As a renowned and committed nitpicker, I am deeply embarrassed by this horrible senior moment (a.k.a. "brain fart").
On the other hand, I am greatly disappointed that none of you folks caught the error. It would have been a great opportunity to dump on me for being a damn hypocrite.
There are lessons for all writers and publishers in this, of course:
- A spell-checker won't let you know if you have used the wrong word, but spelled it properly.
- Heterographs and homophones are dangerous.
- All writers need editors. Even editors who write need other editors.
- The English language is a minefield.
- Nobody is perfect -- even nitpickers like me.
Naah! No way! To err is human. It can also be funny. So, be careful.
What's really embarrassing is having a grammatical error in a comment pointing out someone else's mistake. Yeah, I did that!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post! I'm an editor who is working on a novella and I was *just* saying to a friend that, when I'm ready, I'll be hiring an editor. Couldn't agree with you more--editors are critical and necessary components of the writing, editing, and publishing processes. Now, carry on finding fuck-ups. Likely in this comment.
ReplyDeleteHappens all of us, Michael. I try to use triggers or associations. It helps me remember the right word. Ilicit - the "I" for something illegal. Elicit - the "E" for evocation or response. Most words used in this manner, beginning E, are verbs - an action/doing thing. Ilicit - think of it as a pointing word, an adjective, a word describing something. Look, that's ilicit.
ReplyDeleteI hate using effect and affect, because I always have to check. There's some crazy grammar rules depending on the subject of the sentence when you convince yourself you are using the right word *wrongly*!