Pet Peeve #8 - Consistency
This week’s pet peeve ties into last week’s pet peeve about spelling. This also is in a wider scope of your overall writing habits instead of just fiction writing.
Most, if not all, word processors (and even my wordpress “write post” box which I’m typing in) will catch spelling mistakes and point them out to you in much the same way: the red squiggle.
My question is this: What if you’re typing or doing that old fashioned thing called handwriting, where there is no spell check, and someone is going to see it? Be it something as simple as a shopping or to-do list, a love note, or a letter for a friend. If you have bad spelling, what will that have as an influence on your reputation as a writer?
Friends and family may and will likely forgive you, but what about others in the writing industry? If you can type up a wonderful manuscript, but wander around forums or blogs typing “lk u gt sumptin wrng wit yr kybored” (like you “got” something wrong with your keyboard) how likely is it anyone is going to show interest when you ask them to go “chk” out your book?
I used an extreme example, but personally, I’m very unlikely to look at the work of a writer who shows poor writing or spelling skills otherwise.
Take care in all you do. People will notice. I’ve received emails about mistakes on my blog before.
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