Andrew W
Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
“It's all in the details.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA in Creative Writing
University of Bedfordshire
2018–2021
Favorite referencing style
My favorite referencing style would have to be Harvard. I have the most experience with it, since I used it as a student. I know APA, Chicago, and MLA too.
Why I became an editor
My desire is to help people achieve the best outcomes from their writing. I've been a lover of words since I could first write, penning many a tale as a child and into adulthood. Quite late in life, I sought to improve my writing skills by embarking on a degree in creative writing. I developed a deeper understanding of the forms of language and its nuances. I love that language is always developing, and I aim to embrace change with accuracy and integrity still in mind.
Background and experience
I've spent most of my adult life in business and marketing, but I always considered myself a writer at heart. I maintained a professional image in business, especially in written communication. Whether it's an email or a marketing document, the use of language and correctness of grammar has always important to me. Later in life, I took the plunge and began studying creative writing. I'm also a father of two young children, and I try my best to pass my love of reading and writing onto them.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I can't think of a better job for someone who loves reading and writing. Proofreading is often about spit and polish, improving effectiveness and adding a bit of punch. It is wonderful to help someone for whom English is not their first language. Whatever the type of proofreading, from dissertations to novels, I enjoy helping to ensure the writing reads well and is free of errors. The joy in this job comes when someone is genuinely grateful for my services. That's when it all feels worthwhile.
Favorite book:
My absolute favorite book is Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It has everything and still has me wondering about the “truth” many years later.
Hobbies:
If I'm not proofreading, you'll find me writing, walking the dog in the countryside, cooking up a delicious delicacy, or renovating our house (or looking at broken things while scratching my chin).
Editing tips:
After proofreading a document for the second time, I read it again backwards. This way, I'm not lost in the narrative or voice, and I'm more likely to spot more elusive minor errors.
