Distraction

[drsalt]

Okay. I've only been using this site for about a month. Most of what I've read is good. I don't know about anybody else, but there's a common occurrence that upsets me a lot.

Could be it's just my anal-retentive tendencies, but it is a frustrating distraction when the author of a story can't spell and/or makes glaring errors in grammar.

Thyere are a lot of stories that have good -- even great -- plots here. And an occasional misspelling doesn't bother me. But when the entire thing is peppered with misspelled or misused words and grammatical errors (that aren't a part of characterization), it ruins it for me. When that happens I just move on. I haven't looked at the editing side of the site, and maybe I should. But it seems to me that the purpose of editing is not just to make sure the authors comply with the site rules. I've always been under the impression that an editor looked for the kind of errors I mentioned above. If the author misses the mistakes, isn't the editor supposed to catch them?

What does anybody else think?

 

[Route66Girl]

Editing

The authors here aren't required to run their stories by an editor before submitting them. In some ways, that's a good thing. Anyone can come along and put up their fantasy for others to enjoy.

As far as I know, the only criteria a story has to meet deals with length and subject matter. It must be over 750 words (or is it 500?) and cannot involve minors, or be excessively violent.

But, as you've discovered, there are problems. Bad spelling and grammar frequently get overlooked by authors, in most cases because they don't know better.

There is a list of volunteer editors for those who wish to have their story proofread or critiqued. Also, there are the forums here. But not many authors take advantage of them. An additional problem is that authors who do utilize the editors list often complain that the volunteers don't answer their requests.

So... Oh well.

Yes, it bugs me too. A brilliant plot can be destroyed when the spelling and grammar is bad. I tend to back-click out of stories that have substantial errors in the first few paragraphs, knowing right away I won't enjoy it.

The only thing you can do, if you feel that the author would benefit from the advice, is send feedback with some helpful suggestions. If they care about their writing and attracting readers, they'll listen.

 

[peachykeen]

totally agree. I gave an author feedback one time to that effect - she had what was basically a really hot story, but had so many little errors in it I had to really force myself to finish it - and her response was "Yeah, well, we can't all be experts at the language." Which really surprised me - I don't get why you would bother to write at all if you were completely unconcerned with whether or not it was well done! I mean, what's the point?

 

[Guest]

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

"My highschool English teacher would freak if she knew you started a sentence with BUT."

She'd be right to freak, it you were supposed to be writing formal English. Informal, conversational English however, is less restrictive.

RF

 

[the_bragis]

Darlin'

Have you got any idea how hard it is to find someone willing to edit?

I am sure I am one of those people you are referring to, on one count at any rate, but honestly I do check and re-check, but it's never ever enough.

Thankfully I have now found two people now willing to edit for me, but believe me, it was not easy.

Say if you feel that strongly about it, I am looking for someone willing to edit my already posted work. Seriously, are you interested?

Have a great day now,

Alex(fem)

Our Stories

 

[Guest]

 

[babygotback]

I have also found that its very hard to find someone to help my edit my stories. I put in 15 requests at the Volunteer editors page and heard back from ONE person. Its a little disheartening.

 

[gauchecritic]

errors can be good

I must put in a word for those authors who are unable to edit there own spelling/grammatical errors.

One of the best stories I ever read on the literotica site was a tale of incest by what apeared to be a largely uneducated character, very simply told and including no end of errors, however these facts merely gave a very vivid picture of the author/character and the story otherwise would have been bland and a list of happenings had it been correctly spelled and grammatically sound. As a technique I would say its almost impossible to write in this style unless that is the level at wich you always communicate.

Gauchecritic

 

[drsalt]

okay

Okay. There's a difference between 'poetic license' or 'literary license' and simple laziness or ignorance. I'm not talking about 'technique'.

I accept that an unschooled person might have the ability to register, write and post a story without having the education to phrase their story correctly. I'm only saying that after the third or fourth grammatical error or non-typo misspelling, I lose interest and click 'back'. I may be missing a lot of true life vignettes, but there are just too many other readable stories and items out there to spend time trying to decipher what an author meant.

By the way, was that the effect for which you were striving in your message? " (i.e. 'there' for their; 'apeared' for appeared?)

 

[lusciouslips1]

i agree with ya on this one. i don't like spelling errors either. i must have read and reread my story 50 times before i submitted it. i'm sure it still had one or two errors. it's really hard to find someone to proofread. i used to do it for the school newpaper when i was in high school.

if anyone wants me to do theirs, just PM me. and i assure you, the way i type in here or on IM's has nothing to do with the way i write stories. lol

 

[gauchecritic]

effects and cause

It was merely a test, one which you passed viz; you decided to have a cheap shot at that about which you feel superior and and in doing so left yourself wide open, having missed the third typo; wich for which.

