Question

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

This is for anyone who writes fic - how do you feel about constructive criticism?  I mean anything from politely pointing out typos or grammar mistakes to more ambiguous stuff like Brit-picking (you might feel, for example, that a British character could plausibly use an American expression in the context you've used it in).  Or in the case of the particular instance I'm thinking of, where a character uses a French expression which, while perfectly correct, doesn't feel right to you because of your knowledge of the specific instances where French speakers use "tu" and "vous".

The reason I ask is because I really don't want to come across as patronising and I know my language abilities aren't unusual when measured against everyone else here.  So if there's anyone here whose response to this would be: "I don't need a beta, thanks" or "I already have one", it would be helpful to know just so I avoid putting my foot in it. :)

Comments

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

If I've done something incorrectly, I'd rather know about it sooner than later. But I work in a business where people readily tell you when they find mistakes in your writing, so I think it's an individual opinion. Not everybody wants to hear it. But as long as you aren't rude about telling them, I think you have a 95 percent chance of being appreciated for it.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

That's encouraging to read, but as you say I think your profession probably influences your opinion. It must be almost second nature to you. :)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I'm not corrected as much as you might think, but that's because I'm super-paranoid after years of this - it doesn't take many baps on the nose to get me to change how I approach using words I don't know, assuming definitions or sources, etc.