I’ve been working as a full-time business content writer since 2014, so I’ve had a full journey regarding how I use words. Along with learning some new ones, or new ways to use old ones, I’ve also learned what really makes me mad. So, to shake things up, I’m sharing some of my most frustrating and real pet peeves when it comes to words and being a professional writer. 

My top pet peeves as a writer

I had a blast putting this list of pet peeves together, and I’m excited to get a chance to say my piece. The thing is, these are little things that really shouldn’t bother me. And yet, the amount of anger I feel about them is genuine!  

• Double spacing after sentences: When I learned how to type, I learned to double-space after my ending punctuation. Somewhere along the way, that stopped being the standard thing to do. I regularly get clients now that will request a revision and ask me to take out the double spaces. I’m now used to manually replacing all double spaces with a single one after I finish writing. There’s no hope in me ever changing my habits as far as the keyboard, so this is one way in which technology really is a wonder!

• Canadian spellings: As some of you may know, I’m Canadian! I use international spellings (colour, neighbour, cheque, etc.), and not every customer wants that. In fact, many don’t. I write primarily American English, so I often have to use specialized spellchecks just in case any slip past. It’s been eye-opening to realize that there are that many differences!

• Typos and word flubs: Typos are annoying. Especially “the” and “na.” However, word flubs are the worst. I have one I’ve talked about before, but it’s so annoying that I will discuss it again! My keyboard likes to autocorrect “bikini” to “Viking” or vice versa. I just can’t figure out WHY. Spellchecks don’t catch those kinds of mistakes, so I often find out after the fact that a few of those slipped through!

• Upload cut-offs: For some reason, every once in a while, the server I upload to will decide to cut off part of my last sentence. The version I upload will have the complete sentence to its end. But the customer will receive a half-finished last sentence. It’s unprofessional and totally inaccurate since it’s complete on my end. UGH.

• Being interrupted mid-sentence: If I’m on a roll and someone or something interrupts me mid-sentence, I often will forget whatever it was that I wanted to say at its end. Frustrating and often one of those things that will bug me for hours afterward!

Writer life probs

I’m not saying that life as a professional content writer is full of frustrations, but…it kind of is! These little things always have a way of getting under your skin. I also find it funny how large problems or mishaps are upsetting, but you get over them quickly. When it comes to those little pet peeves, though, they linger!

What are some of your professional pet peeves? Do you have any suggestions on how I can stop any of mine from happening? Please share!  

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