Note: I’m in the process of overhauling this site. Just go to the Contact page. That’s all you need!
Don't Care to Spend a Lot of Time Writing?
Want to Spend More Time Having Fun?
Want to Spend More Time Having Fun?
I PROVIDE PROOFREADING, EDITING, AND WRITING FOR PROFESSIONALS. ALSO, I GIVE ADVICE TO STUDENTS.
I EMPHASIZE GRAMMAR, COMPOSITION, AND GOOD WRITING.
To save time, just go to Contact page.
Also, re students, please read the bottom-left paragraph on the Miscelleaneous page (in their case, it's not about just getting the chore out of the way
I EMPHASIZE GRAMMAR, COMPOSITION, AND GOOD WRITING.
To save time, just go to Contact page.
Also, re students, please read the bottom-left paragraph on the Miscelleaneous page (in their case, it's not about just getting the chore out of the way
Be literate in a minute. That's right! Then you'll have more time for fun. Besides, let's face it: If you've been procrastinating about that big proposal, ad, report, memo, newsletter, or whatever, it's too late if you don't know Standard Edited English. That is, for example, if you don't know it's from its, every day from everyday, too from two, and a computer may not save you. I swear once MS Word made a doozy of a mistake telling me not to use "We're going to the store," but "We be going to the store." I kept the proof for a while, but now I don't know where it is, and I'm sure MS has fixed that by now. However, let me say that there is not anything wrong with colorful, colloquial language. It is just not proper in a business environment. Also, you can't trust spell-check. It doesn't know the difference between rain and reign. Granted, there are new products such as Grammarly. However, from what I've read, there is no better substitute for writing in Standard Edited English, there is no better way to avoid grammar errors than a symbiotic relationship between a sophisticated word processing program and a specialist in English, especially a PhD. Of course, you could spend years learning all the tedious nuances of English literature, but if you've got a business to run that might prove difficult.
SYMBIOSIS
There are many things that can confuse a computer: homonyms (wry, rye), redundancy (true facts), using non-standard English where apprpriate (parts of a résumé), errors of case (Jane is taller than me), etc. Granted, some programs may fix some difficulties, but more likely it will give you a choice, And what if you don't know the answer? One of my favorites is words that are counted as spelled correctly because, in another sense, they would be. One of my favorites comes a book on using computers in the classroom: "Distance learning is simply defined as 'structured learning without the physical presents of the instructor." This definition evolved from the first annual Conference on Distance Learning in 1989 and if it's still used today I would hope the Conference uses "presence" rather than the teacher-as-Santa scenario. A few pages later, the reader is asked, "Do you need to grand access to assistants . . . ?" What's going on here is unbelievable faith in the infallibility of computers. The correct,word is "grant," obviously.
This published book, I'm sure has more such gems. As such, I am not citing it, as I don't want to embarrass the author.
Scholars seeking to check my work may contact me for bibliographic details. With LIM you get symbiosis: the combination of sophisticated word processing with an expert on Standard Edited English. My PhD is in literature, but I've taught two developmental and first-year English courses for about 25 years. As such, I have learned much about the idiosyncratic nature of English.
Of course, for your usual email and other such communication I think using Grammarly or Word is fine. For your important documents, especially those that will require multiple copies, I think you would do well to double-check with LIM. Of course, having someone else do your writing is not new. However, I think having an expert with the computer do it is.
Even without a back office, with LIM, your copy will be revised, edited, proofread, and, if necessary, completely overhauled and ghostwritten. However, the main focus will be on grammar and rhetoric, with substantive issues (I'm not a doctor or lawyer) remaining your responsibility, along with and discipline-specific style being your responsibility. One cannot expect an expert in writing and editing to be an expert in every field. If I can improve on your use of MLA orAP style, so be it. Also, the extent I can help you with rhetoric will depend on the info you provide re your audience or reader. Finally, issues of copyright infringement are yours. You should know that it's illegal to steal someone else's words, phrases, or ideas. If you use a bit of someone else's writing, make sure it falls under fair use laws or you have that person's permission. Exact wording must be within quotation marks or paraphrase that does not resemble the original. All such usages must be documented.
My goal is to return to you a much improved and error-free copy. However, even the solar system makes mistakes, hence leap year. No one can promise absolute perfection. Experts, even aided by machines can make mistakes. If you're not totally satisfied, you get two-thirds of your money back, i.e., $20. Larger projects I want to handle in segments. Also note this: I'm afraid if you spend a lot of money putting the copy on a sign or make multiple copies, and there's a mistake, I can't help you with that expense. Proof your work even after you get it back. As soon as I can afford it, I'll get professional liability insurance. So for now, you're just paying for that one improved copy. What you do with it afterwards is at your expense. If that is not satisfactory, please go to a larger company that can afford professional liability insurance.
Also, at LIM, I will make every effort to keep your text secure. I'm used to Microsoft, but if I see anything suspicious going on I can move to Apple or even the Ubuntu platform for security reasons. LIM considers all documents confidential.
With LIM, even if you are semi-literate (in terms of standard English), LIM will revise your document so it appears polished, hence Literate in a Minute (c). But that does not apply to students. Students will get advice that helps them learn.
