Copyediting is important in so many ways. Here are just a few.
When we think of copyediting, we tend to think about books, magazine articles, business website copy—you know, those longer chunks of words that we tend to think of as “copy.”
But, as I was recently reminded, typos and misspellings can strike practically anywhere.
Copyediting Is Important
Whether it’s three words or three hundred, if your words are important enough for other people’s eyes (or ears), they’re important enough to be checked over to make sure you’re saying what you think you’re saying.
Here are three notable places words can hide that don’t always receive the care they deserve—and how the most innocent of oversights can lead to unexpected consequences.
Directions
I have to admit, I’m easily amused—so it’s no surprise that I use my phone’s Navigation program much more often than I used to just so I can hear the inevitable satisfying conclusion to my journey: “You have reached your destonation.”
Yes, that’s right. “Destonation.” Or, as I hear it in my head: “Dest-O-Nation,” which may be some sort of game show, possibly with a giant spinner of some sort, in which you select, by chance, a new country to visit. Or something.
The takeaway here is clear: sometimes, accidental vowel-swaps can be hilarious. Especially when spoken out loud by a female robot. You’ve been warned.
Image credit: Kelly Sue DeConnick/Flickr
Addresses
For many addresses, especially in big cities, the house number and street name aren’t enough, and leaving off a much-needed directional can cause lost or delayed mail—or, even worse, lost or delayed food.
Not long ago, I hosted a potluck and texted my address to friends, forgetting to mention the “W” at the end of my street name.
The result? I almost lost out on a delicious salad and cupcakes, while my friends almost shared an impromptu meal with complete strangers on the other side of town.
Needless to say, I’ll never make that mistake again.
Internet Memes
Don’t get me wrong: I love dogs in hats and adorably grumpy babies as much as the next person. But copyediting is important even for the Internet-famous.
If you want to create a picture that may go viral, let’s hope its popularity has nothing to do with the fact that your grumpy baby thinks waiting for Christmas is to hard.
(You get why that’s wrong, right? I mean…correct?)
Unless reading something over before you publish it is just, you know…to hard.
Autocorrects
Before you push send, do yourself a favor and look over what you’re sending. Especially if the recipient of your text is a parent. You’ll save yourself a lot of embarrassment (NSFW). Enough said.
The lesson? Treat all of your words with care—even those you may not think matter.
Someday, somewhere, someone might be trying to bring you food, and where will you be then?
Cupcakeless.
Which would be a tragedy.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.kolbwilliams.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SKWheadshot-frame-400×399.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Sarah Kolb-Williams helps authors and businesses avoid embarrassing copyediting malfunctions at kolbwilliams.com. Sarah is the author of HOW TO HIRE AN EDITOR: An Indie Author’s Guide to Hiring and Working with the Right Editor for Your Book.[/author_info] [/author]
