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

[dissident-dream.livejournal.com]

It seems that people have different ways of looking at it doesn't it, and that there are different extremes, personally I don't think it makes a bad writer just to slip up on words, but on the other hand to me it impedes the flow of the story.
Your example of 'pants' and 'underwear' is a classic example, because its one of the things that most irritates me (along with 'fall' because we use the term autumn) we never say underwear and I just get confused when pants is used for trousers!

I do however appreciate the effort you put into making it sound British, I doubt anyone in the fandom will be satisfied with this issue though which is a shame.