Kelly W
Lake Hāwea, New Zealand
“There/their/they're is a right/write way...I can help you find it and make your message clearer.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
Bachelor of Applied Science
University of South Australia
1996–1999
Favorite referencing style
APA referencing is my favorite. I used it at university, so for me, it is the easiest to work with.
Why I became an editor
Proofreading merges my love of reading with my desire to help others be the best they can be (once a teacher, always a teacher...). It also gives me the freedom to set my own hours and spend more quality time with my growing family.
Background and experience
I have a wide-ranging background when it comes to work experience. After studying for my sports science degree in Australia and learning a lot about the human body, I went traveling, and over the years, I worked in many areas that used my degree. When I ended up in New Zealand, I re-trained as an early childhood teacher. I have always had a strong interest in the English language and am a massive reader, so proofreading was a natural next step for me.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I like it when things are easy to read, and I particularly enjoy the way punctuation can change a sentence. For example, where I live, we have a sign that says “Lake Hawea Lookout.” Someone changed it to “Lake Hawea, Lookout!” and I thought it was pretty brilliant (not condoning graffiti, of course).
Favorite book:
I like books that are funny and feel-good, so anything in the chick-lit genre. I also love Dr. Seuss, Julia Donaldson, and Roald Dahl for kids.
Hobbies:
I love hanging with my family, which might involve skateboarding, dancing, singing, biking, hunting, fishing, or snowboarding. When I’m by myself, I’m probably reading a book with a cup of tea.
Editing tips:
I skim through and find anything obvious first, then run through a checklist to get the nitty-gritty.
