Shelly Rosenberg's Blog

June 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
June 2011 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

In this Newsletter, I will discuss…

· Writing Standards – standards and information for students writing PhD theses, Masters theses, research papers and for writers required to use formatting standards
· Author tips – some tidbits regarding that manuscript you want to send to an agent or publisher
· Job seekers – resume hints
· Update on worldwide project

Writing Standards

Standards – Many academic and technical institutions require your research paper or thesis to conform to some writing and formatting standards. The most popular of these standards is the APA – American Psychological Association’s standards and format.
I have the latest Publication Manual from the American Psychological Association. However, many universities have their own guidelines that differ slightly from these standards. Please let me know if you are required to use any specific formats or standards so that I can ensure that we follow all the necessary guidelines in your papers.
Author Tips
I read an interesting article by Linnea Sinclair that outlines the pet peeves of publishers who receive manuscripts from authors wanting to be published. Here is a summary of the article. Linnea queried several people and asked each their pet peeves.
The first responded that unnatural dialogue and too many unnecessary characters were the worst aspects of manuscripts read. By unnatural dialogue she meant the way a college professor would talk would be greatly different from a factory worker and that must be conveyed in the story.
The next publisher’s reader/editor stated that too much backstory was a pet peeve. She stated that the writer should tell the story through the actions and the characters instead of specifically writing the background events. This was especially distracting in the introductory chapter of the novel.
The next person stated that the most annoying aspect of writing was poor mechanics such as spelling, grammar, and the general format.
Keep these items in mind when writing your novel, manuscript, or book. If you employ me to edit your manuscript, I will point out if your work exhibits any of these “pet peeves,” and help you to correct them.
Job Seeker Resume Hints

Remember that your resume is your key. Its purpose is to get you an interview. Make it stand out. Make it present you, your abilities and accomplishments in the best possible light. What have you done that stands you apart from most other people who would apply for this job?

Of course, once you get an interview, it is up to you to sell yourself. Make sure that your resume has completely truthful and accurate statements, that it has no grammatical or spelling errors and that it focuses on your strengths.

If you need a completely new resume or you need an update to your current resume, contact me at shelly@shellyrosenberg.com and we will work together to create a dynamic resume for you. Also, ask me about creating a cover letter to accompany your resume.

Worldwide Project Report

I have a world map mounted on the wall in my office and have used “map pins” to mark the locations where my clients live. It is amazing to me that I have worked with clients from 69 countries in the world. Regarding clients in the United States, I have worked with clients from 45 states plus the District of Columbia. I believe that the client the farthest distance from my office, here in Springfield Tennessee, is living in Queensland, Australia. This is an interesting project and I will continue to track client locations and mark my map accordingly.

Contact me at Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com with your editing, proofreading and resume needs. And, be sure to ask me any questions about the issues raised in this newsletter. If you have requests or suggestions for future articles for my newsletter send them to me.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

April 2011 Newsletter

2011-04-06T09:44:00.001-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume April 2011 Newsletter from the desk of Shelly Rosenberg www.shellyrosenberg.com Spring is Here! Here in Tennessee we are seeing early spring blooms giving us shades of lavender and white blossoms, pale greens emerging on the trees and fields and some sunny days after a cold and wet winter. This time of the year is always rejuvenating giving rise to new ideas and inspiration. In this issue of my newsletter I will be covering the following topics: Chapters, Paragraphs and Sentences Resume vs. CV Chapters, Paragraphs and Sentences Chapters Whether you are writing a novel, a biography, a non-fiction self-help book, or a technical user’s manual, you should pay attention to how you break your book up into sections. These sections are generally called chapters. Chapters should separate your ideas or story into logical sections. When writing a novel, people often ask how to break up their story into chapters. Here are some guidelines to help you. 1. Use the chapters to separate scenes. When the action goes to a different place or different time, begin a new chapter. 2. Keep in mind that your reader wants a logical stopping place. I often read just before going to sleep at night. I usually stop reading when I get to a new chapter. If you make your chapters very long, you might be depriving your readers (and me) of needed sleep! 3. An average novel is about 65,000 words. A rule of thumb for a novel of this length is to divide it into between 16 to 20 chapters. 4. You should build anticipation and interest into each chapter so that the reader is inspired to read the next section. When writing non-fiction books, break your book into logical sections. If it is an instruction book, separate the sections or chapters so that each one covers a distinct process or situation. For instance, if you write a book on travel, you might have a chapter for each of the following areas: 1. Transportation – air travel, taxis, busses 2. Hotels 3. Restaurants 4. Sights to see – available guided tours, walking tours, museums 5. Culture – customs and dealing with people you encounter 6. Language – perhaps a list of often used expressions I think you get the idea. Paragraphs A paragraph should include all the information about a specific topic, idea or sub-topic. Here are some paragraph guidelines. 1. A paragraph should introduce a new idea; this new idea should be stated in the first sentence. 2. The next sentence should elaborate on the idea and give appropriate details. 3. The following sentences should support the idea and the details. 4. Finally, the last sentence should wrap up and summarize the idea. 5. In a novel, this procedure would be slightly different but the concept is the same. The paragraph should include a new situation, or new discussion. 6. When using dialogue in a novel, you must begin a new paragraph with each person speaking. 7. Generally, aside from dialogue, there should never be a one-sentence paragraph. Sentences A sentence should be one complete thought. One of the biggest errors I see in sentences is that they are too long. By the time, I get to the end of the sentence I have lost the meaning of what the writer is trying to say. This is often because the writer is trying to cram too much into the one sentence. When in doubt, break the sentence up into smaller sentences so that your reader can follow what you are trying to convey. Resume vs. CV What is a CV? How does it differ from a resume? A CV (curriculum vitae) is a document that provides a potential employer with an overview of a person’s life and qualifications regarding his/her employment. That sounds exactly the same as a resume, right? Generally, a CV is a longer version of a resume. The information is the same in each but the CV often has more detail and elaboration. European and Asian companies are more inclined to ask for a CV from a prospective employee. Government employers often request a CV or longer version of a resume. Finally, educational institutions request a CV when people are applying for jobs in universities or colleges. These CVs will include a detailed list of published papers and a list of courses taught. Final Comments I look forward to working with you on any of your editing, proofreading or resume needs. I hope these suggestions are useful to you. Please keep me informed of any topics you would like me to include in my next newsletter. Happy spring to you all. “My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.” Shelly Rosenberg Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

March 2011 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg

2011-03-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
March 2011 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Taxes & Housekeeping

Wait, I hear you saying, this is an editing, proofreading and resume newsletter, why is there talk about taxes and housekeeping? There are two issues that have come to mind and I would like to share them with you as they relate to resumes and to “housekeeping” of your files:
Resumes and Income Taxes
Housekeeping for Your files

Resumes and Income Taxes

It is tax season in the United States. We file our income tax returns by the middle of April each year so the time between the first week of February, when most companies have sent us tax information for the previous year, and the second week of April we consider as Tax Season.

We can reduce our tax bill by showing deductions for products or services we have received in our work or in our lives in general. There and numerous and detailed guidelines to help us but the tax structure is so complex that a large majority of people employ a tax consultant or Certified Public Accountant to help us prepare our tax returns. But, we need to inform that professional of all the expenses we have incurred.

