Incoherent GA Authors

[jon-jon]

As I read the posts in various forums, I have noticed that several posters have the title"GA Author" under their avatar. I have observed that many of these posts are incoherent. They are lacking in complete thoughts, fail to use complete sentences and often use a grammatical structure that can only be described as out of this world.

 

Is it asking to much for those with the talent to be labeled "GA Author" to use that talent in their posts? Or am I the only one that identifies with this pet peeve?

 

NOTE: The topic is understanding, articulation, coherence; NOT punctuation, spelling, grammar, typos. You can use poor punctuation, misspell, use incorrect grammar and make typos and still be understood.

Edited September 15, 2010 by jon-jon

[MikeL]

Jon, some "authors" simply aren't very good. I think the only practical approach is to read a chapter or two of someone's work, and, if you find it unacceptable for any reason, just scratch that author off your reading list. There are plenty of authors at GA who do very well in every aspect of their story telling.

 

If you find an author who seems to have a good story to tell, but has some grammatical issues, you may want to consider offering your services to edit or proofread his work. There are a number of people who do that for GA authors, and it improves the overall quality of the stories. I am totally with you on one thing. I do some proofreading for several authors, but before I volunteer to help anyone, I make sure I am familiar with his earlier writing. If he can't put together two consecutive comprehensible sentences, I'll never offer to help him. Life's too short for that.

 

So, I would suggest that you help the good, new authors you come across, making use of your love for English and encouraging those authors.

[Nephylim]

Also I think that people concentrate more when they are writing stories. When you're posting something in a forum for one thing there is no spellcheck... dammit... and for another thing we don't proofread. I know that sometimes my grammar is very sloppy and there are loads of typos because I type too fast and don't check over it. I suppose that other people are very much the same

[JamesSavik]

They are lacking in complete thoughts

 

I guess it would depend on how you would define complete.

[Former Member]

Some authors also are answering not in their native language, but in English, so it's never a good idea to assume from someone's forum postings that they don't take care with grammar or proper spelling in their work.

 

For myself personally, I usually read and reread what I've posted to try to make sure I've expressed myself "coherently", and go back and edit if I feel it's shaky, because I have to admit if I am just casually posting, and I am translating German to English in my head then typing, grammar and spelling can sometimes be off. Try translating English to another language in your head and see if it doesn't affect what you write.

 

I don't think everything should be expected to be spell-checked and submission ready when replying on a forum post either though. Having the title "author" doesn't mean perfection in everything written.

[Arpeggio]

Some people, such as myself, were always math students, not English. XD

 

Really, I don't see the problem with forum mistakes. It's suppose to be casual.

[thatboyChase]

As I read the posts in various forums, I have noticed that several posters have the title"GA Author" under their avitar. I have observed that many of these posts are incoherent. They are lacking in complete thoughts, fail to use complete sentances and often use a grammatical structure that can only be described as out of this world.

 

Is it asking to much for those with the talent to be labeled "GA Author" to use that talent in their posts? Or am I the only one that identifies with this pet peeve?

 

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

 

see bold.

[Sagar]

Some authors also are answering not in their native language, but in English, so it's never a good idea to assume from someone's forum postings that they don't take care with grammar or proper spelling in their work.

 

For myself personally, I usually read and reread what I've posted to try to make sure I've expressed myself "coherently", and go back and edit if I feel it's shaky, because I have to admit if I am just casually posting, and I am translating German to English in my head then typing, grammar and spelling can sometimes be off. Try translating English to another language in your head and see if it doesn't affect what you write.

 

I don't think everything should be expected to be spell-checked and submission ready when replying on a forum post either though. Having the title "author" doesn't mean perfection in everything written.

 

I fully agree with you. It is too harsh to expect from people like me, who think in a different language (in my case it is Bengali) and live in a form of life, which is quite alien to the Western world, that they will be always grammatically correct, unless someone comes forward with her editorial help. Fortunately, I got an editor for my works now. A friend of mine, Jian Sierra,came forward with his editorial help.

But the question remains why should people post in this forum, if they can't write perfect English? I think most of them find this forum one of the very few places on earth where they can post their thoughts and experiences before likeminded people. Some are so inexperienced in writing that they can't even articulate what they want to say. You can always choose what you want to read and what you don't want. But please don't deprive them of your sympathy. They are indeed very lonely people. This is my humble appeal, not meant to hurt anybody.

