Proofreading & Editing Tips
Consistency Is Key: Lessons From a Swedish Café
My editor eyes never go off duty, even when I’m on vacation. Case in point: We just had Spring Break in Oregon. On one of the days, my family and I met my longtime friend and her husband at a charming Swedish café in Portland. It’s a fantastic place that serves...
The Curious Case of Haight: A Name, a Place, a Spelling Revolution
My last name is Haight, and I love it. But most people hesitate before saying it out loud or mispronounce it since it sounds exactly like “hate,” and that makes some folks feel a little awkward. Back in my early twenties, my friends Aaron and Ben jokingly gave me the...
Paddy, Not Patty: The St. Patrick’s Day Mistake You Don’t Want to Make
I’m Irish. I’m also Portuguese, French, German, English, Dutch, and Scottish. But because of that little slice of Irish, I especially like St. Patrick's Day. My daughters are older now (one is in college), but I still got my 16-year-old Lucky Charms today so she could...
The Case for Classics: Why Reading Classical Literature Matters
My 16-year-old daughter was reading a book for English class, so I asked her, “What is it about?” “I don’t know.” “Why is the teacher having you read that anyway? Why aren’t they having you read a classic?” Her response: “Because classics are boring.” Boring?! I...
Sing Me a Double Negative, Bill Withers
Double negatives are a grammar no-no, but you’ve probably heard them in some of your favorite songs. You’ve no doubt sung along to them, and maybe you didn’t even realize you were breaking the rules. While double negatives usually flip the meaning to a positive (just...
Understanding Points of View in Writing
For the past eleven years, I’ve worked on an online platform with a mix of projects, many of them from non-native English speakers. Today, I received a request to “put my article in third person.” It made me think that many people might not know the different points...
The Everyday Mistake I See Every Day
As an editor, one of the most common errors I see is using everyday when it should actually be every day. Let’s clear this sucker up. Everyday vs. Every Day Everyday is an adjective. This means it modifies a noun, and it describes something that is usual or typical....
Less Talk, More Grammar: How to Master Fewer vs. Less
What’s your zodiac sign? Mine is Gemini, represented by the twins. Geminis are known for being social and talkative. If you’re a Gemini, you probably even have conversations with yourself! I often do. I’m very much a Gemini, but I also love the phrase “less talk, more...
Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m Feeling Possessive and Alliterative
Are you a sappy sucker like me? Do you identify as a goofy giver of gushy gifts as you grin with giddy gratitude? Romantic and ready, do you revel in the rosy radiance of Valentine’s Day? And the most important question: Do you enjoy alliteration? I obviously do. My...
The Mighty “Is”: Capitalization in Titles
I’m small. Standing at just five feet tall and weighing the same as 2.5 bags of wood pellets (we keep cozy in our little PNW home with a pellet stove), I don’t take up much space. If you sit behind me in a car, you’ll enjoy plenty of legroom. In my kitchen, you’ll...