps me with my editing and helping folks with improving their writing.

This will probably be the main focus of this blog. I hope you enjoy it.