Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Pet Peeves

Every month, writers at all stages of their careers discuss an issue that affects them all. To learn more about the Insecure Writer's Support Group, visit them on their website, Facebook group, or Goodreads Book Club. The hosts for this month's discussion are Christine Rains (no website available), Dolarah, Ellen, Yvonne Ventresca,  and LG Keltner.

We've been posed the following question this month: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

Reading: People talking to me when I'm trying to focus, seeing mixed-up homonyms like "phase" and "faze,"  inconsistencies with details, and inaccuracies.

Writing: Being interrupted when I'm writing or trying to write, having Microsoft Word (particularly on my netbook) be unresponsive when I'm trying to type and ending up with gibberish (uninstalling or inactivating programs I didn't want reduced the frequency of this annoyance), and having the cursor bounce around onscreen when I'm trying to write in a moving vehicle.

Editing--Finding mistakes after multiple rounds of editing. Double peeve points for mistakes that end up in the published story.

Feel free to share your own pet peeves in the comments below.

8 comments:

Rosie Somers said...

omgosh the MS word on my laptop used to do that, where it would freeze momentarily, and then suddenly everything you've typed would turn into gibberish. That is annoying. or when Word crashes altogether, or won't scroll back up when I need it to.

I also hate when people try to talk to me while I write. While I'm making it obvious that I'm writing. Huge Pet Peeve.

Here's my
ISWG Post

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

There are always a couple things that slip by even the best book editor.
Note to self - don't bug you.

PT Dilloway said...

I agree with most of those.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I warn my husband ahead of time when I'm writing. He knows to steer clear.

emaginette said...

Interruptions can play havoc with my writing zone. But I rather have them than have none. Funny. This may only make sense in my head. I'm a wackadoddle.

Anna from elements of emaginette

Crystal Collier said...

So basically, don't interrupt you? Good thing that's hard to do through the internet. =)

Diane Burton said...

The cursor used to jump around while I was using a wireless mouse. Just plugging in the USB (connector?) used to disconnect the touchpad. In my last computer, it didn't. So, if I was typing and my palm brushed the touchpad, the cursor would jump. So annoying. There was a way to turn off the touchpad, but I don't remember. New computer, no problem.

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Sara, I don't mind Word, but I do expect it to work.

Thanks, Alex and Pat!

Diane, there are other people I need to train....

Anna, as long as it makes sense to you!

Crystal, it's not like the Internet itself is trying to distract me....

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