#47024 - 11/25/10 11:00 PM
Be sure to PROOF stories for better reading!
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Anonymous
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While many stories are enjoyable, and well written, I marvel at the number of stories posted with poor grammar, poor sentence structure, typos, and even character name changes mid-story! You may not be aware, but such errors can really take away from the story, even turn readers away before reaching the end.
With spell check, typos should really be almost non-existent. Having someone else proofread is a very good idea. But if you don't want someone to see it first, reading one's own story beginning to end a day or two after completion is helpful to catch these errors.
Posting poorly written stories just makes the author look uneducated, and gives the impression that the author doesn't take pride in their work. While this is not "The New Yorker," take some steps to present the best work you can. It's your name that's on it. It will truly enhance the reader's appreciation for your work.
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#47034 - 11/26/10 05:59 PM
Re: Be sure to PROOF stories for better reading!
[Re: AntEater]
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Anonymous
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I have to say I agree with both the original post and the reposne from AntEater.
As an would be author myself, I am shy to ask for someone to assist with such a task. How ever could I repay that generous soul? Nonetheless, a proof reader is a good idea.
That said, I wonder if there are any who prvoide more than a proof read? Some lite editing may go alot further than just a proof read, especially to a novice such as myself. I can get the plot figured out, but must admit that my grammar and sentence structure has significant room for improvement.
I realise that there may be those author's who cannot bear any amount of criticism, constructive or otherwise. But really, if you enjoy reading good stories, then when trying to write one, don't be afraid to use every resource available, myself included.
Looking forward to the views of others.
X. Splode
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#47038 - 11/27/10 06:04 AM
Re: Be sure to PROOF stories for better reading!
[Re: AntEater]
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Sextified
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Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 371
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I'm very lucky to have two longtime pre-readers, with two more on the way.
I currently use them to look over my shoulder, rather than do a line by line examination. Having people who intimately know my characters, what's an appropriate reaction for them in any situation, and catching any major issues is much more important to me
I do spellcheck. I do grammar check. But the more I tend to overedit, the worse the mistakes that get left in are sure to be.
My projects are chapters from 12,000 to 45,000 words. If I were to request a full editing job, I would feel I owed them payment. For what my helpers already do for me they deserve much more recognition and at least some compensation.
So I look at it this way, and I have asked my fans to confirm that this is what THEY want.
I'll do my best. Put the chapter away for a few days, and then reread and edit. Then do that again. Then I'll send it to my pre-readers for comment. Then I will polish it once more, and generally make as many mistakes as I fix.
Then I will post it as is.
My readers have said, over and over, they would rather have me save my sweat and tears for innovation, plot, sex and speed.
If I slowly improve over the years, on my own, the better writer I will become for when I do have a paid editor.
Until that time, my readers seem happier with a few annoying errors, and more word counts per month.
Speaking of which, I need to get back at it.
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#47058 - 11/28/10 04:28 PM
Re: Be sure to PROOF stories for better reading!
[Re: Jake]
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Sextified
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Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 371
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Really bad grammar and spelling errors pull me right out of a story. And I have been guilty of typos and errors in the past, before I find decent editing help. I'm lucky enough to have the aid of two good editors for my work these days.
I agree with having major errors disrupt my attempt to fully enter the author's world. I cringe every time I reread my older work and see what had slipped thru. But other than Literotica occasionally, I stick with ES for my erotic reading. The quality in general here is really pretty high.
As long as a writer is obviously trying and cares, I am pretty lenient. Interesting ideas, excitement, originality and true passion are more important to me. You can see uninspired perfect writing in any genre, both on the net and in the real world of publishing.
I prefer writing by authors who have something they NEED to say, as opposed to those just filling up pages.
Anteater is right, spellcheck and grammar check are not going to produce a document that is error free. However, I disagree that the errors don't matter.
If this website was my FINAL destination for my project, I would be totally frantic and paranoid. (Well, more so than usual!)
But since I have hopes to learn and then rework the total effort for ePublishing I have a slightly different view. I want, and need, reader feedback, support and insight.
The entire first book and three-quarters of the second are all still online for free. The only payment I ask is a few votes, a few comments, and some glimpses of what my fans like most about my characters. Or hate about them.
But yes, all errors should be avoided, especially those that jar a reader so badly they lose track of the author's original intent.
I tend to make the same ones, mostly during my final editing pass . . . that most people who know my work just smile, grimace or nod . . . and then easily bleep over them because they KNOW the characters so well and what is an appropriate response for them.
And there's nothing wrong with pointing out errors to a writer, but do it in a nice, calm way. Try to be constructive, not a d*ck.
The kind of help I appreciate most is how the story or characters affect the readers both emotionally and intellectually. If I make the same bonehead error, over and over, please DO call me out on it.
Stylistically, I do make some unusual word choices and elicit some odd rhythms. These have developed slowly, and are not likely to go away anytime soon. I realize that flaunting convention is risky, and not to be taken lightly.
Overuse of gimmicks can become tiresome.
But I am learning the proper timing for such, and that will be what I will need most from a professional editor the when the time comes for one.
When I self edit, usually three to five passes, the biggest thing I find is run on sentences. I am trying to cram so many ideas in at once! Now days, I will let my characters ramble out loud, but prudently trim the thoughts in their heads back into manageable chunks for the readers.
In real life, my head IS that full and excited, so at least I come by the style I am trying to develop naturally! 
Sextified
Edited by Sextified (11/28/10 04:31 PM)
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#47065 - 11/28/10 09:38 PM
Re: Be sure to PROOF stories for better reading!
[Re: Girlie1980]
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Registered: 08/18/08
Posts: 371
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Girlie,
Our other literary friend said much the same things. Having my iPhone auto-correct me doesn't help much. But believe me, I catch many more of them than I used to.
It, it's and its plague me.
As others have already said, my brain 'thinks' the right words, but my fingers type the wrong letters. Even when I too quickly edit, my eyes see what is supposed to be there, not what is.
The spellchecker finds about fifeteen words on a very regular basis.
I do much better when editing anyone else's work than my own, even in my professional life.
Perhaps after the second book is finished, we need to tighten things up a bit more. I plan on writing at least the first quarter before releasing any to the story side of this site.
Girlie and Lee, I always appreciate what you do for me.
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