Reviews from

CUT? or STET! as the case may be

Never Defend Your Work: HA!

32 total reviews 
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Apart from name nouns, which editors aren't allowed to change, if it's a spelling assigned. (Mind you some spelling is ridiculous. But I think your language grasp is one of the most polished and articulate as I've ever seen dear Liz, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
    Thanks for that, Roy!
reply by royowen on 01-Dec-2022
    A pleasure
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
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Lol. A fun post - and yet some excellent points are made! There is an old saying about being able to observe the splinter in someone else's eye, but not see the log in his/her own eye. (Re the wordy Dreyer). And the girl - justtrying to be smart - one who can't be told anything. Thanks for sharing - I enjoyed it.
Wendy

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 01-Dec-2022
    She could be hard to deal with! She was 94 at the time, still alive as far as I know, going on 98.

    Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
reply by Wendy G on 01-Dec-2022
    Ninety-four! I assumed she was some smart young thing straight out of college!
    And that lengthy sentence. Man! Perhaps you are right! Well, the reader certainly experienced the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor! Lol.
Comment from karenina
Excellent
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I knew there was a reason to pop on before I crash in bed. I must have "ESPN" (as my daughter calls it.)

So many guides out there on how to write! Most of us would do well to drop in on a seventh grade grammar class...(and listen this time!)

Teeny-tiny footnotes make me bonkers! What is the point of "citing" things if mere "sight" must be magnified to the Nth degree!

Writers write. Great theme and content first!
A good editor can trim the fat...(and the sails, to mix metaphors.)

You cracked me up with the second half of your diatribe. An author asking for editorial help is like a woman asking her husband if her dress makes her look fat...

Neither want the truth and both will exact revenge should the "truth" be uttered!

I think wives invented "MUTE" was say before FS!

You had the patience of Mary Magdalene with
Miss Prissy Pride the Elder. I would have booted her in the semi-colon!

Kicked her in the asterisk!

(Easy for me to say because even Grammarly sighs and tells me to "just post it.")

Six worthy...and me with measly fives...

But you made my day!

Karenina






 Comment Written 30-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 30-Nov-2022
    I'm with Grammarly: JUST POST IT! This a tour de force of wit and wordplay, as expected from you.

    Actually, the book was overall very well-received; it got 4.5 stars on Amazon. My gripe was with the confusing minuscule footnotes; when I checked the few negative reviews to see if others had the same complaint, I found the diatribe as quoted in my piece. As to the monster intro sentence some excoriated, I think he may have padded it intentionally to make it longer to slog through so that the reader would experience the drawn-out tedious chore of an editor.
reply by karenina on 01-Dec-2022
    Seems I only have the will to write when inspired by your own splendiferous posts!

    Woo hoo!
Comment from Ricky1024
Excellent
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This was well written with a lot of material to realize.
...
I've been writing here a long time and our administrator Tom Enis.
Quote us not to destroy other people's reviews.
Yes, whether our work was misused or not.
To never defend our good works?
For this will result in a suspension.
...
Now, instead the best thing to do?
Yes, is just to block the person!
The nasty culprit!
As we are allowed numerous chances to do that.
...
Note: And, there are a lot of "newbies" that come on Fanstory that don't know how to write.
Yes, and have no accreditations to even carelessly destroy!
(How frustrating!)
Yez, and do nothing but pretend to teach us?
As if they are a first grade teacher and we are but pupils?
They instead should present and preach their own work.
Shucks!
Doctor Ricky1024


 Comment Written 30-Nov-2022


reply by the author on 30-Nov-2022
    Thanks for stopping by Ricky. I sympathize as to your frustration of unpleasant reviews.
Comment from DonandVicki
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I was just about to trim the sheets for never neverland when I saw a post from thou... Maybe I should have put off reading it till tomorrow, anyway I hope this makes as much sense as your essay?. Your reading material sounds about as stirring as the blather that I read. Nevertheless, good night.

