#21567 - 09/06/05 04:15 AM
Re: spelling errors
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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You're right about spell-checks on all computers and there shouldn't really be misspelled words. But, I agree with the point that spelling isn't that important. When you read quickly you can read the word if the first and last letter are correct even if it's misspelled. And, these aren't exactly for an English class, are they? LOL!
I certainly want to express my sincere apologies for any stress I may have caused you if I had misspellings in my stories. But, I just don't have the time to edit them. And I really don't mind the low votes. I sort of count on them anyway. I know that some of the more homophobic readers might stumble on one of my stories, get involved, then get grossed out when one of my male characters decided to enjoy a friends nice cock.
Seriously though, don't worry about the small things, just enjoy the stories. 
Rich
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#21569 - 09/06/05 10:48 AM
Re: spelling errors
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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"I saw one posted recently that has high scores but is full of the problems already cited. Additionally it is not organized in paragraphs, but posted as a massive run-on paragraph. It’s averaging an 8, but deserves about a 3. With repairs, maybe it would rate a 9."
I have something to say about this. My very first story ended up like this, as one long never ending paragraph. The reason it did was because with it being my very first, I didn't realize you had to double space between paragraphs. I am not a professionally trained writer, so I did not know. Anyways, it scored low, but garnered no comments. Once it passed the 30 days, and just barely made it into the fan club, I went back in and edited it, and fixed the problems. Then after that, it started scoring better.
I realize you are disgusted with people who post stories like this. But maybe take this into consideration. Maybe it is their first story too, and they could use some help. I have noticed that no matter what reason I am recieving comments for, whether it is I misspelled one single word, or one story someone just had to write me and tell me I was totally off about some descriptions about a hotel, they are always rude and degrading. Maybe if you send comments, that start maybe, the story was really good, with the potential of being great, if you make just a few minor adjustments, maybe the authors won't write you back being nasty right back.
Just a thought.
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#21570 - 09/06/05 05:39 PM
Re: spelling errors
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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Seems I may have hit a nerve. I have read at least one of your stories, and did not find any reason to send you negative comments. It appears that even good writers resent criticism.
I see no reason to sugar coat criticism, if it’s bad, it’s bad. I will not pretend the story was good and could be great when it wasn’t, even if it would spare their feelings and keep their attention. Potential that is wasted is nothing to applaud. Pretending to like garbage to massage someone’s ego is just hypocrisy.
Even if a writer is posting for the first time, it should not be the first time they have written anything, assuming they have at least a High School education. Many of the postings I refer to would never have gotten past an English teacher at 6th grade or above. Like the poster that started this thread I make allowances for non-English speakers.
Actually, when I do take the time to comment on the debris that some writers post, I make specific comments about what I liked, or didn’t like about the story. Some writers (very few) respond with a “Thanks for the advice, I’ll try to do better,” or “Sorry, I don’t have a spell checker.”
I don’t think my comments are rude, just direct, and to the point. A typical comment on an offensive story might go something like this; “You have posted a massive run-on paragraph, I suggest you separate your story into paragraphs. Your spelling is terrible and your punctuation is worse. A spell check and a proofread would help immensely.” The writers that respond badly are simply irate that I dared to tell them they did something wrong. They seem to feel entitled to high votes, just for posting. They aren’t, and if I have the time they won’t.
If I see any potential in the story, I refer them to free writer’s guides posted on another site. Perhaps Art could post one on ES to aid the new writers that you mention. Maybe you and a few of your compatriots could write one?
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#21571 - 09/06/05 11:55 PM
Re: spelling errors
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Lael
enthusiast
Registered: 08/28/05
Posts: 377
Loc: California, US
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I can see some of your points. From a reading perspective, yes, there have been stories I gave up on reading because of gross errors. Too many and I get distracted from the actual story. Here is my perspective as a writer. There are errors in my work that I consistantly miss over and over. Often, it will take an outside party saying something for me to ever find it. Not everyone can have someone else proofread a story prior to posting it online. That is about the only way I know of to really eleminate errors of whatever nature. I don't get pissed off when someone finally points it out to me. Lord knows, I've looked and looked for the bugger and couldn't see it. I can sometimes spot it after being away from it for 5 or 6 months. That's a long time to wait before posting. *shrug* Don't know what else to say, other than, do what you feel you must.
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