jpgr: (Castle Writer)
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If you're reading a fic that seems littered with spelling and grammar errors, would you give up reading or would you offer proofing assistance?

I'm reading a fic over on FFN and the plot is interesting so I'm continuing. The author's bio says nothing about English as a second language so I made no mention of that in the PM I sent her offering my help. Do you think this was a step too far? Her author's notes seem to welcome constructive criticism.

I was just wondering where the rest of you stood in this matter.

Date: 2013-07-17 11:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] katherine-b.livejournal.com
Personally, if it bugs me, I tend to hit the back button. As for con crit, lots of people say they welcome it when they really don't. I'm guessing that's the sort of person you have found there. (I've heard of people copying fics they really love to their own computers and correcting the spelling and grammar for themselves so they enjoy the story on rereads, but it depends whether you are really that keen.)

Date: 2013-07-17 11:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jpgr.livejournal.com
I have copy/pasted it and went through the first chapter. I won't do anything else until I hear from her. I might continue to read anyway because I do like the plot. I think it might come down to how annoyed I get by it.

Date: 2013-07-18 12:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deansfangirl.livejournal.com
I would quit reading, but only because there's more SPN fic out there than I can read in a lifetime
imho, I wouldn't offer corrections unless offering to beta the entire work for grammar

Date: 2013-07-18 01:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jpgr.livejournal.com
God, there is a ton of SPN fic. I'm making my way through [livejournal.com profile] spnstoryfinders from the beginning and I have 2 years to go! As I said, if it really starts to outweigh the plot, I'll probably drop it

Date: 2013-07-18 05:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] msninacat.livejournal.com
I usually only keep on if the plot overshadows the errors. Also, I don't generally contact them because you never know how they are going to take it. Heck, I still get nervous when I'm beta reading a piece and have to tell the author things; and that's what I'm supposed to be doing. I have contacted authors before but only if I knew them to be the types that would actually want to know so they could fix it.

Date: 2013-07-18 07:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jpgr.livejournal.com
Her author notes seem to welcome constructive criticism. I haven't heard back but I did word it politely by saying only if she wanted me to.

I'll post when and if I hear from her

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