Melissa D
Roanoke, Virginia, USA
“Dot the i’s and cross the t’s.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
Associate’s Degree
VWCC
2002–2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Longwood University
2004–2006
Favorite referencing style
I used APA in college, and I am more familiar with it than any other style.
Why I became an editor
I love to read! I also love art. In 2018 I decided to quit my grueling 9–5 desk job and pursue my dream of being an artist. After I started selling my art I thought to myself, “why not get paid to read too?”
Background and experience
Before I followed Joseph Campbell’s advice to “follow my bliss,” I worked as a secretary in a veterinary clinic. I was responsible for double checking doctors’ notes in medical records, writing social media posts and emails sent out by the clinic, and creating some of the forms and documents used within the clinic.
Why I love proofreading and editing
Writing is simply another form of art. I love helping to put the finishing touches on a piece to ensure that it looks as clean and polished as possible.
Favorite book:
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Hobbies:
My hobbies are playing with my pets, watching movies, and listening to music.
Editing tips:
I think that if you look at something for too long you can go blind to it. So, after I have been over a document with a fine-tooth comb, I take a break for a little while. When I come back to it, it is easier to spot any details that I may have missed before.