copyediting Archives · I Will Dare

Answering the Googlers’ Questions XIII: In praise of the serial comma

Jodi Chromey — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:00:04 +0000

Who is the blow job queen in MN?
I had no idea there was such a thing. I’m assuming there is some sort of pageant held at like the Radison in Roseville with contestants swapping tips on how to fight the gag reflex.

Is confusion caused by not using serial commas?
Yes. Oddly enough we were just talking about this in class last night. There is no reason not to use it. I believe AP is the only styleguide that advocates against it. I’m sure back in the olden days when newspapers were still relevant and people were throwing type and had to set each character individually that extra comma cost time and money. NOT ANYMORE. Sheesh people, put the comma in. It makes things much simpler. Really. Just do it.

What does sleeping with a book under your pillow mean?
You are weird and/or lazy. Unless it’s Self-Help by Lorrie Moore then it means you’re a genius who probably has a bright future in literature.

Is Stephanie Meyer sexist?
I don’t know. I’ve never met her. However, her Twilight series of books are awfully sexist and, frankly, dangerous. In those books she portrays what can only be described as an abusive relationship as romance. Scary shit, folks.

What is recoupable debt?
A scam. Please see this.

Someone at work called me a hobbit, what should I do?
Kick him in the knee.

How do i know if i ruined it?
It will look funny or taste bad or sound horrible or smell awful.

What should I give my boyfriend for the third day of Christmas?
A blowjob.

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just to make the pills kick in

Jodi Chromey — Tue, 23 Dec 2003 00:22:31 +0000

only one more day of work, and then i’m going to spend the next five days not even thinking about that place. i just really, really need a break. i’m in second-round of edits for the book and i’m looking at some of the copy and wondering what the hell i was thinking. it’s very clear i’ve been phoning it in for the past few weeks. some time away should do me good. now, if i can just get all the christmas junk done by thursday, it will indeed be a miracle.

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6 down 17 to go

Jodi Chromey — Sun, 07 Dec 2003 08:42:09 +0000

after six chapters, i’m calling it a night. everything will look better in the morning right? right?

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i wait in four four time

Jodi Chromey — Sun, 07 Dec 2003 07:53:48 +0000

so, you’re probably asking what the intrepid copyeditor does to celebrate the fact that she beat chapter 5 into submission. why, she has rewards herself with Nutter Butters and chocolate milk.

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i am a train of winnepeg

Jodi Chromey — Sun, 07 Dec 2003 07:11:17 +0000

chapter 5 and i are fighting. i don’t know why it can’t be all easy peasy like its siblings chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4. clearly chapter five has some issues.

really, it’s not chapter 5’s fault alone. most of chapter 5’s problems are coming from Microsoft Word. We’re having a few formatting issues. these issues are pissing me off, because well, Word is a slutty bitch who stole my ex boyfriend that i’m forced to work with.

so what’s a copyeditor to do with a difficult chapter 5 and a slutty Microsoft Word? well, she cracks a fresh diet pepsi, and makes some time for cheese and crackers. then she proclaims she’s a train of winnepeg, because she wants to be a weakerthan when she grows up.

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