LINKS of INTEREST

On why editors charge what they do:

—Editorial rates can vary from editor to editor, depending on their experience and the work you're asking them to do. The Editorial Freelancers Association has a great resource to peruse, in case you're curious about how we editors decide on our rates for each project.

On writing—why we write, how we write, and ways we can improve our writing:

— I  teach about how to use storytelling elements in nonfiction writing and presentations, but did you know that it is also highly effective as a tool in business English?

— We talk a lot about rules and even if they're rules of thumb, sometimes this focus can lead us to feel constrained around writing and communicating our ideas in professional settings. For a change, how about some rules to break? 

— I often encourage my clients to reflect on their relationship with "hedging," to understand why they hedge and to ensure that when they do so, it's intentional (and effective).

— Lamenting the perceived lost art of hand-written communication, Paris has come up with a plan. 

— Have you ever read something that held profound meaning for you when you were younger, then revisited it as an adult? Author Anthony Marra describes a sentence that changed his life, then changed its own meaning as he got older…

— A.S. Byatt on storytelling and the roots of inspiration.

— While knowing the why behind your what is foundational to effective writing and presenting, tone is arguably equally important.

On the relationship between communication and culture:

— Are you up-to-date with current norms and thoughts around promoting inclusivity and sensitivity in your communication? The APA has some clear guidelines for doing so, as do many institutions (some of them establishing said guidelines as policies). And here's an article about something that comes up fairly often in my line of work as an editor: What is the correct term with which to refer to older adults? (One of the agencies with which I work has decided that "older adults" is the preferred term, as is "young people" in place of "youth.")  

—If you're curious about the influence the language(s) we speak can have on how we think about (and move through) the world, you might find this article interesting: if you can ignore its rather clickbaity title, that is!

— “Are we different people in different languages?” English writing instructor Ana Menéndez elegantly reflects upon the question.

— This thought-provoking article in The Guardian delves into the sociocultural implications of the “expat” vs “immigrant” label.

— I help my clients standardize (or standardise!) their English to target the audience they want to reach. Here’s an example from a UX specialist that assesses British vs American English for web content. This is another example, from an Australian journalist, that emphasizes (or emphasises!) other ways to think about reaching a global audience…

— Helping your audience to feel represented, or “seen,” within the content you put out in the world is important.

On grammar and punctuation:

— I spend a surprising amount of time on punctuation in my editing and in my courses. In the latter, I find it's much more effective to combine a bit of humor with instruction and exercises. Punctuation issues supply a wealth of laughs ... and no small amount of horror!

— My English teacher (and my grandmother) used to tell me, “Ain’t ain’t a word ‘cuz ain’t ain’t in the dictionary.” It is now, however! This is my way of commemorating its newly elevated status.