by Shae Lalor | Aug 30, 2016 | Editing, Opinion
1. Ask why. With the pressure on, we often get started on writing a fact sheet or blog before we really understand its purpose. Quality business writing is clear in its intent and speaks to the audience in a way that suits them (not you). There’s no use writing...
by Shae Lalor | Jun 29, 2016 | Editing, Opinion
During my 13 years as a public servant, I became well-versed in government writing. It felt like a gradual conditioning. I learnt to add extra words to ‘beef’ things out. I wrote in a more complex, formal language, and used the Thesaurus to inject...
by Shae Lalor | Mar 31, 2016 | Editing, Opinion
I’m working on editing a first-time author’s very personal story. I was thrilled when she chose me as her editor, yet keenly aware of my responsibilities to her manuscript. Not only must I edit for structural integrity, flow, grammar, consistency and...
by Shae Lalor | Nov 16, 2015 | Editing, Opinion
I have been known to complain about the limitations and daily frustrations created by Microsoft Word. However, now that I am a full-time editor and writer, I have come to realise I take much of Microsoft Word’s functionality for granted. Herewith is my heartfelt...
by Shae Lalor | Oct 12, 2015 | Editing, Proofreading, Writing
Yesterday I visited a relatively new website for a browse. I clicked through about five pages and encountered more than a couple of typos. Now I know errors sneak in there sometimes. No one writes perfect content every time. Usually I can forgive one or two typos per...
by Shae Lalor | Sep 1, 2015 | Editing
Let’s get something straight. Getting help from a writer doesn’t imply that your writing is inferior. In fact, more often than not, I’m both inspired and impressed by the quality of the writing out there. The content I receive is often thorough, considered and...