Have you ever gotten a request for a rough draft?
What does that mean? In essence, they're asking for the transcript unedited - but not raw like you wrote it. They're looking for a useable draft of the proceedings - perhaps to prepare for a succeeding volume or to prepare an expert witness.
Your DRAFT should be recognizable as such - perhaps there are standard wordings required by your state board, perhaps a header or a watermark on the file you send, no title pages... BUT no unresolved conflicts or steno outlines. If you left notes for yourself to check, resolve those spaces as well.
Don't spend A LOT OF EDITING TIME on this - you're going to do a full edit later. (Perhaps even have a note in there that any unintelligible combinations will be resolved on full editing or something). Your goal is to get the draft out quickly but reasonably, allowing time for a quick scan to make it useable for the client.
You all know I love giving back... and I've been speaking at the local law school for many years now, sharing with the students who will be future litigators how they can work WITH court reporters to create a truly excellent record.
I love doing this - and if you have the chance, please consider doing it in your area. The "baby" lawyers appreciated it and the next generation of court reporters will too!
We all love rituals - girls nights, massages, regular workouts... but what about our working rituals?
Do you have any that ease you into your productivity? Perhaps alleviate any anxiety?
Our job as a stenographer (or captioners) is filled with stressors and if we can develop rituals for ourselves to help limit those stresses, think how healthy, happy, and productive we can become?!
I love this profession... and I love sharing it. Wherever you are, in whatever period in your career you find yourself, be an amazing advocate! Introduce people to this incredible opportunity for someone who loves English, the law, computers, learning... Be the little pebble that creates the ripple in the pond!
