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I hate checking proofs. Here’s how I make it (slightly) easier. | Scientist Sees Squirrel

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Like many of us, I suspect, I have a love-hate relationship with writing.  I love having written.  And I enjoy certain kinds of writing and certain parts of the writing process (oddly, I really like shortening things; even more oddly, I just added this parenthetical that lengthens this paragraph).  Other kinds of writing (Gantt charts, anyone?) I dislike; and there are a few parts of the writing process that I truly despise.  Checking proofs?  I’d rather remove my own gallbladder with a rusty spoon. Everyone, sooner or later, is faced with proofs to check.  For those few who have escaped so far: by “checking proof” I mean that very last stage before publication, when you see your article (or, God help you, your entire book) typeset.  You’re asked to check every word, every letter, and every punctuation mark for errors introduced during typesetting.  And it’s hard – so hard – and it’s boring – so boring – and it’s necessary – so necessary.* What makes it hard is that you’re checking wri

Image: Proofreading marks, by volkspider via flickr.com , CC BY 2.0 Like many of us, I suspect, I have a love-hate relationship with writing. I love having written . And I enjoy certain kinds of writing and certain parts of the writing process (oddly, I really like shortening things; even more oddly, I just added this parenthetical that lengthens this paragraph). Other kinds of writing ( Gantt charts, anyone? ) I dislike; and there are a few parts of the writing process that I truly despise. Checking proofs? I’d rather remove my own gallbladder with a rusty spoon. Everyone, sooner or later, is

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