Leslie N
New York, United States
“The key to good proofreading is to never stop learning.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
BS in Veterinary Science
University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
1987–1992
Favorite referencing style
I don't really have a favorite referencing style. They all have their merits and reasons for using them.
Why I became an editor
I am a retired veterinarian who simply loves to read. You will nearly always find me reading—on a sunny patio if I can help it! I enjoy fiction and non-fiction, from novels to journal articles. I've discovered I have a talent for noticing the small details that writers often miss and decided to explore that with Knowadays’ certification course. Certification as a professional proofreader allows me to use this ability to assist a wide variety of writers to do their best work.
Background and experience
I worked as an emergency veterinarian for twenty years. During downtime, I was always reading. I'm the person who my friends and colleagues turn to for advice on their writing.
I'd taken a few proofreading and editing courses prior to enrolling in Knowadays' Becoming A Proofreader course. I've also volunteered at a local literacy association teaching English as a second language. My clinical experience has enhanced strong analytical skills valuable for carefully reviewing written work.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I love proofreading because it combines my love of reading with the opportunity to use my analytical skill set to help writers express themselves and fine-tune their ideas. I consider myself a life-long learner, and the chance to learn from my clients while helping them improve their writing is an extra plus.
Favorite book:
"The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson, followed closely by "I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats" by Francesco Marciuliano.
Hobbies:
When I'm not proofreading, I'm usually reading in the sunshine. I also enjoy yoga, swimming, and watching (from indoors) the deer, bears, coyotes, and other wildlife that share my backyard.
Editing tips:
When I can, I like to print out the document and mark it up directly. When finished, I read the document again to make sure the writer's voice and tone have been preserved.
