The Brit-picking debate, yet again!

[emmagrant01]

devon_may has posted a little rant about Americanisms in fic. I've posted my thoughts on this issue before, but I generally try very hard to have my British characters sound as British as possible. It's not because I worry that people won't read my fic or will flame me if I don't; it's about making my fic as good as it can be. If my characters are supposed to be British, I'd like that to be believable. Devon has recently Brit-picked something for me, and she did a fabulous job. I have great respect for her as a person and as a writer.

I know there are people out there who disagree that Brit-picking is necessary, though. *looks meaningfully at flist* I think Devon is open to debate, but I'm going to suggest people who disagree with the whole Brit-picking thing post your honest feelings about the issue here. Rant at me! You know you want to! ;-) Do it anonymously, if you want.

ETA: Finally! Someone disagrees, and in an extremely intelligent way.

Comments

[jetis.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you. I'm seeing writers all over apologizing for being a "stupid American" and I'm trying hard not to take offense, because being American does not make you lazy or stupid and arguing that HP fanfiction is not fanfiction because the writer uses "sweater" as opposed to "jumper" is possibly the most absurd argument I've ever read. I can stomach the idea that it is not good fanfiction (though I would disagree) but to not even be called fanfiction?