I’ve never had a problem with homonyms—there, their, they’re; your, you’re; no, know. In fact, it really makes me crazy when they’re used incorrectly. Lately though, it’s as if this information has just fallen out of my head.
I’ve counted three times in the last week that I’ve used the wrong word. If I go back and read what I’ve written, I know it’s wrong, but still, there it is, just as I typed it. It’s like my subconscious is rebelling against all the rules I’ve set up.
And I am one to follow the rules—obsessively. Well, except when I don’t feel like it. Like how I started that sentence back there with a conjunction. I try to give the rebellious side a little room to breathe. Apparently, it’s not enough.
I wonder what vital writerly knowledge I’ll be losing next.
Does anyone else do this? Consciously, you know the correct way to use or spell a word, but for some reason your fingers just won’t type it that way?
oh, yes - and it sucks. One time I wrote "the smell of Juicyfruit gum lifted from his every poor"
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY - 'poor' (instead of 'pore'). Lame, lame. I know better than that. but you are right, sometimes the subconscious takes over when we're in the writing groove.
thank heavens for good beta readers who catch those things!
I do this sometimes. Always makes me slap my forehead when I find them during the edits. >.<
ReplyDeleteI do it all the time :)That is why have so many awesome critique partners.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens to me, I know it's time to take a break for a while. I'm usually on writing overload. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly getting better and checking myself, but I do slip up as well and it's so embarrassing!
ReplyDeleteYes!!! Mostly they're and their. I don't have a clue why I mess these up. I clearly know the rules.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it happens to me when I get really tired.
ReplyDeleteYou're and Your are my biggest problems, although I know how to use them correctly. I really do. Those homonym errors are so tricky because spell check doesn't catch them and sometimes I don't either! Thank heavens for a good proof reader.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely do! I hate it too -- in fact, when I read other people's work, a typo jumps right off the page at me. Why can't that happen as easily with my own writing?? :P
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Yep, I find them all the time when I edit! Grrr.
ReplyDeleteI do it all the time. Have you ever stared at your hand for a while and then it starts looking really weird? That's what happens to me except with words - even if they're spelled right, they just look so weird that I change them and then I have to change them back b/c they were right the first time. Ohh temporary brain lapses :)
ReplyDeleteYou know it's really bad when it's your own name. Le sigh.
ReplyDeleteHomonyms aren't a problem for me, either. I write incorrectly when it is conversational like in e-mail, journals, FB, or even here! :D
ReplyDeleteBut I feet the same as the rest of those who've commented here. Alpha readers and crit partners are the best! :D
PS--thank you for your comment on my lonely post today and for following my blog!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, today I've been misspelling March "Mrach" every time. I have no idea why.
ReplyDeleteI do all of that too, and lately I've been spelling the "hte" all the time!!! It's making me insane in the membrane. Without outside proofing, eye wood bee lossed.
ReplyDeleteThat rebellious subconscious! It needs to stay out of your way when you're writing. (Did I use the homonyms correctly?) My fingers are the problem with me. They get all tangled when I'm trying to type. Thank heavens for the delete button!
ReplyDeleteI find sometimes I'll hesitate and do a double take and asked myself is that the right their/they're/there.
ReplyDeleteI think it comes from getting older.
Uh yeah. I totally know what you're sayin'. It's like the MORE I write the less sense my words make. Umm. Word salad, anyone?
ReplyDelete♥
I find this happens most often when I'm typing fast. (Although I'm like you--obsessive about the rules.)
ReplyDeleteYes, it happens to me all the time. Sometimes, I don't even catch the mistake. I hate it when that happens.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this.
ReplyDeleteAnd Patti, I hope you're not right. If I'm already losing stuff due to age, there's no hope for me. :) Though sometimes I think it may have something to do with having children.