Comments on: Meticulosity*

By: Veronika

Veronika — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:04:37 +0000

I would probably make the worst agent/editor considering the fact I am extremely impatient. And I do have great respect for all you professionals wading through piles of crap (bad spelling and bad writing)

Anyone who has read this post will certainly take the advice to heart. I will be sure to pass on the advice. It's much appreciated.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:40:35 +0000

Amen! Even published authors need help with making their writing gooder. Narc it up, sister! 😉

By: jasouders

jasouders — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:36:38 +0000

Thank you! Now every time someone tells me that numerals can be used, I'll point them here! Although, I do still tend to screw up the it's/its thing. Not on purpose (I really do know the difference. ), but I generally catch them during my edits.

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:24:48 +0000

@Lucy: There are so many writers trying to get published, though, that it becomes a numbers game. If you were an agent, wouldn't you be more attracted to the manuscripts that had a great story and great grammar instead of just one or the other? Yes, exceptions might be made if the story were really fantastic, but I'm thinking that if I were in that situation and had two equally good stories in front of me, but one had a lot of grammatical errors (not just a few typos), I'd go with the one that needed less fixing.

I'll also second the OWL site from Purdue. It's basically the APA style guide online and is a very useful resource.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:30:45 +0000

Reading the Churchill quote reminded me of the slight controversy surrounding it. Did Winston say it, or did he not?

Anyway, if you're a nit-picking historian, as I am, you might enjoy this article.

What Churchill May Have Said … or Not

By: DGLM

DGLM — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:26:15 +0000

Yes, Lucy, as I think I mentioned, we do try to look beyond the typos and grammatical errors and, certainly, there are some brilliant writers out there who can't spell and can't type. But, when you're considering 150 queries at a sitting, the brilliance really has to be at supernova levels to make you want to wade through all the sloppiness. And, Teri, I feel for you….

By: Teri

Teri — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:58:12 +0000

I'm laughing. My daughter's boyfriend recently called to ask for her hand in marriage. He uses incorrect grammar (writing and speaking). He writes, "Where are you going to be at?" He says things like "supposably" and "besides for" and "Valentimes" Day.

Will I survive?

By: Lucy Dantes

Lucy Dantes — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:24:27 +0000

I found this post informative, not due to the fact that spelling and grammar are important but because of the admission that "even great" writing can be tossed on the reject pile if the syntax isn't perfect.

While I can appreciate the annoyance of submissions filled with errors a ten-year-old probably manages to avoid, isn't it the agent's and editor's job to look beyond that? Aren't agents there to assist talented writers with these easily amended problems? Grammar and punctuation can be remedied whereas a page-turner cannot be sucked out of an immaculately crafted style guide. .

By: DGLM

DGLM — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:16:44 +0000

As you can imagine, Anonymous, I hate the fact that numerous e-books are being published with little or no editing. One of the reasons we keep harping on the need for agents and editors, even in this brave new electronic world, is our worry that while e-books might make for a more egalitarian publishing process, their being put out there without structural and line editing will also lead to a lowering of standards of quality. Personally, I don't think that's good for anyone. Having said that, I bet that as e-book publishing becomes more prevalent readers will demand a better product and that side of the business will begin to police itself better.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:05:49 +0000

Advice for writers: never just self-edit. You're too close to the material and you will miss the fact that certain words are misspelled or missing altogether.