Loretta A
United Kingdom
“Good writing serves the reader, not the writer.”
Specialist subjects:
Education:
Favorite referencing style
APA is my favorite, as I am the most familiar with it.
Why I became an editor
I have always loved to read, but one of my biggest pet peeves is spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. I am called “teacher” by friends and family, as I am always correcting their emails and social media posts. It was a natural choice for me to pursue a career in proofreading because it combines everything I love: reading, finding and correcting mistakes, learning, and helping others.
Background and experience
I spent many years in hospitality management, and attention to detail was a must when dealing with the public in writing or in-person. I also have been transcribing on a freelance basis. I love the English language, so I took a TEFL course to teach Chinese adults and children. Each of the jobs I’ve worked at have required me to pay careful attention to detail in written and spoken English, so it makes sense to carry this forward into my venture of proofreading and editing.
Why I love proofreading and editing
To me, there is nothing better than a piece of writing that reads flawlessly, in which the reader can concentrate on what is being said without the distractions of errors. I enjoy proofreading most subjects, but have a special interest in religion, history, and politics. I am the most experienced in using APA referencing, but I am experienced with MLA and Chicago.
Favorite book:
An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick
Hobbies:
When I'm not proofreading, I enjoy walking and going away for weekends to the countryside, wildlife photography, and cooking, whether in the kitchen or on an open fire.
Editing tips:
I read the document to myself silently and then once again out loud. This helps me to get a feel for the document type and the author's voice. I then set the language and proofread the document.
