cba

[ghost2]

I've been going online for a good few years now. However, until tonight, I had never run across the acronym cba. Fittingly enough, I encountered it for the first time through reading badfic. The cba appears in a Torchwood author's response to a suggestion that she use a beta reader: here.

Given that the story includes the following text, apparently the author couldn't be arsed to proofread, either. Presenting "Mr &Mr Harkness-Jones" in Wedding Night:

“I’m only continuing tradition when the groom carry’s the bride into the bedroom for the first tie after they are married.”

“Jack i’m not the wife!”

“Yes you are”

“NO i’m not!”

“Yes you are”

“Ok but I bet I make a good wife!” Ianto smirked.

“Oh you will”

“Just one thing though I’m not doing all the house work”.

Periods, full stops, I don't care what you want to call those cute little punctuation marks, but please just stick one of the things at the end of each sentence. Also, commas are very friendly and useful. Really, they are.

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

CBA - Can't be arsed I presume?

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

Yep. It's actually a handy little acronym. I've already thought of a bunch of uses for it.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised.

I'm afraid my reaction would be "if you can't be arsed to proofread or get a beta, I can't be arsed to read !"

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

If only the author had replied that she'd been unable to find a beta reader or that she'd appreciate help, I'd feel a lot more charitable toward her. The cba bit really turned me off.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Exactly - an inability to find a beta or a desire to be helped would probably see me offering assistance...

[pink-soprano.livejournal.com]

*cries* That's the second excerpt of that fic I've read today. Why, Torchwood fandom? Why do you treat us so bad?

Every now and then I get a craving for some Torchwood fic...but then I remember hearing about fics like this and I go and huddle in a corner and cry instead.

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

Ah, a fellow member of fanficrants! *hugs* It'll be okay. I've compiled some TW recs that might help you feel better (I hope). Will post them within a couple days.

[pink-soprano.livejournal.com]

Yep! That place is an excellent deterrent for me from getting into too many other fandoms. (Although I still find myself so very drawn to the House fandom)

And hurrah for TW recs!! They will indeed cheer my soul!

[wiccagirl24.livejournal.com]

Ouch. That was painful. At the very very least use grammar check, please? And if you're not going to at least follow the basic rules of grammar can you stick to posting in your own journal?

*sigh*

*pets the poor abused English language*

[ghost2.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. The lack of effort put into that story was amazing.