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Want to know a bit more about grammar and why editors make certain decisions? Interested in the highs and lows of running a small business? Look no further – my blog has got you covered.

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Editing

Should editors be good writers? Are we creators or curators of words?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a journalist. I love hearing people’s stories, researching and writing. But journalism was too edgy...

Nov 3, 20232 min read

Have you heard of proof-editing? I hadn't either...

I hadn’t come across the term 'proof-editing' when I started training as a proofreader and then a copy-editor. But now it’s a thing....

Oct 25, 20233 min read

Confused by capitals? This story about a grammar-loving panda just might help

Once upon a time, there was a grammar-loving bear called Panda. She was black and white (obviously), she loved to munch on bamboo snacks,...

Oct 19, 20232 min read

Plain English (or de-fluffing): helping your reader (not to have a headache)

As my regular clients will tell you, I am a fan of minimal capitalisation and plain English. Why use 30 words when you can use 15? Why...

Oct 4, 20232 min read

Some random thoughts about punctuation, by Martha (diminutive but knowledgeable feline)

Someone recently asked me to write a blog about punctuation (specifically quotation marks and punctuation), which made me happy, because...

Sep 8, 20232 min read

Ever, wondered, how, NOT, to, use, commas?

[1] So, you read the first blog (about comma uses), you are back for more. [2] My blog, about commas, hopefully entertained you. [3]...

Aug 15, 20232 min read

Commas? Cats? Sharks? Hot chocolate? What gets you excited?

Do you get obsessed with things? Not the fun things like cats, hot chocolate, chips or a watch-in-one-go, only-get-up-to-pee Netflix...

Aug 8, 20232 min read

Have you ever felt like an impostor?

“Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which people doubt their skills,...

Jul 31, 20232 min read

Why even editors need help sometimes, a spa day and some rogue apostrophes

I thought I would write about some of the most common issues that arise in people’s writing. I knew I’d done something similar a while...

Jul 18, 20233 min read

Striving for perfection in an imperfect world...

I have clearly had too much time on my hands this week (I’m not complaining, as it has coincided with the start of Wimbledon). When work...

Jul 6, 20232 min read

Artificial intelligence: better than human editors?

I was asked several times last week if AI is going to affect my proof-editing business. So, I decided to get my head out of the sand and...

Jun 26, 20233 min read

Time to reflect and celebrate creativity

It has been exactly a year (to the day) since I last blogged, which means I’ve been busy and that I’m currently less busy (the rationale...

Feb 10, 20233 min read

Looking beneath the tip of the iceberg

This week has been really interesting (for me personally). On Monday I was ready to look for permanent work and discard my ten-year-old+...

Feb 10, 20224 min read

2020: Enough said...

I have been blogless (is that a word?) since late February! I am not a prolific blogger at the best of times. I have learnt this year...

Dec 23, 20202 min read

Vir, uomo, hombre, man: the benefits of language learning

I am currently learning three languages, in addition to my native English. Every morning, first thing, I spend around an hour learning...

Feb 27, 20202 min read

Festive greetings and time for reflection!

As I tie up all the loose ends in the office, for both Perfect Words and The Sanctuary Angels (my animal charity), I want to take a...

Dec 23, 20192 min read

Understanding people

October was all about the lull. Academic clients were few and far between, which meant having time finally to indulge in The Crown on...

Nov 8, 20192 min read

Small ways to improve your writing

Make sure that subject and verb agree (either singular or plural). This can be tricky to spot, especially if we look to the part of the...

Oct 30, 20192 min read

Learning the value of everything

Being self-employed can be like being on a rollercoaster, as I have said before. You either have so much work that you can barely breathe...

Apr 10, 20191 min read

Putting down roots

As I celebrate ten years of Perfect Words, by Amanda George, I realise that I have now spent as much time running and growing my...

Mar 7, 20191 min read