Toxicshadow
08-03-2007, 10:22 PM
To skip the intro, go to the paragraph starting with "So, actually getting to the point".
And for the moderator(s): If there's a rule against this, or if you find it too distracting in the middle of all the actual fan fiction, just delete the thread.
For those of you who are planning on writing something for this place, I'd like to make you an offer.
About two minutes ago I noticed a few replies to one of the stories here which, apart from commenting that the text was better than previous presentations of the author (at least that's what I think they meant), were mainly about the spelling and grammar.
I can't hold it against them that they felt a need to comment on it, while reading the text I found multiple mistakes, and, to my horror, I found that these were really getting on my nerves. Too good school system, I suppose.
However, the value of a text shouldn't be determined by it's spelling, at least not when neither related to school nor work, and while you would expect those with English as their main language to write... well at least as good as I usually write, there is many who learned English in school who still got imagination, and can come up with some quite good stories. I'm Danish, by the way, and totally incapable of writing anything that anyone but I find interesting.
So, actually getting to the point, I'd like to offer anyone with a wish to create something worthy of reading a chance to avoid the "Good, but poor spelling and grammar"-comments. While I'm still no Shakespeare I do have far more training than I'd wish in grammar and spelling, so at least I should be able to spot the most obvious mistakes, so that no one will have any reason to mention it.
Before anyone asks "why not just use spell check": The which had an want witch would let her go threw walls. Well ok, Word will put a green line under "The which" but you get the picture.
If you don't, it should've been: The witch had a wand which would let her go through walls.
You're still reading? Amazing.
Now, should you actually have any interest in taking me up on this offer do the following:
1) Write a piece of Fan Fiction. I'm sure the definition of what that is can be found somewhere around here.
2) E-mail it to [Mod/edit] - Topic including the word "SPELLCHECK" (yes, must be all capitals) so that I don't flush you out with the junk mail.
3) Wait patiently for me to get back to you, even if I'm not flooded with requests (can't a man have a dream?) I do have several things that I prioritize higher than your texts. English lessons and homework, as an example. World of Warcraft as another.
4) Give in to your impatience and add me to MSN and ask me if I'm done yet. Same e-mail, and still with the word "SPELLCHECK" - now in your name - to make sure that I'll know who you are.
5) Read through the corrected version, correct my misunderstandings, correct what I wasn't sure how you'd want corrected...
6) Post it.
Didn't honestly think anyone would read this sentence.
And for the moderator(s): If there's a rule against this, or if you find it too distracting in the middle of all the actual fan fiction, just delete the thread.
For those of you who are planning on writing something for this place, I'd like to make you an offer.
About two minutes ago I noticed a few replies to one of the stories here which, apart from commenting that the text was better than previous presentations of the author (at least that's what I think they meant), were mainly about the spelling and grammar.
I can't hold it against them that they felt a need to comment on it, while reading the text I found multiple mistakes, and, to my horror, I found that these were really getting on my nerves. Too good school system, I suppose.
However, the value of a text shouldn't be determined by it's spelling, at least not when neither related to school nor work, and while you would expect those with English as their main language to write... well at least as good as I usually write, there is many who learned English in school who still got imagination, and can come up with some quite good stories. I'm Danish, by the way, and totally incapable of writing anything that anyone but I find interesting.
So, actually getting to the point, I'd like to offer anyone with a wish to create something worthy of reading a chance to avoid the "Good, but poor spelling and grammar"-comments. While I'm still no Shakespeare I do have far more training than I'd wish in grammar and spelling, so at least I should be able to spot the most obvious mistakes, so that no one will have any reason to mention it.
Before anyone asks "why not just use spell check": The which had an want witch would let her go threw walls. Well ok, Word will put a green line under "The which" but you get the picture.
If you don't, it should've been: The witch had a wand which would let her go through walls.
You're still reading? Amazing.
Now, should you actually have any interest in taking me up on this offer do the following:
1) Write a piece of Fan Fiction. I'm sure the definition of what that is can be found somewhere around here.
2) E-mail it to [Mod/edit] - Topic including the word "SPELLCHECK" (yes, must be all capitals) so that I don't flush you out with the junk mail.
3) Wait patiently for me to get back to you, even if I'm not flooded with requests (can't a man have a dream?) I do have several things that I prioritize higher than your texts. English lessons and homework, as an example. World of Warcraft as another.
4) Give in to your impatience and add me to MSN and ask me if I'm done yet. Same e-mail, and still with the word "SPELLCHECK" - now in your name - to make sure that I'll know who you are.
5) Read through the corrected version, correct my misunderstandings, correct what I wasn't sure how you'd want corrected...
6) Post it.
Didn't honestly think anyone would read this sentence.