OK, not to be a bitch, but...

[annafugazzi]

...if one more person writes me a review that says, "I really like this, but you need to use a spell checker" and then responds to my question of "What was mispelled?" with words like "color" and "center" I'm going to scream.

I'm a stickler for spelling. I do use spell checkers, and I read and reread everything I put up before posting it. I also have betas - good ones. And I know some typos get through regardless, and I adore readers who take the time to point them out to me, BUT.

I AM CANADIAN. I AM WRITING IN A BRITISH FANDOM. I AM GOING TO USE CANADIAN/BRITISH SPELLING, GOD DAMN IT.

It pisses me off to no end to know that people notice those kind of "misspellings" in my fics. I know that when I read other people's fanfics, if there are too many typos my esteem for the writer - and for their work - suffers. And it makes me less likely to cut them a break when it comes to plot holes, wonky characterisations, etc. It's not totally a conscious choice, but I know somewhere in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "This is entertaining, but Draco's a little too nice. Which isn't the end of the world, but... you know, this writer didn't even care enough to make sure she had no spelling mistakes. I guess she didn't care enough to make sure Draco was in character either. Oh well."

It drives me crazy that this probably happens with a lot of folks who read my own stories. If people want to dislike my writing or my fics because they don't like the plot, characters, ending, etc, that's fine. I am all kinds of OK with that. But knowing there's people disliking them because of something that isn't wrong just... AAAACCKKK!!

::thinks of a deep blue ocean::

::nuts to that, thinks of Harry napping with his head on Draco's lap::

OK, feeling better now.

Comments

[leochi.livejournal.com]

You rant made me smile! :-)))

You probably haven't noticed my yesterday's post about my "Advent Calendar"

http://leochi.livejournal.com/181151.html

There are still two angels free to claim - would you like one of them? (You'd definitely get a singing one, ;D)

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

Went and claimed! Currently jiggling and squeeing :D :D :D

[leochi.livejournal.com]

Yay! :-)))

[megyal]

It pisses me off as well. I've run out of patience and say, "I write in British English. American-based English is not the only type to exist, nor was it the first."

If I was even more impolite, I'd say, "Fuck you. Read more and then come back to me when you're ready to get your head out your ass about shit that isn't even wrong."

But unluckily, my mother spanked manners into me.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

It pisses me off as well. I've run out of patience and say, "I write in British English. American-based English is not the only type to exist, nor was it the first."
Concise and to the point. Mind if I borrow? I've run out of cheerful, friendly ways of saying the same thing.

If I was even more impolite, I'd say, "Fuck you. Read more and then come back to me when you're ready to get your head out your ass about shit that isn't even wrong."
LOL!!

[megyal]

Go right ahead! Let them know that they're being absolutely stupid.

Hmph!

[pretend-to-care.livejournal.com]

I don't understand that at all. I guess so many Americans are sheltered enough in their little American world, but I've known that there is a difference in American and British/Canadian spelling since I was young. When I was about 11 years old, I decided that I like the British spelling better and began using it. My teacher sent a note home to my parents saying that I needed to "spell like an American", heh.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

When I was about 11 years old, I decided that I like the British spelling better and began using it. My teacher sent a note home to my parents saying that I needed to "spell like an American", heh.
LOL!! And what did your parents say?

[pretend-to-care.livejournal.com]

My parents told me to do what the teacher says so my grade won't suffer, but they agreed that her response was unnecessary.

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

I've also known that there is a difference between British, Canadian and American English for as long as I've been able to spell, I think. I'm amazed that there are so many people who don't know this.

[nonajf.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Maybe with the upcoming political changes, some will eventually filter out into the education system and the society as a whole. It is depressing how oblivious Americans are to the rest of the world. Heck, many are clueless about differences within the US.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

It is depressing how oblivious Americans are to the rest of the world.
Well to be fair, IMHO the reason most of the rest of the world isn't as oblivious is not that we're better people, but that we mostly can't be oblivious; we're surrounded by stuff that comes from other places (mostly the US). Eg, you can't be Canadian and never read anything but Canadian publications with Canadian spellings. There just isn't enough Canadian stuff out there.

[nonajf.livejournal.com]

True, the "American Century" made us able to be very self-centered. It just means that once our time in the sun fades, we'll be screaming like the most petulant child. And I think that's what is happening now.

