The Comma Is NOT Just For Show, Writers--Or Style!
Ok. So. I read a lot of fan fiction. Duh to anyone who has known me longer than a few days. I used to also write fic, but I was a mediocre writer at best and just kind of lost of the creative spark for it. However, I still actively engage in the process by being a really consistent reader and reviewer and reccer (someone who recommends stories to other people). I'm all about constructive criticism. The way I structure my reviews is thus: Say what I liked about the story first, then constructive criticism if needed. Recently, I did this for a Glee fic on Fanfiction.net and the author responded to my review in a very polite, but kind of missing the point way. Esp when she talks about her aspirations of being a professional writer some day. I'm interested in hearing what you think, fellow readers, writers, reviewers. First I'll post my comment, then her response:
ME:
I like the concept and plot of this story, especially the complex characterizations and interesting original characters. That said, I would enjoy the story much more if there were not so many grammatical errors to have to try and overlook. Most of the mistakes were comma placement ones, so not impossible to fix. I also noticed that you often used the commas correctly, in various places, just not consistently. And some of those comma mistakes are, admittedly, pet peeves of mine. Like not using a comma before a name or something standing in the place of a name. I.E. "Yes, Quinn" or "Thank you, Sir." So, like I said, these are easily fixed with a grammatical beta or just making sure you're applying the rules evenly (to the whole story). I am still enjoying the story, though.
HER:
Subject: re: Your review to Maybe This Time A response to your review at http://www.fanfiction.net/r/6244193/ Thank you for taking the time to read, admittedly the comma is a struggle for me (that I'm not unaware of), but not one I am in a terrible hurry to fix, mostly because I think the comma is the trickiest of all punctuation. I tend to lean toward thinking that it conveys style more than function, which is why I don't get them edited, changing when and where a writer uses a comma has the potential to change the feel of a narrative, or the flow of dialogue. In certain instances, punctuation should be overlooked. I'll admit, I don't actually know ALL of the specific rules for when to use it, so I use the comma when I feel it, or hear it in a dialogue, which accounts for the inconsistency. If I try to edit it myself I find that I over think every single comma placement in any given story. Since at this point I am pretty much writing for fun, not for profit, I usually go in favor of skipping the hour or so of agonizing over second guessing myself. When I sell my first novel I promise to get the specifics, but even then I'm sure, it will probably be a constant battle for me. Until then, I apologize for the distraction of my flaws and bad writing habits and thank you if you are able to overlook them. If you find that impossible (or if I have offended you with this reply), I'm sorry to have lost you as a reader. Either way, the characterization and plot are the essential block of any work of fiction, so thank you for the compliment on both, your time and words are insanely appreciated. I know I can be a tad bit pretentious when it comes to explaining myself, and reading over this it almost sounds like I'm dismissing what you said, but nothing could be further from the truth. I want you to know that your observation was considered seriously and filed for future improvement. I do hope to one day be a writer who gets paid and not one who just does it for fun, so anytime anyone can give me suggestions on how to improve, I take them to heart. I also think that the people who take the time to give a constructive review are the ones I most want to impress. That being said, this reply is mostly because I don't want you to think I'm stupid. I hope I have succeeded in convincing you of that without making you think I'm the world's biggest jerk. Thanks for reading and offering support to a fellow writer :)
ME:
I like the concept and plot of this story, especially the complex characterizations and interesting original characters. That said, I would enjoy the story much more if there were not so many grammatical errors to have to try and overlook. Most of the mistakes were comma placement ones, so not impossible to fix. I also noticed that you often used the commas correctly, in various places, just not consistently. And some of those comma mistakes are, admittedly, pet peeves of mine. Like not using a comma before a name or something standing in the place of a name. I.E. "Yes, Quinn" or "Thank you, Sir." So, like I said, these are easily fixed with a grammatical beta or just making sure you're applying the rules evenly (to the whole story). I am still enjoying the story, though.
HER:
Subject: re: Your review to Maybe This Time A response to your review at http://www.fanfiction.net/r/6244193/ Thank you for taking the time to read, admittedly the comma is a struggle for me (that I'm not unaware of), but not one I am in a terrible hurry to fix, mostly because I think the comma is the trickiest of all punctuation. I tend to lean toward thinking that it conveys style more than function, which is why I don't get them edited, changing when and where a writer uses a comma has the potential to change the feel of a narrative, or the flow of dialogue. In certain instances, punctuation should be overlooked. I'll admit, I don't actually know ALL of the specific rules for when to use it, so I use the comma when I feel it, or hear it in a dialogue, which accounts for the inconsistency. If I try to edit it myself I find that I over think every single comma placement in any given story. Since at this point I am pretty much writing for fun, not for profit, I usually go in favor of skipping the hour or so of agonizing over second guessing myself. When I sell my first novel I promise to get the specifics, but even then I'm sure, it will probably be a constant battle for me. Until then, I apologize for the distraction of my flaws and bad writing habits and thank you if you are able to overlook them. If you find that impossible (or if I have offended you with this reply), I'm sorry to have lost you as a reader. Either way, the characterization and plot are the essential block of any work of fiction, so thank you for the compliment on both, your time and words are insanely appreciated. I know I can be a tad bit pretentious when it comes to explaining myself, and reading over this it almost sounds like I'm dismissing what you said, but nothing could be further from the truth. I want you to know that your observation was considered seriously and filed for future improvement. I do hope to one day be a writer who gets paid and not one who just does it for fun, so anytime anyone can give me suggestions on how to improve, I take them to heart. I also think that the people who take the time to give a constructive review are the ones I most want to impress. That being said, this reply is mostly because I don't want you to think I'm stupid. I hope I have succeeded in convincing you of that without making you think I'm the world's biggest jerk. Thanks for reading and offering support to a fellow writer :)