The Writer's NATOPS
In the days of flying tactical jets, I spent time reading the NATOPS manual and pocket checklist (PCL). Carrying the PCL in the lower pocket of your G-suit could sometimes keep you out of trouble and if you found yourself in big trouble, there was always a squadron rep at the other end of the frequency who could help.
Today, life is a little slower. However, sometimes I find a need for a “writer’s NATOPS/PCL” and I always know right where to look. On the desk, next to the computer.
There it sits, standing by at the ready, always able to pull me out of a bad situation when one might arise. You can never tell when you might have to deal with the question of whether or not the comma goes inside or outside of quotation marks. You may have to deal with a similar situation regarding parentheses.
Although the situation may not be as critical as correctly remembering an immediate action item on an emergency checklist for a Skyhawk or a Corsair screaming through the air at .9 Mach, sometimes time can be critical. Especially if you are coming up on deadline and are just about to hit the “publish” button on the software.
For the more critical situations, there is the equivalent to the squadron representatives. You may often refer these individuals as “friends who can function as editors.” These are very special people; they are intellectual friends who are capable of good discussions on a myriad of topics. They are also the experts in grammar, spelling, logical thought, and syntax. Often, if the “word-emergency” is not too critical of nature, you can discuss the circumstances over coffee, tea, or some other beverage. Another thing about discussions regarding word-emergencies is this: they may last into the wee hours of the morning.
There are other good “PCL’s” which function well as “writer’s NATOPS Manuals,” but I have had this one for a very long time. I am comfortable with this text and can find what I need rather quickly. However, I believe I may see some form of electronic version on the horizon. It may be faster to use than this old book.
Uhmmm… I may be feeling the tug of the future.
-30-
© 2011 J. Clark
can i barrow youre book. I need all the help I can get, Joe, but my book is worse than the FARs.
It has been a fine book, Harrison. Mine is the 6th edition, which I have been using since college–about the time the pterodactyls started giving way to birds with feathers… Now the book is up to the 12th edition and I am betting it is better than my old one.