Do writers not read?

[switch842]

I've come across sooooooooo many fics with outright HORRIBLE punctuation, it pisses me off. Especially in dialogue formatting. I know that there are some subtle differences between countries, but for the most part, these mistakes seem to be happening with the American and British population, which I understand to punctuate the same manner. And I don't get HOW they can get it so wrong! Have they never read a book? Another fic? You'd think people would just pick this stuff up by osmosis. It's not that hard. Look:

"Let's go to the park," Jake said.

This is WRONG:

"Let's go to the park." Jake said.

"Let's go to the park" Jake said.

"Let's go to the park". Jake said.

HOW HOW HOW can you keep getting it so wrong? Grrr........



Sorry....

Comments

[wraith816.livejournal.com]

This! I can understand when it's clearly a rare typo, but when it's consistent through the fic? Gah!

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I mean, we all make typos. It happens. Hopefully you have a beta to catch the ones that might slip through. Even not, one or two I'm willing to forgive (depending on fic length). But EVERY TIME? Yeah, no. Moving on...