Bob Barnes wrote:

You know, a significant and growing problem with writing in this age of word
processors and spell checkers is the use of a wrong, but correctly spelled
word.  While very carefully not mentioning any names, I thought I'd mention
a couple of errors I've seen in at least three fanfics in the last couple of
weeks.  I don't know, maybe someone will chuckle, and perhaps folks will
check their dictionaries.  

I've notice a few more than the couple you pointed out. I'd agree about 
checking dictionaries. In fact switch off the spelling checker! Are you 
really sure you want to trust Microsoft to be able to spell properly?  

BTW I'd suggest more than just a dictionary, "Bloomsbury Good Word Guide"
and "Fowler's Modern English Usage" are quite good (although these are 
English English books rather than American English).  

The Bloomsbury book covers spelling, puctuation, pronunciation, grammer,
jargon and buzz words.  This sort of book is good for common mistakes 
(eg "affect" or "effect").  I use them a lot when writing tech reports.

Don't get carried away with correct grammer, some of the stories I read 
here would lose their charm if all the grammer was corrected...

Michael
--
Red for blood and white for bone                 michaele@wapiko.apana.org.au
Blue for the violence that's far from your home                Keep the Faith
War is War by any name                        
Different victims but the same old game  - Gary Clail ("The Dangerous Dance")