Thought for the Day

[leethet]

Though I hope I'll have at least one more, as it's early yet.

A lot of people think they want constructive criticism. Until they get it. Then they realize it's not a synonym for unthinking praise.

Comments

Backwards talk to used I

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

I used to ask writers if they wanted constructive criticism or blind praise. It was interesting how many wanted the first in name only.

I'm not perfect. I use three to four betas most of the time. If you are making comments for the improvement of a story, that's a welcomed post. If you are bitching because I don't writer a character the way you think it should be written, then please don't bother.

That said, my nose still gets out of joint occasionally, but I've learned to deal with it off line and then. when I've got my big girl panty's on, I will respond to the comment. Took me a long time to learn that, though.

Re: Backwards talk to used I

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Yes - the nuances of characterization can be interesting discussion points, but it's hard to call one way "right" and another "wrong" - although when we get into the arena of Napoleon as a ballet dancer or weepy spineless Illya, I'd argue we're heading toward a hard line of "wrong." :-) I've enjoyed the work of writers who write IK and NS in ways I can't see them - but you have to be a pretty damned good writer to pull that off.

Re: Backwards talk to used I

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

There are certain AU's that I have a hard time with and prefer to avoid those characterizations. However, if it's a 'standard' MFU story, I feel the writer needs to at least understand the basic nuances to the characters (s)he is writing.

Illya was never spineless or weepy during the show (well, one time, but that was drug enhanced and not his fault)and while Napoleon might be able to pull off a faux ballet dancer for the sake of a cover, well, it's just not a good look for him. It's the same with an evil Waverly who gleefully send men off to die. You have to know your characters inside and out before you can even begin to mess with them in that manner.

Re: Backwards talk to used I

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Agreed - it can be done. I could see evil Waverly - that is, evil from an outside perspective, but I can't see him doing something HE thought of as evil. I think of him as an "the end justifies the means" person, which can be good, and can turn ugly.

That's probably quite true of Napoleon and Illya. People who do - people who act, who affect things - can easily be on the side of the devil from certain perspectives.

Re: Backwards talk to used I

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

To my way of thinking, you need to know the men very well before you can exercise that aspect of their personalities. I don't see Waverly as the kind grandfather. He is waging a war and his agents are his greatest weapon. At the same time, I think he cares of them and will not put them in harm's way for the sake of his own ego.