Style peeves

[Bluetrain]

Hey, all.

Some style peeves that REALLY irk me, especially when there seems to be a bevy of willing, trained, and free editors out there:

1. People DO NOT TALK IN CAPITAL LETTERS! If someone's shouting or in the throes of passion, then show it through his/her expressions or simply in what is said.

2. People also do not end sentences with THREE THOUSAND EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One will do!

3. I've noticed some netspeak slipping into stories. Examples include, "'WTF?" he said,'" and, "'LOL. I couldn't believe..." You get the point. Unless there's a sea-change in sexual vernacular, i'd prefer my erotica without net.

4. Please spell check. That's all I ask. (Well, maybe it's not...)

5. There seems to be a dearth of stories with any attempt at characterization, plot development.... Any ideas why?

6. And why is it that many guys in these stories suddenly become misogynistic, violent fiends in any given sexual situation? Example: "Take this dick, bitch, cause i'm going to fuck you like the slut you are." etc, etc...

I realize I'm being an ass adn that the fact that people ar esimply writing is something to be celebrated. Still, Anais Nin should be required reading for everyone..


cheers,


b

 

[KillerMuffin]

Some women like to be degraded that way, though they don't consider it degredation. As in lots of things, the receiver decides the offense. To be called a slut and treated like a sexual object can be liberating from daily life where we may have become almost neuter, or anything but sexy. Not all women like it, not all woman despise it. *shrugging* I don't know the male take on the issue.

As for the derth of plot and character development, it's pornography, the plot and character is all in the sex, baby. People come here to whack it, then go email mom.

 

[Bluetrain]

"People come here to whack it, then go email mom."


Well; that certainly puts things into perspective...

 

[Charly]

"People come here to whack it, then go email mom."


Well; that certainly puts things into perspective...

And the pleasure out of writing. Leave me my illusions.

The nice thing is that the only people who bother to send a comment are the ones who like to see the characters and the story build.

Before whacking it, presumably.

 

[Laurel]

Hey, all.

Some style peeves that REALLY irk me, especially when there seems to be a bevy of willing, trained, and free editors out there:

1. People DO NOT TALK IN CAPITAL LETTERS! If someone's shouting or in the throes of passion, then show it through his/her expressions or simply in what is said.

2. People also do not end sentences with THREE THOUSAND EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One will do!

3. I've noticed some netspeak slipping into stories. Examples include, "'WTF?" he said,'" and, "'LOL. I couldn't believe..." You get the point. Unless there's a sea-change in sexual vernacular, i'd prefer my erotica without net.

4. Please spell check. That's all I ask. (Well, maybe it's not...)

5. There seems to be a dearth of stories with any attempt at characterization, plot development.... Any ideas why?

Amen! Those things bother me as well. We receive submissions from a variety of skill levels, and we do our best to post the well-crafted stuff, but also the work of those who may not have as much experience writing - the idea being that these inexperienced writers wouldn't have an opportunity to be published in a professional magazine, and that showing your work to an audience allows you to receive criticism and improve. It also gives writers a reason to write - to be read by our readers. I've seen more than one author post their first piece with us, then receive criticism from readers that motivated them to reading the essays in our "Writer's Resources" area. They've gone on to write well, sometimes even very well. One writer I know received an email from a reader that said something to the effect of "you've got good ideas, but your grammar and punctuation is atrocious. let me help you edit your work." That was the start of a year-long (thus far) partnership, which has resulted in a dramatic improvement in quality of writing.

I do edit the pieces to some degree, but if the errors are consistent I will leave them in so that readers will (as they should) email the author and say, "Hey, the overuse of exclamation points is very annoying!" or "PLEASE spellcheck your work!" I drop notes when I can, but I think a direct, helpful criticism from a reader holds more weight than anything I can offer.

The beauty of the Internet as opposed to a print zine or book is that the writers receive instant feedback for their work. When you see stories that suffer from exclamation-pointitis, no spellcheck, or a poorly developed plot or character, don't hesitate to send the writer a short, polite email explaining the weakness and directing them toward our Volunteer Editor's program and our Writer's Resources area.

For many people, these stories are the first thing they've written since high school. They don't want to post substandard work, but they've forgotten the rules of grammar and don't feel comfortable walking into the living room and saying, "Hey wife & kids, could you proofread my bondage story for me?" Any help we can provide helps make another person that much more literate - in a small way, to be sure, but every little bit helps.

We have some big changes in the works, which should be up & running in the near future and will be very beneficial to all writers and editors. More soon!

 

[Bluetrain]

well said.

peeves are just that: peeves. And nothing that really wobbles the reality.

They can be frustrating, but the fact that people are writing is enough on its own to make things worthwhile.

 

[Laurel]

Still, I know what you mean. The exclamation point thing drives me crazy, as do the never-ending ellipses. One of my college English teachers said (of exclamation points) "One is nice, two is greedy, three is downright shameful!"

