How Much Should Grammar And Spelling Weight With A Review?

To expect capital letters at the start of sentences, decent punctuation, and some grasp of paragraph stucture is all fine, and indeed should be demanded. These are basic grammatical rules that anyone trying to write should have a solid grasp of. Obvious spelling errors should also be caught easily, there isn't a decent word processor in the world that doesn't have a spell checker.

But c'mon, to get anal over a misuse of they're their or there on a free story site is just plain silly. It's nice when people always get it right, but slip ups are going to happen. Professional authors make use of profesiional editors for a reason. To expect that level of commitment from people who are writing for nothing in their spare time, on a site that's first goal is to get you horny and second goal is to tell a decent story (let's be frank, that *is* what the vast majority of the writing in the library is about, for better or worse) is almost off the charts funny to me.

Thanks, sbbe. I think you and I, and H. Dean, and Ruby, and Aussiegirl are pretty much in agreement actually. But what really pleases me is to see so many folk are actually willing to spend some passion on the issue.

I understand that most of us who write for pay (as often as possible, right? lol) spend extra effort to make certain that everything we submit is "just so" because a paycheck might be in the offing ... but writers who read and post to a thread like this one also have standards. And that doesn't mean necessarily stuffy.

I've kept a sentence as an extreme example of what offends me from a story I once tried to read (not here!) that said: "After I camd in her fac i still wanted fuckd her." (I read a few more sentences to see if it was an inept try at dialect. It wasn't.)

It is my opinion that, while someone is free to torture the language like that in the privacy of their own home, the exhibitionism of semi-literate drivel should result in the revocation of their poetic license and death by computer virus.

hJ

"After I camd in her fac i still wanted fuckd her."

Now that stuff, I won't read. Or try to read. English deserves better.

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Originally Posted by Timberwolf

But c'mon, to get anal over a misuse of they're their or there on a free story site is just plain silly. It's nice when people always get it right, but slip ups are going to happen. Professional authors make use of profesiional editors for a reason. To expect that level of commitment from people who are writing for nothing in their spare time, on a site that's first goal is to get you horny and second goal is to tell a decent story (let's be frank, that *is* what the vast majority of the writing in the library is about, for better or worse) is almost off the charts funny to me.

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Sorry, Timberwolf. Your post slipped in while I was writing my last -- I certainly agree with you in principle ... it's not about minor errors, is it? Yet, I could easily disagree with your example ... I would notice a screw up in homonyms like their/they're/there (though I readily admit many folk wouldn't), or than/then, or to/two/too, and lots of other examples.

At the same time, I surely wouldn't lower my appreciation (or scoring) of a story just because the author misses an occasional word or two.

The question here has become:

if you want the reader aroused, if you want them to cum while they read your very horny porn, then do you really want them to be distracted by a slip up you can easily catch?

Another suggestion then, since sbbe liked the one about reading backwards -- if you know you typically goof up a specific homonym or usage, it doesn't take very long, does it, to run a search/replace for the word and decide if you've used it correctly? (I have to do that for several words I can never recall how to spell -- "achievement" is one, "judgment" is another -- did I get them right? lol)

The point is, if you write a lot, you know your weak spots ... not hard nor time-consuming to look for them.

hJ

"The point is, if you write a lot, you know your weak spots ... not hard nor time-consuming to look for them. "

I agree with this actually, which is why I try and avoid using its or it's, and insted just go with "it is", in my case that's one of my personal trip-ups I try and avoid.

If you know you've got a problem, try and work around it. Makes sense, though it can take time for it to dawn on you.

The principle of the thing is good. Or is that the principal...

Sorry if I'm out of line, but I just HAVE to put in my two cents...

I am a bit OCD when it comes to spelling, language and grammar. Yes, the stories are free, but I just cannot stand to read anything that has grammatical errors...it drives me insane! Oh, and don't MOST word processing programs have spell check?

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Originally Posted by His Slut

Sorry if I'm out of line, but I just HAVE to put in my two cents...

I am a bit OCD when it comes to spelling, language and grammar. Yes, the stories are free, but I just cannot stand to read anything that has grammatical errors...it drives me insane! Oh, and don't MOST word processing programs have spell check?

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But they don't do grammar? That takes experience and learning that some of us didn't get in the loverly public school systems.
Sorry, couldn't help it. Damn that soap box just calls to me.

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Originally Posted by StillBehindBlueEyes

But they don't do grammar? That takes experience and learning that some of us didn't get in the loverly public school systems.
Sorry, couldn't help it. Damn that soap box just calls to me.

