I’m a scriptwriter, and I improvise-write, mostly to stay in flow state and keep the dialogue coherent. I try not to break off and do research. It does make editing an absolute nightmare, and even when I’ve gone through my writing with a fine tooth-comb (first developed in the Natufian period: 9,500–12,500 BC) I still have anachronisms in my work.

Even after the script has been read by numerous people all adding their own thoughts, there will be someone who points out that the type of car I’ve written is diesel only and I’ve written it being filled up with petrol.

It’s easy to dismiss these things as inconsequential, that they don’t matter….but they do matter to someone. And if you want the quality of writing to be as good as it can be then you need to have your work proofed specifically for that someone.

That’s why I thank god every day for people who have your skillset. You are worth your weight in gold (a sovereign being 7.98 grams). Writers need to be held accountable for rules, even in their own worlds.

Great article — and I’ll never zip anyone into a dress before 1917 again. I promise! :o)