Proofreading: A Writer’s Best Friend

The first book I ever read about writing was Stephen King’s On Writing. It helped me tremendously. From cutting down my wordy descriptions to not watching reruns any more(not as much anyway), On Writing change a lot for me. The most important thing I learned about was proofreading. Which by definition is to read in order to detect and mark errors in a printer’s proof.

I always knew that I had to check my work for errors. I knew that I probably needed to check more than once. Dealing with punctuation has always been something of an adventure for me. Nothing new. What was new to me, was checking to make sure I was saying what I wanted to. That’s the point of clarity right? Coming across clear and concise so that readers understand. Beginning writers often miss that, even though it’s simple and absolutely mandatory. Readers will put a book down when it becomes hard to understand what an author is saying. I hate having to read a sentence three or four times for it to make sense. It takes me off the open sea with wind whipping my face and salt on my tongue, to sitting on my couch reading about being on a boat. The difference is immeasurable. It’s the reason why I read King and Jordan and even Goodkind. Being a readable author isn’t a birthright. Almost anyone can do a good enough job if they proofread. Be careful though not to mistake simple for easy. It’s hard work to go over something multiple times. The task can become mundane, but the benefits you reap will show themselves immediately.

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Mistakes Can be Costly

The first piece of writing that I ever published was a religious piece about Jesus and role models. The discussion centered on celebrities and how they fall short. I went over it at least three times before I turned it in. I was proud and anxious to get done. In my haste, I overlooked a sentence that was supposed to say “steroid scandals.” What was said was “steroid sandals.” Now I’m sure that somewhere steroid sandals are in production or use, but they had no business in my article. Mistakes like these cost money. They also cause damage to your reputation with potential employers and readers. Luckily for me, my piece didn’t get read much and the rest of it sounded good anyway. Not everyone will be so lucky.

These days I don’t depend on luck. I depend on a good red Sharpie and patience. I proofread till my eyes hurt and then take a break. Yes, I’m predictable, I come back and proofread some more. If you’re up against a deadline then you have got to do what you got to do, but your best option is to leave your self enough time to make your writing stand up to the red Sharpie. You can relate the concept to a parent potting training their child. The parent will say “wipe until the paper is clean.” Well listen to me now when I say, print copies, get a bright marker and proofread until your paper is clean. Until you’re happy with just about every word. If you do this consistently then you can afford Nikes or Stacey Adams or whatever you want. And you won’t have to wear steroid sandals.