Nits

[danajeanne]

I just finished a story that I kinda liked, but it had too many of my "nits" for me to want to read any of her other works.  Yes, it was on Fanfiction.net, sigh.

Her story was full of ellipses: ... something something... etc etc ... .  And she wasn't using it to signify scrambled thoughts!  It was more as a shortcut to explaining something, or action that would take a page or two.  Grrrr.

Grrrr #2: If you want to use swear words in your DAMN story then use the DAMN words.  Don't do SHIT like D**** !!! It looks ridiculous and knocks me right out of the action.  People don't say "Dasteriskasteriskasterisk Neal!" If you have something against swear words then leave them out of your story, don't waffle.

Grrrr #3: Research.  Most of us aren't medical geniuses and thus a lot of "not-quite-correct" injuries and illnesses will flow right past us.  But don't go overboard!  Even the least medically-inclined reader can use common sense and know when someone can NOT survive certain injuries, especially when they happen at the SAME TIME to the SAME PERSON.

Grrrr #4: WHY WON'T YOU USE A BETA?  Your story would be so much better if you had someone checking grammar, spelling, etc.  If you want to be proud of something, make sure it's something to be proud OF.

It's Saturday and I'm at work.  Blech.