I had cleared nearly all the grammar and spelling errors from the Google Docs version of my latest book. I then ran it through Grammarly one page at a time and either corrected or accepted everything it found.

Next I ran a full grammer and spelling check in Microsoft Word using my standard settings and corrected or accepted everything it found. Then I enabled all the Grammer check options in Word and spent many hours reviewing what it found. This last was a bit too excessive at this stage in the process.

First, I wish I could tell all these routines to ignore quoted text. Whatever those authors wrote must stay as written.

Second, I like an occasional unexpected wording twist. All three routines object, but a bit of jargon is occasionally helpful. For example, I found that I used the phrase “act as if” 4 or 5 times. This might not be the proper wording for a research paper, but it is a phrase frequently heard in meetings.

Third comes passive voice. I tend to use it occasionally. Maybe I should start with Word next time and keep that check enabled. I’m not sure. But I do know I am too close to finishing to start now to undo and rewrite sentences that seem otherwise reasonable.

Anyway, I decided to set this compulsion aside. I turned off the passive voice grammar check options.

Finally then I got a clean run through the Ms Word routine and was able to get to the readability statistics. I was relieved to see they came in right about where I expected. Reading Ease just below 60 and reading grade just below 8th grade. That was my goal.

Sometimes I write educational materials striving for about 5th grade reading. Occasionally I write technically and those papers often score at 11th grade or above. 8th is a good target for my intended readers.

I try to find a balance. Avoid obsessing over perfectionism and yet provide a quality experience for my readers.