More importantly, was the light bulb screwed in clockwise or counter-clockwise in a previous instance? Consistency of direction being important for the flow. Puts the lefty loosey and righty tighty argument in a whole new light, doesn’t it? ;-)
Oh, I like that one, too! I remember at Harcourt an entire page of these went around with all the different publishing types in them. It was very amusing. :-)
When I was reading my copyeditor’s changes, I invented a new game called “copyedit.” There’s only one rule: take a common phrase and copyedit it, following the rules that copyeditors use.
Example: “We’ll eat like kings!” becomes “we’ll eat as kings do.”
Actually, I thought my copyeditor did an excelent job. It’s just some of the quirks that drove me crazy, such as deciding to use the word “wheras” everywhere in my text. Then again, I wrote a business book, which has different rules.
But I did find myself thinking of all the ringing phrases of our literary heritage and how they’d sound when they’d been edited for grammar, gender neutrality, and clarity…
:{D
Say, Deanna, at the next Worldcon would you like to join me in a cup of coffee?
May I express glee and adoration? (Since the mad cackling is probably inappropriate for polite society.)
More importantly, was the light bulb screwed in clockwise or counter-clockwise in a previous instance? Consistency of direction being important for the flow. Puts the lefty loosey and righty tighty argument in a whole new light, doesn’t it? ;-)
LOL! I love that. I tried, just today, to explain that sort of confusion to a high school senior. (Different possible outcomes , though!) *grin*
LOL, that’s awesome. :)
Dammit, Deanna!
*wipes coffee off monitor*
LOL!
you know what…I enjoyed that.
Q: How many art directors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Art Director: Does it have to be a lightbulb?
Q: How many copyeditors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Copyeditor: The last time this question was asked, it involved art directors. Is this deliberate? It seems inconsistent.
Excuse me as I pick myself off the floor. That is excellent!
LOL! ;-D
Oh, I like that one, too! I remember at Harcourt an entire page of these went around with all the different publishing types in them. It was very amusing. :-)
How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one, but the lightbulb has to want to change….
A: So far, you’ve only introduced one copyeditor. Where did the other[s] come from? Please clarify.
:-D I haven’t seen that one! Very clever. :-)
How many engineering students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Just one, but s/he gets three credit hours for it.
*snort*
I like that one, too. :-)
Speaking as an author, I wish I thought this was a joke.. ;-)
Those copyeditors…
;-)
When I was reading my copyeditor’s changes, I invented a new game called “copyedit.” There’s only one rule: take a common phrase and copyedit it, following the rules that copyeditors use.
Example: “We’ll eat like kings!” becomes “we’ll eat as kings do.”
I can’t figure that one out as any rule that copyeditors, in general, use. :-) It sounds as though you had a bad experience. Condolences.
Actually, I thought my copyeditor did an excelent job. It’s just some of the quirks that drove me crazy, such as deciding to use the word “wheras” everywhere in my text. Then again, I wrote a business book, which has different rules.
But I did find myself thinking of all the ringing phrases of our literary heritage and how they’d sound when they’d been edited for grammar, gender neutrality, and clarity…
Yeah, nonfiction definitely does have different rules.
And it is an interesting game. :-)