 Comment Written 26-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
    Thanks for sssssstopping by--always a pleasure--I appreciate your articulate commentary, impressive given the hour!
Comment from Susan Newell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was absolutely delightful. Forgive my aged memory, but years ago I read a great book by a prominent author. It was about writing a book, getting through the editor, and getting it to press. It was fantastic. Too bad I can't remember the title and author. But I digress. Language in recent years has taken a sharp turn to the left, a guile of the left. If nothing means what it did, and spelling and punctuation don't count, then no one knows what anyone else is saying. Once those go, you know grammar and syntax can't be far behind. My pet peeves are: gender for sex; lead for led; and others too numerous to list. I get things wrong, but, damn it, at least I try to get them right. I skip some reviews because ... sheesh, where does one start? I'll try to keep tabs on some of your other writing. Kudos.

Found it! James Michener, The Novel (Sorry, I can't figure out how to italicize the title on my iPad!

 Comment Written 26-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
    Thanks for sssssstopping by--always a pleasure--I appreciate your articulate commentary!

    Years ago I read Michener's book Hawaii--stunning! The movie was superb too--usually films are a disappointment--Max von Sydow's performance was stupendous.

    I don't find via Google his book titled THE NOVEL.
reply by Susan Newell on 29-Jan-2021
    Agree 100% about Hawaii. Also true for Caravans, with Omar Sharif. Try Amazon or Abe Books. There should be a lot of paperback copies out there. I think I might have a copy in a box in the attic. But, alas, I'm not able to climb and search.
reply by Susan Newell on 29-Jan-2021
    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Novel+Michener&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Comment from giraffmang
Excellent
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Hi there,

All books on writing, hands-down, are a complete load of arse. That's a fact. Style - guides, how to, books on editing and grammar. All the same.
the issue lies in the fact that they're being edited by other folk too.

And, let's be honest, they're not there to help you. They're there to make money.

Best thing you can do is grasp the fundamentals. grab a kids school textbook and there you go. All the basics are in there.

Still, good to have a rant now and then
GMG

 Comment Written 24-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 25-Jan-2021
    Thanks for stopping by--always a pleasure--I appreciate your articulate commentary!
Comment from Cass Carlton
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This piece had me all on edge and biting my nails down to the quick.LOL. I have learned not to ask others what they think .of my writing unless they have a more professional view of writing in general. Apparently, this same attitude was your downfall. Sorry about that. There's no telling who will say what given the chance to air their knowledge. The book in question sounds like one to stay away from. I get into enough strife with Grammarly, so this tome I will leave for others. Thanks for the chat yours truly Cass

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2020


reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
    Thanks for stopping by Cass--what a lovely Ssssssurprise. I'm pleased you liked the piece! Hope to see you again. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from humpwhistle
Excellent
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In the first place, why would anyone trust a book about writing? Good writing is like porn--you know it when you see it. As for good teachers, well, they teach, they don't write books about teaching. Strunk and White can kiss my ass--taking turns, of course.

I enjoyed the second section of this rant. Correcting other people's writing is a thankless job, fraught with peril. Next thing you know, you're writing a book about it.

Peace, Lee

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2020


reply by the author on 25-Oct-2020
    True -- Strunk and White would have to take turns given they are a generation apart. (White the acolyte may pass on your ass -- he's likely had his fill kissing Strunk's.)

    Regarding knowing porn when you see it -- my father, a lawyer, was on a committee to adjudge whether Deep Throat is obscene. The panel did its due diligence; they watched the movie four times just to make sure. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from LisaMay
Excellent
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Groan... that "Dreyer's English" sure sounds like a piece of work. You've written an amusing story that shows why so-called 'experts' sometimes are anything but. What a godawful list of 'strikes'; shockingly written job description. I would've stopped reading immediately. Practice what you preach is essential to be taken seriously.
And what an up-herself, supercilious writer's workshop leader you have portrayed. Appreciation denied elsewhere, i offer my appreciation of your writing skill.

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 28-Jul-2020
    Thanks for your vote of confidence! Cheers. LIZ