Someone should take my typewriter icon away from me because I don't deserve it...

[kellifer]

- I failed YET AGAIN to get any writing whatsoever done this weekend. I had a fabulous weekend and was not home for any of it but... no excuse. My shoulder, however, is killing me because I've been driving so much so I might take a weekend off for writing and NOT DRIVING and see if both my muse and my shoulder will forgive me. At the moment they're both standing on the other side of the room from me, pelting me with M&Ms.

- I've decided I just really can't do Sweet Charity even though I'd love to because I just haven't finished my second story from last time, have longer than I thought to complete everafter (thank heavens!) and feel really motivated about Big Bang and am very conscious that that deadline will come up very quickly.

- On that, I'm wondering if I can do something along the lines though of offering, if people are willing to donate to the site anyway, a story for your birthday month of your choosing. (Unless of course, everyone on my flist is born in April because then it would be a disaster... heh). Anyone interested in that? No? *crickets chirping*

- Sometimes I'm quite surprised by what's an Australian/English term only. I love getting US-beta'd because I always learn something new.

Comments

[lomer.livejournal.com]

You're an Aussie? Thank you for having an American beta! I would have never guessed you weren't an American from your stories. I always get so SAD when someone writes an amazing story except Dean mentions giving a baby a dummie and suddenly I'm yanked out of the narrative because it's suddenly apparent that the writer is not American. Thank you for using a beta!

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Yep, Sydney born and bred.

Hahahahaa! I've actually done the dummy thing... *is sheepish* but I definitely make an effort to have a good US-eye pass over a story if I can because it's very true, I'm very aware that something like that can jar someone right out of the mood of the story. :D

[lomer.livejournal.com]

It's just sad because it's like watching a beautiful dance and then realizing the guys zipper is down. It takes away from the wonderful thing you've already created. It's easily fixed though by using some American eyes.

Sometimes if I see an author is a good writer but has some Britishisms, I'll offer to point them out, but that's always dangerous because I've had people get really pissed off when I dare to mention that Dean wouldn't say "lad" or put on his "jumper." I only mention it if I LIKE their story. Otherwise I shrug and read something else.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Please! If you ever see me do it point away!! :) Unfortunately my main beta is actually British so sometimes I do miss things if I'm rushing to get a story out and can't get someone else to look at it.

[lomer.livejournal.com]

I'll put you on my mental list of authors who don't mind constructive critism and understand that my intention is to say "I love your story and I'd love it even more if this tiny detail were fixed" and not to say "you suck. Never write again! How DARE you use the word 'naughty' when you mean 'bad!'"

That one always makes me laugh. Americans pretty much only use 'naughty' in a flirty "I was so naughty, spank me!" kinda way. Whenever I see a weechester use 'naughty' it makes me go a little cross eyed. I guess kids in the UK ACTUALLY use the word naughty in the way it was originally intended, and Americans are the ones who've decided it's used purely for kinky sex games.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Hee... see, that is something I never knew and do now but I'm always happy for people to say hey, did you mean this? :)