I get it!

[keiramarcos]

Like many readers in the SGA fandom -- I mourned the exit of a certain author from the fandom. Every time I see a link to her LJ name with a little line through it, I frown. I still visit her website and I read what she writes in other fandoms but I do miss her quite a lot in the SGA fandom. I didn't quite get her decision to cut herself off entirely from the fandom -- I mean I certainly understood the reasons that were given and all that but I didn't get it on a gut level because I was still being kind of whiny and selfish but also rather relieved she didn't delete her fic outright and give us all the finger as some people SO CLEARLY DESERVE.

Here's the thing -- I've been avoiding my email since October of last year after I broke my foot in a series of unfortunate events. Recently I've been plowing through it and trying to organize but it's difficult because there is a LOT of email to go through. I don't even know how I get that much email but that is neither here nor there.

While I was broken I didn't write much and I didn't post on my wordpress site at all. I did manage in a fit of cracky lunacy manage to produce a 100k of Harry Potter fic which I didn't plot at all and wrote on like a MAD MUGGLE zealously over a period of three weeks. It was insane but kind of fun and also rather relaxing considering my circumstances at the time. I posted it on my website mostly to amuse myself and a few readers who I had been teasing with the idea.

I don't expect everyone who visits my site to read the HP fic and I certainly don't expect you to comment on it if it's not your thing. I really don't. What I do expect is the following:

1. That you respect my right to write in any fandom I so choose.
2. That you NOT make ridiculous assumptions about how I spend my time.
3. That you not give me instructions on what I should be writing in an effort to make YOU HAPPY.
4. That you remember that this is my hobby and not my job and I do it because it's fun and when it stops being fun-- I'll find something FUN to do.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, I received emails from 11 different people since November actually ORDERING me to update my site with the fan fic they wanted to see.

Yesterday I received this:

Keira,

I realize that you're probably one of the most prolific writers I follow in the fandom and that you don't want to hear complaints but I have to email and tell you that I absolutely hate the HP fandom and I don't think you should write in that fandom anymore.

The SGA fandom is losing fic writers left and right and I just thought you'd be one of those people that stuck around and would continue to give us good stuff to read but instead you wrote that HP fic that I can only assume borders on child porn. I couldn't even bring myself to read any of it. Don't you have any clue how young and immature that fandom is? Why would you waste your time on it?

I really do love your writing so I don't want you to get mad or take this as a criticism of your site but I thought you should know how I feel and I KNOW I'm not alone in my disappoint on this issue.

Thanks for listening,
********** ***********

--

RIGHT. I posted this on my LJ on the off chance that perhaps she was right and there are those of you who feel the same exact way.

Open Letter to Asshats,

It's people like you that cause some authors to leave the fandom. It's people like you that made me not want to ever write in the Sentinel fandom again. It's arrogant, self-important, selfish people like you that make me want to take all of my toys and go home. It's people like you that makes me want to make my site members only. It's people like you that make me kind of regret making myself so available to readers.

Comments

[sexycazzy.livejournal.com]

IDIOT! (not you, I promise!) but that...that person who wrote you that email! They are such an idiot!

What I can't understand is that the readers should be fucking grateful that the writers are doing this for fun, that they are not ASKING FOR MONEY, YOU STUPID IDIOTS!

I read your HP story and thought it was fantastic! I thought the universe you created with the Lords & Houses etc in that story was just awesome! I totally loved it and would re-read it again. If you ever plan to convert it to PDF, I would get to the front of the line and download it to my iPad.

<shakes my head in puzzlement at these idiots who think they know best! huh!) Don't let this stop you writing...well, of course you won't! lol :) Looking forward to your other stories when they are ready (and on your own time!) -smile-

[rhuad.livejournal.com]

I'm with you - the world is full of arrogant, know-it-all IDIOTS!!
However, this does remind my to thank more of the authors / artists / readers that supply me with so many things that give me pleasure - because you know for sure that those who DONT like it are saying so!
Cathy

[silentflux]

O.o

Wow. Ummm... as one of your readers, may I just say that I have a ridiculous amount of fun reading whatever you write - in any fandom, or here on LJ. And yeah. I find it beyond entertaining, and it almost always makes me grin ridiculously at my computer like a crazy person or even laugh out loud sometimes. I find that to be a gift, and anyone who thinks they should dictate another person's life and writing needs to grow the fuck up as they obviously haven't matured beyond terrible twos. This is just my effort to counteract the asshattery of those who email you.

