WORK Re: Help for a newbie?

[Kat Nagel/MasterWork <katnagel -at- EZNET -dot- NET>]

Kate Marventano wrote:
>What techniques do you use for
>proofreading, and ensuring that your material is the best it can be before
>handing it off?


Interesting how the same topics seem to crop up on several lists at the
same time.  We just finished a similar discussion on the copyediting-L
mailing list.  For those of you who aren't members of that group, here is
the description of the proofing process on one of my current projects:

   On my current technical writing project, I am both author
   and primary editor.  Part of the material is original, part is
   based on material provided by the client.  I'm subcontracting
   through another writing firm, but I deal directly with the client
   for queries.

   The final edit before each draft goes to the client, however,
   is a group-grope at the office.  All 4 members of the team ---
   myself, the graphics guru, the layout guy, and the president
   of the company (aka The Proofreader From Hell) --- get together
   and go over the entire manuscript.

   We lay it out on a conference table, one section at a time,
   and examine absolutely everything.  Grammar, punctuation,
   style issues, layout tweaks, technical questions --- everything.
   As we finish one section, it gets taped to the wall while we
   work on the rest.  If a change is made to a later section, we
   go back and check consistancy in the earlier sections.  In short,
   we pick nits until everyone is thoroughly disgusted with the whole thing.

   I take the resulting masterpiece to the client with a list of queries,
   he chews it over with his review team for a day or two, then I meet
   with him to discuss revisions.  Since  -our-  team has already dealt
   with the literary issues, the revisions generally involve technical
   issues or changes in presentation strategy.  I make the necessary
   revisions, give them to the layout guy, then we have another group
   edit on  -that-  draft.

   The process can be a bit grueling, but by the time we're finished
   with each draft it's pretty darn near perfect.  It's soooo nice to be
   working with folks who are obsessive about quality --- AND willing
   to pay for it!

>>Pam Gillespie replied:
>>>God, that sounds fun!

   It's either fun or pure torture, depending on the group.  The things
   that make this group especially enjoyable are:

   o   Everyone is more than competent in their own area of expertise.
   o   We have nearly identical ideas about what makes a 'quality' document.
   o   We are all willing to hack at every element---text, graphics, style,
layout
         ---without making personal attacks on the perpetrator(s).
   o   None of us perps are especially thin skinned.  We're all pretty feisty,
         in fact, so no-one gets bulldozed into the dust  -all-   the time.

   If you're dealing with a tyrant or a prima donna or a control freak
   or a careless slob, though, the scales can tip toward the 'torture'
   mark REAL fast.

This has been my first experiment with subcontracting.  For 10 years I have
negotiated my own contracts and handled the whole job myself.  This has
been a very interesting experience.


@Kat ___________________________________ katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net
Kat Nagel,    MasterWork Consulting Services, Rochester, NY
Technical writing / Editing / Document design

"One thing a cat is not is obedient.
 Writers aren't either, at least not the good ones."
 Lloyd Alexander, quoted in Rogak's _The Cat on My Shoulder_

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