Darkness into Day

On By Editor Karolyn HIn Editing Projects, Projects 2018Leave a comment

darkintoday

Project quote:

“Holy Ghost with light divine 
Shine upon this heart of mine. 
Chase the shades of night away 
Turn my darkness into day.” 

(Karl F. Smith, “Hymn II”, Apostolic Doctrine and Practice, 2nd ed.; Ed. Eric Beda; 2018)

My thoughts:

Anyone who knows me would recognize that I’m not well-versed in hymns, old or new, due to how I was raised. But I have learned a few in more recent years. The hymn portion quoted above was originally written in the late 1800s. This might surprise you but reading the lyrics brings to mind a favorite song of mine, “The Light” by the band Disturbed, that always makes me happy when I hear it.

It’s a shame that so many people have such a negative view of the Bible and believe that the main theme to be that God is a mean bastard that likes to torment mankind. The true Gospel means exactly the opposite. It is so simple and yet so comforting, especially at times when everything seems to be going wrong in one’s life.

I had the opportunity to attend a candlelight service this past Christmas Eve for the first time. After a bit of research, I’d picked a great place, and was pleasantly surprised by the songs that were performed that we all sang along with. Old hymns and songs about Jesus. I have no real desire to attend church, but I do love to sing, and music, and Jesus. An enjoyable evening, for sure.

Editing projects for weeks ending February 18, 2018:
Nonfiction book, Academic Research Article
Client countries:  US, China

 

Weed Whacking

On By Editor Karolyn HIn Writing Tips1 Comment

weed whacking

Just discovered an incomprehensible, impossibly long sentence in your manuscript?

Gasp!!

Kill the whole thing and call it a day?

Now just hold on a minute, wordsmith…give that red pen a rest.

First, ask what the GOAL of this monstrosity really is. Statement of fact? Call to action? Expression of feelings? List? Comparison? Physical description? …nonsense? (hopefully not)

Second, break it up into sections. Find a piece of it that you feel is solid, then ask yourself what you are trying to convey ABOUT that solid piece. Sometimes, simply cutting it in half is all you need to do. I’ve often found, however, that a writer may only have a vague idea of what they really desire to say.

Third, ask if it’s full of buzzwords and clichés. If so, how can you turn it into something original and thought provoking?

Going through this process can help weed out the unnecessary debris and leave the core blossom of the sentence standing in triumphant defiance. Your readers will thank you.

 

Work of Art

On By Editor Karolyn HIn Editing Projects, Projects 2018Leave a comment

workofart

Project quote:

“Envision it, embody it, plan it, take action, and go for it.” (Abigail C., February 2018; Integrative MindBody)

My thoughts:

Once we dare to imagine our ideal self, then the next step to becoming this person is identifying the actions required to get there. When I say, “ideal self”, I’m referring to the person we truly want to show to the world. Not someone else, not someone else’s life, not someone else’s idea of the perfect person or situation.

Instead: talents we want to explore, fears we wish to banish, places we want to visit or live in, relationships we want to embrace. For me, it helps to think about the end goal as a finished painting – this is what I want people to see when they think of me.

So, what about the stages in between? Working backwards to now, each one can be a painting in its own right. Each transition is an illustration and requires certain brush strokes to achieve it. Building the foundation is just as important and worth celebrating as the final masterpiece.

Let’s take this example even further: what tools do we need to create this painting? Once we decide which brush and which colors to use, then we can pursue each one with purpose, knowing that it’s part of the process.

Editing projects for weeks ending February 4, 2018
Cover letter and academic proposal, Multiple Academic Research Articles, Mindbody Coaching Website, E-Card website, Real Estate Article
Client countries: US, China, Canada

 

 

 

Prosper

On By Editor Karolyn HIn Editing Projects, Projects 2018Leave a comment

prosper

Project quote

“The foundation of a better community is to support each other economically.” (Contribulet fundraising app)

My thoughts

I feel that healthy communities accomplish this through prosperous businesses, local charities, and fundraisers (all without government intervention or subsidies). Voluntarily supporting your neighbors and people or businesses that you want to see prosper is the most successful method for creating a healthy, vibrant community. Fundraising and volunteer support through local means, or even through online networks brings people together for a mutual cause without coercive action of any kind.

Editing projects for week ending December 31, 2017
Academic Research Article, Fundraising app website
Client countries: China, US