Wednesday, November 7, 2012

# 19 Sharing


From Leigh's blog who got it from VikLit...
http://leigh-covington.blogspot.com/2012/11/thankful-for.html
http://viklit.blogspot.co.uk

Sharing can be awesome. 

And I am most thankful for my readers... those who have read before, those who are reading now, and those who are to come!

Some people are afraid to share. I can understand that. I have, however, found that sharing, for me, is most constructive. I learn all kinds of wonderful things, and some not so wonderful.

I happened to go to the restaurant where an old writers' group meets. They were all sitting at a table, laughing and chatting. Kindly, they invited me over. We had a ball talking about the 'old' days. I can't attend anymore because the little one gets out an hour after the group begins. I miss them. We all shared what we were up to and some writing tips. 

Spell check was one. I know a lot of people rely on spell check (it won't help much with #18's homonyms). I love spell check, but learned early on that I have to spell check spell check. It doesn't understand things like homonyms or proper names or other languages. Here's a link to the technical aspect. Really easy. 
http://www.180techtips.com/93.htm

This is a little more complicated, but it really tells it all - TEN really good tips.
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-tips-for-using-spell-check-more-efficiently/3405

Here's one for writers: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/spell-check-isn%E2%80%99t-foolproof/

I think the most important thing about spell check is not relying upon it. It should be the first step for me when I'm ready, but it is definitely not the last. Once I've spell checked, I go back and re-read my work. Then, I read it out loud. Then, I send it out. To a friend. Or I take it to my writing group. 

I think one of the most frustrating things for a publisher, editor, and/or agent is to get an MS that is unreadable because it wasn't spell checked X10.

And my name is then sullied. I'm pretty sure that anything I send after that disaster will end up being pitched. Without thought. *shudders* A worst fate I cannot imagine.

Life is spelled with an 'f.' *g*







2 comments:

  1. YAY! Glad you did this! Oh, the joys of spell check. My students get so frustrated in class sometimes so I have to remind them that spell check isn't always right and doesn't know everything!
    Great post!

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  2. It's a lesson, Leigh, that is oft learned the hard way.

    PS - thank you so much for your blog. I read it often.

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