Category Archives: grammar

10 Freelance Editing Perks

1. Multi-tasking. New schools of thought label this as ineffective, that you don’t get as much accomplished as you think. If I can have laundry going while combing a piece for inappropriate commas then hallelujah.

2. Chores don’t feel like chores. I’m not a fan of sitting in front of the computer for hours so I chop the day into little pieces. A break is either a trip to the gym or an errand in the hood. I’ve never enjoyed grocery shopping so much.

3. No transit. Sure, I’d try to make the most of my time on buses, streetcars and subways – reading, sending emails, or revising. I could be in a fantastic mood after spending a day on the island with little friends, but after riding public transit an hour home, surrounded by grumps, I’d get off miserable and agitated. Now I only go downtown when necessary.

4. Pajamas. I do get dressed most days and walk to the office, a few steps from my bed. It’s knowing I don’t have to, and that I could stay in my underwear all day, that gives me an extraordinary amount of pleasure.

5. Take it, or leave it baby! I say this at the moment because I have a steady client for editing work, but I’d rather struggle a bit financially and have time to work on my fiction. No matter how bad it gets, I refuse to edit articles on subprime mortgage meltdowns (whatever those are?!)

6. Writing Improvement. At school we are taught editing as it pertains to textbooks, manuals, magazines, and non-fiction, but the skills do carry over to fiction. Grammar for Writers and Editors has been my favourite class so far. I thought I knew grammar – I knew nothing!

7. A Place for Perfectionism. It can infect all areas of one’s life and becomes annoying not only to you but to those around you. Editing is a place to focus this defect. As with story revisions, you need to know when to stop.

8. Strange Learnings. My goal is to edit fiction, other than my own, but in the meantime I’m working on all sorts of subjects outside my realm. Recently I’ve learned about cuddle parties, SEO, and Corey Hart’s upbringing.

9. Family Time. My kids, who just happen to have fur, like to have mum around. I never have to feel bad about leaving them alone for twelve hours a day anymore.

10. Introvert’s Paradise. Alone time an introvert needs and craves after extended socialization is the day-to-day. The catch now is recognizing the opposite – when to go out and connect with humans. This coin flip also makes me appreciate my time with others more.

There are challenges working from home, but the good stuff outweighs them by far.