I have become aware that the cost of resume preparation, in many cases, is tax deductible. There are many rules and restrictions regarding this but it is worth looking into. You might be able to deduct the fee you paid me to create or edit your resume. You might be able to deduct the cost of printing or copying your resume to send to potential employers. You might be able to deduct the postage cost and transportation associated with your job seeking endeavors.

In the US, check with a tax professional when you are seeking a job to determine if your job seeking activities can be deducted for income tax purposes.

I have no idea how this might apply to people not in the US, but it is worth contacting a professional to see if you qualify to deduct these services when preparing your income tax returns.

Housekeeping for Your Files

Within the past week, I have received two requests from clients asking if I had copies of their edited work, work that I had done in the past year or two. In one case, the client had inadvertently deleted the final draft of her novel. She was devastated. In the other case, the client had a computer failure that caused him to lose a large number of files. He was distraught when his resume was among the lost files.

Fortunately, I was able to help in both cases. I keep copies of all the work I do for clients, unless for some reason they ask me to not keep a copy of the files. As you know, these files are all confidential and are never shared with anyone else.

Here are some ideas of housekeeping for your files:
· Do a periodic backup of your important files. You can use read/write discs as your backup medium. Or, better yet, get an external drive, which gives you more storage space. My external drive is made by Maxtor. It has a built-in backup procedure, which allows you to determine which libraries and files to back up. It will backup any files that have been added or modified since the last backup. I do this weekly.
· Keep copies of your modified files. For instance, if you have created two or more versions of your resume – one of technical jobs and one for management jobs (for instance) – keep a copy of each. And, if you make minor modifications targeting a specific job, keep each of these modified versions. Make sure to give a descriptive name to each file so that it is easily identifiable.
· Set up an organized folder system. Group like files in a single folder but create different folders for different purposes. For instance, if you are job seeking, set up a folder for each job for which you are applying. In the folder, keep a copy of the resume that you sent to apply for the job. Keep a copy of all letters, cover letters, thank you letters, etc. that you have sent to the company. Also, keep a document with a running account of all the activities concerning that job including when you sent the resume, when you called the company, when and where you had an interview, etc.

Final Comments

I hope these suggestions are useful to you. Please keep me informed of any topics you would like me to include in my next newsletter. Happy spring to you all.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

February 2011 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg

2011-02-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
February 2011 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Mid-Winter Greetings

In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:
Using “Headhunters” (employment agencies) to assist in finding a job
Parallel sentence structure

Employing Headhunters – some information

Generally, headhunters (employment agents) are hired by hiring managers or companies to assist them in finding the right employee for a specific job. These hiring companies pay a large fee, often as much as 25% of the new hire’s annual salary to the headhunter for this service.

A company paying this fee for the headhunter to find a suitable candidate, will not pay for this service for a candidate who is new to the market (just out of college or university) or a candidate who is currently unemployed. So, if you are unemployed and looking for a job or you are a recent graduate or someone with no experience in the field in which you are looking for work, do not consider using a headhunter or employment agency. In these cases, you will need to do your job hunting activities for yourself.

I received this information from Skip Freeman, author of "Headhunter" Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever! This book is a wonderful tool specifically written to help a job candidate open doors most people think are closed. Read the book and follow the guidelines. Skip told me that he is currently writing a book especially designed for those just entering the workforce or those entering a new profession or field of work.

Parallel Sentence Structure

Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in construction. This sounds complicated. The best way to explain it is with examples. The following sentences in italics are incorrect. The correct version for each sentence is written in bold text and appears just below the sentence that is in error.
Wrong: A student knows how to do research and getting help with assignments.
Correct: A student knows how to do research and get help with assignments.
Wrong: Elaine’s workout activities include exercising, swimming, and to run a mile.
Correct: Elaine’s workout activities include exercising, swimming, and running a mile.
Wrong: We walked up the stairs, into the classroom and we went to the dining room.
Correct: We walked up the stairs, into the classroom and to the dining room.
Wrong: Michael was intelligent but a shy person.
Correct: Michael was intelligent but shy.
Wrong: She asked him to take out the garbage, rake the leaves, and be listening for the phone to ring.
Correct: She asked him to take out the garbage, rake the leaves, and listen for the phone to ring.
Wrong: Mary studied for the chemistry test by reviewing her notes and she read her chemistry book.
Correct: Mary studied for the chemistry test by reviewing her notes and reading her chemistry book.
Note that sentences must keep the same form throughout. Verb forms must be in agreement. When in doubt, break up long sentences into two or three sentences each with its own construction.

Final Comments

Please let me know what you would like to have included in this newsletter. Best wishes to you all.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

January 2011 - Happy New Year

2011-01-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
January 2011 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all. Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful 2011. I would like to start the year off with a discussion about Networking.

Networking is a term that has become very popular in all areas of life especially in business and job seeking endeavors. But, how can networking help you? Networking is also worthwhile for the student, PhD candidate, Master’s degree candidate, author, website designer, technical writer, business executive, ESL (English as a Second Language) writer or student, and entrepreneur.

In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing networking−some tips, techniques and advantages.

Networking Events

There are an extraordinary number of events that are designed as strictly networking events. These tend to create high pressure situations and are often less productive than some alternatives.
Look for seminars or workshops that are held for other reasons than solely for networking. These are more low-key learning environments. Seek out seminars or workshops that feature speakers or sessions that address subjects that interest you. They will be attended by others who have similar interests.
Start conversations. Stretch yourself by reaching out to others. I recently heard a suggestion about starting conversations: If you observe someone looking at something (a centerpiece on a table, a clock, a photo, food at a buffet or a painting on a wall) begin a conversation about that item. At least you will have a starting point for your discussion.
Stay with a conversation. The purpose of networking is to make quality contacts. You want to create a productive relationship that might be mutually advantageous. If your conversation is going well, stay with it.
Ask questions – Listen attentively. You will learn much more by listening and asking questions than you will by doing all the talking. This technique also makes the other person feel comfortable and important to you.
Where to sit. If there are people you know at the event, make sure to sit with someone you do not know. If you sit with that friend or acquaintance, you probably will not get up and meet anyone else. And, that would defeat your main purpose of attending the event.
Seek out wallflowers. If you see someone standing or sitting alone, approach that person, instead of trying to break into a group of people having a conversation. Introduce yourself to that “wallflower” and begin a conversation. You might be surprised how much that person has to offer.
The buffet trick. If there is a buffet at the event, keep going back to the buffet. Put only three bites of food on your plate; then look for a table with someone (or some people) with whom you have not yet spoken. Introduce yourself, listen, begin a conversation or enter the existing conversation. Participate in the conversation for several minutes and eat your three bites. If you want to leave the conversation and find another, since your plate is empty, it would not look strange for you to excuse yourself, go to the buffet to get three more bites. Then find a new table (conversation).
Notes on cards. If you exchange cards with people, make notes on the back of the card. This way you will remember the person and the discussion for reference later.

Electronic Networking

There are numerous ways to network online. LinkedIn is one of the best sites for meeting people with similar professional interests. Join LinkedIn groups in your area of interest. Participate in discussions within those groups. Share your experiences and expertise.

Networking for the Student, PhD Candidate, Master’s Degree Candidate & ESL Student

Seek out alumni who have just completed the process you are in right now. They have probably experienced the same feelings, frustrations and questions that you are experiencing. They will most likely be eager to share their experiences and offer suggestions about what to avoid as well as what to look for. These people are valuable resources.

