Give your writing some time

Writing is like a good wine. It's better when aged. Think of the times that you hurriedly composed something, gave it a quick read-through and shipped it off to its recipient, only to later discover that it contained spelling errors or sloppy grammar flaws. You might shrug it off with, "So what? Nobody worries about that sort of thing anymore." But they should. After all, sloppy writing -- like a weak, clammy handshake, a run in your stocking or a stain on your tie -- says something about you. Something not very flattering.

Maybe a grammar or spelling error or a typo wasn't buried in your copy. There are worse flaws. Perhaps you crafted a fuzzy, awkwardly worded sentence, or you put in a factual error or inserted a double-entendre that will be passed around the office like a juicy rumor.

So, like a good wine, let your writing age. Before you press the send button or slip that envelope into the mailbox, try to move onto other things for at least an hour, then come back to the piece and re-examine what you wrote. You'll be stunned at how many typing errors or writing flaws that you didn't see the first time now stand out. That's because when you initially write something, your mind can trick you. The first draft has you so absorbed that you can gloss over spelling or grammar problems, or miss flaws in structure. Coming back to your writing after a break, enables you to scrutinize your work with fresh eyes. An hour is a good, basic aging period. But if you can spare several hours, or better yet, a day or two, it's even better. If you can't, if that e-mail, memo or blog entry must be shipped instantly, go ahead. Just beware of the literary landmines that it might contain and give it an extra-careful read-through before sending it.

Will you catch every flaw and slip in your writing? Probably not. I'm sure this blog, for example, has some goofs in it. But aging your writing will aid you in catching the worst of the errors and, with time, you'll get better at spotting trouble in your writing before someone else does.