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Again, forgive me if I'm out of line, but mine does...:rolleyes:

Spell checks and grammar checks are notoriously unreliable. Ewe can spell a grate deal of words wrong and have them sale threw a spell check, you no.

Grammar checks are useful, but limited. They're great if you're trying to avoid passive sentences, but I've found them to be rather useless otherwise.

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Originally Posted by maddie

Spell checks and grammar checks are notoriously unreliable. Ewe can spell a grate deal of words wrong and have them sale threw a spell check, you no.

Grammar checks are useful, but limited. They're great if you're trying to avoid passive sentences, but I've found them to be rather useless otherwise.

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Way to mess with the newb, shoe-girl. You can't possibly know how badly it hurt me to read that...*whimper*

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Originally Posted by maddie

Spell checks and grammar checks are notoriously unreliable. Ewe can spell a grate deal of words wrong and have them sale threw a spell check, you no.

Grammar checks are useful, but limited. They're great if you're trying to avoid passive sentences, but I've found them to be rather useless otherwise.

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Love it Maddie! :wave: I've gone back over manuscripts and caught these type of errors with one of my favorite vanilla editing tools. Is having it read back to my by my computer. You do have to be careful not to let the monotone voice lull you to sleep, but I find I can catch those types of errors with it.

Most editions of Microsoft Word have a grammar check as well as a spell check. However quite frankly in my experience, the grammar check is an unreliable and near-useless piece of garbage (at least half the time actually making your sentences *less* correct than they were, or changing the meaning entirely), and I've long since turned it off semi-permanently.

The newer version of Microsoft Word have a better grammar program. Also if you go into options, then spelling & grammar, grammar settings; you can adjust the grammar settings to your liking. Don't forget that word is a business program.

its still better to use word or another program to do spell checks and grammar checks than not to use anything at all. However nothing replaces careful reading and editing and an objective eye of a friend willing to do it is invaluable.

I still remember being in a hurry and using the spell checker on a document and I changed what should have read "Message from the Director" to "Massage from the Director" in it. Fortunately it got caught before being printed and it became a bit of a running joke for awhile. hehe

I had a similar "oops" once. I was the International Wholesale Director for a local HD shop years ago. As I'm sure many of you know, a word commonly used in closing a correspondence is Regards. Well, in my haste to get things done, I accidentally typed Retards...spell check didn't catch it...

I agree any spell check and grammar is better than nothing. The program recongnizes the word as correct. It does not mean that it is the correct one to use

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Originally Posted by His Slut

I had a similar "oops" once. I was the International Wholesale Director for a local HD shop years ago. As I'm sure many of you know, a word commonly used in closing a correspondence is Regards. Well, in my haste to get things done, I accidentally typed Retards...spell check didn't catch it...

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HAHAHA i do hope everyone had a sense of humor too funny.

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Originally Posted by His Slut

I had a similar "oops" once. I was the International Wholesale Director for a local HD shop years ago. As I'm sure many of you know, a word commonly used in closing a correspondence is Regards. Well, in my haste to get things done, I accidentally typed Retards...spell check didn't catch it...

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I hope that it was not the reason why you left the business.

Well I am happy to say that three of our better writers contacted me about Writer's block --One could not commit the time ----one is thinking about it and I am proud to say Aussiegirl ---is now one of the instructors ----

Writing as someone who is not involved with the writers section of forums, other than the odd post in Slothlands I would like to add my penny's worth to this debate.

I was fortunate enough to receive formal teaching in English grammar whilst at school, although I will willing acknowledge the evidence of that is sometimes somewhat lacking. With that background I find that incorrect grammar does at times niggle me, and sometimes make me smile when it changes the meaning of a phrase or sentence.

Story writing is surely a creative process, words and grammar used, and indeed sometimes deliberately miss-used to create an imaginary reality in the reader’s mind. Without this creative process there would be nothing, other than perhaps in the case of stories published on this site, a how-to manual on sexual practices.

If the author also happens to have the skills to check his or her own work, either using a word processor or raw brain power, that is perfect. But where that is not the case, why not try and pair up those with creative writing skills and those with analytical proof reading skills to form a perfect partnership.

Regardless of the author’s experience at the creative side of the process, please do not de-motivate them by criticism of their grammar or spelling. Don’t present them with the problem, but with a suggested solution.

Formatting; well that is another skill again. Something I care passionately about, and like Tojo, I will also reformat a poorly formatted, but good article before reading it. But again, please do not expect a good writer to also be good at formatting. When it comes to font and background colours, this is often a personal preference, and can easily be changed.

