Grammatical errors in paper
For a writer or a journalist, it is always unforgivable to commit grammatical errors. It is something that he should seriously be ashamed of especially when he has his byline in that article.
But I don't think that one can truly call himself a writer unless he has experienced being shamed. He cannot call himself a writer unless he has found his name in paper and yet, he finds out that he still needs to edit what he has already written.
And this happened to me in my recent commentary. I told my editor that the one which was published is not the final article that I wrote, and that there is a grammatical error in what was actually published. I could not help but feel bad especially when it is about pronouns. Although the substance of the article is there, I cannot just forgive having my name on it. But as they say, nothing can be done when there is already the damage caused. My editor consoled me that I should not be ashamed because the readers know how good a writer is, and what is more important is that the writing has contributed to the society and that the writer has been a catalyst of change. I want to believe the last that he said. That I am a catalyst of change.
When we were in college at West Visayas State University, we were more than passionate of our writing. We take so much pride that we could write, and that we are true-blooded journalists. We were so idealistic in changing the world, in being catalysts of good change.
Our university paper, the Forum-Dimensions gave us the opportunity to tackle relevant issues concerning students and the society in general, although we are advised by our then conservative yet prolific technical adviser, Sir Tim Gasacao not to publish articles which are to him, sensitive and maybe, sensational. As editor in chief at that time, it was always a challenge for me to publish something different, something that no one will ever forget about when we leave the university. My brilliant editorial staff were always supportive and encouraging. They were really good writers and I have always been thrilled by the enthusiasm that they show every time I give them new assignments.
Even though we have already edited the articles for so many times and even the technical adviser has already done the final editing, there are sometimes still grammatical errors that we missed checking. That is why if I have to recall all these press work, I think practice makes perfect. We keep on writing, keep on editing and keep on writing again.
Maybe I did have a boring life in college, having most of my time in the university paper's office. But I do not regret anything. It was worth my while. It was something I loved doing.
Writers write. They never lose that skill. It is just there. Maybe at one point, the writer may be very busy, but I would always believe that at any time, he can write. It is in his blood. It runs in his veins. He is so blessed or maybe cursed by such gift.