Being the nit-picker

andrew mackay — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000

This was going to be a picture of lice… but lice pictures are really gross. After 30 seconds looking at pictures of lice, my head started to itch and I needed something to redeem my mind, so you’re getting a hummingbird taking a little drink. I like to think that if there were a massive lice outbreak, the hummingbirds would come and save us by picking the lice off our heads. Because again, lice are pretty gross.

So, no, not actual nit-picking. Just the generic type that we tend to mean when we say the term. I have a terrible, evil tendency to tear apart the way people I love say things. It’s not very nice; it’s actually kind of smart-alecky. But, it also makes for good practice when it comes to editorial work… I guess the question is, how do I split the difference?

When is it okay for someone to correct an error? When should they keep their mouths shut?

I tend to think in namby-pamby terms about things like this… “Oh, it’s okay when your intention is right.” But, in reality, isn’t it when the correction will serve the person better than letting the error stand? My intention has to do with my attitude, my sinful nature… but the benefit of the correction versus the harm of the error is pretty much the extent of the transaction for the correctee.

Does that make sense, or does it sound like Petty Self-Justification 101?

Reputation

andrew mackay — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:45 +0000

I have the unenviable reputation of being a bit of a nitpicker when it comes to words. I spent three or so years working for a contract publishing house. You know how, when you want to build a house on your own, you hire a contractor, right? Well, when people wanted to publish a book, they hired us. So, for three years, my entire working life was caught up with words and the sometimes-hilarious ways that people use them. (Just realized I’m totally rationalizing my nitpicky-ness. That’s kind of funny). Anyway, I’m working hard to not be such a nitpicker in regular conversation.

But, when I see something like this:

I can’t help but play spot the errors. You can play along in the comments.

www.andrewmackay.net: » spelling

Being the nit-picker

Reputation