Seek out people who are successful in the field you are pursuing. Find successful people who are doing what you are hoping to be doing in a year or five years.
Networking for the Author,
Writer & Technical Writer

Network with people who are successful in the area in which you are working. Look for groups on Yahoo or LinkedIn that share your interests and concerns. Consider finding a “writing buddy” – someone with whom to share writing issues and your manuscripts.

Networking for the Business Executive & Entrepreneur

Use LinkedIn, company websites and groups to find professionals who might act as your mentor. People are flattered to be looked to as experts. They will probably be happy to join you for lunch or to converse via phone or email to discuss their experiences, failures and successes. Reach out to people in the areas in which you have interest or in which you are starting a business.

Even if you are successfully employed and happy with your job and success, networking can keep you and your ideas fresh. Learn from others what is new in the industry. Learn about the upcoming trends. Find the experts in the field. Join their networks.

Networking for the Job Seeker

You can send out hundreds of resumes and cover letters, answer every job posting, put your resume on all the job boards but in many cases you will still not be successful in being invited for an interview. Networking is a way to find people in positions that might be of help to you. These people can direct you to the hiring manager. Or, they might be the hiring manager.

Use LinkedIn. Post your profile there. Join groups and contribute to the conversations. Perhaps a hiring manager will be impressed with your responses. This could put your resume on the top of the heap. I personally know of people who were found by employers on LinkedIn. And, I know of people who reached out to professionals on LinkedIn and after careful and persistent communications, were hired as a result.

Networking – Final Comments

Try a combination of these networking techniques and make networking part of your life. Networking is also a way to build your social circle, add to your friendships, be exposed to new activities and keep you active and involved.

Perhaps the best aspect of networking is that you may have the opportunity to help someone else in his/her endeavor regarding work, finding a job, writing a book, writing a thesis, paper or dissertation or connecting with someone with similar interests.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

November 2010 Newsletter

2010-11-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
November 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/

Greetings

In this issue of my newsletter, I will discuss the following topics:

· The Functional Resume
· Punctuation Update – American English vs. British English
· Worldwide Project Update

The Functional Resume

Most resumes are chronological resumes. They give details of your work history in reverse order – most recent job first. But, another resume type is the functional resume. This type of resume focuses on your skills and groups them into clusters or functions. Listed below are situations in which a job seeker might use a functional resume instead of the traditional chronological resume:

1. Older Job Seeker - The job seeker is older with a significant amount of experience and does not want to draw attention to his/her age or the years of experience.
2. Gaps in Work History - The person has gaps in his/her work history. This could be a woman who has taken several years off to raise a child or children. It could be someone with some years in military service.
3. Career Changers - The person has been in one field of work but is now seeking to enter a new field.
4. Diverse Experience - The job seeker has worked in various different fields or jobs, which do not show a definitive career path or direction.
5. Similar Job Responsibilities – The job seeker has had several jobs with the same or similar responsibilities and/or achievements.
6. Students or Volunteers – The person is new to the workforce having just graduated from school or has spent time in volunteer positions.

The functional resume has a different format from the chronological resume. It emphasizes the skills and accomplishments without bringing attention to the situations mentioned above.

Punctuation Update
American English vs. British English

In my last newsletter, I outlined how to write dialogue and the appropriate punctuation to be used when writing dialogue. But, I only discussed punctuation for American English. When writing British English there is one main difference.

· All punctuation must go outside the quotation marks in British English.
o John said, “I need to find the nearest service station”.
§ Note that the period at the end of the sentence goes outside the quotation mark. The next example shows the same sentence written in American English.
o John said, “I need to find the nearest service station.”

Worldwide Project Update

I have been editing, proofreading and creating resumes for several years. Sometime after I began this work, I mounted a world map on my office wall and began putting map pins in locations where I had clients. I have continued to keep this map updated with new pins whenever I have a new client from a country where I did not have a previous client. I have done the same for each state in the United States.

I currently have clients from 64 countries in the world. There are about 193 countries. To view a list of the countries where I have clients, go to http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm

And, I have clients in all but seven states in the US. I do not have clients in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Vermont.

Please help me to put more map pins on my map! If you know of people in any of the above states or in countries not included in my list of countries on my website, who might be interested in editing, proofreading or resume services, please refer them to me.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

October 2010 Newsletter

2010-10-03T10:14:00.001-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
October 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/

Greetings

At this time of year, here in the US, we have cooler temperatures, falling leaves and students well into their first semester of classes. In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:

· Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout
· Resume Tidbits
· Academic Papers

Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout

When you are writing a story and there are people speaking, you must use a set of rules to let your reader understand the dialogue and know who is talking. Here is a set of rules that should help you.

1. All speaking or talking in your story must be enclosed in quotation (quote) marks.

“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his brother.

Note that there is a quotation mark (“) before the first word that Mack said and another quotation mark after the last word that he said.

Note that the beginning quote mark is a double upside-down comma and the ending quote mark is a double comma.

2. All punctuation must go inside the quotation mark.

“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his friend.

Note that there is a comma after the word fish and that it is inside the quotation mark.

Note that instead of using a period at the end of what Mark has said, we use a comma when we want to tell who is speaking.

3. If it is obvious who is talking, you end the quote with a period.

“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish.”

Note that the period is inside the ending quotation mark. The dialogue itself might let the reader know who is speaking; in this case, you need not tell who is speaking.

4. If the quote is a question, you use a question mark instead of the period, or comma if you are telling who asked the question.

“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?”

“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?” asked Joseph.

Note in the second sentence we use a question mark inside the quote mark and the word asked begins with a small letter (not an upper case letter).

Note in the second sentence there is no period after the word today and there is no comma after the word today. These are replaced by a comma when telling who asked the question.

5. If using an exclamation mark, the rule is the same as if you are using a question mark.

“The fish are really hopping today!”
“The fish are really hopping today!” exclaimed Joseph as he reeled in yet another one.

Note the exclamation mark is inside the end quotation mark and the word exclaimed, in the second example, begins with a small letter.

6. If there is interruption in the speech, you must use a comma to let the reader know that speech has been broken.

“I like fishing in this pond,” said Mack, “especially on a Monday when nobody else is fishing.”

Note the use of a comma both after the word pond and after Mack. In this case, you are telling the reader who is speaking but you are doing it in the middle of the statement.

7. Every time another person speaks, you must begin a new paragraph.

“Hey Joseph, did you see that fish jump, out there by the hanging tree limb?” asked Mack.

“No, I was too busy untangling my reel. I get so frustrated,” said Joseph, “when I am trying to fish and this reel keeps getting messed up.”

“Hello boys, did your mothers say you could come down here to fish on a school day?” Jim, the dairy farmer said as he approached the boys from a clearing in the woods.

“Yeah,” said Mack, “today there is no school. It is a teacher training day.”

Note that each time someone else speaks, there is a new paragraph.

Resume Tidbits

Resumes, resumes, resumes. It seems that everyone is asking for resumes these days. Some people are unemployed and looking for a job. Others are looking for better opportunities and yet others are just updating their resumes so that if and when an opportunity arises, they are prepared with a winning resume.

