*grins widely* Better late than never, and I thank you for your input!
I hate re-reading what I've written, too, and I suspect many authors do. When I re-read, I tend to want to delete it all... But some of us get over it, edit what we find necessary to edit and then move on by posting it. Or deleting it. Either is fine. The fact is, no matter how well anyone writes, a re-read of the writing will weed out errors. Sometimes a few, sometimes many. That makes the lives of admins of moderated archives easier, and it makes lives of readers more joyful. If we decide to write, we should give our best, no? Even if it is "just a hobby." But if we learn to play the piano (instead of learning to write), don't we also want to give it our best shot? :)
I don't think anyone (fanfic writer or published author) is perfect. That is what makes life so interesting. I'm not a native English speaker either. But I've had the tremendous luck to come in on a lively discussion between two native speakers who were both absolutely anal about punctuation and then agreed to compare English language manuals. ;) As you so rightly say, at the end of the day, the important thing is that one gives his/her best. Because if they don't, they lose credibility very fast. And then leave a trail of unhappiness.
As to recs, of course there is a certain bias, I absolutely agree. What's one's bane is another's treasure! On the other hand, there are some rules that should be observed in principle, such as dialogue punctuation (which I know can be an issue with non-English writers, but that's where betas can be really helpful), or the use of parenthesis (as in, "(as the author pointed out three chapters ago,)" is a no-no because that simply doesn't belong in fiction), or the use of ridiculous commas ("I, do not agree, that you, were, intimidated by that, action.") When that kind of "fic" is recommended, I lose respect and interest. That said, I do make recommendations on my LJ, and I have friends whose opinions I value tell me those recs are crap while other friends whose opinions I value equally tell me they love it when I recommend something. LOL. I guess it all comes down to standards that are set by each person. Those who share those standards will agree with a rec whereas those who have different standards won't agree with it.
As to ego, well, that's my personal fight. LOL. I try my best to do without it, and it's hard.
I'm gonna take the plunge now and friend you. Hope that's okay. If not, uh, just ignore me and I'll disappear. :)
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Date: 2008-12-17 07:46 am (UTC)I hate re-reading what I've written, too, and I suspect many authors do. When I re-read, I tend to want to delete it all... But some of us get over it, edit what we find necessary to edit and then move on by posting it. Or deleting it. Either is fine. The fact is, no matter how well anyone writes, a re-read of the writing will weed out errors. Sometimes a few, sometimes many. That makes the lives of admins of moderated archives easier, and it makes lives of readers more joyful. If we decide to write, we should give our best, no? Even if it is "just a hobby." But if we learn to play the piano (instead of learning to write), don't we also want to give it our best shot? :)
I don't think anyone (fanfic writer or published author) is perfect. That is what makes life so interesting. I'm not a native English speaker either. But I've had the tremendous luck to come in on a lively discussion between two native speakers who were both absolutely anal about punctuation and then agreed to compare English language manuals. ;) As you so rightly say, at the end of the day, the important thing is that one gives his/her best. Because if they don't, they lose credibility very fast. And then leave a trail of unhappiness.
As to recs, of course there is a certain bias, I absolutely agree. What's one's bane is another's treasure! On the other hand, there are some rules that should be observed in principle, such as dialogue punctuation (which I know can be an issue with non-English writers, but that's where betas can be really helpful), or the use of parenthesis (as in, "(as the author pointed out three chapters ago,)" is a no-no because that simply doesn't belong in fiction), or the use of ridiculous commas ("I, do not agree, that you, were, intimidated by that, action.") When that kind of "fic" is recommended, I lose respect and interest. That said, I do make recommendations on my LJ, and I have friends whose opinions I value tell me those recs are crap while other friends whose opinions I value equally tell me they love it when I recommend something. LOL. I guess it all comes down to standards that are set by each person. Those who share those standards will agree with a rec whereas those who have different standards won't agree with it.
As to ego, well, that's my personal fight. LOL. I try my best to do without it, and it's hard.
I'm gonna take the plunge now and friend you. Hope that's okay. If not, uh, just ignore me and I'll disappear. :)