Quote:
Originally Posted by mr ploppy
It annoys me when motorcycle tyres screach as they go around a corner, or when people on motorcycles have conversations with each other (without any mention of an intercom). I also read one recently where someone releases a motorcycle's handbrake before riding off.
But I blame the editors as much as the writers. That's what they are supposed to be there for.
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Except that, if we're talking about fiction, the editors and copyeditors are likely to be generalists who are largely relying on the author for accuracy. Some things--like historical dates or biographical information about well-known people--are easy to check, but a novel has so many little bits and pieces of information that it's impossible to verify everything. If the editor knows nothing about motorcycles, mention of a handbrake isn't going to raise a red flag.
And while information is certainly easily accessible nowadays on the Web, it's also often contradictory and inaccurate and overwhelming.
Bottom line is, the author is responsible for the details.