Some concerns that people have include the following situations:

· Many different jobs
o If you have had many different jobs, you might not want to list each one on your resume.
o You can label the header Relevant Experience instead of Experience.
o This way you are only including the experience that is pertinent to the job you are seeking. And, you are not showing all those irrelevant other jobs.
· Redundancies
o If your experiences or tasks at two or more jobs have been the same, it is not wise to include these redundancies on your resume. It just clutters it up and becomes boring to the reader – your potential new employer.
o You can create a Skills or Expertise section that outlines your unique set of skills or expertise. This section would list, and explain if necessary, the items that might relate to several jobs you have had. This way the information is listed only once.
· Long resumes
o In general, a resume should not be more than two pages. Many companies and universities require a one-page resume only.
o In order to comply with the one-page rule, I have seen resumes in which the font size is so small, it is almost impossible to read and there are almost no margins; the text goes to the edge of the paper on all sides. Avoid this technique. Most people reading these types of resumes will put them in the NO pile immediately.
o It is necessary to streamline your resume stating the most significant information only. You can always elaborate during an interview.
o Remember, the purpose of the resume is to get an interview. A long, unattractive resume cluttered with detailed information will most likely not get you an interview.

Papers or Articles – academic or commercial

If you are writing an article or paper, always keep in mind your reader or audience. Surely, you would write differently when writing a children’s book for three to five-year olds from how you would write if your target audience was pre-med college students. As you write your article or paper, read it over keeping in mind the intended audience. Make changes as appropriate.

One technique you can use is to have a colleague or friend, who falls into the category of your target audience, read your paper and comment on it.

When using technical terms or acronyms in your paper, write out the complete term the first time you use it. Then you can use the acronym thereafter in that paper. Here is an example:

The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is sponsoring an event in October. Be sure to watch for information about this in our newsletters.

Each time the USTA sponsors an event, there are people from other countries who are interested in attending.

Note that the first time USTA is used, it is followed by the complete name. Then, when it is used subsequently, the acronym alone is sufficient.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

July 2010 Newsletter

2010-07-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
July 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Summer Greetings

The worldwide job situation seems to be improving with more jobs being posted and offered. More people are interviewing for jobs and being hired. Best wishes to those of you who have started on new adventures.

Writing a novel is a creative endeavor but some attention should be paid to making sure the information in your story is credible.

In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:

· Organizing Your Job Search
· The Writer’s Guide to Validating Information for Novels

Organizing Your Job Search

For those of you who are beginning or continuing your job search, I will present a system to help you organize the information you need to use and have available during this process.

Create a folder on your computer for each job posting to which you are responding. Name the folder using the company name and the job title. In this folder put the following documents:

· Resume – You should have one or more resumes prepared to send to potential employers. If you have multiple resumes, they should differ in their focus. For example, when you review a job posting, you might see that this job calls for some of your skills but on your resume, those skills are listed toward the bottom of your bulleted list of skills or accomplishments. When sending your resume to this company, modify it to list those skills and accomplishments toward the top of the list. Make sure to keep a copy of that modified resume in this folder for this job posting.

· Cover letter(s) – You should have a separate cover letter for each job for which you apply. Use the job posting and the requirements as guides to helping you construct your cover letter. If the job posting states that a specific skill is needed, show in your cover letter how your accomplishments have demonstrated your ability to satisfy the requirement. Keep a copy of the specific cover letter that you sent to this company.

· Company Information – It is imperative to study the company that has posted the position available. The Internet is a wonderful place to do this research. Keep detailed notes about the company in a separate document.

· Job Posting – Keep a copy of the job posting.

· Timeline – Keep a timeline document and edit it for every event regarding this job.
o Note the date on which you found the job posting
o Where you found the posting
o Any notes about the opportunity
o When you sent your resume to the company
o When you contacted the company in a follow-up email or phone call
o When the interview took place
o With whom you spoke for the phone interview or in-person interview
o Where the interview took place

· Interview Review Notes – for both telephone and in-person interviews
o Record the interviewer’s name (interviewers’ names) and contact information
o Record notes about the questions asked and your responses
o Record what you wore to the interview
o Record the date and place of the interview
o Any other impressions you have about the interview

· Thank you note sent – Keep a copy of the thank you note(s) you sent following your interview.

· Other Correspondence – Keep a copy of any other correspondence regarding this specific job posting or interview.

Create a Master Document on your computer for this job search project. This document should have three columns.
· Column One - note the Company and job title (the same as the folder created above)
· Column Two – note the status of this opportunity (for example - sent resume on xx/xx/xx)
· Column Three – your next action regarding this opportunity

Review the Master Document daily and update any information as soon as it occurs. This will keep you organized and prepared for each step in this arduous process.

Validating Information for Novels

As an author, especially of a novel or other work of fiction, you can be creative and customize your story in any way you like. But, it is important to keep certain facts and figures as real and valid as possible.

Though your reader knows this is a work of fiction and not reality, while reading the book, he or she wants to get involved and “into” the book. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies might cause some readers to be turned off or disappointed.

Remember, you as the author can include or eliminate any details that you wish. So, whatever you include, make sure it is accurate.

Let me explain with some examples:
· Dates and times – If you state that something occurred on Thursday, the 20th of July, 2004, make sure that the 20th of July in 2004 was indeed on a Thursday. (For those of you who checked this out you found that the 20th of July 2004 was a Tuesday.)
· Timelines – If you are relating a story that spans several years, be sure to keep track of ages of people and amount of time that has elapsed. If you mention that someone is nineteen at one point in the story and then another scene takes place five years later, be sure that if you refer to the character’s age at this later date that he or she is now twenty-four.
· Technical information – If you have a pilot flying a plane and you are describing a flying incident make sure that your technical information about the controls or flight patterns is correct.
o For aviation technical information, have a pilot review your novel or at least the chapters in the book that refer to flying.
o Have a doctor review any medical information.
o Have a chemist review any information regarding chemicals and chemical reactions.
o I think you get the idea…

This extra work and validation process will make a big difference between a novel and a really good novel that is successful.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

June 2010 Newsletter

2010-06-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume
June 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Early Summer Greetings

Summer is on its way. Many students are on summer break and people are planning summer vacations. Enjoy!

In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics.

· The Video Resume
· Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
· Author Tips – some tidbits regarding that manuscript you want to send to an agent or publisher
· Update on Worldwide Project

The Video Resume

In this challenging job market, some new and exciting tools have been developed to help the job seeker. The video resume is a dynamic medium to put you in front of hiring managers via video to better show them your personality and style.

You make a short video showing your most important features, explaining your main skills and expertise. This video is uploaded to the Internet, where potential employers can view it.

I recently spoke with Mark Scrivner of SnapShot Interactive who described his video resume service to me. You can contact Mark or see samples of the video resume by going to www.snapshotinteractive.com .

Please let me know if you create and use a video resume. I would like to be able to report how this new feature is working in the marketplace.

Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors

One of the most common errors that I have found, particularly on resumes, is the incorrect use of the verb to lead. I am not sure if people make the error as a spelling or grammatical error since the sounds of the words can be the same or different in different situations. Here is how to use this commonly used word:

Present Tense
I lead
you lead
he or she leads
we lead
you (plural) lead
they lead

Past Tense
I led
you led
he or she led
we led
you led
they led

Sentence examples -
· Currently, I lead a team of programmers developing a computer project.
· Last year, I led a team of writers who were working on a new manual.

The item in pencils is lead. This is pronounced the same as the past tense of the verb - led - but is spelled lead.

Another common error I have found in papers is the confusion between the words lose and loose.

Lose is the opposite of find.
Loose is the opposite of tight.

Sentence examples –

· If I do not put my keys in my purse, I will lose them.
· When I lost ten pounds, my clothes felt loose on me.

