*sigh*

[ixchel55]

It's really frustrating when you're trying to get into an Supernatural story that sounds like it could be pretty interesting but your mind keeps getting derailed because Sam is packing a 'jumper' and throwing trash in a 'bin' and Dean has a 'sexty-seven' Chevy Impala that's 'blearing' music. Sad to say that those weren't the only things my mind

Comments

[mlyn]

I don't think being British is an excuse, or at least, it shouldn't be. They have as much or more (probably more) exposure to American lingo through our cultural exports. *I* know that "bin" equals waste basket, so they should know that "waste basket" (or whatever) is the term to use when they mean bin. It's not a cultural chasm, it's ignorance or laziness.

[ixchel55]

Yes, that too, but I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that sometimes things are so familiar and everyday that you just don't think about them.

I read one story the other day where I wouldn't have known that the writer wasn't American until near the end when Sam either thought or said (can't remember which) that he was going to 'put on the kettle'. o.O

Yeah, don't think that's happening anytime soon.

In that case it was just a simple slip up that got missed.

But laziness definitely abounds. When BHD was going hot and heavy I volunteered to beta for an English writer didn't even try to fix things like that for herself no matter how many times I told her that Americans don't have a 'lounge' we have a living room, etc. She just expected me to fix it every single time. I soon found a very good reason why I no longer had the time to help her out.

[kadymae]

Yes, this, thank you.

Because if I hear one more mention of Sam and Dean leaving the Impala in the car-park, or Dean futzing with the "earth wire" on the battery?

I will scream.

[ixchel55]

Exactly! There are many people who are glad to help no matter which way over the Atlantic the story is flowing. Even if you have a close friend who does beta for you, if they're the same nationality you need to find someone else to give it a going over.

I saw a Harry Potter comm once that had as its 'always latest' post a list of people who would not only beta but Brit pick for you.

[kadymae]

Brit-Pickers. Gaah.

I don't give a shit about British spellings of words, and I completely understand the occasional slip.

But, when it starts slipping into dialogue? That's OOC.

[deluweil]

WOW That's retarded seriousy...

I write and I have three betas to help me make sure it's perfect before I post any fic...

[ixchel55]

That's because you're a thoughtful, not to mention responsible, author who cares about the quality of her work and doesn't expect readers to just wade through whatever crap falls out of their computer! So thank you!

[deluweil]

*grin* My pleasure :)

[partners4life]

Preach it!

[ixchel55]

Amen!