Much love,
a contented member of your audience ;)

[nephir.livejournal.com]

Word. And I blame (or is that bless) the entire room of you in New Orleans for introducing me to Keira's fanworks. She's on my phone, she's on my Nook -- I read her all sorts of places!

[rhuad.livejournal.com]

Keira,
You in no way need my support in this because it is your RIGHT to write what you want, do what you want (that makes you happy), and spend your time as you want - but nevertheless, I DO support you to do all of the above and I DO appreciate it when you share what you do with us (because you DONT HAVE TO share). I love your stories, and of course I like some better than others, and of course I like it the most when you update those stories I like the most - but I am going to speak for all reasonable people (everyone else, sucks to be you) and say 1-Keira, we love you; 2-do what makes you happy; 3-thanks for sharing; and 4-try to ignore the ASSHATS, the silent majority supports you (or, if it makes you feel better / feel happy, flame the #$!! out of them!).
Cathy

[rhuad.livejournal.com]

OH, I forgot to say THANK YOU for sharing material that I've read dozens of times, on my laptop, on a plane, in the bus, on my iphone, on my kindle, waiting in line, in a restaurant, in the evening, etc etc etc
Cathy
PS - Sorry about the rant - but for some reason the particular email you included in your post has pissed me right off!!

[leaveoutalltherest]

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! Okay, someone needs to take a fucking step back and run their own fucking life before trying to control someone else's.

But, seriously?! HP fandom is NOT immature. Some of my favorite writers started out there, are still writing there, and writing in other fandoms.

Maybe in, oh, 2001, it was young and immature, but some of those early writers are hitting late-20's/early 30's at the YOUNGEST. And hey, the newbies have gotta start somewhere.

I say, if you go members only, institute a test taken from all the asshattery emails you've received. Only those who pass can get accepted.

(And honestly, the reason people have bailed is because there is no new material from the show, and you can only write/read so many 'Aliens Made Them Do It' or 'DADT is Repealed' before they all start to look the same, and very few are willing to do what you did and go in a COMPLETELY different direction.)

[melonbutterfly.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I find this hilarious. Wonder how she came to the realisation that the HP fandom is childish and immature - and why she thinks other fandoms aren't.
Trufax: every fandom ever has its fair share of asshats.

Also, seriously, Keira. Didn't you know you have to do as we say? We're your consumers, after all, and by putting yourself out there, you took over the job to please us. That was your decision, not ours, and now you have to live with it.
So don't dawdle, commence with the pleasing.

[stageira.livejournal.com]

As an HP fan and a member of that fandom for many many years I am deeply offended by this person. What has the HP fandom ever done to her?? I mean seriously, I did not make her read Snape/Harry... did I? (my token OTP in that fandom).

I fully support your right to write whatever fandom you want, when you want and allow for RL catastrophes. Just like I know where my back button is when I don't like something and I excercise that button often without bitching at writers (I bitch about others things, this is not one of them).

I have to admit that am insanely curious about the SGA writer? Am not very into the fandom, so I have no idea who it is.

[crooked-halo8.livejournal.com]

Wooo! Snarry!

Also, as a fan of SGA and HP, ditto on the offensive nature of this person's fandom judgments, not to mention the offensive nature of the e-mail in general.

I have to admit that am insanely curious about the SGA writer? Am not very into the fandom, so I have no idea who it is.

Sounds like sardonicsmiley

Really

[lady-usako.livejournal.com]

Some people are so stupid.

I love your stories. I love the way you write, and I check your Livejouranl, Twitter, and Website everyday hoping for an update. I do this because your writing speaks to me.

I can't believe some people have the audacity to tell you what to do in your own life. Give them the finger. I hope that the stupid people of this world don't cause you to leave us. You have a great gift, and I'm honored to have stumbled across your work.

[iadorespike]

Wow. :( Um, if you decide to go *members only* on your site, I'm holding my hand up right now to join.

I'll never understand why people think it's okay to say/e-mail/comment things like this. *waves hands in confusion* I feel the need to apologize for general ignorance on the part of...you know...the world at large. :( So, so sorry, Keira.