 

 

[Nephylim]

Well, I'm not lonely or shy (I know that comes as a huge shock to most people) and although I am an experienced writer i can still find my thoughts difficult to articuate, to the point where I piss people off. I am essentially a little gobshite but I likes to fink that I do speak as good as what the rest of you does so if you doesn't like it then tough tit.

 

Actualy English is not my first language... my first language is a conglomeration of sarcasm and bullshit

[TalonRider]

There's a lot of good points here. The forums are a more casual place. We all can misspell a word, or two, or three. I've certainly made my share. I for one take into account to look to see who the poster was when I read their post. I can then over look any mishaps in their written word.

 

Even the Hosted Authors make mistakes when they post in a topic. Here's an example. When I first joined GA, one of my first posts was in the Editors Corner Forum to introduce myself. One of the authors I work with welcomed me. I had to reply back to him something along the lines of, Gee James, am I going to have to follow you around and correct your spelling errors?

 

Now as to posted stories, if it has a lot of misspelled word and errors, I quit reading it. I very rarely offer my services as an editor to someone. I have quite a few authors that I work with and some time, they can keep me quite busy.

[phana14]

It should really be no wonder why I love you guys and gals!

 

Thank you JonJon for starting this thread (whatever), because I was immediately over your shoulder, watching for results.

 

And here they came!

 

While I also have a problem with trying to read very sloppy writing in the posts, as has been mentioned, these above comments opened my eyes a bit. And so much the better!

 

However: There is a VERY big difference between not having a functional grasp of the English language and being illiterate, and I think this is what JonJon was alluding to.

 

Although I can understand every post presented here, some of them make my skin crawl!

 

And SO, I am going to go back to lurking--yeah!

 

Please do NOT edit this post--please?

[phana14]

Well, I'm not lonely or shy (I know that comes as a huge shock to most people) and although I am an experienced writer i can still find my thoughts difficult to articuate, to the point where I piss people off. I am essentially a little gobshite but I likes to fink that I do speak as good as what the rest of you does so if you doesn't like it then tough tit.

 

Actualy English is not my first language... my first language is a conglomeration of sarcasm and bullshit

You fantastic thing you!!

 

How could ANYONE not love Nephylim? :wub:

[MikeL]

The comments about the casual nature of the forums has some merit. However, this is not the same as a chat room. If you are posting in a forum you should make some effort to write comprehensible, grammatically correct sentences to the best of your ability. I simply would not volunteer to help an "author" who cannot do so. Make all the allowances you wish for English being the second language or for math being the best school subject, I won't waste time trying to understand anything that is poorly written. I'll say again: Life's too short (especially mine).

[phana14]

The comments about the casual nature of the forums has some merit. However, this is not the same as a chat room. If you are posting in a forum you should make some effort to write comprehensible, grammatically correct sentences to the best of your ability. I simply would not volunteer to help an "author" who cannot do so. Make all the allowances you wish for English being the second language or for math being the best school subject, I won't waste time trying to understand anything that is poorly written. I'll say again: Life's too short (especially mine).

Sorry.

[C James]

When I saw the title of this thread, my first thought was: "Why are they discussing me in the Lounge?"

 

I have long believed that coherency, like sanity, is highly overrated. :wacko:

 

Seriously though, I do see the point. I'm not pointing at (or even thinking of) anyone in particular, but on occasion posts are atrocious, beyond any possible reason.

 

In my own case, I have to be careful. I'm dyslexic, and as such I am notorious for my typos. I do however make an effort, such as using a browser that has spelling check. This does not preclude errors, but at least it reduces them to a lessor level.

Edited August 29, 2010 by TalonRider

[TalonRider]

Case in point. CJ is one I will have some fun with and correct for him.

[Nephylim]

The comments about the casual nature of the forums has some merit. However, this is not the same as a chat room. If you are posting in a forum you should make some effort to write comprehensible, grammatically correct sentences to the best of your ability. I simply would not volunteer to help an "author" who cannot do so. Make all the allowances you wish for English being the second language or for math being the best school subject, I won't waste time trying to understand anything that is poorly written. I'll say again: Life's too short (especially mine).

 

 

You have a point and for you it is perfectly reasonable. However, I think that my position is diametrically opposite. For me life is too short to miss depth and meaning just because of poor presentation. For me the passion and the content are far more important that the technical correctness. As long as I know what they mean that's fine by me.

