It’s difficult to admit but all types of editors and proofreaders make a mistake or more. “Ah-ha, I found a typo,” or “I think it would read better like this,” are what most copy editors hear on that rare occasion from a self-satisfied colleague. And on those occasions, that colleague is right.

Ordinarily, I find such a response to be irksome. After all, I like most copy editors, editors, or proofreaders, only have two eyeballs and one brain. And, oh yes, I’m only human. A human who doesn’t necessarily revel in being wrong.

I realize that I can use the easy cop-out of the frenetic pace at which we edit, create or proofread content. Sure, it’s true. But, I think the issue here lies more in the psychology of the content creator and the person who holds the literal or metaphorical red pen.

As editors, we are constantly seeking to improve or correct any writing we get our hands on irrespective of the writer. We view writing as something malleable that we can help to shape. No one enjoys having their creation poked and prodded. But, as editors, we are looking at all sides, the best interests of the reader and the writer. Our job is necessary to facilitate clarity and eliminate mistakes.

So, as difficult as it is to admit, we do make mistakes. We also need other editors or proofreaders to look at our work or writing we’ve already edited or proofread. After the initial embarrassment dies down, I do enjoy being wrong. After all,  it gives me a chance to learn.

I also enjoy helping someone join our side and knowing the thrill of finding a grammatical error or cleaning up a piece of copy.

I know. You’ve heard it all before. The lies of writers saying that “starting tomorrow, I will update my blog regularly.”

I think this is on par with people who at the start of a new year insist they will: go to the gym, hang out with friends more, be more adventurous, etc, etc.

Well, the new year has been here four months already. And I figure, I’ll be another one of those people who insist I will update my blog on a regular basis. After all, what’s wrong with one more person jumping on this party bus of lies.

The reality is, as with most bloggers, updating your blog falls down the priority list constantly.  For me at least, it’s usually a combination of things that prevent me. The list looks like this: too much work, not enough sleep, exploring other hobbies, running errands, fear of sucking and on and on.

But…I think that ends now.

So, we’ll see if I keep up to my end of the bargain. I’ll just start writing and let’s see what happens.

You know the email or the web site. Blocks and blocks of text, that seem to just be nonsense on a page. It’s painful to look at. And, after 5 seconds, you decide to move on elsewhere. Or, in the case of an email, you’ll get to it later. Sure, you will.

As the writer or the editor, you have a message you want to get across. Why bury it? Use space to your advantage, throw in some bullets. Or, gasp, use the 1-sentence paragraph.

Words create their own images sure. But there’s nothing wrong with helping your reader, guiding their eyes along the page. It might sound over simplistic. And, it is.

But, if you want someone to read what you have to say or to market that new product. It’s not just in what you say, but how it reads.

Translating content for the web can be a tricky business.  We grab the copy as-is  send it out to a vendor and just throw it on the web, hoping for the best.

That’s a best case scenario. Those on a really tight budget or deadline will resort to using tools like Google Translate or Yahoo! Babel Fish. This isn’t a good idea. Although those tools are a great starting point, they are far from perfect.

Before you dust off your content to send to a translator, it could only help to give it another look.  Is there any lingo or jargon that you can take out? You should definitely check for idioms.

It might sound like a hassle. But, it’s worth the effort for you, your translator, and your audience.

Just for giggles and to give you a better idea, here’s a Spanish idiom translated into English.

Al toro pasado, veo que fue mi error.

Literal translation: With the bull passed, I see it was my error.

Actual meaning: In hindsight, I see it was my error.

There’s no definitive number, but it’s estimated that the English language has thousands of idioms. So go ahead, clean up your copy, it’ll help keep you from alienating or confusing your international audience.

I have been on both sides of the fence. As a writer, you become attached to your words. It can feel like an editor, by doing his job, is taking a weed wacker to your beautifully crafted garden.

However, any good editor’s concern isn’t his ego or your ego. An editor’s concern is for the reader. Has the writer gotten her point across without alienating or boring the reader? We live in an age where the written word is one click away from losing its audience.

That being said, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it brief. Being a clear and concise writer isn’t a bad thing. And, you shouldn’t deride your audience.

Oftentimes, it all boils down to context. Does that email you’re sending really need to be 10 densely worded paragraphs? What about the 35-page employee pamphlet that is the employee handbook regurgitated?

If the information is available on the web, mention it or better yet, provide a link. When writing that employee pamphlet, stick to the highlights.

By taking a few minutes to think about your audience before writing, you will save plenty of time in a couple of ways. You’ll save time by crafting a shorter communiqué. By keeping it concise, you’ll also avoid being asked the same questions over and over regarding that email or pamphlet no one read.

The hubbub over recent changes in the AP stylebook reminded me of when I was  in graduate school interviewing editors and copy editors. One copy editor told me that editors are “protectors of the English language.” Poignant words and only partially true.

As in life, rules don’t always apply. Unless it’s an absolutely egregious error, there’s always room for interpretation. Hence, most publications have a house style and very often use their house style in conjunction with a style book. And, more often than not, these guides don’t always agree. Hence, the serial comma debate.

Language is a living thing. It needs some rules, but it’s not something that really needs to be protected. Languages like people evolve over time and adapt to their environment.

And, that’s not a bad thing.