How Typos and Verbal Missteps Can Ruin a Good Article

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — This morning I was leafing through a prominent magazine for writers when I found an article that seemed immediately applicable. I started reading it, thinking to myself, “This is great!” And then I found it: the glaring error that ruined the rest of the article for me.

The typo? The writer shared an example of getting “antidotes” from a local teacher for an article for children. As in “Alas! I’ve been poisoned!” “Never fear, I have the antidote!” Yeah. What she really meant was “anecdotes.” For those who aren’t familiar with the difference,

An anecdote is a short tale narrating an interesting or amusing biographical incident. … An anecdote is always based on real life, an incident involving actual persons, whether famous or not, in real places. … Sometimes humorous, anecdotes are not jokes, because their primary purpose is not simply to evoke laughter, but to reveal a truth more general than the brief tale itself, or to delineate a character trait or the workings of an institution in such a light that it strikes in a flash of insight to their very essence. (source)

I don’t know, maybe I’m being harder on the publication because it’s a writers’ magazine, or maybe because I feel like the writer should know better (which she should!), but I just couldn’t enjoy it after that. How could someone who doesn’t know the difference between anecdote and antidote possible speak authoritatively in a how-to article for writers?

Admittedly, this error could have been cause by a well-meaning but misinformed copyeditor. But if the writer had a chance to look at the galleys before publication, she should have caught it. And if she submitted the article with the error in place, copyediting should have caught it. So whose fault is it?

Frankly, I don’t care. I’m just mad that it ruined the article.

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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

3 comments

More Info on the Craigslist Profits Guide

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Hope asked for more info on the Craigslist Profits Guide, and I aim to please. If checking out the sales page doesn’t give you enough, well, here’s more!

As I mentioned before, the guide is not targeted specifically to writers. However, writers can definitely utilize these techniques in writing-related ways. Trent Brownrigg really does deliver what he promises: “you will be given the exact methods you can use to profit from Craigslist, starting right now.” And that’s exactly what you get. Literally, it’s step-by-step instructions. Even if you’ve never used Craigslist, you’ll be completely comfortable thanks to his detailed explanation of exactly what to do.

The premise is building on affiliate relationships (wherein you get a comission for sales you facilitate) and serving as an information waystation to help people find what they’re looking for in ways that can help you make money through those affiliate relationships.

Trent also discusses how you can utilize connections you make while providing information to build your mailing list, and gives you specific instructions on how to do that, too.

So, like I said, it’s not writing specific, but what writer couldn’t use (1) more money and (2) more people on his or her mailing list?

It’s kind of a short book, so I’m reluctant to get too detailed or point out the specific tips he gives because that kind of gives away the farm, but I’ll do what I can to answer specific questions about it in the comment trail.

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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

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Make More Money With Craigslist

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — This resource isn’t completely writing related, but it’s all about making money and I’m all for that!

It’s called the Craigslist Profit Guide (subtitle: Simple Techniques for Pulling In Profits and Building Your List Using Craigslist.org), and it’s 41 pages of step-by-step instructions, and it’s not one of those scheme-tastic wonders. I’m definitely going to see how I can adapt it to my business, and I think it’s worth checking out for you.

Despite what most people think, it’s not hard to make money online. You just need to know what methods work, how to use them, and put them into action! Sure it takes a little work, but do you honestly expect to make thousands of dollars per month without doing anything at all?
This guide isn’t some get rich quick scheme or anything like that.

Profiting from Craigslist still requires some work… but you will be given the exact methods you can use to profit from Craigslist, starting right now.

Want to know more? Check out the sales page. It’s $27 if you decide to go for it, and yes, I do make money every time someone buys it from here, but don’t let that stop you. Heck, buy a few copies and help me feed my dogs!

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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

2 comments

The DC Chapter of STC Loves KK and GG!

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Last night’s CIC SIG event, Breaking Out of Solitary Confinement: Networking Tips for Freelancers, Work-at-Homers, and Other Professionals, was a hit. Forty-three area independent consultants and professionals that want to be independent turned out at NRECA in Arlington. The chapter provided a sumptuous spread of food from Whole Foods and chairs and tables were arranged in a large U shape to facilitate networking while providing a comfortable place to sit and eat.

Read the full report! And don’t forget to e-mail me to request a FREE networking tips handout.

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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

0 comments

International Weblogger’s Day 2007

Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Did you know that bloggers have their very own holiday? Started in 2004, International Weblogger’s Day is an annual celebration of blogs and the people who make them so valuable.

From the official InWeDay website:

Blogging has changed from being simply a personal journal designed to give us a sense of our past to becoming a medium, a channel through which words work to change things, be it ourselves, those around us, or the world beyond.

Has blogging changed your life? Has it changed your writing style, or the way you look at how others write? Do you love it or hate it? Could you live without it?

Today is all about blogs. Share your thoughts in the comments.

__________________________________________
http://www.kristenkingfreelancing.com/
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest

3 comments

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