"That's a great dress. Too bad it's an ugly color. But otherwise it's good."

[serafina20]

I like how it's so hard for people to resist pointing out that there are typos in my fics. I know I'm not the only writer in fandom who puts out fics with misspellings or typos (maybe I do it more often, but if they're a new reader [and I figure people are new readers if I've never received feedback from them and they don't say they've read my fics before], they don't know that) so I have to ask: How often do y'all get feedback that says, "Great fic, but there were typos. But the typos didn't detract from the story, so it was still good,"? Because it really is a backhanded compliment.

Oh, and I think I was discussing making a Chloe/Chad/Lana icon with someone (Sofy?). Because I've found my Chad looks-wise (not height-wise, though). Hayden Christensen was all pretty and Goth in the beginning of Life As a House" "and think he'd do. I mean, he out-prettied The Pretty when he was in that makeup.

Speaking of The Pretty, I've decided I like Ian Somerhalder's voice, so my Prophet (Daniel) may now speak like Ian as well as look like him. The funny thing is, though, that now he's found his voice, one of my heroines (the one who should be paired up with him if all goes well and he doesn't go gay on me) has lost her voice. I mean, she *can* talk, but she won't. I don't know why yet.

Still working on the second draft of COTW 43. Much being added in, like another plot, apparently.

Comments

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

I've always had mixed feelings about typo-hounds. Sometimes (especially when a fic is posted to a general archive, thus it's too late to change anything) it has a passive-aggressive feel to it, as though they can't resist a "cleverer-than-thou" dig stuck in with the praise, but sometimes, it can be very helpful in a sort of "uh, your pantyhose are stuck in your underwear" kind of way, when it's posted to your own web page or LJ.

It also depends on the length of the piece. A misspelling can *kill* a drabble, a four hundred page fic, not so much. (And anyone who can pick a typo out of a 600K fic and take the time to write in about it needs another hobby anyway.)

It's not particularly constructive as crits go either way. Typos happen. As long as there isn't a pathological aversion to spellcheck and editing exhibited throughout the piece, my feelings go more along the line of "let it go."

Others mileage vary, I'm sure.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

It's not particularly constructive as crits go either way. Typos happen.

And that's my main frustration. It's a 183 page fic and the comment was there were a *few* typos. And she didn't tell me where or how bad they were (one time I'd accidently deleted a sentence right before I posted it; someone pointed it out, and I fixed it for future postings). Just that it was good, but ...

So, yeah. It felt a little like she was trying to make sure I knew it was good, but not *too* good.

[vampsarecool.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry dear that ppl call your attention to petty stuff like that. I often think faster than I think and well Things often don't sound right, but I know ppl would never call attention to it. So *huggs*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[vampsarecool.livejournal.com]

see i see a typo in my own post to you *shake head*

[isagel.livejournal.com]

When I did my internship at a publishing house, I was amazed to learn that readers actually mail and phone in to tell the editors of published books that "on page 367, it says 'hose' instead of 'house'" and things like that. Of course, it's the editor's and proof-reader's job to see to it that there are no such typos, and if they're told about them, they can correct them before the next printing, which brings the text closer to the perfection they should be striving for. But I still find it very hard to grasp the mind-set of the people who send these mails. I can get annoyed when a book is littered with typos, because that means someone hasn't done the job they're payed to do, and their mistakes are getting in the way of my reading enjoyment. But if there's one typo in a hundred pages of text, I just think, "oh, typo" and move on with the story - if it isn't exceptionally amusing, I've forgotten about it by the time I'm done with the book. It would never occur to me to feedback the publishers about it. I guess my mind isn't that hung up on details.

As a fanfic writer, I appreciate when people point out glaring mistakes that mess with the meaning of the text (as in the story where I'd written "taught" instead of "taut", something several people did mention), if they do it when reading it in my journal, so that I can still make corrections. Once it's posted to a mailing list and archived at a site that isn't mine, the point is moot, because I can't do anything about it. The only effect then is to make me feel stupid, and though I don't know if that's what the feedbacker wants, the whole thing still seems very unnecessary.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

As a fanfic writer, I appreciate when people point out glaring mistakes that mess with the meaning of the text (as in the story where I'd written "taught" instead of "taut", something several people did mention), if they do it when reading it in my journal, so that I can still make corrections. Once it's posted to a mailing list and archived at a site that isn't mine, the point is moot, because I can't do anything about it. The only effect then is to make me feel stupid, and though I don't know if that's what the feedbacker wants, the whole thing still seems very unnecessary.

And, you know, I don't so much mind if they point out the error in a finished fic, because then I can correct it in my copy. Then, if I start my own webpage or something, I can fix it. But when they just say vagely, "you messed up," yeah, it makes me feel stupid and second rate. I don't understand why you would put something negative into a positive review (although I do understand constructive criticism in a positive review).

Thanks for your comments!

