Ooh - I have a question for writers and readers:

[leethet]

I've gotten the impression that it's considered kind of bad manners to admit you think your story isn't good. If you agree, what is the reasoning behind that? Note: I'm not here to attack anyone's position. I don't even have one myself except that if this is a thing, as I've kind of gleaned, I'm not sure I understand why it's a thing.

As ever, any sort of response and discussion is welcome in my LJ.

Comments

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's bad manners, but why would a writer not think their story isn't good? Good is so subjective to begin with. What would be the basis for comparison? I think my stuff is okay, but pales when compared to some of the heavy hitters of our fandom. But that's not me and that's not how I write.

I have sent stuff to betas to read for comment and suggestions because I don't like the way something is playing out. it's not that I don think it's good, rather it's not good enough yet. Writing is an on-going learning process.

To put up a story and then say it's not good is sort of like fishing around for praise and displaying false modesty when you get it.

And maybe now it's time for SG to go take a long nap because I'm not sure any of this makes sense.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I've always been a bit of two minds about this - that whole 'oh, I know this is rubbish but I'm going to post it anyway' thing always grates on me. It comes across as either 'I don't give a shit about what anyone thinks but me' or 'please be nice to me, regardless of how little effort I have put in' and neither of these sit well with me. Keep your insecurities to yourself, like the rest of us! ;)

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Is that a thing? We so seldom discuss writing in any detail in the public parts of the fandom so I've never seen it brought up.

I've never been afraid to admit that it could have been better. Because frankly, I feel that way about all my stories, more for some than others. That's not to say I think they're bad--I wouldn't put up anything I'm truly embarrassed by. But I know sometimes I don't have the technical resources to do certain scenes the way I'd like to be able to do them, and sometimes the phrasing isn't quite right--but there's only so much time you can spend on one sentence and things like that.

With thoughtful commenters who are up for a discussion, I don't see why I shouldn't bring that up. Though I suppose under certain circumstances it might seem ungrateful to bring up your story's faults. Context is everything?

eta: I see everyone else is talking about something slightly different. Posting the story with a disclaimer. I wouldn't do that for a serious finished story, I don't see the point. If it's clearly a draft, that's different.

[venturous1.livejournal.com]

there is the fishing for reassurance thing, and then there is asking for what you need - sincere feedback, opinions, places to improve.

as much as I love fandom's code of positive feedback, it s sometimes difficult to get helpful suggestions.

my favorite writing coach and friend encourages us to 'ask questions' - if something doesnt scan right, if something is vague or confusing, address it in the form of a question. maybe that's a way to ask for constructive input.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

On the whole, I don't like when a writer does that. As several people have stated, it comes across as false modesty. If you think it's that bad, either don't post it or get a beta and try to make it better.

But having said that, I do have a story that I haven't posted to an archive because I do think it's pretty bad (my first zine story.) If I ever did decide to do so, out of a sense of completion, I think I would add a note, "reader beware," or something to that effect.