[chibitoaster.livejournal.com]

*high fives, sister*

Yeah, irritates the hell outta me. Especially when you find out later that they're some high school kids who don't actually know better. -_-

Oh, and so you know, I've posted a "Christmas gift" in my insanejournal. You're included in the "giftees" ^_^.

http://littleblackbow.insanejournal.com/77821.html

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

Oh, and so you know, I've posted a "Christmas gift" in my insanejournal. You're included in the "giftees" ^_^.

http://littleblackbow.insanejournal.com/77821.html
Ooh! That's beautiful! Mind if I link to it?

And I feel like I missed stuff, 'cause it's Snape/Harry, and... I take it this is from a particular fic? I've only ever read one Snape/Harry (Snape, the Home Fries Nazi) but I'd like to read this one. Linky?

[chibitoaster.livejournal.com]

It's my story. No fic to go with it... yet...

Same with my Snarry games. I'm really diggin' this "comrade" or "father-son" relationship. (not too much into the slashy aspect)

^_^

And link away! It's a gift to all of HP fandom.

http://asylums.insanejournal.com/snarry_games/213472.html

That's the one that comes before the Christmas one. It explains some of the backstory. Again, totally kid-safe (and in some cases, kid-approved), and gen!

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

That's lovely! The backstory one, I mean. Can't wait for you to write it :) :)

[mordyn4]

LOL, I'm sorry that's just hilarious. What a moron. :P

You know though, perfect spelling doesn't make me more likely to cut someone a break. In fact I was going to write a huge post about that, but I chickened out. Of course I prefer a great story and perfect grammar, but if I'm only going to get one, I'll take the great story. :(

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

LOL, I'm sorry that's just hilarious. What a moron. :P
Yeah, no kidding. ::sigh::

You know though, perfect spelling doesn't make me more likely to cut someone a break. In fact I was going to write a huge post about that, but I chickened out. Of course I prefer a great story and perfect grammar, but if I'm only going to get one, I'll take the great story. :(
Oh I'll take content over form any day too. I've been known to download favourite stories with abysmal spelling and just run them through a spellchecker, so I can re-read them without wincing. It's just that when there are a lot of typos, I consciously and unconsciously interpret that as a lack of careful attention by the writer.

It's not totally fair to do so; I know some people who put a lot of care into their work are just no damn good at spelling, so they may be doing their very best and still come up with oodles of errors. But on the other hand, most word processors do come with spellcheckers. If you can't be bothered to run one... well, instead of wondering if maybe I missed something, or trusting that it'll be explained at the end, or whatever, I'm more likely to just chalk it up to bad writing. Fairly or not.

In fact I was going to write a huge post about that, but I chickened out.
?

Well, you piqued my curiosity. Was it going to be about writing in general, or SPAG in particular?

[mordyn4]

I've been known to download favourite stories with abysmal spelling and just run them through a spellchecker, so I can re-read them without wincing.

LOL, me too. Man, I wonder how many people do that... s'kind of sad.

And yeah, when there's a truck load of typos, there's always a lot of Sevy, Drake, and "totally awesome!" and I don't bother reading it. But once, I was reading a fic by a well known author and was shocked by the number of typos and although a beta was listed, I decided they either posted the unbetaed version by mistake or that beta sucked donkey balls or didn't even read it before signing off. So, I contacted the author and asked to fix it.

Well, you piqued my curiosity. Was it going to be about writing in general, or SPAG in particular?

Actually it was about popularity. I've been seeing a lot posts asking why readers would prefer an imperfect fic to one free of errors.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

And yeah, when there's a truck load of typos, there's always a lot of Sevy, Drake,
I think I just threw up into my mouth a little.

I decided they either posted the unbetaed version by mistake or that beta sucked donkey balls or didn't even read it before signing off.
LOL!

And also: oh dear.

Actually it was about popularity. I've been seeing a lot posts asking why readers would prefer an imperfect fic to one free of errors.
And what's the general consensus?

[beachlass.livejournal.com]

And now, somehow, I have a picture in my head of Draco ranting about exacting this to Harry. How his last potions article was sent back with American spelling revisions, and how he's going to pay for an international portkey and go over and hex some sense into the new editor of Twiggle's Monthly Potions Index.

And Harry is reminding him that the Americans are still twitchy about their borders and how Lavender Patil was held up for three days, and that Death Eater tattoo will get him pulled over at customs, and wouldn't Draco like to just come and cuddle on the couch?

