by Rebecca Yauger, @RebeccaYauger

One thing I love about the writing community is the support we offer one another. From critiquing chapters, celebrating contest wins, and sharing book releases, we encourage each other on this writing journey. 

For me, and for many of us, we support writers by signing up for their newsletters. Along with supporting my favorite authors, I also have signed up for newsletters to support ministries, other writing programs and the like. It seems like a small thing I can do. 

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m still picky about who and what I support. My in-box is full enough, so I want to support what I truly believe in. 

Lately though it seems I receive a newsletter, usually with a link to a book, product, or some other service, then shortly thereafter, I receive another email with the subject line of “Correction!” 

Last month, there seemed to be a flurry of “correction” emails that were sent. On a single day, I think I received four such correction notices. It was ridiculous. And guess what happened to those emails? I deleted every single one of them. Epic fail for those marketers.

What does this mean for writers? First, slow down. Second, proofread your work carefully. It’s worth taking the time. Think about it this way, would you send in a requested manuscript to an editor or agent, and have it be littered with errors? How quickly do you think that manuscript would end up in the trash? Or if you entered a contest? It’s doubtful you would win.

Personally, I hate seeing errors in blog posts I write or in articles that have already been published. Yes, it happens to all of us, and there should be a certain amount of grace given. However, these types of mistakes are largely preventable. We need to do our best, and turn in our most polished work in order to stay a step ahead in a competitive industry. 

I have one final tip for you when you’re proofreading: Listen to your work. Say what? Yes, listen. 

Most computers have a “read aloud” feature. I put on headphones, close my eyes, and listen as the computer reads my work back to me. It’s amazing what you can hear versus what your eyes jump over. 

If your computer doesn’t have that feature, then go back to the tried-and-true of reading your work out loud. I can almost guarantee you’ll hear a mistake or end up changing the wording of a sentence or two in the hopes that your words will sing on the page. 

In summary, slow down, take the time to proofread carefully, and when in doubt, listen. 

It’s a new year. Let’s put our best work out there.

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Rebecca Yauger is a writer and blogger who writes about real friendship and relationships, and all the ties that bond us. She’s been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Guideposts Magazine. She is a three-time cancer survivor and church life group leader. Rebecca grew up in a military family, and now after living all over the world, she makes her home near Dallas. She is married to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mother and grandmother. Visit her at www.RebeccaYauger.com.