Do you use correct spelling and grammar?
- scuba_steves
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Re: Do you use correct spelling and grammar?
That I'm aware of, no. At least, not one that can catch the little things. My MSOffice is notorious for switching out the correct "there" for "their" all over the place. Also, if you have a key that sticks, it won't catch any words that are "correct." For example, my "t" key was broken on my old computer, so I have "he"s where there should be "the"s, yet the computer never caught it. The only nearly-failsafe way to avoid English errors is to have a second set of human eyes look it over. Preferably, eyes that speak the same language you're writing in, since English to a Spaniard might be rather difficult to edit.colleenmclain wrote:Is there an automated grammar check program out there. The few built into Microsoft office rigid , open office non existent...

Lord, my apologies. It's been a rough day.

- DanBR
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But I promise to never do this here.

- vortexkd
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Of course, while typing, one tends to make quite a few mistakes, both spelling and grammar, so it's important to edit later.
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- MatthewAlexander
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- anomalocaris
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- moderntimes
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The most reliable grammar check and spellcheck is between your ears. If you can't create error-free writing then you're going to be finding it very difficult to sell your writing.colleenmclain wrote:Is there an automated grammar check program out there. The few built into Microsoft office rigid , open office non existent...
My last novel was about 75,000 words and my final submission to the publisher/editor has zero, repeat zero typos or other errors. That was the result of my many late night revisions and reviews of the book after it was "finished" but before I gave my final approval to the publisher to "go to print."
My new novel, now in progress, will be about 85,000 words and I won't be satisfied until it's error free as well.
-- 28 Apr 2014, 15:03 --
I'd be curious to hear how your publisher or agent has felt about this. When I've submitted an article or short story (or novel) for sale, the message is loud and clear from the publishers and editors: If your submission has errors, don't bother.Linda wrote:if i knew correct spelling and grammar i'd use it. as long as i'm able to get the point across, im good.
What has been your success in getting your writing sold if there are lots of grammatical or mechanical errors?
-- 28 Apr 2014, 21:27 --
I frankly would be embarrassed to submit my writing to an agent or publisher/editor that was full of bad spelling and poor grammar. But more important, the submission would likely be sent back, TBNT (thanks but no thanks).
A few errors are almost unavoidable, but sloppy and poor mechanics indicate that the author doesn't give a damn. And if the author doesn't care, why should the reader?
Submitting a piece (essay, article, short story, novel, etc) for publication is rough and tumble at best. Most editors or agents simply refuse to accept submissions that have too many errors. There are many other writers who are waiting in line who have clean and error-free submissions. Most editors simply skip sloppy submissions in lieu of those that are error free.
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- moderntimes
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Using it most of the time means that you have the chance to deliberately use different spelling and grammar to convey something about a character, situation etc. You need to know the rules before you can break them. (A bit like contemporary artists spending years leaning how to draw.Chance Murphy wrote:unless the character you are writing doesn't use correct grammar, and but then you have to be careful to write in a way that readers will recognize that the character is misspelling and not the author f-ing things up.
- moderntimes
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Exactly right! I write fast at first then go back and pick up the pieces.anomalocaris wrote:I still call that phase "throwing it at the paper," though I rarely use real paper for it anymore.
Incidentally, earlier today I'd begun a chapter that I'd essentially outlined as the next one, and about 2 pages in, I got very bored with what I was writing. I sat for a minute, thought, realized that the readers wouldn't be very excited about the chapter either. So I junked it and started on a different path, and have subsequently written 3 chapters, all pretty good, before Saturday bedtime!
- anomalocaris
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