JustWrite

How many novels have you guys read with grammatical errors and how do you feel when you spot them? Does it ruin your opinion of the book?

I feel so bad right now , 'cause my novel is up for sale, meaning it's sitting on book shelves right now WITH ERRORS! I've checked over my material SO MANY FREAKIN' TIMES AND STILL I FOUND ANOTHER ERROR!!!! Needless to say, my book has been edited, too!!!! These errors are very minor, but STILL! I want a perfect book! True enough, the author feels like shit when this happens as I do, but how does the reader feel????

One of the errors:

Connie slammed her car door! "You know what...I don't need this shi!" she yelled at Chancey through the window.

I don't know how major an error like that is to the readers, but to me, it sticks out like a soar thumb.

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Paula Edwards
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thelatemitchellwarren

Yeah, I imagine that can be embarrassing.

Although I have read that there is not a
single novel released that doesn't contain
some errors.

I think that the reader would forgive a few
errors so as long as they're not everywhere.
(and not during sex scenes lol)

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JustWrite

Really? You've really read that? THAT'S GREAT NEWS!!!! It's so hard being an author. I swear it is!
Thanks for the info....

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"You can never win the battle if your mind is too weak to fight."
Paula Edwards
Love Provocative black fiction? Then this ones for you: www.justwritepublishing.com

rashadow

Damn near every novel I've read contains errors some minor and some major (like when the printing press makes a mistake and you end up with two identical pages, so that one is missing)

I often spot grammatical errors, but I don't let it get to me.

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B1ot

Dunno... if I read that in a novel I'd just assume it would be the speech being shortened since its a swear word, and Connie is cutting it off at the end. I can see why it would frustrate you though.

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eleutheromaniac

Even reprints of classic novels still have some errors in them, and it's never ruined a book for me. But I've never seen more than a couple in any one book. If you have more than that you might be in trouble.

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DawnMorningStar

Yes, most other novels DO have an error or two, so try not to be too hard on yourself. I would most likely feel the same as you should something I got published have an error in it, but it happens - we're human.

For me, finding an error in a novel is a bit jarring, but it really doesn't detract from the story in my opinion. I just shrug, remind myself that nobody's perfect and continue on.

gabriella

Hahahaha, that's gotta be the worst place to have an error! I'm really not helping you am I? Oh well, I think we all know you meant SHIT.

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Capulet

I usually attribute most spelling errors in novels to typographical errors. If it's something truly horrible, like a misuse of their, or spelling favour without a U, then I go ballistic. Otherwise I'm pretty easy going.

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JustWrite

Thanks a lot, Garbriella or whatever!

__________________
"You can never win the battle if your mind is too weak to fight."
Paula Edwards
Love Provocative black fiction? Then this ones for you: www.justwritepublishing.com

Fishcake

Yeah, their/there are quite egregious, second only to your/you're. But I really don't think that could make it into a finished novel (right? right?).
If it's only a couple of errors, relax, it's probably true that just about every novel has them. I've just read a collection of Isaac Asimov's short stories and noticed 3-4 errors (and it didn't ruin it for me, as I knew they were typographical errors. Of course, if something as idiotic as there/their cropped up, I'd be pretty convinced the author is a moron who not only can't communicate via the written word, but doesn't even bother to check his stuff, nor does his publisher).

NoWorries

One of my friends is a vannabe writer, he's had two books published. I read the first one(a complete flop) and it had a lot of errors in it. He swore it was the editor and is convinced to this day that it failed because of the errors. I think it failed because it really isn't a very good book. I haven't read the second one because the first one bored me to tears.

A good book will forego errors. Only truly anal people are worried about things like that, and you don't really want that type of person reading your stuff anyways.

It'll be fine.

Cheers,

gabriella

Don't sweat it, it's just a few mistakes. People will see 'em, stop for a few seconds, and then move on and forget about them.

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You write by sitting down and writing - Bernard Malamud.

WiCkEd

I agree 100%. I've seen a few mistakes, but I really don't mind. I understand how much time the author has taken in putting every creative ounce he has into the story, and I definately can overlook some mistakes if the story is really grabbing me. Don't worry too much, we're just human.

Savannah

What's the name of your novel?

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<3,
Savannah