Note 284 – Have you got a secret blog editor?

Edit Ruthlessly (Photo credit: Dan Patterson)

Have you ever revisited one of your own blog posts and even though you know that you read it through several times before posting it, you find a mistake – only a teeny-weeny one, but a mistake nevertheless?  Alternatively, it may get pointed out by ‘Mr Smug’.

So, apart from the obvious things like using spellchecker or going back and reading it the next day in the hope that you might spot something, why not have a secret agreement with someone who is non-judgemental that you trust; someone with a bit of time on their hands who enjoys reading your work. It doesn’t have to be anything formal and not every day. 

Going back a month or so, my dad emailed me to tell me that I had made an error in one of my posts and felt really bad letting me know.  I didn’t mind – I think I had just missed word or spelled something wrong and was extremely grateful that he’d noticed it before someone else did. I told him that it reminded me of when I was a little girl and he used to help me with my homework.

So, that was the day I asked him to be my secret editor (not so secret now though!).  Thanks Dad for reading my blogs and emailing me if I make an error (which hasn’t been too often luckily).  I’m very grateful for this extra pair of eyes for two reasons, firstly because he spots it before most people have read the post, and secondly because it can sometimes provide me with an idea for another blog post, for example, if it’s a common error.  After all, this blog is all about learning, sharing and teaching others.

How did I do today dad?

If you don’t already have a secret blog editor, who would you choose?

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
Freelance Writer
www.sandramadeira.com