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

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I wholeheartedly apologise if I've offended you. I guess I thought since you didn't comment on the other thread I made that you weren't bothered about having your WIP discussed. :o

Yes, I remember you asking me about the French phrase. Since you obviously couldn't give context as it would have given away too much, I didn't ask who was addressing whom, so the "tu" or "vous" question didn't come up.

It did occur to me that you might have reasons for deliberately choosing a jarring phrasing and obviously I didn't expect you to get into them.

Again, I'm sorry. I should have private messaged you. I'll shut up now. :o

[kronette.livejournal.com]

I didn't comment on the other thread because it isn't my business what anyone wants to interpret about my stories. The reader brings their own baggage, experiences, ideas, etc to my story and everyone can get a different slant on the story that way. I didn't really read it so I don't know if that's actually what it was about, or if it was more more generalized than that.

I'm not offended, more just curious why this had to be a post with an example to my misinterpretation of French nouns (verbs?), rather than stay a generalized 'how do writers feel about concrit' which is a legitimate question.

I don't know the difference in the French phrases, honestly. Not a smegging clue. If one is more right, then I'll change it, but it should be on the same level as Lister's "anything you desire, and more", as I saw them as equals in that scene. If anyone has opinions on that, PM me.

And I guess if anyone speaks Spanish, I could use some assistance there, too. I only use one word here and there as endearments, though I may have the gender wrong. I used forum boards for research there, so those should be right.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Basically that scene just popped into my head earlier and I thought I might as well make a thread about general attitudes to concrit as I've been meaning to for a while. I wasn't intending to get into detail about your fic but when I read RoseCathy's comment (not blaming her in the slightest, it's all on me) I had a brain fart. :o

I'm aware how ironic it is that I started a thread about how to offer concrit and messed up. We live and learn, I suppose.

I'll sleep on it and PM you tomorrow about the exact circumstances in which French speakers use "tu" and "vous" (as I understand them) and what you choose to do with that is obviously up to you. :)