James B
San Angelo, United States
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA in English
Angelo State University
1969–1972
MA in Mass Communications
Texas Tech University
1973–1974; 1978–1979
Favorite referencing style
Associated Press is my favorite because it provides easy-to-understand solutions to so many writing problems.
Why I became an editor
I've always been a voracious reader, and my appreciation of the written word led me to carve out a career in the language arts. Fortunately, the managing editor of a local daily newspaper offered me an entry reporting job while I was working on my undergraduate degree. That gave me a chance to learn some basic principles of editing in a professional setting. I've since sought to build on those principles in every position I've held, whether it be for newspapers, companies, or academia.
Background and experience
Proofreading and editing have been an integral part of my more than 30 years of work as a print journalist, marketing specialist, and college writing instructor.
Why I love proofreading and editing
Proofreading satisfies my desire to be of use to others, to continue polishing my editorial skills, and to expand my knowledge on a variety of topics. I enjoy using my reading, research, and writing skills to help writers produce quality work.
Favorite book:
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Hobbies:
I enjoy reading, playing golf, taking evening strolls with my wife, exercising, going on spur-of-the-moment road trips, and visiting with my family and friends (usually over coffee).
Editing tips:
I scan the document first for obvious mechanical errors, then do a slower scan. Sometimes I run a final check by reading it backward, and I run another check against a cheat sheet I have.
