Find me online
Miss Write
  • Home
  • Blog
  • My Writing
  • About
  • WIP

A Cautionary Tale

26/4/2013

12 Comments

 
Picture
April is month of blogging A-Z for 26 days. #AprilBlogChallenge Check it out! 

** W is for WELLIES **

---------------------------------


This post was suggested by one of my oldest friends, Lou Gooding. She was the one who spotted a typo in my book, and suggested I write a cautionary tale on that theme for my 'W' day on the A-Z blog challenge. 

I have learned my lesson and I want to tell you of my experiences so you don't fall into the same hole of accidents, embarrassment and poor editing. 

Paragraph three on the opening page of my debut novel 'Girl Meets Boys', an internet age rom com, contains the following text:

"...You’d think I’d have more grace when leaping up the stairs at home with feet that small, but no. My favourite footwear is flip flops or wellies (weather dependent of course)..."

Can you spot where the humiliating typo appeared? No?

Need a clue? Try substituting the second letter in the word 'wellies' for 'i'...

Got it. 

"Oops" was not the word. I was mortified this word had appeared on my first novel's first page! What a book boo-boo. An easy, quick tweak later, and both the ebook and the paperback correctly had footwear and not genitals on the first page. However, this was too late for the first 60-100 sales I had. If you have a copy of the male appendage version, keep it. It's out of print. 

So what have I learned?

I admit I cheaped out a little on editing my manuscript. I went through it with a fine (but gappy) tooth comb, 'editing' the 36,000 word document myself. I also arranged for four 'hobby' editors I knew to have a read. Four, I thought, was enough, but next time I'd get a professional to get it. I certainly plan to get it done properly for my current work in progress. And you should do the same for your next book. Definitely. 

So 'W' is for wellies. Or willies. Whatever will get me the most hits on the porn-obsessed internet search engines!

Who can beat that typo, then?!

Lou x

Find me on Facebook
...And on Twitter
Born To Be A Tourist

Image from British Heart Foundation Shop

12 Comments
Tony Noland link
26/4/2013 09:18:43 am

Ah, the dreaded typos that the computer can't see. I live in fear of those.

Reply
Louise link
26/4/2013 11:47:25 am

I gess that's wen humane edittors cum in usefull.....
Thanks for your comment Tony - have been enjoying your A-Z even though I am shocking at DIY!!! x

www.facebook.com/louise.gibney.writer
www.borntobeatourist.co.uk
@misswriteuk

Reply
Rebeccah Giltrow link
26/4/2013 12:10:13 pm

I've done the willies/wellies thing, but thankfully only in draft manuscripts!

Reply
Louise
26/4/2013 12:44:22 pm

I'm not alone in my willy problem then! Haha, thanks for your comment, Rebeccah!

Reply
Melissa Sugar link
26/4/2013 12:49:48 pm

Typos, ugh! We all know the misery of the problem. Hi, I am a new follower from the challenge.

Reply
Louise link
27/4/2013 05:27:26 am

Hi Melissa - thanks for your comment! How are you finding the challenge?
My other blog is here if you're interested, a travel blog, updated Mondays. www.borntobeatourist.co.uk
All the best x

Reply
Heidi Mannan link
27/4/2013 01:28:29 am

Excellent advice! It's always nice to learn from others mistakes rather than making them yourself. ;)

Reply
Louise link
28/4/2013 03:54:58 am

Thanks for your comments, Heidi. Glad I could help! :)

Reply
Stephanie Scott link
29/4/2013 12:40:08 pm

One reason spellcheck alone cannot be trusted! Cute story. Love the Wellies :)

Reply
Louise
29/4/2013 01:54:59 pm

Thanks for your comment Stephanie. I'm in love with these wellies!!

Reply
Chuck Allen link
3/5/2013 02:23:12 am

:) I got a good laugh out of that one. I can imagine your frustration - especially on the first page. Thanks for sharing this warning. I find enough typos in my blog posts and Friday Flash stories after I post them. I can only imagine what will creep into my novel after I think it's finished and ready.

Reply
Louise
3/5/2013 04:33:04 am

You hit the nail on the head! I was mortified!!!! :) Thanks for commenting x

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    I'm a writer based in South Wales, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

    Archives

    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    August 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 1970

    Categories

    All
    April 2013 Blog Challenge
    Baking
    Being A Mum
    Blog Hop
    Books
    Campaigns / Charity
    Christmas
    Competitions
    Contemporary Fiction
    Craft
    Cycling
    Ebooks & Apps
    Environment
    Events
    #fail
    Films
    Fun Life Stuff!
    Gifted Reads
    Guest Bloggers
    Halloween
    Holiday Reads
    International Women's Day
    Lockdown
    My Wedding
    My Writing
    Out And About
    Poetry
    Random Inspiration
    Rant
    Reading
    Reviews
    Social Media
    Treasured Reader
    Wedding
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Women Writers
    Writing
    Writing Tips

    Get your own free Blogoversary button!

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.