*hugs*

Me too, both hands

[belladonnaf66.livejournal.com]

I would die if I couldn't read your fic ...srsly...lol

Ok, maybe not die, but seriously pine.

[danceswithgary]

You have my sympathy. I get in uber-pissy moods and think about deleting my journals and can't even point to snotty entitled readers as a reason. The few people that actually read my stuff are lucky that I've archived in enough different places that they probably wouldn't lose the stories, although the art would disappear. When I remind myself that I'm too lazy to track it all down, the journals end up surviving until the next time.

[ladyholder.livejournal.com]

For that alone, thank you!

~L

[ladyholder.livejournal.com]

Word.

Thankfully I have never gotten one of these, but damn!

~L

Please please do not...

[winterhart]

Stop writing.

I have LOVED everything you have written that I have read. :)

I had to put the HP down to tend to RL, but I intend to go back and read it.

And little-miss-don't-write... you did mention they were legal age in UK... which is so different from the US.

if you go members only, please give us advance warning. I'd pay to keep reading.

[nawag1r.livejournal.com]

*points to Icon*
OMFG!! Did DumbAss really think that he/she could influence you on what you write? Really? That's beyond insane. I loved your Potter fic and honestly I'm hoping it spawns another series of yours that I get Totally addicted to. I mean really if Dumbass wasn't a fan of Potter then just don't read it. Instead Dumbass had to write to you and therefore make him/herself fodder for ridicule and snark from not only you but us, your Diehards. Seriously, Dumbass, that was totally uncalled for and Completely Uncool.

[paleogymnast.livejournal.com]

*lurker delurking*

Just wanted to say: 1) Bah to a**holes who make demands of writers (I know so many people who've stopped writing in fandom because of this it makes me sad)

2) I love the HP books
3) I don't love the HP Fandom
4) I really, really, really enjoyed "The Birth of the Serpent King" (despite #3) because I love your writing. :)

*lurks again*

[nephir.livejournal.com]

Oh wow.... I would like to say that I can't believe some asshat said that, but prefer not to lie if at all possible.

I just cannot understand why some readers feel they have the RIGHT to tell an author what they can and cannot write. That twit needs to grow up.

If an author writes something I'm not interested in reading, I skip it. If the story makes me happy, sad, or touches me in some elemental way I try to drop them a line letting them know.

Its readers who do nothing but bitch about what an author writes that have caused many an decent author to say 'screw you all, I'm outta here'.

For the record, I found the Harry Potter story amusing and fun to read, but then the first (and horrifically terrible) fanfic I ever wrote was in the HP fandom.

[snakelights.livejournal.com]

Good for telling her off Keira.

I actually like it when authors move around in a fandom. Do I get sad when they leave? Yes. Am I bad enough that I can sometimes beg for an author to return? Yes. But I have also been introduced to a lot of new shows, books, movies or even just new fandoms because of author movement. Or in cases like your fic "Birth of the Serpent King" I got reintroduced to old loves.

When I read that you had broken your arm I (and many of your other fans) hoped you would start healing and feeling better. This is soppy but we care that you feel good and not be in a bad situation.

I adore your work and I hope the occasional asshole readers like never throw you off.

[elissahra.livejournal.com]

Ooh see I agree I love when an author moves to another fandom because I follow.

I'm a loooooong time HP fan, been in it since 2003, and it was one of the HP writers that got me into SGA and from there to Merlin and so on and so forth.

I wrote for a fandom for years and the backbitting got so bad that I just barley update my stories once a year. And I've ran into readers that demand that I finish this or write the story this way or this character isn't getting enough time. It sucks royal.

But Kiera your writing has made me like stuff I didn't think I could like and wow it amazed me. I loved your Harry/Draco story so much that I was sad when it ended because it made me crave more. I look forward to your updates and when you post its all the more sweeter, when it turns into an interesting surprise.

Keep your chin up :)

[tygtig.livejournal.com]

I've said it before, I think, but I would still like to quote one of my elder collegues (I'm a doctor and this was a 70-year old collegue giving me the Best Advice Ever):

"10% of the population are idiots. They tend to congregate."

