Based on my experience with editors, as a tech writer, the Main Rule seems to be: Pick a style, any style, BUT THEN FOLLOW IT. CONSISTENTLY. Spell out numbers ten or below, spell out numbers one hundred or below, fine, but once we pick a style for the project documents, THEM’S THE RULES. (Except two spaces after a period. None of my editors liked that.)
Ha! Noosha reminds me to be consistent for example… fourleg only works when italicized since it is grammatically incorrect.
MM needs a bit of work. It seems the muses are a confusing lot for somebody who doesn’t spend all day with them. If they want to sell books… and share their message… in a way that it can be heard… some re-thinking needs to happen.
I am glad to have that information and now I have a space to work from. ❤️
The two spaces after periods changed to one space, and many writers are having difficulty letting go of that habit -- because it's a hard habit to break. I still see people capitalizing internet, which also has changed. Rules constantly change, and it's not always easy to keep up with them.
“Internet”/“internet” is also kind of a nerd thing. To us, “an internet” is a connection between two or more networks to make a collective network; “the Internet” is, well, THE INTERNET — but for the general public, it’s a distinction without a difference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well!
Based on my experience with editors, as a tech writer, the Main Rule seems to be: Pick a style, any style, BUT THEN FOLLOW IT. CONSISTENTLY. Spell out numbers ten or below, spell out numbers one hundred or below, fine, but once we pick a style for the project documents, THEM’S THE RULES. (Except two spaces after a period. None of my editors liked that.)
Ha! Noosha reminds me to be consistent for example… fourleg only works when italicized since it is grammatically incorrect.
MM needs a bit of work. It seems the muses are a confusing lot for somebody who doesn’t spend all day with them. If they want to sell books… and share their message… in a way that it can be heard… some re-thinking needs to happen.
I am glad to have that information and now I have a space to work from. ❤️
Sadly, manuscripts always need "a bit of work." And yet...it's always so worth it. As it will be for you, too, Gail.
Thanks Karen! How is your recovery coming along?
Slow but steady. Thanks for asking, Gail.
❤️ I like the steady part.
The two spaces after periods changed to one space, and many writers are having difficulty letting go of that habit -- because it's a hard habit to break. I still see people capitalizing internet, which also has changed. Rules constantly change, and it's not always easy to keep up with them.
“Internet”/“internet” is also kind of a nerd thing. To us, “an internet” is a connection between two or more networks to make a collective network; “the Internet” is, well, THE INTERNET — but for the general public, it’s a distinction without a difference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well!