Wednesday, November 4, 2009

wc + sp + lc = stet?




If you've ever done editing work and/or have a Journalism degree, you probably know what the  formula in the title means. If not, here's the decoded version:

Word choice + spelling + lower case = let it stand
(or leave as is)

With the ability to edit using the comment and other Word doc functions today, proofreading marks have gone the way of the editor's red grease pencil, but they still come in handy when working on hard copy manuscripts. And aren't they intriguing? 


















Okay, I got my Sharpie fix for the week. I'll leave you with a little editorial motto you might enjoy, and a reminder to enter the fun and groovy Book Title Contest...





18 comments:

Deb Shucka said...

You look like you're having too much fun. :-)

Jill Kemerer said...

I transpose a ton of words while revising. Sometimes I wonder if my brain doesn't process things backwards!

Tamika: said...

Love the quote!

I thank God for how editing has evolved, if it were not for the new techniques I would be crying in the corner in the corner. Even though I love coloring!

Rosaria Williams said...

"...to change the writer's words." Funny. Sad. Too painful to think about. Stop. I'm laughing without meaning to.

Unknown said...

I love stet. ;)

Diane said...

Sharpies + Big board to write on, looks like a lot of fun. You look like you would be a good teacher. Even the perfect teacher handwriting too... :O)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I remember the red pen mark corrections from as far back as grammar school and all through college. I'm still in therapy for fear of red pen marks! LOL!

And now there's all those critique friends and editors who are doing it a more technical way with MS Word, but it still gives me fear and dread to see them at first, but then I get excited because each mark helps me to improve my writing.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Deb - It was a great little spurt of therapeutic activity. :)

Jill - I have my bouts with lysdexia too.

I love color therapy too, Tamika. And, yeah, the editing tools make work easier.

lakeviewer - hehe

Suzanne - Not surprising, stet's my favorite mark too. :D

Diane - *smile* Up until my mom got sick, I taught early elem. special ed, then various grades Religion.

Donna - Too true. Thankfully, the cool blue colors make crits easier to handle now. And good editing DOES make our writing better. :)

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Eek!

Melissa Amateis said...

For my day job, I still use a good old fashioned red pen and paper. Problem is, I don't know if everyone can understand the proofreading marks I make!

Jinksy said...

This made me laugh. I have just left a comment on Lakeviewer's post, in which I've said virtualy the same thing - when I want to change too many words as I read them, I label the book 'bad', rather than admit to my being a nit-picker !

Anonymous said...

Hey Angie...long time. I love using proofreader's marks. Learned them in college (Keyboarding 101) and still use them today when I'm editing my own manuscripts.

Deb said...

I recognise some of those marks from pre-computer times... Most grateful for word processor!

Janna Leadbetter said...

I think this stuff is so fun!

And I've been waiting for an inspired book title to hit. Still hasn't come to me.

Kathryn Magendie said...

LAUGHING! .... I love coming by here - miss you lots friend *sob*

Amie said...

LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

We still use stet in law. Of course, it also appeals to the left-over Latin major in me.

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