Author Tips
I read an interesting article by Linnea Sinclair that outlines the pet peeves of publishers who receive manuscripts from authors wanting to be published. Here is a summary of the article. Linnea queried several people and asked each their pet peeves.
The first responded that unnatural dialogue and too many unnecessary characters were the worst aspects of manuscripts read. By unnatural dialogue she meant the way a college professor would talk would be greatly different from a factory worker and that must be conveyed in the story.
The next publisher’s reader/editor stated that too much backstory was a pet peeve. She stated that the writer should tell the story through the actions and the characters instead of specifically writing the background events. This was especially distracting in the introductory chapter of the novel.
Another stated that the most annoying aspect of writing was poor mechanics such as spelling, grammar, and general format.
Keep these items in mind when writing your novel, manuscript, or book. If you employ me to edit your manuscript, I will point out if your work exhibits any of these “pet peeves,” and help you to correct them.
Worldwide Project Report - Update

Some of you might remember that I began this project in 2007. Let me explain it here. I have mounted a world map on the wall in my office and have used “map pins” to mark the locations where my clients live. At that time, I had worked with clients from 21 countries in the world and from 32 states in the US.

I have not put a new pin in the map for every new client but I have put in a new pin for every client from a new country or state in the US. Here is the update. I now have clients from 60 countries and from 44 states in the US. You can see a list of the countries and states on my website at
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm .

Please contact me if you need a new resume, or need your written work edited and proofread.

Best wishes.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg

Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com

May 2010 Newsletter from Shellly Rosenberg

2010-05-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
May 2, 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Greetings! This newsletter will cover three topics:

· Grammatical tip – three similar words there they’re their
· Table of Contents – automatic creation in MS Word
· Cover letters used with Resumes

Grammatical Tip

there they're their

These words are pronounced the same but have very different meanings. These words are often written incorrectly. It is imperative that you choose the correct one in your written text. Here is a review of these words.
there - means in that place
Example: Put the book there.
They’re - this is a contraction of the two words they are
Example: The following two sentences have the same meaning.
They are on the shelf.
They're on the shelf.
their – this is the possessive form of the word they meaning something that belongs to them
Example: That is their house.

To see more grammatical tips visit: www.shellyrosenberg.com/tips.htm

Table of Contents
How to Create it and Update it
Automatically in MS Word

Many of you write papers or books and want to include a Table of Contents. You create the Table of Contents by inserting your outline of headings at the beginning of your book or paper and put the corresponding pages next to each entry. The problem occurs when you add some text to the body of your work that throws all the page numbers off. It is a tedious job to keep updating this table of contents and to keep the entries correct.

Microsoft Word contains a dynamic Table of Contents feature that can completely automate this process.

The first step is to insert the proper toolbar into your document. Go to View, Toolbars and click on Outlining. You should then see the Outlining toolbar above your document.

Click on the drop-down menu and you will see Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, etc. and finally body text.

If you wish to include three levels in your Table of Contents, you will be using Levels 1, 2 and 3 for your headings. Just highlight the heading that you wish to be the highest level heading and make the drop-down menu item for that heading read level 1. You can do this at any time either while you are writing the paper or after you have completed most of the text. Do the same for second and third level headings using the corresponding level number for each item.

Make sure that all other text that is not a heading is designated as body text.

At the beginning of your paper, or wherever you wish to have the Table of Contents, just go to insert, then click reference and then click index and tables and finally click on Table of Contents. You will find several options here but just clicking ok will create your Table of Contents.

When you make changes to your text, which might necessitate page changes in your Table of Contents, or when you add, delete or change headings, you just need to click on the Update TOC button and your complete Table of Contents will be updated with the necessary changes.

This might sound a little confusing or difficult but it is really simple once you work with it for a while. There are many options for different styles and features of the Table of Contents but I will not discuss them here.

If you would like me to assist you in creating, designing or updating a Table of Contents for your paper or book, please contact me at shelly@shellyrosenberg.com.

Cover Letters
To be used with your Resumes

When sending a resume to a prospective employer, it is necessary to include a cover letter. This letter should explain why the employer should consider you as an outstanding candidate for the specific job. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your experience, skills and background that uniquely qualify you for the posted job.

Each time you apply for a different job, review your cover letter and make sure that you have updated the letter drawing attention to the skills you possess and how they relate to the required skills called for in the job description.

Contact me if I can be of help in creating the cover letter, updating the cover letter or creating your resume.
Visit www.shellyrosenberg.com/resume-services.htm

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

March 2010 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg

2010-03-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
March 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Greetings…..

In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.

• Writing Styles
• Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes
• Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker
• Interview Coaching

Writing Styles

The style of writing used in a technical thesis should be quite different from the style used on a music website. When you are writing, keep in mind the makeup and attitude of your audience and write for that audience. Just as you would probably dress differently when attending a symphony from the way you would dress when going to a theme park, your language and writing should fit the occasion.

One technique might be to just write your paper to get the ideas recorded and in the proper sequence. Then, go back specifically to adjust the language to be appropriate for the target audience. You could also have a friend, or someone representative of your “audience” read your paper just to see his or her reaction and then revise it where necessary.

When sending me a paper for a specific audience, be sure to let me know the audience so that my editing can reflect that.

Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes

If your thesis or dissertation or college paper must follow APA version six standards, there are some important changes to keep in mind:
• For version six there should be two spaces after the period at the end of the sentence. In my opinion, this is a step backwards. But, it is not a difficult change to make using MS Word.
• The other significant change is the heading levels. There are five levels of headings, each with its own standard format. And, you are not to skip a level. In other words, if you are using four heading levels, you must use levels one, two, three and four. In previous versions this was not the case.

I am well versed in the APA standards and can assist you with complying to these standards in your papers. Just be sure to let me know what version you are required to follow.

Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker

Here are some clever tips I have come across for the job seeker:

• Start a blog about your area of expertise. When a potential employer “googles” you, he or she will come across your article or blog and realize your dedication and knowledge.
• Use social media sites to search for jobs. LinkedIn has groups of all sorts. Find groups in your area of work and network to find out where jobs exist. Jobs and job leads are also posted on LinkedIn. You can find other members of these groups who work for companies with posted positions. Some insight into the company and the posted position will give you an added advantage.
• Many companies have “employee referral plans.” These plans give a monetary bonus to employees who refer a job candidate who eventually gets hired. Use the social media sites to meet these company employees. An employee referral gives you a better chance of getting an interview than just sending your resume to the company. And, the current employee might get handsomely rewarded. Try it.

Interview Coaching

Some of you for whom I have written resumes have asked me to do some interview coaching. I have done this on an informal basis several times but would now like to offer this as a regular service. Please let me know if you are interested in interview coaching. We can then work out the details.

Future Newsletter Topics…

• New types of interviews being used today…
• Some common grammatical errors…
• Topics suggested by you…

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

February 2010 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg

2010-02-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
February 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Mid-Winter Greetings

It is cold here in middle Tennessee. We had a snowfall that caused schools to close, roads to get icy and people to build snowmen and snowforts. But, spring is just a few months away.

In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.

• Use vs. Utilize
• Simple vs. Complex Writing
• Dissertation and Thesis Writing

Use vs. Utilize

Do these two words mean the same thing?
No. Though we often see them used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Many people write the word utilize thinking it is elegant and more sophisticated than the word use.

Definitions
Use – the act or practice of employing something
Utilize – to make do with something not normally used for the purpose

When should you use each of these words? Here are some examples of the correct application of use and utilize.

