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

[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 :)