Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts

Friday, September 8, 2017

Why hire an Editor or Writer when you have programs to do it for you?



These days, it seems there are a number of products online to help you with editing or writing. Whether you have an important email, business proposition, manuscript, college paper, etc. there are so many ways you can get it “fixed” without having to hire someone to do it for you. But why should you consider a human editor or writer instead?

As an editor, I have worked for a variety of individuals in either writing or cleaning up their literary works. One thing I know for a certain is, however, that no one writes perfectly; because no one speaks perfectly. Everyone around you has their own way of speaking. And those little quirks they have verbally, carry over in how they write. There are accents in print, just as there are in conversations. And if you know the person or have heard them speaking, then you can imagine them better when the things they write still reflect those voice patterns on a page. An automated program cannot read in accents. They cannot detect the southerners drawl or the northerners lack of R’s. So say, for instance, a writer of fiction is looking to perfect his novel. A computer program will tell that writer all the ways they need to change their manuscript to fit into better English. But that will in turn strip the originality of their style away. A human editor, however, will know the person well enough to understand why they wrote this word as they did. Or why this phrase was important, though grammatically incorrect. I had to do that for a guy from New York that wrote horror stories, novels and later comic books. He had his own style, that when you read it the way he wrote, you could tell it was with a northern accent. Then again, I edited for a 3-time international best seller who has his own style. And though it might not seem perfect, it is him. His writing reflects his speech which is a big part of who he is. Now this might not be needed for a college paper, but for blog posts and manuscripts, it could be a make or break situation.

Programs can’t get everything right. Do you know that the English language is one of, if not the most, difficult to learn? One word can have a plethora of meanings, depending on the context as well as the dialect. Take the word shot, for instance. You get a shot to help prevent diseases, but wouldn’t want to be shot in the head, while drinking a shot to get courage to take a shot at that special lady. I just used one word to demonstrate 4 meanings. Or the word fag. In America, its a derogatory term referring to gays. In the United Kingdom, it refers to a cigarette. English editing programs can be as naive as the auto correct that you probably have on your smart phone. You start typing word, it thinks it knows what you are talking about, then suddenly… you have something totally off-the-wall in your message. Ever seen those text fail screen shots? I’ve been there. More times than I care to admit. Which is why I am now more careful than ever when texting. I try to do everything I can to send a well written text, especially when I’m in a hurry. Doesn’t mean I succeed every time, but I do try.
Last point I want to make about hiring an actual person instead of purchasing a program is the price. How much are you willing to spend? And is the price you are paying, worth what you are getting? Let’s face it, you can hire me for a one-time deal, flat rate price. Or you can purchase a program that you will use how many times? Maybe you want to get that ongoing service with a regular flat fee. But how often will you use it? Enough that it pays in the end? Will that program be worth the price if it misses something that a human would not? There have been tests done by users. Take this one. This guy tried 5 methods and his professional editor of a wife caught every mistake while the programs did not. Do you really want to pay for a service that you can only hope for perfect results from? With a human editor, you get more bang for your buck in the long run. They can edit a piece repeatedly until you are satisfied. Depending on who you hire, they can even offer you suggestions on how to reword something to flow better. They can rearrange paragraphs to make everything smooth and easy to understand. Isn’t it worth the money to get the extra service if it will further your success in the long run?

You don’t have take my word for it, though. Do your own homework. Just take the time to know what you are truly looking for when you are paying for a service. Know how you want something to be in the end. Ask questions before you hire. And if you don’t think a human being can do better, then go with the program. Just don’t write us editors and writers off because the market is flooded with a cheap service. We are more than meets the eye.You can check out my professional page here.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Texas Chili Cook Off (Humor)

Okay so most of you have probably already read this before. Its been going around the internet and emails for years. And no matter how many times I read it - I still laugh until my sides ache. So a little humor for your day!
Notes from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:
Recently I was honored to be selected to be a judge at a Chili cook-off in Texas, because no one else wanted to do it. Also the original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me that I could have free beer during the tasting. So I accepted.

Here are the scorecards from the event:

CHILI # 1: MIKE'S MANIC MONSTER CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.

JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

FRANK: Holy crap, what the heck is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with this stuff. I needed two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. Those Texans are crazy.

 CHILI # 2: ARTHUR'S AFTERBURNER CHILI

JUDGE ONE: Smokey, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor. Needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to walkie-talkie in three extra beers when they saw the look on my face.

 CHILI # 3: FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.

JUDGE TWO: A bean less chili. A bit salty. Good use of red peppers.

FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting plastered.

CHILI # 4: BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC

JUDGE ONE: Black Bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods. Not much of a chili.

FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300lb woman is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating.

 CHILI # 5: LINDA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

FRANK: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly from a pitcher onto it. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Crazy rednecks! ! !

 CHILI # 6: VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.

JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions and garlic.

FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. I need to wipe my rear with a snow cone!

 CHILI # 7: SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum. Tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge # 3.

FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a darn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of a lava-like mess, to match my shirt. At least the during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the four inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8: HELEN'S MOUNT SAINT CHILI

JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending. This is a nice blend chili, safe for all; not too bold, but spicy enough to declare its existence.

JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 passed out, fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank.

FRANK: - - - - - Mama? (Editor's Note: Judge # 3 was unable to report)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

My first blog

Okay, so after much encouragement and prodding, I've decided to start a blog. I can't say this is going to be the best ever or that many people are going to bother reading it. But.... here goes!
I'm currently a mother of two boys. I spend my days taking care of them. I also enjoy reading and writing. I often help my friends with editing their English papers since my English skills are awesome. I'm a nerd and quite proud of it. English, history and learning are things that I can spend hours doing.
I'm fluent in American Sign Language. Coupons and meal planning are a must though I'm not an extremist at either. And even though I'm all grown up, the kid part of me that refuses to grow up still enjoys creating with Legos >.<
I think that's enough of an introduction for now. I'll close by saying, I hope this blog is informative and fun for everyone. Until I write again....