Random Tip of the Day: Consider Your Character's Education Level
If you're writing a character who has at least an undergraduate degree (say, a CSI, a school teacher, a physician, a commissioned officer in the military, or a lawyer), take an extra few minutes to look over their dialogue and make sure that there aren't any third-grade grammar mistakes.
I don't care if you're 15 or 25 or 50 - if you're old enough to be posting online, you're old enough to conduct a basic grammar check. If it's an area you have problems with, then ask someone else. If your story concept is interesting, you're not going to have trouble getting someone to look it over.
Now, poor spelling reflects badly on you as an author, and will influence whether people are willing repeatedly read your work; it implies that you expect them to take time out of their lives to read your work, but that they aren't worth the time it takes to click the spellcheck button. It's a respect issue, plain and simple.
However, poor grammar in the mouth of a character with a masters degree, unless you're using it for intentional irony or sarcasm and that's apparent to the reader, will do far more damage than just implying that you're in a hurry or a bit sloppy.
It will kill your reader's suspension of disbelief in one line, and you will never get it back.
I don't care if you're 15 or 25 or 50 - if you're old enough to be posting online, you're old enough to conduct a basic grammar check. If it's an area you have problems with, then ask someone else. If your story concept is interesting, you're not going to have trouble getting someone to look it over.
Now, poor spelling reflects badly on you as an author, and will influence whether people are willing repeatedly read your work; it implies that you expect them to take time out of their lives to read your work, but that they aren't worth the time it takes to click the spellcheck button. It's a respect issue, plain and simple.
However, poor grammar in the mouth of a character with a masters degree, unless you're using it for intentional irony or sarcasm and that's apparent to the reader, will do far more damage than just implying that you're in a hurry or a bit sloppy.
It will kill your reader's suspension of disbelief in one line, and you will never get it back.