Remember that scene in the beginning of Amadeus when Salieri proudly presented a "March of Welcome" in Mozart's honor and Mozart immediately improved upon it? Salieri was mortified.
That's how I felt this week when I received my manuscript back from the copy editor and saw all the grammar corrections she made--on my GRAMMAR guide.
Don't worry; I am not going to plot the downfall of my copy editor.
In fact, in a way, it felt like a bit of luxury to have someone read my work for errors since that's what I am constantly doing for my students.
Still, it was a little rough on the old self-esteem.
You know what would really help? If you would leave comments riddled with grammar errors.
Misery does love company.
26 comments:
You want me to leave comment's riddled with grammer error's? I dont know if i can feel comfortably to doing that.
:-)
Fare be it from me. To criticize other peoples grammer misteaks I have enough with grading my students paper's.
Oh my MISSED PERIODS!
I feel you're pain. But I think you're comparison to that sceen in 'Amadeus' is brilliant and I think an important thing to ask you hear is was the editor even right about all the correctings she made to your manuscript because if she wasnt than you don't have anything to really feel bad about.
I mean like was they situations that could go either way where its more of a judge-ment call and she just choosed to go in a different direction then you did?
Well I wanna say that I think it was very curageous of you even to openly admit this situation to all the readers of you're blog and since their an understanding bunch and enjoy your wrighting so much they will just feel you're pain and laugh with you not laugh at you.
I'll still want an copy of your book when it comes out even if it has been overcorrected by some jurk who is probably just trying to embarass you alot and show off.
[How was that? Correct away, and recover your selfrespect.]
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Your still my favorite grammar righter I no. Their have been alot of good ones but your the best.
As much as I want to make you feel better I just can't deliberately make a grammar mistake. Though it must have been quite a surprise to see all those corrections made. Use it as a learning experience :)
yeah, that can sting the ego a little, but thats what copy editors does, no?
:)
I loved that seen. Amadeus were the bestest movie I ever scene. :)
Oh, these comments are deliteful! Its actually kind of hard to come up with sum grammar errs. Ewe are sew funny. Apparrently all I'm able to come up with are mostly spelling errs. Anyway, its easier to correct other peoples errors then to see your own. I know your book will be awesome!
LOL! OMG that copy editor must be h8ful.
Tee hee! Or should that be LMAO...
Feeling totally simpathetic, this comment should help with that, since I'm, like, making it. Their always good for making you feel better, which is different than ones that dont.
How embareassing for u! I know wear you are at in your writing whirled, butt I dont understand why you cant rite gooder. We dont need no stinkin copy editer!
I'm like "LOL"ing at all teh komens above and desided to deliberately amke bad typos to simulate speling erors. :D
thats rilly crackin me up...looks like we always have room to grow, 'course the growing pains sting.
So, I'm reading the comments and the post and laughing and my son is wondering whats so funny so I tell him and he's quite then says must be an englishteacherthing. I keep chuckling and he says, "you've found your people."
cheers!
Aww I, can imajine how you? must fell after reciving. those corecshuns!
Hope (this) helps u fell, better:"
How do you think it feels for your (ex) proof-reader?! ;)
I never make no grammar errors. Grammer errors are stoopid. There for people who dont no nuthin.
I can't do it. It's actually painful for me to purposely make grammar errors. :P
This only reinforces my belief that we absolutely cannot really "read" our own work. Or at least, that we cannot read our own work with the objective eye with which we can read the others' work.
You're still a grammar rock star!
Hey there everyone. Just chiming in to give a perspective from the editorial side. I have been editing for professors for several years.
I always try to include a lot of smiley faces and compliments as I make suggested changes and comments. I can only imagine how it must feel opening up the document and it's marked up quite a bit so I try to soften the blow. :)
But then again, the professors I work for are excited to receive the edits and improve the document. And ultimately, it's better to publish than to perish, which would be the roughest blow of all!
I think it would be tough for any good writer to look at editorial feedback at first. I know it would be tough for me, but I would still edit. I always say that editors need editors just as much as writers need editors. There is just no substitute for having a fresh pair of eyes and creative mind look over the document.
Just check out some of the editorial forums (CMOS comes to mind) and you'll see editors disagreeing with one another and helping each other out at the same time. I know I've learned a lot from other editors and helped them too.
So what can I say. Us academic editors--we love professors. You give us work, and we can, in some small, indirect way, help you contribute to and advance your fields. That feels good, even if it is only a small contribution. Plus we get to learn about all of the strangest, most interesting things that we probably would never have known about otherwise. So thanks to you all, and I hope we aren't too harsh on your with our colored pens, tracked changes, and comment bubbles! :)
Must of been daunting for the copy editor to edit you're work.
Did you find any errors in they're corrections? Im sure you was gracious about it if you did.
Ugh! Don't tell me that! I always take that much longer proofing my comments to you as it is!! Now, you're telling me to go ahead and leave some mistakes!?! :)
I'm glad they are really working it over, my friend. There's always some idiot who wants nothing more than to fine-tooth comb somebody's work in order to beef themselves up at the expense of others.
Have a great week.
-Jimmy
Although I dislike bad grammar I probably make mistakes myself.
What happened to you reminds me of the old west. No matter how good a gunfighter you are, sooner or later someone comes along who is better.
Anyway, learn from it and don't get down on yourself, I like to visit your blog.
just so you know, even teachers make mistakes from time to time, but it doesn't mean you are a bad teacher...
me can do that and all i have too do is right naturally.
We all ways have problems finding the typo's in our own work. When I'm tired, I switch that and than... and fail too notice these erorrs until somone else catch's them.
Your welcome.
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