[thatboyChase]

You have a point and for you it is perfectly reasonable. However, I think that my position is diametrically opposite. For me life is too short to miss depth and meaning just because of poor presentation. For me the passion and the content are far more important that the technical correctness. As long as I know what they mean that's fine by me.

 

I like that

[zland666]

I try my best when I write my stories, I wasn't very good at english in high school either. Grammer has always been a big issue for me it's like a different language for me so I have to go searching for editors for it to make some since

 

But on forums I don't care how I spell, Like when I see people arguing on the internet there usual first response is... 'can't you spell?'

 

The forum is supposed to be a fun place, not to be graded on grammer. One website I was banned because I misspelled and my grammer wasn't to good (and I didn't think that was fair.)

 

If I perhaps mis spell and don't use grammer in the forums forgive me, but this isn't a classroom XD

 

Plus not just authors in here make mistakes in this area.

[Hamen Cheese]

Some authors also are answering not in their native language, but in English, so it's never a good idea to assume from someone's forum postings that they don't take care with grammar or proper spelling in their work.

 

For myself personally, I usually read and reread what I've posted to try to make sure I've expressed myself "coherently", and go back and edit if I feel it's shaky, because I have to admit if I am just casually posting, and I am translating German to English in my head then typing, grammar and spelling can sometimes be off. Try translating English to another language in your head and see if it doesn't affect what you write.

 

I don't think everything should be expected to be spell-checked and submission ready when replying on a forum post either though. Having the title "author" doesn't mean perfection in everything written.

 

I agree. English for me is a second language although I always try my best to make sure I get all the rules of the language down. However, it can be difficult because you were raised with a different set of language rules to follow. Take what happened in the Ms. Universe contest with Ms. Philippines. In the local language of the Philippines, it's not uncommon to repeat a word to emphasize it. Ang laki-laki nito is literally translated as This is big big. Of course, we know that's wrong but sometimes the meaning cannot be directly derived from the direct translation. However, if you want to start writing, you have to start somewhere. If they make mistakes, we should point them out gently like good parents. Baby steps. Don't be like Candy and her gay agenda.

 

Even the Hosted Authors make mistakes when they post in a topic.

 

The Log Way anyone?

 

You have a point and for you it is perfectly reasonable. However, I think that my position is diametrically opposite. For me life is too short to miss depth and meaning just because of poor presentation. For me the passion and the content are far more important that the technical correctness. As long as I know what they mean that's fine by me.

 

Imagine how much better it could be corrected.

[colinian]

When you're posting something in a forum for one thing there is no spellcheck... dammit...

Install the Google toolbar. It has a spellchecker that works in posts. Very cool. Very free.

 

Colin

[zland666]

Install the Google toolbar. It has a spellchecker that works in posts. Very cool. Very free.

 

Colin

 

 

To much work

[C James]

Case in point. CJ is one I will have some fun with and correct for him.

 

 

 

What bugs me personally (And I don't see this much or at all at GA) is people posting in nothing but texting shorthand, plus random capitalization thrown in: "LoLz shR, l8Tr" for line after line. That's what I consider incoherent.

[Johnathan Colourfield]

 

 

What bugs me personally (And I don't see this much or at all at GA) is people posting in nothing but texting shorthand, plus random capitalization thrown in: "LoLz shR, l8Tr" for line after line. That's what I consider incoherent.

 

 

I agree.

 

Whenever i post a story i try to have it edited beforehand and have taken quite a strict approach to my writing due to some quite nasty reviews to do with my grammar.

 

Grammar as my english teacher says is not 'my best quality'. Writing and working with editors helps me alot because it makes me realise how easy it is to make a mistake.

 

Especially Sharon when she edited my last anthology because she directed me towards a link all about basic grammar. I'm all for being made a fool if it teaches me a lesson later on

[Hamen Cheese]

 

 

What bugs me personally (And I don't see this much or at all at GA) is people posting in nothing but texting shorthand, plus random capitalization thrown in: "LoLz shR, l8Tr" for line after line. That's what I consider incoherent.

 

That reminded me of this article I saw just yesterday in wikipedia. I think it was under the article for "Male" or "Man".

 

Someone had written something like "MeN ArE ThE MoSt AwEsOmE SeX iN ThE WhOLe WoRLd" (Yes, I know there's something wrong with the sentence construction).

 

I wish I took a screenshot though cause I just checked it now and it looks like they fixed it already hehe.