• Utilizing a tree branch, I fished my hat, which had blown into the lake, out of the water.
• He used a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the cabinet door.

Simple vs. Complex Writing

The above discussion makes me think of how people often write using long or complex words in an attempt to sound more impressive and knowledgeable. But, this usually backfires and gives the opposite impression to the reader. Many people feel compelled to us these long words and frequently use them incorrectly adding to the problem. But, using simple language is the most effective way to write.

I read a very interesting study called Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilizing Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly by Daniel Oppenheimer, 2006.

In this study, participants were given essays to evaluate; these essays were written by students seeking admission to graduate school. The participants were asked to rate the intelligence of the authors of the essays. The essays were revised into three versions; in the most complex version every noun, verb and adjective was replaced with the longest thesaurus entry for that word. In the moderately complex version every third applicable word was modified. The third essay was the original one with simple (shorter) words.

The participants rated the authors of the simply written essays as the most intelligent, the authors of the moderately complex essays as less intelligent and the authors of the most complex essays as the least intelligent.

My advice is to use simple language in clear concise sentences.

The details of this study can be found at http://www.google.com/search?q=Consequences+of+Erudite+Vernacular+utilized+&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIT_en

Dissertation and Thesis Writing

Recently a client was distraught while working on her dissertation. She kept getting bogged down with worries about what she needed to include in each section, in what order she should insert ideas, how to create effective transitions, what examples to include, etc. All these concerns were running through her mind preventing her from just writing the substance of the dissertation.

I then came up with a technique that helped her to concentrate on her dissertation text and complete the writing without being bombarded with concerns, questions and problems. I suggested that she keep a piece of paper, or a Word document, available titled Questions and Concerns. I asked her to write down each of her questions and concerns on the Questions and Concerns document as they arose in her mind. I explained that she could then stop thinking about that concern because she would be able to address it after finishing the writing of the paper. Having written these concerns down, she was able to get them out of her head knowing that she would not forget them because they were recorded.

I suggested that after she finished the paper she should go through each question and concern one at a time and address it then. And, that if there were any that she could not address, we could work on them together.

When she sent the dissertation to me to edit, she said she had used this technique. She listed all her questions and concerns and when she finished writing the dissertation, she addressed each question and concern one at a time. She was able to address them completely and felt comfortable with the results and the technique.

I hope that this technique can help some of you who are experiencing writers’ block as you write your book or paper. Try it and let me know the results. Good luck!

Topics for upcoming newsletters

• Some less obvious tips for the job seeker
• Use of blogs and other social media sites
• Topics that you suggest I include… - send them to me.

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
January 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Happy New Year

Is it two thousand ten or is it twenty ten? In any case, it is amazing that it is the beginning of the second decade in the new century. I hope the year is starting off well for each of you.

In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.

• Preventive or Preventative
• Copyright Questions and Answers
• Skype
• Topics for Upcoming Newsletters

Preventive or Preventative

These two words tend to be used interchangeably. But, they are not synonymous.

Preventive is an adjective (a word that modifies a noun).
Preventative is a noun (a thing).

A flu shot is a preventive measure to guard against getting the flu.
Note that in this above sentence, measure is the noun or the thing. Preventive is the adjective describing what kind of measure the flu shot is.
A flu shot is a preventative; it guards against getting the flu.
Note that in this second example the word preventative is a noun.

Copyright Questions and Answers

Many of you have asked my advice about copyrighting and registering your written works with the copyright office. Until recently I could not provide an adequate answer to your questions. About a month ago, a friend of mine from many years ago found me – or actually found my daughter (on Facebook). In our first discussion in years, she told me about what she has been doing and where she has been working. She is now the VP of Operations at the Copyright Clearance Center of the United States. She has introduced me to information that answers all the copyright questions that I have had. Here I have copied two important statements that should answer your first questions.

The following comes from the “Beyond the Book” section on the Copyright Clearance Center website at www.copyright.com.

• From the moment any expression is fixed in form (written word and painted canvas are two traditional examples, but an electronic word processing file is considered “fixed” too), that work is immediately and automatically protected by copyright under U.S. and foreign law.

• To be able to bring a suit against an infringer, however, does require having registered the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov), for which a $45 fee is currently charged.

I asked my friend if the second statement above meant that you had to have registered your work before an infringement took place in order to bring suit. The answer is no. You can register after the infringement took place; but there are some differences regarding the damages that can be awarded if the registration took place before or after the infringement took place. T

There is a section for Authors on the website www.copyright.com . I would recommend reviewing this section as well as the Beyond the Book section. Some more information is available at www.copyright.gov. I believe that these websites will answer any question that you might have regarding copyright. Please contact me if I can be of assistance.

Skype

Skype is a service providing free calling from computer to computer as long as both parties have Skype installed on those computers. I have just installed Skype on my computer. My Skype username is shellyrosenberg.

Topics for upcoming newsletters:

• Use vs. Utilize – Do these two words mean the same thing? When should you use each of these words?
• Simple vs. Complex writing – Some research studies, some suggestions and some examples
• Dissertation and thesis writing – A method to help you become more productive and overcome frustrations and writer’s block

And finally…

Let 2010 be a year of new beginnings, continued successes, productivity, improvement, health, happiness and caring for one another. Happy New Year!

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

Happy Holidays

2009-12-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

Season’s Greetings

The holiday season for us in the US begins with Thanksgiving, which is a time when we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our health, happiness, successes, friendships, families and the many wonderful experiences of life. It has been a difficult year for many of us during the global economy but we are moving ahead and trying to find better ways of doing what we do so that tomorrow will be better than yesterday and today.

I thank each of you for sharing so much with me and making my year a special one. I learn about all aspects of life, science, academics, business, the arts, literature, our planet and people all over the world. What I do is exciting because each day I encounter new and different ideas and people.

It is probably not surprising that I have created and edited more resumes this year than ever before. I hope that all of you looking for new jobs are successful in your search and find jobs that will allow you to grow as people and contribute to our human society. For those of you who are writing academic papers best wishes in your endeavors. And for the author trying to publish that book, keep at it. Do not give up. I have recently heard about some recommended publishers that might be of interest to you.

In this holiday newsletter I will not introduce any writing tips or techniques but I will give you a preview of my upcoming newsletters for 2010. The following are some ideas for future newsletters. If you have any suggestions or requests, please contact me.

Topics for upcoming newsletters:

• Use vs. Utilize – Do these two words mean the same thing? When should you use each of these words?
• Copyright – Should you register your written work? How do you go about doing this? What are the implications if you do (do not) copyright your paper?
• Simple vs. Complex writing – Some research studies, some suggestions and some examples

And finally…

Best wishes to you for a fun filled, safe and happy holiday and best wishes for a fruitful and productive 2010. Please contact me with any of your editing, proofreading or resume needs. I look forward to working with you again and continuing this worldwide friendship that has inspired me and given me friends from all parts of the world, in all walks of life and from diverse and interesting cultures.

