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

[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.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with the distinction you draw attention to. Putting "This isn't very good" in a header seems pointless and odd, somehow. Just as "this is a great story!" seems odd. Let the reader decide, at that point (not that a writer isn't allowed to have an opinion on his or her own work! It just doesn't need to be part of the header).

But so many assumptions seem to be attached to the idea that a writer might feel - well, might state - something s/he did isn't very good, and I guess I don't buy into a lot of those assumptions (for myself, of course - who can say what other people's motivations are?).

Edited for clarity.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Well if you ever wanted to start a discussion on a specific story (or specific technical point), I wouldn't think it strange at all, I'd chime right in :)