, a fun reference site.] Q: Are there any words we should strike from our writing palettes?
Glenn:"There is," "There are," "In order to…" And I don’t understand what it is about "that" that we are so beholden to, but we could do with less of "that."
Q: Do you have any grammar horror stories, mistakes you’ve made or ones you have seen?
Glenn: As an editor, it always pays to have your mind on the precipice of the gutter, so to speak. My favorite horror story goes back to my newspaper days. In the Stone Age, aka the late 1980s, hacky sacks were a popular novelty. One night, we had to literally stop the press when we saw the headline: "Squeezing squishy colorful balls can help relieve stress, creators say."
Q: Since grammar is closely linked to usage, some "errors" are ok. How can we draw our own line for what is correct in our own communities?
Glenn: Really, it comes down to common sense. I hate an overemphasis on the S-H-I-F-T key, but following AP style on titles is always a sticking point with others in your building. If someone is adamant about being an "Associate Executive Director," then that’s fine. The key is to be consistent.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you can share to help us become better editors?
Glenn: Don’t be afraid to edit. It sounds ridiculous to say that, but it’s true. As long as you can maintain the writer’s voice and capture the intent of the piece, you shouldn’t be afraid to eliminate words wherever possible. Today’s reader doesn’t have time for the definitive 3,000 word tome. If you can say the same thing in 1,800 words, then do it. Everyone benefits.
Note: Don’t miss Grammar is Good to Know, a concurrent session at the 2010 Annual Meeting that Glenn will co-present with Erin Pressley, vice president, editorial services, for the National Association of Convenience & Petroleum Retailing.