 

[Mickie]

Less is more, as they say.

 

[Frederick Carol]

I've been following this thread with interest and agree with a lot of what has been said.

Butt, watt about wen ewe yews words witch are correctly spelled? It's a waist of thyme because yore spell chequer can't help then!

The grammar checker in Word will find some wrong usage, but not all. Blind faith in the spell checker can lead down the wrong path, unfortunately.

Fred

 

[Mickie]

That's what editing is all about, catching strange spellings, grammar goofs, and even structure problems. I can't stress enough that re-writing is as important as the first draft. If you don't want to re-read your own stuff, then why should anyone else read it?

I catch things from people who've had more than one edit. Strange things like a blond suddenly turns brunette in the third scene, or the place name changes to something entirely different after the first mention of it.

Using a spellcheck or grammar check is only the FIRST step of editing. It won't catch everything, but it will catch glaring errors and train the eye to look for them elsewhere.

My pet peeves include, but aren't limited to -- using it's when its is appropriate; using the wrong application of the words two, to, and too; and of course the ever popular using ellipsis' to mark a pause in the spoken word. The first lesson I ever had from an editor crossed out exclamation marks all over the page. The second told me to limit my pov.

We're all still learning, even the most advanced of us. Laurel's right. If we're annoyed with how someone misuses the written word, then we should tell the author and allow them to learn from their mistakes. Point out places where they can learn without condemning them, and thank those who return the favor. That's what it's all about.

Mickie

 

[Samuari]

Re: Re: Style peeves

I do edit the pieces to some degree, but if the errors are consistent I will leave them in so that readers will (as they should) email the author and say, "Hey, the overuse of exclamation points is very annoying!" or "PLEASE spellcheck your work!" I drop notes when I can, but I think a direct, helpful criticism from a reader holds more weight than anything I can offer.

I don't know about anybody else, but ANYTHING that you say gets my immediate attention, far more so than from a reader that I've never heard of before. I may not always agree, in fact I often don't, but I have enormous respect for you and your opinions.

 

[dansemajik]

Style Peeves

I don't have any...I write here because it is wonderful excercise for my real life stuff.

For an author to have his/her character react to something another author had his/her character do is amazing stuff. The realm of characterization is unchartered. I love trying to guess where the next turn is going to be, and how to deal with it.

I don't necessarily write to win any awards, or accolades, I do it because I love it.

When I discovered this site almost a year ago, I was wary, not sure if I could meet the challenge it presented. I am still learning and want to give all the writers I have worked with a brava, since they have all taught me much.

I am just honored when people read my stuff, hoping they come away with something new, or better than when they sat down.

Thanks...Danse.

 

[Rambling Rose]

3. I've noticed some netspeak slipping into stories. Examples include, "'WTF?" he said,'" and, "'LOL. I couldn't believe..." You get the point. Unless there's a sea-change in sexual vernacular, i'd prefer my erotica without net.

4. Please spell check. That's all I ask. (Well, maybe it's not...)

5. There seems to be a dearth of stories with any attempt at characterization, plot development.... Any ideas why?

these are my top three! NO netspeak! Language is everything in this forum. It is distracting and takes you out of the moment to find singular letters and even numeric figures when reading erotica. PLEASE writers, rethink this bad habit before submitting your work! It's lazy and has no sensual value.

and yes...story...build it...let it grow...take me with you.

thank you for posting this! perhaps some will take note.

 

[Paolo Labico]

Story Peeves

I am probably guilty of breaking all of these rules, but you'll never see it. That's because my sainted editor cleans it all up. Were she here I would kiss her feet- then again were she here I would also work up from there (you know who you are you little minx).

My point is just this: use the editors, get to know your editor, and if you have any talent and time, become one.

Finally, I'd rather read a good story with poor grammer, than a well written piece of crap. To new authors I'd say to submit it even with problems if its a choice between that and not submitting it at all. If its a good story and the fans love it you can always find an editor and go back and change it later (this keeps Laurel busy and she enjoys it).

 

[Laurel]

Re: Story Peeves

Finally, I'd rather read a good story with poor grammer, than a well written piece of crap. To new authors I'd say to submit it even with problems if its a choice between that and not submitting it at all. If its a good story and the fans love it you can always find an editor and go back and change it later (this keeps Laurel busy and she enjoys it).

LOL! I do, I do! I love busy.

Excellent advice. The volunteer editors are there for you, If you don't have a friend you trust to edit your work, please take advantage of the Volunteer Editors. They will catch things that you miss because you've been staring at the page for so long.

 

[Bob Peale]

One of my college English teachers said (of exclamation points) "One is nice, two is greedy, three is downright shameful!"

English was a subject in college? Oh shit, I thought that just meant that was the LANGUAGE the class was conducted in.

My bad; that sure explains a lot.

(Sorry Laurel, I couldn't resist. I was having a DCL moment)