Learning from my Peers

Posted by Edith Cook on Sunday, January 22, 2012 Under: Writing

When I visit the editor who prints my essays in his paper, I always learn something new. Since I live in the town of his business, you'd think I would drop in on him often, but I don't. He is not terribly communicative; every time I've asked him for something in a email, he has ignored it. Hence I'm a bit leery of him--although I have learned, when I do drop in on him, he is unfailingly courteous and often encouraging with his tips and suggestions. So it was this time as well.

I commented that, when a name ends with "s," I always add the apostrophe followed by "s" to form the possessive, and I've been puzzled why he invariably deletes the "s." Because it's wrong, he said. Not it isn't, I countered, and I can brig in my style manual to prove it.

Well, he showed me his style manual--in fact, he insisted on deeding me a copy--and then I found the mystery solved. As former academic, I am accustomed to adhering to the style of the Modern Language Association, whereas newspapers abide by the manual of the Associated Press--the AP style. "If you want to write for newspapers, you need to know this," he said, handing me the manual.

He also gave me the latest Wyoming Newspaper Directory, for I had asked him whether he would mind if I tried to expand my readership to include other newspapers. He didn't mind, of course not, he said, since he wasn't paying me.

Setting myself challenges keeps me on my toes; the thought of contacting other editors is enticing. But the more immediate challenge is to continue to learn from my peer.

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About Me

Edith Cook

South Of Wheatland In Wyoming

Though I now live in Wyoming, I make frequent return trips to California with visits to travel club members along the way. At home I play classical guitar, enjoy gardening and cooking, and participate in group yoga. Getting together with family and friends is high on my agenda. I value people who write or make music and love it when my adult children and their offspring play their instruments, sing songs with me, or discuss what they read and write. Such gatherings help me cope with the losses in my life, which have been severe. Next year I hope to visit family in Germany.