Worst books ever read (was: Re: Freaks and Geeks LONG and uncoherent ramble

[Carol]

> > Kemper, who believes some books should be burned
> 
> > CJ: As an act of mercy, yes.
> 
> > Kemper now:
> > And as an act of vengeance.
> 
> I was thinking of saving the next poor soul the torture. Though I did 
> actually once shred a book a mail it back to the author :-)

Carol responds:
It's a wonder that some books get published. However, as a copyeditor
who sometimes edits the work of first-time authors who will probably
never be published even with my help, I can say that anyone who
doesn't edit for a living probably has not seen really bad writing
(unless they read bad fanfic).

I wish I could share some of the bad writing with you, but that would
be unethical. Suffice it to say that I've seen everything from porn to
religious children's novels, every possible error from dangling
modifiers and mixed metaphors to second-language errors and
semi-illiteracy. I have to edit the darn things, usually using Word,
but you've given me an idea. Next time I just can't stand the
stupidity (wordiness, awkwardness, inconsistency, predictability,
graphic details, too much exposition, or whatever), I'll just print
out a chapter and shred it. 

There! The "author" will never know, and I'll feel better. And I'll
still get paid for my pain, erm, work.

Carol, who has no way to actually burn a book or manuscript, as it
would smoulder in the fireplace and make an awful mess, and doesn't
think that tossing it in the recycle bin would provide sufficient
satisfaction