[digitalwave]

Sweetie,

There are typos in professionally published books and articles all the time. All we can do is do our best to catch them, check and re-check ourselves. But, no matter what, the darned sneaky little buggers are still going to get through sometimes.

I love your Lex and Clark. You do such a wonderful job of bringing to life the universe you've created in COTW. If all they can see when they read hundreds of pages of great characterization and plot are a few mis-spelled words, it's their loss not yours.

*hugs you*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

If all they can see when they read hundreds of pages of great characterization and plot are a few mis-spelled words, it's their loss not yours.

Thank you!!

[soft-princess.livejournal.com]

I read Reporter Lex yesterday night (hehe, took me a whole almost 3 hours) and I think I must have spotted one or two typos. On a three hours read. I think the someone who e-mailed you saying there were typos? Needs a new hobby.

The typos aren't distracting to the same extent that mispelling or very bad grammar is. So I can only imagine what that person must be like when they read something with bad grammar. If they spot out two typos and write about it? They must go insane when reading a fic where the righter cannot right proparly.

*shakes head at their stupidness*

I don't get feedback that points out the flaws of my fics very often, never gotten any about typos, but that might be due to the fact I rarely get a feedback that says anything more than 'That's good!!! Write more!'

Anyway, what I mean is, typos? Happen. You make them, maybe a lot, maybe not, but at least you know it and you're working on it. And you do know your grammar and spelling. You're not averse to the idea of a beta reader (or several, as the case may be) and you're always trying to make your stories better. The typos are NOTHING in the balance. They're just that, typos. And they certainly don't take away the joy of reading any of your stories.

And YAYAY! You found Chad! Send me the picture if you want, I'll have to see if I can do something about that icon. Not today though. Have to go to work now... But tomorrow most probably. *grin* Will also be working on Piek Ric tomorrow with sam_gamgee. Weeeee! :-) You might have a brand new and completed website by the end of the week.

[elli.livejournal.com]

Well..I did find a few typos..and i even though of mailing you where they are. But I had such great fun reading it, I think it doesn't matter. I love the story. The plot is amazing!

The rest doesn't matter to me.

Can't wait for cotw43. I read the whole series 5 times already...*G*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Well..I did find a few typos..and i even though of mailing you where they are.

That's fine. That's constructive. That's saying, "Great story, here's where you tripped, and then it'll be even better." What I consistently get is, "Great story, but you messed up in places. Cheers," which isn't helpful at all.

I love the story. The plot is amazing!


Thank you!!

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've thought about the typo issue. I'm the world's biggest nitpicker about spelling, especially when one has betas to help one find them. They do take me out of the story. I would never, though, let them keep me from enjoying a story as good as any of yours and I certainly wouldn't bother emailing a writer about them; if I'm not offering to beta, then I shouldn't complain, should I?

I can see why someone would write to you, though. I often feel disappointed when I see a typo (and it happens to everyone: I have a character with two different names in the same paragraph*) because I know that other people will stop reading right then and there despite the quality of the story itself. I want everyone to like the story as much as I do, so I tell you what you can make better. Does that make sense?

*I feel great shame about that. I changed it on my own site, but can't be bothered to re-upload to the archives.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I want everyone to like the story as much as I do, so I tell you what you can make better.

The people I'm talking about are not the ones who are telling me how to make it better. They are the ones that say, "It was good. There were typos." They don't tell me wehre, they don't offer to help, they don't give anything constructive. All they are doing is being negative for no real reason. If they think that's constructive or helpful, then they need to wake up.

I feel that if the fic is good enough that you want to send positive feedback, i don't feel you should clutter it with something negative. If it's good enough (or something enough) that you want to send constructive feedback, then make sure any comment you make about the failings (misspelled words, typos, etc) are made in such a way to actually help the author.

That's all I'm saying.

Feedback 1A - Those Troublesome Typos

[philexos.livejournal.com]

If only there were classes in how to give feedback, most writers would be happier. Unfortunately, no such animal exists. You can take heart in the knowledge that the Backhanded Compliment^TM feedback is likely from one of the plentiful; albiet, untrained, Rookie Feedbacker^C.

On the whole, I agree that pointing out that typos exist is like pointing at the sun and declaring it daytime. Even pointing out that a word was misspelled once is pointless. So what? If you can figure out the meaning given the context. Don't worry. Be happy.

Grammatical problems with words that sound the same but are spelled different (and mean different things) can spoil the pace of the story and the angel who points out where and when can be divine. But we can figure those out too.

However; given that anyone who actually gives you feedback is a rare find, you can subtly retrain your feedbacker who should slowly but surely grow up to be a Constructive Feedbacker, or, even better; an, Your Writing Is So Good My Brain Exploded Feedbacker. Although, those are pretty rare for obvious reasons.

This is pretty long so let me sum up: Don't sweat the small stuff.

[tigress35.livejournal.com]

Yeah I've gotten some like that. Doesn't do much good to point it out because it's not like I can go back and change it anymore.