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)