And Draco is pacing and ranting, and his hair is disarranged, and cheeks a bit flushed, and finally Harry can't stand listening to him anymore (especially because he's going off on one of his grammar rants and really, it's as bad as Hermione). So Harry grabs him on the next pass by and pulls him down for a sputtering kiss.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

::daydreaming happily along::

Sorry, were we talking about spelling or something? Somehow I got distracted by disarranged hair and sputtering kisses...

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Calm, Calm, happy Harry napping with Draco ...

Honey, it comes down to what you personally value - the opinions of intelligent, educated people who read your fic and enjoy it and who actually know enough about the world to know what is and isn't correct spelling. OR - do you value the opinions of idiots?

Don't give them weight by worrying about it - they don't deserve it. There are far better outlets for your emotion and energy - like writing about Harry napping with his head on Draco's lap. You might want to write about the colour of Harry's hair in the sunlight, or how he's become the centre of Draco's universe ...

*hugs*

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

Honey, it comes down to what you personally value - the opinions of intelligent, educated people who read your fic and enjoy it and who actually know enough about the world to know what is and isn't correct spelling. OR - do you value the opinions of idiots?
LOL! Yeah, I guess so.

Don't give them weight by worrying about it - they don't deserve it. There are far better outlets for your emotion and energy - like writing about Harry napping with his head on Draco's lap. You might want to write about the colour of Harry's hair in the sunlight, or how he's become the centre of Draco's universe...
Cannot reply to rest of comment; too busy writing about laps and sunlight :)

[fueled-by-sarah.livejournal.com]

If people aren't smart enough to know that there are differences in American and Canadian / British spelling, they're not worthy of reading and reviewing your fics.
I totally understand how obnoxious that is though.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

I totally understand how obnoxious that is though.
Infuriating. I do understand that many of them are trying to be helpful. I don't understand why they cannot read the notes that I now include with every single fic I post to the tune of "Please let me know if you see any typos, unless it's a word like colour or centre; those are not typos, they're legitimate British spellings."

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

I get that too sometimes, and it's one of those feelings like you come from different planets. For some readers this is a deal breaker, and I'm like, okay, it breaks the deal. Now we both know.

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

For some readers this is a deal breaker, and I'm like, okay, it breaks the deal. Now we both know.
LOL!! Yeah, totally :D :D :D

It didn't bother me much when I got this once in a while for Law & Order fic. For one thing, it didn't happen often, and for another, it was an American show/fandom. But Harry Potter? ::fume::

[blindmouse.livejournal.com]

Huh. I've honestly never had this response to my spelling (which is also British, since I'm Australian). (Incidentally, it seriously irritates me to have to refer to it as "British spelling", when what I mean is "the rest of the English-speaking world's spelling".)

I haven't even had complaints when writing in American and Japanese fandoms. Do you really get them so often?

[annafugazzi.livejournal.com]

Huh. I've honestly never had this response to my spelling (which is also British, since I'm Australian). (Incidentally, it seriously irritates me to have to refer to it as "British spelling", when what I mean is "the rest of the English-speaking world's spelling".)
Heh, yeah - I'm Canadian, so yeah. Although actually Canadian actually is different from British; some words we spell British (colour, centre), some American (airplane, aluminum), and some we can't seem to make up our minds (anaesthesia/anesthesia, analyze/analyse).

I haven't even had complaints when writing in American and Japanese fandoms. Do you really get them so often?
I do, although only for Bond. I guess because that's the thing I've written that people read the most, or read first. Dunno.

I used to get it once in a blue moon when I wrote for Law & Order, but IMHO that was understandable in that Law & Order is an American show. I still used Canadian spellings, but it didn't bother me when Americans were thrown by it. Harry Potter, though? Aaaaaarg.

[jinxgirl71.livejournal.com]

You tell 'em!

[tree00faery.livejournal.com]

*sigh* That is annoying. Whenever I read a fic with British/Canadian/everywhere-except-the-US spellings, I'm thrilled. I also have to admit to downloading some of my favorite fics and using the find and replace feature in Word to change 'center' to 'centre', 'mom' to 'mum', etc. (simply for ease of reading.) Even though I'm American, I read mostly HP fic and I tend to expect British English.

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

My kids call me "spellcheck", and I can't say I've ever noticed a typo in any of your fics.
People are idiots sometimes.
Glad you're feeling better...

[karaz.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. Really? Wow.