“Ruthless Red Pen” is a business name that intimidates some people. I chose it deliberately. I want my clients to know that I strive to attain perfection when it comes to editing their writing. When I taught high school English to teenagers for six years, I wanted them to grasp and respect the importance of editing their written assignments thoroughly. So I wielded a ruthless red pen as I graded their essays and research papers. In addition, most of my students had very weak communication and writing skills and almost no knowledge of English grammar rules. They read and wrote on an elementary school level. Can you believe that? That’s why I drilled grammar rules into them often. Some of the students said I should have been a drill sergeant. Thus began my reputation for being ruthless when it comes to the written word. I chose to be ruthless because I cared very much about helping my students learn how to write the very best way they could and I embraced being ruthless when it comes to writing.
Grammar matters because people judge you when you use poor grammar. As a former high school English grammar teacher and prior small business owner, I know how important it is for someone to be able to communicate well when writing as well as when they are speaking.
My joy is in helping people get and keep their jobs because I have had so many family members who could not get a good job or keep their jobs so they suffered depression, addictions, homelessness, and worse (for example, my little sister hanged herself five years ago).
She and my little brother Jimmy (who also suffered depression, addictions, and joblessness until passing away one year ago at age 49) are the reason I love editing all kinds of business communication for people. You could say they are my “Why.” More specifically, my “Why” is helping people get a job and keep a job.
When I can help someone get a job, I am happy. The best way I can help others is by correcting the grammar errors in their applications, resumes, cover letters, and business documents. I can correct any English grammar errors you have in your document. I also edit for message clarity and can help you make your strongest points concise yet persuasive. That may help you the next time you submit it for a job.
In addition, if you have a website that you suspect may have grammar errors, I can eliminate them for you. That will leave a greater impression on your website visitors too. I also love to edit books. In fact, they are my very favorite thing to edit.
If you have a message of any kind that you want to share, I want to help you make it perfect.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Shelley Allen
Roaring Lambs Director of Writing Services
RuthlessRedPen.com
