“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Mark Twain
I was destined to work with words
When I tell people that I'm a proofreader – the usual response is a mild look of dread followed by, 'Oh I could never do that!'
For many, the thought of sitting for hours, with laser focus on a stack of writing is too painful to bear. But for me, it's bliss!
From a young age, being right about writing was my thing. I seemed to have a knack for spotting the details and would ponder for way too long about why a word could be spelt the same and have different meanings.
Encouraged by my mother, as a young teenager I loved reading aloud to her – Jane Austen, the Brontes, Catherine Cookson – and having fits of giggles trying to pronounce the thick Yorkshire dialect in James Herriot books such as All Creatures Great and Small.
So it was only natural that I'd end up correcting and perfecting other people's words for a living. Enjoying the process as much as the satisfaction of seeing the end result – a beautifully written and presented piece of copy.
Turning my love for clear communication into a career
The psychology of writing is fascinating; how words can evoke powerful emotions and actions in our readers – whether they are customers or stakeholders. But it frustrates me when errors get in the way of delivering the message.
I studied English Literature and Communications & Media – equally fascinated by how non-verbal communication influences our interactions – tapping into our
basic needs for connection, trust and relationship.
I took this learning into the workplace. Building a career in a Cheltenham-based design agency was a key foundation for my growth, as I learned the ropes of business, account management and design. I absolutely loved working with clients such as Cadbury-Schweppes, KP Foods, The Jockey Club, Cheltenham Racecourse and Bath Tourism Bureau.
The view from the other side of the desk
An opportunity to manage the publications at the Countryside Agency (now Natural England) gave me further skills client-side. Now, I was on the other side of the desk – building supplier relationships, seeking quotes, editing proofs as well as proofreading them.
Having the supplier-side insight meant I understood how the publishing process worked, how to manage designers and printers, and what the expectations were as a client communicating amends to a design team.
But I had itchy feet and felt constrained by the restrictive government procurement rules and bureaucracy. Having had the freedom to work with my preferred suppliers because they understood our brand and did a great job – I now had to go with the lowest price, regardless of their service offering. It put money before relationships, which simply wasn't my style.
Putting everything together to help businesses create better comms
Recognising that I loved the wordy side of my job – I spotted an advert for a proofreader training course and went for it – studying in my evenings and days off.
This was just the start of a new beginning. I now build relationships with my own clients and enjoy helping them put brilliantly clear content out into the world.
Over two decades later, I'm still enjoying the variety of my work and helping clients perfect their written word.
Qualifications and training
Memberships
Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
Formal training
Level 4 Diploma in Proofreading (Distinction) (NCC)
Complete Proofreader (Chapterhouse)
Courses and CPD
Marketing Fundamentals (CIM)
Word for Practical Editing (CIEP)
Editorial Style
(PTC)
Editing References (PTC)
Production Management for Print (LCMT)
Want to know a bit more about me?
I was born and raised in Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire. I settled down with my husband and children not too far away from Cheltenham Racecourse. I love to travel into town when I can to take a walk around Pittville Park, or browse the shops along The Promenade (we have a fantastic Waterstones!).
In 2018, I was a finalist in the JustGiving Awards – out of 40,000 entries – for writing and publishing a children’s book, The Dragonfly Story. Inspired by a personal tragedy, the book aims to support bereaved families. I've also published Life, Without You – a journal through grief, as a bereavement aid. Feel free to ask me more about it!