PS--As I said, experts can make mistakes. I recently saw someone spell Weebly incorrectly as Weebley. It's possible I picked up on that. If you catch that mistake, or any other, please let me know. Also, I wrote the original of this site in one weekend in 2014. Another reason you might find a typo or whatever. I'm in the process of polishing it, and simplifying policies. So please don't think "There's a mistake, or a contradiction; he doesn't know what he's doing." I do. And I'm probably a lot more careful when I'm writing for someone else, rather than for myself. Still, there's really no excuse for poor work in any case, so if you notice a mistake, let me know. I see Stephen King make little mistakes all the time but I don't bug him about it. He's a brilliant writer. His writing has an emotional impact on people. That trumps grammar by far. If I could do what King and other tremendous writers do, I would. The only place I don't see errors is in academic writing that has probably been proofed by an army of grad students and colleagues.
SYMBIOSIS
There are many things that can confuse a computer: homonyms (wry, rye), redundancy (true facts), using non-standard English where apprpriate (parts of a résumé), errors of case (Jane is taller than me), etc. Granted, some programs may fix some difficulties, but more likely it will give you a choice, And what if you don't know the answer? One of my favorites is words that are counted as spelled correctly because, in another sense, they would be. One of my favorites comes a book on using computers in the classroom: "Distance learning is simply defined as 'structured learning without the physical presents of the instructor." This definition evolved from the first annual Conference on Distance Learning in 1989 and if it's still used today I would hope the Conference uses "presence" rather than the teacher-as-Santa scenario. A few pages later, the reader is asked, "Do you need to grand access to assistants . . . ?" What's going on here is unbelievable faith in the infallibility of computers. The correct,word is "grant," obviously.
This published book, I'm sure has more such gems. As such, I am not citing it, as I don't want to embarrass the author.
Scholars seeking to check my work may contact me for bibliographic details. With LIM you get symbiosis: the combination of sophisticated word processing with an expert on Standard Edited English. My PhD is in literature, but I've taught two developmental and first-year English courses for about 25 years. As such, I have learned much about the idiosyncratic nature of English.
Of course, for your usual email and other such communication I think using Grammarly or Word is fine. For your important documents, especially those that will require multiple copies, I think you would do well to double-check with LIM. Of course, having someone else do your writing is not new. However, I think having an expert with the computer do it is.
Even without a back office, with LIM, your copy will be revised, edited, proofread, and, if necessary, completely overhauled and ghostwritten. However, the main focus will be on grammar and rhetoric, with substantive issues (I'm not a doctor or lawyer) remaining your responsibility, along with and discipline-specific style being your responsibility. One cannot expect an expert in writing and editing to be an expert in every field. If I can improve on your use of MLA orAP style, so be it. Also, the extent I can help you with rhetoric will depend on the info you provide re your audience or reader. Finally, issues of copyright infringement are yours. You should know that it's illegal to steal someone else's words, phrases, or ideas. If you use a bit of someone else's writing, make sure it falls under fair use laws or you have that person's permission. Exact wording must be within quotation marks or paraphrase that does not resemble the original. All such usages must be documented.
My goal is to return to you a much improved and error-free copy. However, even the solar system makes mistakes, hence leap year. No one can promise absolute perfection. Experts, even aided by machines can make mistakes. If you're not totally satisfied, you get two-thirds of your money back, i.e., $20. Larger projects I want to handle in segments. Also note this: I'm afraid if you spend a lot of money putting the copy on a sign or make multiple copies, and there's a mistake, I can't help you with that expense. Proof your work even after you get it back. As soon as I can afford it, I'll get professional liability insurance. So for now, you're just paying for that one improved copy. What you do with it afterwards is at your expense. If that is not satisfactory, please go to a larger company that can afford professional liability insurance.
Also, at LIM, I will make every effort to keep your text secure. I'm used to Microsoft, but if I see anything suspicious going on I can move to Apple or even the Ubuntu platform for security reasons. LIM considers all documents confidential.
With LIM, even if you are semi-literate (in terms of standard English), LIM will revise your document so it appears polished, hence Literate in a Minute (c). But that does not apply to students. Students will get advice that helps them learn.
PS--As I said, experts can make mistakes. I recently saw someone spell Weebly incorrectly as Weebley. It's possible I picked up on that. If you catch that mistake, or any other, please let me know. Also, I wrote the original of this site in one weekend in 2014. Another reason you might find a typo or whatever. I'm in the process of polishing it, and simplifying policies. So please don't think "There's a mistake, or a contradiction; he doesn't know what he's doing." I do. And I'm probably a lot more careful when I'm writing for someone else, rather than for myself. Still, there's really no excuse for poor work in any case, so if you notice a mistake, let me know. I see Stephen King make little mistakes all the time but I don't bug him about it. He's a brilliant writer. His writing has an emotional impact on people. That trumps grammar by far. If I could do what King and other tremendous writers do, I would. The only place I don't see errors is in academic writing that has probably been proofed by an army of grad students and colleagues.
