9. Eliminate Distractions
This key compliments keeping a schedule. It’s mind-blowing how quickly phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media can drain our work time. When you’re on the clock, focus on the job that’s in front of you. Check messages at your next break to see if any of them are work related. And have an appointed time to check and answer emails.
10. Get Dressed
I hope this one made you smile. Or maybe it made you roll your eyes. But there’s something about getting dressed for the day and putting on shoes that signal to your brain that it’s go-time. Even if you change from one set of pajamas to another, getting dressed makes a difference. On top of that, if you can fit in a shower or at least wash your face, this will also contribute to positioning your mind to produce quality work.
11. Go Slow
Now we get into the nuts and bolts of copyediting. You’ve taken care of your body and you’re ready to hit the ground running. Pull up the manuscript, and slow down. Examine every character and question if it should be there, whether it be a punctuation mark, a capital letter, a lowercase letter, a numeral, a spelled-out number, a source citation, a word with multiple spellings, etc. Question everything. And if you don’t know the answer, stop and look it up.
After you finish a sentence, question the sentence. Did it make sense? Did it flow well?
After you finish a paragraph, question the paragraph. Did all the sentences belong in this paragraph? Are they in the right order? Do they make sense? Do they flow well?
An attorney I once worked for told me, “Haste makes waste.” And I’ve proven this to be true too many times. Trust me. Slow down.
12. Trust Your Gut
If something doesn’t feel right. Stop and look it up. I can’t tell you how many times my brain has said, “This is right,” but my gut said, “Something’s wrong.” Once in a while, my gut will be wrong, but more often than not, it is spot on. Give your subconscious some credit. Sometimes it sees things our consciousness just can’t.
Giving a quality product every time will set your business apart and give you a great deal of satisfaction. With these twelve keys in place, doing your best will be as easy as breathing. Were any of these twelve keys new to you? Which ones do you find the most difficult to remain disciplined at? As you move forward to greater heights of writing and editing, remember that your voice is significant, and your contribution is unique.
Pleasant penning,
Rachel E. Bradley, ACP
NAIWE Copyediting Expert
Freelance Editor and Indexer
RevisionsbyRachel.com
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Rachel E. Bradley holds a BS degree in paralegal studies from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and graduated summa cum laude in 2006. She is a gold member of the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, is an established freelance editor with the Christian Editor Connection, is an instructor with the PEN Institute, is a judge for the Editors’ Choice Award, and has served as faculty for PENCON, the only conference for editors in the Christian market. After serving nine years in the legal field and becoming an advanced certified paralegal, Rachel started her business as a freelance editor and indexer. She now owns Revisions by Rachel Inc. In 2018, she lost her first husband, Matthew, after an intense battle with brain cancer. She now edits with a new understanding and a fierce compassion for people who feel broken and hurt. In celebration of continued life and hope, she became a licensed skydiver and takes to the skies with her rainbow canopy, “Promises,” any chance she gets. In early 2021, she asked God to choose her next husband. In an incredible tale of trusting God and giving him her yes without exception, she is now joyfully married to Alexander Bradley. They have been assigned the awe-inspiring and continually humbling task of raising two incredible children. Beyond reading, Rachel enjoys Bible studies, dancing during church worship, skydiving, swing dancing, rock climbing, reading, teaching, discussing important issues, watching Star Trek, sewing, cooking, Pilates, horseback riding, water sports, playing guitar, and snow skiing.