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Balancing Career and Health: How I Navigated the ACES 2024 Conference

04/14/2024

Learning ACES 2024 San Diego: Unleashing Creativity would be only two hours away from my home was the worst good news I’ve ever received. ACES: The Society for Editing is the leading organization for editing professionals. It has an excellent education program that I have benefited from my entire career, and I knew the conference would be amazing. However, since contracting vestibular neuritis in 2017, I have dreaded navigating public spaces because I don’t trust my body. The conference took place April 3–6, 2024, and here is how I successfully attended.

Preparing: Prior to attending the conference, I met with my vestibular therapist. She prescribed exercises that would prepare my brain for navigating the crowd, suggested I use a backpack rather than a tote bag to prevent feeling lopsided, and reminded me to focus my eyes on stationary objects in the distance to keep my balance while people were moving around me. I also met with my hypnotist who used the Swish Pattern technique to help me trade my anxiety for excitement.

Pacing: I gave myself permission to not attend all the sessions and events, so when the agenda became available, I prioritized the activities that were most important to me. A friend was a session presenter and another was a contestant in the spelling bee, so I added those events to my agenda first. I wanted to attend the opening reception on Thursday evening, so I opted for a later start time on Friday. There is something about setting an alarm that makes my brain constantly ask me if it is time to wake up yet. Does this happen to anyone else?

Traveling: Because the conference was so close to home, I was able to travel by car rather than airplane, which my inner ear appreciated. I called the hotel four months in advance to request a room on the first floor. I lose my balance on the higher floors of tall buildings. I also wanted to avoid riding an elevator because my body feels like it is still moving long after I step off—and during this conference, the fire department rescued 12 people from a stuck elevator. I may have called to follow up about this reservation several times. I owe Cher at the front desk the biggest Edible Arrangement.

Seating: I arrived at sessions early to choose a seat near the door so I could leave without tripping over anyone if the room started spinning. Sitting in the back row also reduced the amount of movement behind me, which also helped reduce dizziness.

Eating: I packed bland foods—7UP, pretzels, oatmeal, and bananas—to help with nausea. I was fortunate that my spouse (and dog) agreed to stay at the hotel with me. My spouse did an excellent job arranging to have meals delivered. Food was scarce at the hotel and conference, and having access to food reduced my anxiety and prevented me from becoming hangry.

Coping: I have an incredible network of friends who checked on me, kept me company in the back row, and never made me feel bad about my limitations. I don’t think I would have made it to as many activities as I did without their support. I also met an awesome presenter who has a vestibular disorder. She was kind enough to announce any movements on the screen that could trigger my symptoms. Talking to her reminded me that I am not alone.

I am proud that I was able to attend this conference! Here are the lessons I learned for next time.

Walking: The conference hotel had carpet, which I am not used to walking on. As soon as I arrived, I practiced getting acclimated to the hallways, but I wasn’t wearing the shoes that I planned to wear to the conference. This sounds insignificant, but to a person with a vestibular disorder, it is an important detail, which I missed.

Note-taking: On Saturday, I woke up with vertigo. I wasn’t surprised. I knew I had flown too close to the sun on Friday. Every time I looked down, it felt like I was falling forward, so it was impossible to write in the notebook that was on my lap. The conference prohibited recording, but in hindsight, OneNote’s transcription feature would have been a great tool.

All the preparation I did for the conference was well worth it. I met smart people, attended informative sessions, and participated in social events. Next year’s conference will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, which has an elevation of 4,330 feet. It’s going to be an awesome conference, but I think I prefer to stay much closer to sea level.

To learn more about my editorial services, visit EricaWilliamsEditorialServices.com. To learn more about the conference, visit ACES: The Society for Editing. To learn more about vestibular disorders, visit VeDA.

4 Ways Launching My Own Business in 2021 Changed My Relationship with Work

12/31/2021

I started working at the age of 11. My first boss was my old dad, a successful business owner who was born nine years before the stock market crash of 1929. Driven by the fear of ever living in poverty again, he worshipped hard work. I credit him for my strong work ethic, which made me a successful employee in the corporate, nonprofit, and education sectors. Despite his influence, it took a life-changing virus to put me on the path of business ownership.

Even though I have been editing for more than a decade, I didn’t officially launch Erica Williams Editorial Services until January 2021.

And here is how the year went:

I chose my own projects. Ditching the employee mindset wasn’t as simple as I thought it would be. I was offered so many opportunities this year. Here is what I worked on:

  • Spent 681 hours copyediting curriculum and professional learning materials for the third largest school district in the United States
  • Provided a content review for professional development materials for teachers in a New York–based school district
  • Copyedited a program proposal for a professor at a university in Florida
  • Proofread education documents for a teacher in Los Angeles
  • Provided feedback for a writer’s blog post
  • Provided feedback for an editor’s website
  • Proofread a website for a new private school
  • Copyedited resumes for four people

And I declined the work that didn’t interest me, didn’t work with my schedule, or didn’t meet my rate.

I was in charge of my own professional development. I love learning, and I work in an industry that has fantastic educational opportunities. Here is how I grew as an editorial professional this year:

  • Attended the ACES: The Society for Editing conference
  • Met bi-weekly with a mastermind group (We renamed it to something more inclusive.)
  • Participated in the Los Angeles Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) chapter meetings
  • Attended 43 editing webinars
  • Completed a course in instructional design
  • Started a second pass of the Copyeditor's Workbook with two edibuddies via Skype
  • Read 52 books
  • Earned a certificate in technical writing from Cal State East Bay

And I didn’t sit through any courses that didn’t serve me or my business.