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

Credibility

2009-09-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

Consistency in Your Writing

When constructing a story it is imperative to pay careful attention to the consistency regarding names, places and times. When referring to a person, you must make sure that you spell the person’s name correctly throughout your book. If you are referring to a real place in a city, be sure that your facts are true. If you mention a street that leads into another street, but in the real world, it is a different street, most readers will not know the difference. But someone familiar with that location will know the difference and your credibility regarding the whole story will be in question because that reader will focus on the geographic information that was incorrect.
Timelines – It is also important to be careful of timelines and timing in your stories. If you mention a date be sure that the date was a Saturday if it is a Saturday in your story. If you say that an event happened ten years earlier and the character was a certain age at the time, make sure that other references to the person’s age are consistent with this timing information.
Technical information – If you mention medical conditions or scientific information, make sure your statements are correct. If it includes medical information, have a medical professional read the book to check for medical accuracy. If it includes a description of a weapon, have an expert review your facts to ensure that they are accurate.
Any errors in any of these or other areas will cause your readership to lose confidence in your writing. If you do not really know the details with complete accuracy, do not use those detailed descriptions. You are the author of your work. You have control over what you include and what you leave out of your story.

Honesty On Your Resume
In the current job market it is challenging to get a positive response from a hiring manager reviewing your resume. Just this week, I heard of a student making false claims on his resume. He stated that in order to get a job you need to say you did great things when in fact you did not. When asked “What if the hiring manager checks the facts?” His response was that they don’t.
To me, this is all very poor advice and very dangerous advice. Never lie on your resume. Never lie about anything on your resume. Surely it is advantageous to put your best foot forward and feature your most significant assets and accomplishments. There are methods you can use that will make the most important aspects stand out and be noticed; but again, never make statements that are untrue. I cannot stress this enough.
Again, your credibility is very important in the workplace and in your life. Be honest with yourself and with your potential employer. You will not ever regret this mode of behavior.

Shelly Rosenberg

What you need besides the resume.

2009-08-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Positioning Yourself as a Top Candidate

Many of you have asked me to create a new resume for you. Others have wanted me to update their current resumes. And, as I have said before, it is always good to have your resume in the best shape possible so that it is ready and up to date.
But, it is not enough to just have a great resume. You need to market yourself and plan your strategy in finding a new job. This process is even more difficult in these uncertain economic times.
I recently “met” (electronically) Skip Freeman who has written a fascinating e-book titled “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets – How to Position Yourself as a TOP Candidate in any Job Market. Skip’s ideas and plan are impressive and backed by years of experience. I highly recommend that you read his book if you are in the market for a new job. Even if you are not currently looking for a new job, this book will open your eyes to many aspects of the process that might just change your whole prospective on your career and your goals.

The Articles "A" "And" "The" & the Visual CV

2009-06-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
June 2009 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Greetings! Summer is here and for many of you that means vacation time is here too. If you have extra time for writing that paper, novel or memoir or for sprucing up your resume take the time to review your work carefully. In this issue of my newsletter, I would like to discuss the following items.

· Recommendation to ESL (English as a Second Language) writers
· A new concept for resumes

Recommendation to ESL (English as a Second Language) Writers and Speakers

When you hear and speak a language from birth, everything seems natural and logical. You do not analyze the word order or the use of words, you just speak. But, if you then learn a new language you tend to translate. By translating, many people just substitute each word in their language’s sentence with the corresponding word in the new language. But, that does not work. Why is that? Each language uses different constructions, different word order and different grammatical rules.

One of the most difficult concepts for ESL speakers and writers is the use of the words “a,” “an” and “the,” the articles that we use in the English language. I have come across a wonderful little book that seems to explain the rules and uses for these articles quite well. Three Little Words: A, An, and the (A Foreign Student's Guide to English Articles) by Elizabeth Claire and Richard Greenwood (Paperback - Aug 1, 1988). I found it on Amazon for $10.36 new or for as little as $7.13 used. I highly recommend this book to ESL speakers and writers and for English speakers who want to more fully understand the dilemmas facing the ESL writers and speakers.
A New Concept for Resumes

A client recently informed me of this unique and new concept designed to help job seekers. It is a called a Visual CV. The website states:
VisualCV helps you create dynamic resumes that will get you noticed.
If you're looking for the best way to get hired in today's ultra-competitive job market, you need a VisualCV. Combine your resume with our easy-to-use templates and add video, charts, and pictures to make your skills stand out and make recruiters take notice.
The link to the website is http://www.visualcv.com/
I am not recommending this concept nor am I endorsing this company. However, I would be interested in your thoughts and responses regarding them. If you have by chance used a “Visual” CV or Resume, please let me know about your experience and your impressions.

If there are areas you would like covered in this newsletter, please send them to me.
Best wishes.

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”

Errors with the Apostrophe

2009-05-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

Common Errors to Avoid Regarding the use of the Apostrophe

There has been an emerging trend of errors in text. A great number of people are no longer paying attention to the apostrophe when they write. Words that should contain an apostrophe are written without one. In this article, I will discuss when you need to use the apostrophe and why.

The apostrophe should be used to form a contraction, which is the combination of two words. You are can be written as you’re; can not can be written as can’t; it is can be written as it’s; you will can be written as you’ll; should not can be written as shouldn’t; I am can be written as I’m; he is can be written as he’s. When the apostrophe is used to form a contraction, you can think of it as showing the omission of a letter or letters. When we write can’t we are actually using the apostrophe to show that we are omitting the “no” from can not.

The use of contractions is reserved for more formal writing and should not be used when writing a proposal or formal letter. However, when you are using a contraction, you must use the apostrophe.

The apostrophe should also be used to form the possessive form of a word. When writing, Mary’s hat is blue, you must use the apostrophe to show possession. Again, I have seen so many people omitting the apostrophe in this instance. If the possessive word is plural, you should put the apostrophe after the “s” at the end of the word. For example, “The plants’ containers are in the garden.” In this case, we are talking about many plants (plural). The possessive form requires that the apostrophe go after the “s” in this case.

Another use of the apostrophe is for abbreviations. If we want to write, “That song was popular in the 1950s” we can also write “That song was popular in the ‘50s.” In this case, the apostrophe is used to create the abbreviation. Some people, however, make the mistake of writing “That song was popular in the 50’s. This is incorrect.

Perhaps the omission of the apostrophe in current writing is a result of texting where you would need to go to another screen to get the apostrophe character. Perhaps in quick, casual emails people accept this error but it is important to note that errors in writing reflect poorly upon the writer. Proper grammar is essential in formal writing, academic writing and especially on resumes.

Literary Critiques

2009-04-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Literary critiques are often required by book agents and publishers when submitting a manuscript to them. A literary critique reviews the work in several ways. It examines the target audience, the synopsis, the dialogue, the opening sentences, the grammatical usage, the sentence structure, the chapter breaks, the flow, the character development, the genre and any other factor particular to the given manuscript.

Until recently, I would only do a literary critique as a supplement for clients after proofreading and editing their manuscripts. I believe that it is necessary to read the complete book in order to do an in-depth literary critique. However, I have had numerous inquiries to do literary critiques without doing the proofreading and editing for a given book. In most cases, these books have already been proofread and edited but the author needs or wants a literary critique.

Therefore, I have begun to do literary critiques for books that I have not proofread or edited. The critique is not as in-depth as the full literary critique, mostly because I only read and review the first and last chapters with a brief scan of other sections as needed. This literary critique is less detailed than the in-depth one but it is valuable to the author and can help him or her refine the manuscript as needed.

I hope this new service is helpful to authors and provides the necessary guidance to adequately enhance their manuscripts.

You Must Proofread Your Book, Paper, Thesis, Resume or Article.