(spot the gramatical error?)

 

[ladyphoenix]

Grammar and spelling demons

I agree, darlin. I mean, to me, writing is a serious thing, and I can't do it unless I do it as well as I am able.
Doing otherwise is like cooking with substandard ingredients. You can make a chocolate souffle out of any chocolate, but the results are not the same as if they are when you use the best. I love writing, it seems to dishonor it not to do everything possible to make it the best it can be.

 

[ladyphoenix]

volunteer editing

And by the way....
I requested the site put me on as a Volunteer Editor last year, and they still haven't done it.
But I DO take some folks by appointment.

 

[drsalt]

Gauchecritic:

<It was merely a test, one which you passed viz; you decided to have a cheap shot at that about which you feel superior and and in doing so left yourself wide open, having missed the third typo; wich for which.

(spot the gramatical error?)>

Golly, Gee, Gauche! Sorry I missed your little trap! (Though, I suspect, from having read your work, it was just another typo that you just noticed!) Beside that, this is a message board and unless the language is so badly mangled, it just doesn't fucking count. But to the subject:

There are a few things to say about this post of yours.
First of all, I don't 'feel superior' about anything. I merely suggested that writers learn their craft, no matter the forum. second, just because I ignored your ignorance doesn't mean I 'missed' the misspelling or your grammatic incompetence. This is a bulletin board and not a forum to post supposedly "finished" works,
I've read your stories. So, if I were you, I'd just take the recommendation to "pre-edit before posting" to heart.

You seem to take my criticism of poor spellers and bad grammar personally. Why? All I'm saying is that authors who put their work out there should learn to spell and brush up on their language talents? My objection was general and directed to all authors here. If you feel personally criticized, then maybe you know you are guilty of being too lazy to check your work before you submit it.

Don't take it personally. It was a general comment. But your response shows where you're coming from. (Yes, I know the phrasing of that sentence violates the rules(i.e. ending a sentence with a preposition). Still, colloquially, it is correct. So kiss my ass.)

P.S. There are two 'm's" in graMMatical.

 

[Guest]

 

[Whispersecret]

Anyone want to tackle the errors in this one?

LMAO, E.e.

Down, boys.

 

[gauchecritic]

poor grandma

I took no offence whatsoever about your original point, that is to say, authors who can't be arsed to pre-edit their own work. I was merely trying to point out that some authors who do not have high literary skills can still write genuinely erotic fiction. 'Twas you who decided to point out the irony of the fact of my being less than perfect was somehow an example of can't be arsedness. I'll stop here before I invent any more new words.

ps the "gramatical" was a typo not a grammatical error which was the use of and twice in a row.

And once again the cheap shots, about my work this time! What next? intercepting my mail?

 

[gauchecritic]

No really

pps I hope, like me, your replies aren't generated in any kind of anger, I would be distraught if I thought I was making anyone upset over this.

 

[BgMma]

I agree that we all can't be grammar and spelling experts. I also agree that excessive grammar and spelling errors are distracting and can ruin an otherwise wonderful tale.
I have seen thus far that we all agree to disagree.
I do feel the strongest about peachykeen's comment. She hit it on target when she stated that a writer who wants to be read should take some pride and initiative when it comes to literature. I know I haven't got the exact quote down and I certainly don't want to put words into anyone's mouth, so I will admit any mistakes here are mine!
I suppose I could have kept my comment to myself since I didn't have much to say, but I had to say something. Isn't that how I always am?!

 

[ladyphoenix]

grammar, grammar, grammar

drsalt,
I think at the heart of the issue you're right on target.
For example, not all folks can sing. I happen to be one of them. If I sang to you, I'd have to cover your eardrum surgery. That's life. I don't go around singing and making myself out to be Beverly Sills.
I think I'm a hell of a writer (you are all free to disagree here). So, instead of singing (or painting, or baking, etc. etc.) I write. It's what I'm good at.
I get insulted when people think that ANYONE can write well. YES, anyone can write, just like anyone can sing. But there is a wide gulf between putting a few obscene words down on paper and WRITING, just as there is a gulf between being able to make vocalizations and singing well.
There are lots of people writing at Lit who can't write. Just because they post you doesn't mean you're good. Since when is writing not a talent? We're not talking about coloring pictures here. This is WRITING. I take it seriously and spelling and grammar and punctuation are JUST as important as staying on key.

Okay, I've had my little fit.

ladyp

 

[BgMma]

Well put, ladyphoenix,

 

[Whispersecret]

Ladyphoenix, AMEN and HALLELIUJAH (or however the hell you spell it)!

 

[BgMma]

Too funny!