I plead guilty to nitpicking. I was trained long ago in the Office of Revisor of Statutes at the Colorado State Capitol. The office lawyers worked on amendments, which had to be justified with existing law and proofread. If the legislature was in session, we had to be in the office, even late at night.
One of my jobs there was proofreading. Out loud, to another person. Including punctuation.
I guess that’s why a missing “close quote” will jump out at me. And other picky details.
But why is it that other writers’ typos are easier to notice than my own?
My kid sister Gloria, a retired junior high art teacher, is my biggest nitpicker. She circles mistakes in the newspaper, and also does crossword puzzles in ink.
Such a question you ask about how often we miss our own “oops” issues but mistakes from others jump out. Oh my, yes!
I think your eye for detail is one of your great gifts, Joy! 🥰
Bless you, Vicki!
Big hugs, my friend! 🥰
I feel you on this one! I notice every little error, even in the New York Times—then find one slipped into my blog. How did that happen?!
Yes!
Yup! I shake my head over stupid errors in the newspaper, newsfeeds, and books. How could they miss that?
Then I notice the glaring mistake in my blog- after it’s been published for the whole world to see. Guess that’s why editors exist.
Alas, I guess were human, huh!
Eye am the world champ at such. I steel fear posting any thing dew two my awe-full English and thee wreckage of it. My wife here’s me asking, “‘”Due ewe sea any flaws hear!””‘
Oh, Alan! You’re a delight! Have you had your hand surgery? How’s it coming?
I’m the opposite of a nitpicker. I have to spend good money on professional nitpicking services.
Hurrah for professional nitpickers!
This was Bartleby the Scrivener’s job (that he preferred not to do)!
[…] How I Became a Nitpicker […]
My 7-year-old granddaughter has good eyes. I only volunteer for her teacher’s class once a week. and I saw her picked up her teacher’s typos twice already.
You have a very smart granddaughter!
She is bright!
As a former editor, I, too, am a nitpicker. Yet, every writer needs a good editor. A second (or third or fourth) set of eyes never hurts!
Amen!