A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
|
A few hours at the library + a stroll through a botanical garden = a Friday afternoon treat!
I spent several hours at my favorite library yesterday, working on some plans for an exciting product for The Proofreader Greenhouse. It was nice to get out of the house and spend time in a different environment.
After the library, I stopped at a nearby botanical garden. Even though it was hot, I spent a few minutes breathing deeply and capturing a few photos of all the growing goodness.
Do you have any botanical gardens near you? |
|
Do you proofread or edit on weekends? |
|
In an Instagram post a couple years ago, I talked about the idea of not doing client work on weekends. I repurposed that post on LinkedIn this week. Here's a link to the post if you're interested. I'd love to hear if you do client work on weekends. Would you reply to this email and let me know? |
|
Online Tools I Spotted This Week: |
|
I love discovering online tools that help me do my work more efficiently. I spotted two tools this week and wanted to share them with you: - Goblin Tools > The Judge: Goblin Tools is a website and app that helps users plan, organize, and manage time effectively. One of its tools is called The Judge. You paste in some wording, and the tool helps you evaluate the tone. This could be helpful as you evaluate the tone of emails you're planning to send to proofreading or editing clients or colleagues.
- Arc Browser: I've been experimenting with this internet browser this week, and I'm absolutely loving it! I'm considering making an extended tutorial about it at some point, but for now, I'll just say that I'm very impressed! Arc has been available for Mac for a while, but they just launched a Windows version.
|
|
The word “wholly" means completely or entirely. Not to be confused with “holey” or “holy.”💡 |
|
This Week's Featured Proofreader or Editor: |
|
Larry from Lawrence Payne Editorial Services |
|
The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit? Technical, legal, medical/pharmaceutical, historical, anything from the arts and humanities
- Did you complete a training course for proofreaders, or are you self-taught? I have an extensive background in journalism, including placements in globally distributed trade publications, in-house magazine editorial, technical writing and editing, news writing, press, and copy for advertising and marketing. These experiences have sharpened my focus so that I'm able to present clear, precise text in any form or subject.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing business? The world can be viewed in either of two ways: as a puzzle-like box of cubes in varying sizes or as a vast plain on which cultures and languages intermingle. I choose the latter. In that context I obligate myself to the highest editorial standard on behalf of every client. The people I serve trust me to be the very best; to be friendly, helpful, reasonable, and efficient. The quality of the client relationship is the goal most satisfying to achieve.
- What causes you the most frustration in your business? Occasionally I'm asked to edit a PDF with text balloons or sticky notes. Of course, I know what will happen next: The client will say it's difficult to match the changes to the erroneous text. So, I generally advise clients to refrain from the practice of editing PDFs as the primary guide for their quality-assurance efforts.
- What tips would you like to share with other proofreaders and editors?
A proofreader or editor should demonstrate fluency in the target form of the desired language. In the case of English, for example, one should know which form—e.g., American, British, Canadian, or Australian—is used in the document destination and work accordingly. Don't simply rely on colloquial usage, which can confuse or mislead the reader. Be conversational but also correct and logical.
|
|
Plant of the Week: Marble Queen Pothos |
|
I just love my marble queen pothos! Known for its green and white variegated leaves, it can grow in different light conditions, from low to bright indirect light. It's also easy to propagate. Whether you're a plant beginner or veteran, I think you'll love this plant! |
|
Let's keep growing together! |
|
|
