See Mary Blog
June 14, 2012 § Leave a comment
Got my first byline on the Dragonfly Editorial blog (hopefully, the first of many)! Check it out here or on my web writing page.
Just when I thought I was done with school…
June 7, 2012 § Leave a comment
I’m a couple of weeks into my part-time internship with Dragonfly Editorial, a technical/medical writing and editing firm based out of Tipp City, Ohio. It’s a little different from other communications jobs I’ve had, since the firm’s staff hail from all over the country, but working from my new home office has been a huge perk.
I’m writing a series of profiles of fellow staff members for the company’s blog, which means I’m not only getting to meet accomplished writers and editors from all walks of life, I’m also learning another bonus of being a freelance writer: flexibility. Flexibility to dodge the 9-5 work routine, to opt out of the maddening commute. I interviewed one editor last week who’s training to become a semi-professional ice dancer; another rides dressage in her free time.
Another one of my assignments is to develop some expertise as a proofreader and copyeditor. To aid me in this quest, I have a couple of workbooks (Mark my Words and Substance &Style) to complete. It reminds me a little bit of my elementary school days, filling out Wordly Wise primers (remember those?) on proper vocabulary usage.
Being the word nerd that I am, I’m loving them. For me, working through these volumes is like reading a really good novel—I can’t wait to get to the next chapter to learn the next proofmark, complete the next exercise.
I could get used to this.
Words that don’t mean what you think they mean
May 26, 2012 § 1 Comment
“Enormity” and “nonplussed” have definitely tripped me up before. What other misunderstood words have you come across?
For this and other language- and grammar-related infographics, check out Grammar.net.
“Not all sentences end up in novels or stories. But novels and stories consist of nothing but.”
May 23, 2012 § Leave a comment
I’m loving the New York Times’ Draft blog—a page dedicated to discussion of language and the art of writing. A new essay pops up each week (this week, check out columnist and English professor Ben Yagoda’s piece on chronic comma slip-ups). The piece I’ve enjoyed the most so far, however, is one from a couple of months back on crafting the perfect sentence; beyond being informative, it’s superbly well-written. I might be a little biased, though. Its creator, Jhumpa Lahiri, also happens to be one of my favorite authors—I’ve read her novel The Namesake more times than I can count.
The essay speaks for itself—check it out here.
Moving on
May 1, 2012 § Leave a comment
The spring issue of Wooster came out this week, complete with my feature story on the history of the main library on campus. Its arrival is a little bittersweet, since it’s the last one I’ll have contributed to as a staff member. (Well, except for one more piece I’ve been working on—but that won’t be published until later this year, long after I’ve graduated.) Looking back on my three years as Wooster’s editorial assistant, I’m amazed at how much the opportunity has helped me grow as a writer. My first weeks on staff, my primary responsibilities consisted of checking and rechecking endless pages of copy to be sure no one’s name got spelled wrong. Back then, I never thought I’d be writing features, but with a little perseverance (and lot of guidance from my editor), well, here I am. I can’t imagine a better debut into the world of magazine publishing. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I’m looking forward to the next step.
Check out “A library without walls: The evolution and meaning of Andrews Library” here or on my print writing page.
MARY GABLE 
