Not really—but that scenario illustrates something unbelievable about my writing career. For several years, I covered sports for a newspaper, even though I know absolutely nothing about sports.
I got by quoting those involved in and passionate about whatever sport I was featuring.
People were amazed by my "vast knowledge." Now the truth can be told.
It can also be told about mistakes I have made as a writer. I keep a log to remind myself how easy it is to trip up—sometimes in subtle ways. Errors were often caught by my husband and editor, Dan, whom I call Ol' Eagle Eye. He will spot a mistake and pounce on it.
In a query to a publisher, I wrote, "A 100 word blub follows, rather than a blurb.
In a devotional, I wrote about a lethargical dancer, rather than a liturgical dancer.
I addressed an envelope containing my manuscript to Strange Publications, instead of Strang Publications.
For a newspaper story about how a New Jersey transplant initially thought Florida was a new state with little history, I wrote, "A move to Titusville and the historic, LaGrange Cemetery would challenge that perception."
Dan asked me if she had moved to the cemetery.
In "Lovers and Secrets," book three of my "Castle in the Sun" romance series, I wrote, "Carlos returned to his room, immaculately cleaned by hotel workers."
Dan asked me if he had been scrubbed down with a big brush.
I re-wrote the sentence as follows: Carlos returned to his hotel room, finding it immaculately cleaned by hotel workers.
Somehow, at the conclusion of a Bible verse in a very serious devotion, an extraneous word became inserted. "But knowing these things and knowing His fate, Jesus still told his disciples, 'I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you.'" Pocahontas
Dan asked me if Pocahontas attended the last supper.
This is but a sampling of my mistakes, many of which got past my spelling/grammar checker. Sharp human eyes always work best.
Stop by Flora's Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/FloraReigada/e/B00IQK4C5A/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
You're blessed to have someone looking over your shoulder.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! I appreciate Hubby's sharp eye.
DeleteMy husband married his editor. :) LOL Thanks for sharing some funny moments you've had! The automatic spelling checker is helpful for some things, but the automatic grammar checker often does me more harm than good!
ReplyDeleteI have also learned to beware of making global changes throughout a document. In one of my books, when I globally changed a character's from Peter to Cedric, reference to the biblical book of I Peter was changed to I Cedric. That one got past the grammar checker, but could not escape Ol' Eagle Eye, (hubby, Dan).
ReplyDeleteI think this is the beginning of another Flora Reigada book! Too funny. I just loved this and would look forward to a little book of your humorous "flubs"!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I keep a log of my mistakes for my own amusement and to remind myself how easy it is to trip up, I never thought of containing them in a book. That's something to think about. Thanks.
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