I created the lifestyle that suits me. Being on someone else’s schedule, setting an alarm for an early start time, and driving to work before dawn are not things I miss about my old life. Even though I did experience the feast and famine of this profession, I also created a healthy balance. Here is how I managed stress:

  • Went on two beach vacations with family
  • Took walks, did Beachbody workouts, and practiced tai chi during the day
  • Worked the hours that I wanted to work
  • Hung out with my dogs all day, every day

And I took lots of naps.

I set my own financial goals. I went into this year with a modest financial goal, knowing that many first-year freelance editors struggle to find clients. Here is how I did financially:

  • Ran laps around my goal

And I didn’t work full-time.

Other than not getting to complain about my boss, I have zero regrets. If you are thinking about starting your own business, do it. As my dad always said, “You won’t do it any younger.”

6 Things to Consider When Addressing Holiday Cards This Season

12/16/2021

Most last names take an s to make them plural.
the Jacksons
the Nguyens
the Amatos

If a family’s name ends in s, sh, x, or z, add es.
the Mathises
the Ashes
the Coxes
the Hernandezes

If a family’s name ends in y, add s. Never change the y to i.
the Abernathys (not the Abernathies)
the Kennedys (not the Kennedies)
the Skys (not the Skies)

While it is grammatically correct to say Mr. and Mrs. (husband’s first name) (last name), may I ask you nicely to stop? It is sexist and exclusive. Get into the holiday spirit and include all people, not just those in heteronormative marriages.

I would like to take this a step further. Although many sources say to use a formal title, please consider ditching Miss, Ms., Mr., and Mrs. These can misgender trans people, exclude nonbinary people, and distress people who are upset about their marital status. If you really want to add a formal title, please consider the gender-neutral Mx.

And for the love of (insert appropriate nonreligious reference here), unless your friend spells their name with an apostrophe—think D’Angelo O’Connor—there should be zero apostrophes in the name field. Even if you really think you need an apostrophe, you don’t. Now, if you are from St. Louis and you are sending a card to Imo’s Pizza (or another business anywhere in the world whose trademarked name includes an apostrophe), that is okay.

How I Walked—Actually Stumbled—Away from My Teaching Career and Found My Passion

11/13/2021

In this time of the Great Resignation, many teachers have asked me why I decided to leave the classroom.

The answer surprises them—and me. I didn’t decide this for myself; a microscopic virus made the decision for me.

At a morning staff meeting in May 2017—my ninth year in the classroom—the world started to spin. After three months, 11 medical professionals, nine misdiagnoses, several ER visits, a brain MRI, dozens of vestibular rehabilitation therapy sessions, and much more, I found out what was wrong with me: a virus had damaged my inner ear, which is responsible for balance. I had Vestibular Neuritis.

I was too sick to work for a couple of years. I walked like I was drunk. Everything made me dizzy: bad lighting, shiny floors, crowds, and patterns. My brain would not let me walk toward anything in motion. A quick left-to-right head motion (think monitoring a classroom or a hallway) caused me to puke. I was exhausted all the time because my brain used most of its energy to keep me upright.

Having an illness that won’t let up is more than frustrating. It challenges your mental health. Your body is always on high alert because your brain is constantly sending distress signals.

One activity that made me feel “normal” during this hopeless time was reviewing my friends’ writing. I have always been the go-to person anyway, and now it was giving me life—a purpose. Need someone to proofread your resume? Ask Erica. Need someone to provide feedback for that college essay? Ask Erica. Need to make sure that email to your boss has the right tone? Ask Erica.

Eventually, I was well enough to work part-time, so I started applying for remote jobs. This was before most companies admitted that remote work was a thing. After 75 rejections, I was offered a part-time position with an online college as a writing tutor. I loved the work because it allowed me to help others improve their communication, something I have been passionate about my whole life.

In fact, I’ve loved grammar rules since the third grade. In September 2019, I discovered the copyediting program at the University of California – San Diego. I thought I would go there to review the grammar rules I already knew and maybe learn some new ones.

And I did learn a bunch of rules, but I also learned how to break them. I learned that the English language is nuanced and constantly evolving. I learned how to use the Chicago Manual of Style, em dashes, and inclusive language. I learned that no one likes the grammar police. I learned style. I learned to advocate for the reader. Rules are important, but does your reader understand your message? That’s what matters.

I know many teachers who are ready to leave the classroom. I was devastated when I had to leave, especially because I didn’t get to do it on my own terms. I am here to tell you that there is life after the classroom. Your skills will be valued in other fields. And you can stay in education, while staying out of the classroom.

I am an education copyeditor. I use my master’s degree every day. I call upon the decade of experience I have reviewing students’ writing assignments. The work I do helps kids. Clarifying the directions helps kids access the curriculum. Querying an incorrect historical date helps kids learn the correct information. Revising an example to make it gender neutral helps kids be inclusive thinkers. And I get to advocate for the teachers as well.

While battling that microscopic virus has been one of the darkest times in my life, it led me to a career that I absolutely love, and I don’t know that I would have left teaching on my own.

To find out more about my services, visit EricaWilliamsEditorialServices.com.

My battle with Vestibular Neuritis has been nonlinear, but overall, I am so much better today. If you want to learn more about Vestibular disorders, visit VeDA.

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