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leethet ([personal profile] leethet) wrote2003-12-29 02:27 am
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This is why

I would hate to actually be a fly on the wall when others are discussing my stories. I'm dabbling in another (very large) fandom. Through various sources I've discovered, to my surprise and delight, that I've been rec'd on a few sites. I also discovered one person who HATES the story that was rec'd. This was quite a blow to my swollen ego, and I realized that people almost never say anything really bad -- or should I say critical -- about my writing. That caused me to dwell on how a person would feel if they never got praise and ONLY got reactions such as I generated in this certain reader (and mind you, her criticisms were totally valid...ouch ouch ouch). I'm pretty comfy with my workmanlike writing skills; that is, I know I'm not great but I know I don't suck, and when it comes to fanfic I'm content. And her remark still rankled. I think my conclusion is that I need my stuff criticized more so I'm more comfortable with opinions other than "great." I also wonder how many people who'd be perfectly able to offer those opinions (in MFU, since that's where the bulk of my stuff is) are remaining silent for fear of offending or of simply being ignored or insulted. This has been discussed in many forums in MFU (and probably in this other huge fandom as well) but despite a writer saying "Go ahead, let me have it" people rarely do it. I find myself wondering if a part of me isn't grateful for that -- but that's the sucky cowardly part of me. I prefer the truth, even when it hurts. This is probably mostly because in the final analysis I'll write what I want and not really care if people like it or hate it. All the same, I feel bad in a kind of abstract way that this one reader wasted her time on my story. I know how it feels to read something I dislike so much I want to email the writer a bitchslap. :) Sigh. I'm comforted that the voice of the hater was in the minority (at least the minority of the vocal people...how can a person ever know what all those silent readers are thinking?). So I'm left, again, wondering if it's not really better to simply stay out of the places where one's writing is discussed (at least in fandom) in order to not feel influenced by that which should really not influence one.
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[identity profile] graculus.livejournal.com 2003-12-29 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
This has been discussed in many forums in MFU (and probably in this other huge fandom as well) but despite a writer saying "Go ahead, let me have it" people rarely do it.

It's not something I've personally experienced, but I know that many people I know have talked about things like sending people (who've invited comment) feedback that isn't 100% positive and getting their arse handed to them on a plate. Kind of makes you a bit jumpy, I reckon?

All the same, I feel bad in a kind of abstract way that this one reader wasted her time on my story.

Next time, get your foot off her neck so she can go read something else, okay? ;) Seriously, people know where the 'delete' button is, or can hit the 'back' button on their browser.

I have minimal sympathy for people who're all 'oh, I read it all so I could see if it got any worse/better'. For me that's on a par with 'I kept banging my head on the wall because it felt so good when I stopped!'.

[identity profile] janeterry.livejournal.com 2003-12-29 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
You know what? If some people are going to absolutely love your writing, some are going to hate it. It is impossible to write something that *everybody* is going to like. There is no writer of pro or fan fiction whose writing is loved by everybody.

Should you stick around in a forum where someone doesn't like your writing? You should recognize -- when you can get past the uncomfortable awkwardness -- that by inducing strong feelings in this reader (well, strong enough to write about them) you have been successful as a writer.

Don't feel apologetic that she "wasted her time" reading your story. If the story was in a fanzine, she can resell it, if it's online it didn't cost her anything. No, not even her time because despite her reaction, she did get something out of it.

Jane

[identity profile] st-crispins.livejournal.com 2003-12-29 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
,i>you really cannot know what "the world" or "the readership" thinks of your stuff.

This is very true, and in all kinds of writing. I have had experiences similar to what you describe and it's rather unsettling to be hated by people you hardly know and have never even met.

But as others pointed out, no one will like everything you write, especially if there's a lot of it. In the end, all you can do is produce the best work you can --- work that you, yourself, are satisfied with.

As far as honest criticism, that's what good beta readers are for. In my experience teaching writers, criticism can only be truly constructive when the writer is ready for it.

[identity profile] lyrebird.livejournal.com 2003-12-29 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Through various sources I've discovered, to my surprise and delight, that I've been rec'd on a few sites. I also discovered one person who HATES the story that was rec'd. This was quite a blow to my swollen ego, and I realized that people almost never say anything really bad -- or should I say critical -- about my writing.

Well, it's important to remember that your stories are not you. In the end, it's just a story.

I suspect this person has had such a negative response *because* others are reccing it. I had much the same reaction to the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. So many fans raved about it like it was the bestest movie ever: I saw it and was mildly amused in parts, but felt it was patchy at best.

My responses are often shaped by the views of others. The more a fic is recced, the more my expectations are raised. So the possibility of disappointment is also much greater.

Maybe that's what has happened in this case. Often our responses are affected by external events that are outside your control. But in any case, I still think it is worth reading her comments to find out why it didn't work for her. It may help clarify for you what *you* really want to get across in your writing.

criticism, etc.

(Anonymous) 2003-12-31 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
>you really cannot know what "the world" or "the readership" thinks of your stuff.

Obviously, there's no way you can know how many people are saying to themselves, 'wow, I loved that story,' or 'that was a waste of time.' Many readers won't tell you one way or another. (Are we getting twenty per cent feedback? ten per cent? one per cent?) When I do get feedback, I can't help but consider the source. If the source is a friend, I figure some of the praise is good will. If it's someone whose name I recognize from a list, I consider what they've posted and what they've recced. Are they easily pleased? Are they crazy about everything? The most valued criticism is from people who are not friends, but acquaintances, who have a track record of good writing themselves. There are two people in this discussion who have sent me feedback in the past year that I valued greatly. I should have picked their brains at the time and got constructive criticism as well. Maybe I didn't want to impose, or my head was just so swelled that I didn't seize the moment.

As far as accepting criticism, I have received some postscripts (There WAS this one little part...) that were helpful, and I don't remember serving anyone her head on a platter.

Oh, and I would love to be a fly on the wall at a discussion of my fic. I am bowled over that I actually have the opportunity to create. If anyone had told me a couple years ago that I'd be writing stories and posting them on the internet for all to see, I'd have said, SURRRRRRE.

Nat
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