2009-04-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

You Must Proofread Your Book, Paper, Thesis, Resume or Article.
Proofreading will uncover errors including wrong words, spelling errors, grammatical errors, typographical errors (typos), errors in tense, errors in pronoun-verb agreement and other errors. Errors in print give a poor impression of the writer as well as the written work; they cause the reader to feel a lack of confidence in the information as a whole. If you tend to make these types of errors, have someone else review your work. Trying to proofread your own work is often non-productive; you tend to not see the errors each time that you read them. In this article, I will discuss some of the common errors found in print today. Being aware of these will help you to identify them and either fix them or avoid them completely.
Using the spell check feature in MS Word or other word processors will only let you know if you have written a word that is not in their dictionary. If you type their instead of there it will not usually catch the error. Even the grammar-checking feature should only be considered a guideline. It does not uncover all errors nor does it always give you accurate suggestions for fixing each of your errors.
Reading software is an interesting technique that can be used to detect some errors and be a good proofreading aid. Reading software will speak your text. You will find that if you have repeated words like the the you will be immediately alerted when you hear it. But by just reading it, you (like many people) will not see the double word, especially if it is the last word on one line and the first word on the next line.
What do I mean by pronoun-verb agreement? I walk, he walks, they walk are correct forms to use. She walk is incorrect.
Correct tense is another important factor to keep in mind when writing or proofreading your work. I often see written works in which the author switches back and forth between present tense and past tense. Sometimes depending upon the situation, this is fine but in many cases, it is best to keep everything in the same tense. If you are talking about something that happened sometime in the past, use the past tense.
Plural and singular terms should also be reviewed when proofreading your text. Three hat is incorrect, of course. We must say, or write, three hats. These types of errors are also easy to miss when proofreading your own work because your eye just reads past the error and sees what it wants to see and not what is actually on the paper.
After doing your own proofreading, have someone else proofread your work. Or, better yet, have a professional proofreader or editor review it. That way you can ensure that you paper is error free.
Shelly Rosenberg is a proofreader and editor who will review your work carefully and return a perfect paper, book, article, thesis or website.

2009-03-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
March 24, 2009
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/
shelly@shellyrosenberg.com

Worldwide Project Report

I have mounted a world map on the wall in my office and have used “map pins” to mark the locations where my clients live. It is amazing to me that I have worked with clients from 51 countries in the world. Regarding clients in the United States, I have worked with clients from 39 states plus the District of Columbia. I believe that the client the farthest distance from my office, here in Springfield Tennessee, is living in Queensland, Australia. This is an interesting project and I will continue to track client locations and mark my map accordingly.

I also have a page on my website that shows which countries and US states are home to my clients. The page is http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm Please help me to add pins in different countries.

The only states in the US that are not yet represented are Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont.

Contact me at Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com with your editing, proofreading and resume needs. If you have requests or suggestions for future articles send them to me.

Shelly

2009-03-17T15:08:00.001-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services

March 17, 2009

from the desk of

Shelly Rosenberg

www.shellyrosenberg.com

shelly@shellyrosenberg.com

Point of View for Novel Authors

Is this the year you are going to be published? Yes, it is. You need to get that manuscript into the best possible shape you can before submitting it to an agent. Besides writing clearly and with correct grammar, it is important to understand and use “point of view” appropriately.

Point of View
Simply stated, the point of view refers to how the person is telling the story. If your book is told in the first person singular, your story might say, “I first walked over to the chair in the kitchen and sat down.” If you are writing in the third person, this statement would be written, “He first walked over to the chair in the kitchen and sat down.” You need to make the choice when you begin the manuscript of what voice or point of view you will be using.

Changing Point of View in a Novel
It is a wise idea to keep your entire book in one point of view, especially if you are a new author with little experience. Changing the point of view in a book, or especially in a chapter, can be confusing to the reader and create an unpleasant reading experience. However, there are authors who can effectively change point of view and do it in a way that is clear and effective. My recommendation is to use a single point of view in a chapter. If in the next chapter, you wish to use a new point of view, make it precisely clear from your text and dialogue.

Exercise on Point of View
You can experiment with point of view by writing two or three versions of your work each in a different point of view. Think of it this way: How is the story told? Whose viewpoint is being expressed? Write from that person’s mind and experiences. Then, in your next version of your chapter, have someone else tell the story. There are advantages to each point of view. Your creativity and purpose can help craft an interesting novel if you can understand this concept thoroughly and choose the best one for your adventure.

Most Commonly Used Points of View
The most commonly used points of view are the first person singular, the third person singular and the omniscient. The first person point of view, as stated above, is the I AM point of view. If using this one, as a writer you can tell the story as if you are the central character and the story is unfolding from your viewpoint. Remember, in this case, you can only know what you see, know, hear and experience. You cannot tell us what another person is thinking; you cannot tell us what another person is doing unless you are right there and can see for yourself.

The third person point of view is the one that uses HE SHE or IT. This is quite common and probably easier to use than the first person.

The omniscient is the ALL SEEING and ALL KNOWING point of view. When using this point of view, the teller of the story knows everything each person is doing, saying and even thinking. This was the universal point of view used in the nineteenth century and is still extremely popular today but it is no longer the only point of view to use.

References
There are some good books that give detailed explanations of point of view and techniques for understanding and using them. I highly recommend some reading and studying in this area.

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.” Shelly Rosenberg

2009-03-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
March 2009 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com

Hello and best wishes to you! In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.

· Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
· Caution – Easy Mistakes Often Made
· Update Your Resume Now

Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors

I keep finding this error in documents from clients. It is one of the most common errors that I have found, particularly on resumes. It is the incorrect use of the verb to lead. I am not sure if people make the error as a spelling or grammatical error since the sounds of the words can be the same or different in different situations. Here is how to use this commonly used word:

Present Tense
I lead
you lead
he or she leads
we lead
you (plural) lead
they lead

Past Tense
I led
you led
he or she led
we led
you led
they led

The item in pencils is lead. This is pronounced the same as the past tense of the verb – led but is spelled lead.

Another common error that I have found in papers is the confusion between the words lose and loose.

Lose is the opposite of find.
Loose is the opposite of tight.

Caution – Easy Mistakes Often Made

Several of you have handheld devices also known as smart phones. I have the Palm Treo. We love these and don’t know what we did before we had one. It is really convenient to be able to get your emails while you are away from your desk, out to lunch, at a lecture, at a ballgame, out to dinner, etc. Right? And it is so convenient to send a quick email (or text) reply when you are away from your desk. Right? And how about that feature that completes the word you were keying in? That’s great too. Right? But here is the problem and the caution. Make sure you carefully read the word that it finished for you. I can hear you laughing to yourself now. If you sent that email with the wrong word to a friend or in a casual email, that is probably not a problem. We can all have a good laugh at the error. But, if that email is being sent to a prospective employer, or to an important business contact about a significant account or to a professor regarding an important scholastic issue, that mistake is not so funny. I have received (and probably sent) several of those emails with embarrassingly erroneous words. So, again, a word of caution…

Update Your Resume Now

In this volatile market, few people’s jobs are safe. Most people need to be planning for the possibility of a layoff or job cut. Even if you feel that your job is secure, it is a good idea to take out that resume and update it. It is always more difficult to attack this task when you are out of a job. So, take an hour and review your current resume. List any new accomplishments and record them. Take a look at the layout of your resume. Does it need a new look? Remember, if you are applying for a job, there are now twice the number of people applying for each position and half the number of job openings available. You want your resume to shine. Make sure it does.
Contact me if you need assistance in updating your resume or creating a completely new one.

Shelly Rosenberg

“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”