Names and authors needing proofreaders
I was wondering first if anyone else had trouble coming up with names for their characters. It is absolutely impossible for me to use common names for mine--they either have to be names I made up or names that translate literally into something (Cerridwynn being one of my favorite names, it means "sacred poetry.") I can stare at the monitor for hours trying to think of the right name. The second I have it, I'm off, but I spend a LOT of time on the baby name sites.
Second, there's a lot of authors posting here asking for proofreaders, and I'll volunteer. I've been writing for over a decade now (scary thought--I'm getting old) and I was lucky enough to have some outstanding teachers who showed me what to look for. No snuff, scat, or bestiality, though, please. There's some subject matter I can't get past. *sheepish smile*
Morrighan
proofreading/name selection
Although I would be happy to offer my services as a proofreader for anyone who feels they could use the help, probably my qualifications are not nearly as good as Morrighan's, judging be the careful and cogent way in which she phrases her posts [whether I agree with her opinions or not]. I would venture the opinion, though, that it is difficult to proofread without editorializing, so it would certainly be helpful if the writer and proofreader are sympathetic in terms of the nature of the subject matter. So before anyone sends me anything to proof, please take a look at some of my own work and see if it rings a bell with you, or if indeed you feel that I am qualified for such a task.
As far as naming fictional characters is concerned, I don't know how important the name you choose really is, although they do need to be appropriate to the time and place of the story. Obviously it would be difficult to create a convincing male dom with a name like Milton or Melvin, but I have no problem using fairly generic names and letting the characters' actions define them. I had a lot more trouble naming my daughter when she was born, since I knew it was something she would have to live with for the rest of her life. The good thing about fictional characters is that you can always change them... with any word processing program it's a simple matter to just command it to switch "Angela" for "Alison" throughout the whole text. So don't let it bog you down...just pick a working name and go ahead with your story. When and if you think of something better it's easy to change.
Proofreaders wanted, really?
Please, i would love to!
I am an instinctive proofreader and the main problem I have reading nearly anything is that I can't turn it off! No matter how engrossed I am in the content of what I am reading, be it job ads or fiction, the spelling/grammar/punctuation errors just leap at me distractingly. I would love to find legitimate employment for my talent/curse but I can't.
I have been coming to this site for a little while now and yes, having now visited the forums and seen some of the input here, I will try to review some of what I have read. In the meantime, many thanks to all of you who have put yourselves out here. However, I have to say that for me the #1 reason for failing to continue to read any story past the first page is the obvious lack of proofing. It pains me too much to think that the author had no sympathetic and literate friends to run it by before posting.
If I can help anyone here I would feel a little useful and I have nothing better to do.
janie
Would not mind sharing my proofing chore....
Anyone interested in this onerous chore... please IM or e mail me. We can talk about it. Anyone who might get their feelings hurt if we don't end up collaborating should probably stay on the porch though. No room for dudes or prudes at dizzy altitudes!
I'd love to proofread!!..
I agree that the main reason I stop reading a story is because of poor editing and proofing. Much to my chagrin the poor use of grammar or misspelled words can become so distracting to me that I find focusing on the story itself to become difficult. The other day my jaw began aching while reading a new one, and I discovered I was sitting here gnashing my teeth! *lol* (so much for the enjoyment of pleasurable relaxed reading). Ok, call me anal about grammar! No worries I've been called worse! Point is, I'd be more than happy to proof stories if anyone wishes me, too. I've done it professionally in one of my past lives and my first degree is in English (the Language).
In the meantime, y'all just keep up the good work... :)
Melinda