One of the most commented on recently posted non-erotic poems, Hero – Zero, was posted by Master Rob. That poem, which was created in his heart, was gently edited by a friend before being made public. Those who know him well know that Rob types a unique version of English known as Robesse. If he had let this prevent him from posting those of us who have read his poem would be the poorer in spirit and wisdom.

cariad

(Post checked and approved by MS Word)

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Originally Posted by Widget

HAHAHA i do hope everyone had a sense of humor too funny.

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Luckily, I had built a great rapport with my customers and yes, they all DID think it was hilarious...

You can be sure I never made that mistake again!

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Originally Posted by Dick the Slaver

I hope that it was not the reason why you left the business.

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Naw...still in the industry, just not there anymore.

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Originally Posted by His Slut

Way to mess with the newb, shoe-girl. You can't possibly know how badly it hurt me to read that...*whimper*

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Awwww.... I assure you my intentions are (almost) always honorable.

Determining when they aren't is left as an exercise to the reader. However, I am always nice to newbies. :)

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Originally Posted by maddie

Awwww.... I assure you my intentions are (almost) always honorable.

Determining when they aren't is left as an exercise to the reader. However, I am always nice to newbies. :)

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:blurp_ani :blurp_ani :blurp_ani :blurp_ani

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Originally Posted by Rabbit1

Well I am happy to say that three of our better writers contacted me about Writer's block --One could not commit the time ----one is thinking about it and I am proud to say Aussiegirl ---is now one of the instructors ----

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There goes the neighborhood!

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Originally Posted by H Dean

There goes the neighborhood!

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Thanks H Dean, I would be insulted...... if I didn't know you better.:)

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Originally Posted by Aussiegirl1

Thanks H Dean, I would be insulted...... if I didn't know you better.:)

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I never claimed not to be a bit rotten.

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Originally Posted by H Dean

I never claimed not to be a bit rotten.

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Aussie girl that must have been in the fine print. Did you read it? I didn't.

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Originally Posted by StillBehindBlueEyes

Aussie girl that must have been in the fine print. Did you read it? I didn't.

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Don't get wise, black and blue eyes!

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Originally Posted by H Dean

Don't get wise, black and blue eyes!

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Sends chaste kisses toward the fine print man.

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Originally Posted by H Dean

I never claimed not to be a bit rotten.

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That is true, but luckily for me, there is a lot of sweetness there too!

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Originally Posted by StillBehindBlueEyes

Aussie girl that must have been in the fine print. Did you read it? I didn't.

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No, must have missed that bit. Who knows what else could be hidden in that fine print! :eek:

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Originally Posted by H Dean

You know you are screwed when they start thinking of you as a nice guy.

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Looks like you're in trouble now Mr. Dean....:rolleyes:


Tojo

See, it it they who think I am a nice guy. It is I who knows better. It is they who shall suffer (scary laugh).

Is anyone buying this?

I'm afraid not, H Dean.

Nope, I'm not buying it either! Good try though!

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Originally Posted by H Dean

See, it it they who think I am a nice guy. It is I who knows better. It is they who shall suffer (scary laugh).

Is anyone buying this?

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Giggles, then chuckles, then falls off chair laughing.
Sbbe

I do think that spelling and grammar are important, simply because they make any piece of writing flow better. I also think correct word usage is important both for clarity and flow. Punctuation is also important.....

All this said I have read stories, and posts, on sites elsewhere, which have been lacking in all these and still been damned good stories.

I am aware that my writing is frequently imperfect so I try not to criticise even if something does grate on me.

I think what annoys me more are the people who either criticise others and yet dont try themselves , or who are scathing of others minor mistakes while often making major ones themselves.

One point I would make is that dictionaries are a good helpmate, but you do have to have a basic idea of how the word is spelled in order to look it up.

Small issues can be forgotten when it compares to the overall interest in a story, however i think the reason why its good to correct oneself is because those errors take away from the reading experience.. and in the end youre cheating yourself and the readers because its a distraction, and when a reader is distracted you dont quite get the credit you deserve.

Generally I dont think its a major issue when I'm reading a story But it /can/ be an issue when there are enough mistakes that one can't entirely focus on the story he/she is reading.

"I do think that spelling and grammar are important, simply because they make any piece of writing flow better. I also think correct word usage is important both for clarity and flow. Punctuation is also important....."

More than (4) elipesies(sp?) aside, I do agree with the grammatical comments made by Ladywrites.

Faibhar