I've found him to be right, the ten percent are vocal, obnoxious and loud and they come in packs. Obviously they're attracted to internet forums.

I don't GET these people. You write amazing stuff, a lot of it, for free. Do I get to complain? No. It even says so on your site. But I do read everything you write and you have managed to corrupt me completely and made me aware of kinks I didn't know I had. Also, you got me hooked on HP fandom wich kind of sucks cause it's not like I've got a lot of time to sit around and read stuff and I've got absolutely no self-discipline so my lack of sleep is getting disturbing...

BTW I just re-read the sentinels of atlantis. Gorgeous. And started over on the Lantean Legacy just because I love McShep romance and I adore Theseus children, and I need something to keep my mind off the coming update of TTB. Grant is going to kick serious ass.

[broken-faith12.livejournal.com]

Oh dear lord are there really people that stupid on the same planet as me? I'm horrified.

She can only assume your HP fic "bordered on child porn"? Ok, I have two main problems with this sentence. For one, if she's "assuming", she hasn't read it. For another, if she hasn't read it she shouldn't get to have an opinion on it. Or she should at least have enough sense to keep it to herself.

If you ask me (which, no, nobody did, but I'm going to stick my oar in anyway because I'm bored and my only company is currently asleep), things like this are like voting. If you're not interested don't vote (or read), but you don't get to complain afterwards.

Ignore the idiots. Not only is your writing great, it's also purely for your entertainment, no for popularity or praise. And there's something so totally awesome in that in and of itself that I can't even say.

[history13041985.livejournal.com]

I don't know what to say .Some people are really not polite and really stupid! Leaving you a maail like that is stupid and selfish . You can write what you want .
You don't have to write anything . Writing is difficult and takes a lot of times . So for me , i always think thank you at the author .

[crooked-halo8.livejournal.com]

I am constantly amazed at the bone-deep compulsion some people have to share their subjective displeasure. Don't like it? Don't read it, and don't comment on it. Why is it that so hard? Why must they offend the person they are contacting, as well as anyone who does enjoy what they do not?

It's like going to any kind of conference--fandom, business, anything--that includes a Q&A session. Inevitably, someone will always raise their hand and make a complete ass of themselves. This is like the fandom version of that. Take a seat and zip your lip, asshole.

Anyway, this post reminded me that although I read it immediately, I still hadn't commented on 'Birth of the Serpent King.' So that has now been remedied! We who enjoy such young and immature fandoms must smite balance out the crazies.

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

I agree with you in all points. I'm not into the HP fandom, so I chose not to read that story, but I would never be so presumptuous to tell you which story you should work on. I simply live in hope... :-)
If you should ever decide to make your site members only, can I please join? I know I don't comment much, but I would love to stick around...

[weebeanie.livejournal.com]

This makes me fume *blood boils* – some people are just too moronic to exist. There really should be some form of licensing system to warn the general non-moronic populace.

I get that people are addicted to your fics and desperate for a fix (My name is weebeanie and I am a KieraMarcos addict!) but there’s a difference between a ‘healthily compulsive’ fan and an Asshat.

I can’t believe people think they have the right to tell you what to write or not. Is it so difficult for them to process that you are writing for your own enjoyment in fandoms you enjoy and that you are being damn gracious in allowing us the privilege of reading your words. I am immensely grateful for the hours of reading pleasure you have given me. I happily re-read any of your series’ whenever I need a Kiera fix.

I know I am not alone among you readers in that my worry about you when you were “broken” and happiness at your recovery wasn’t dependent on expectations of future fic. The Asshats need to process that you are a flesh-and-blood woman with an actual life and not some kind of porn-to-order machine.

Personally, I had never read HP fanfic before I found your recs but I loved Birth of the Serpent King and part of the reason I find it special is that I know it helped you through a difficult time.

You have been very generous in making yourself available to your readers and I’m sorry morons are spoiling this for you.

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

I will get round to reading your HP fic... and comment whenever I do, that I solemnly promise.

*shakes head at e-mail writer*
As you say, it's that sense of entitlement that drives writers away (I've seen it in the TW fandom, where it aimed at the professional writers too... you killed my favourite character, did something I didn't like, now I tell you endlessly that you were wrong and that I won't watch it again!)

Personally, and I guess that goes for you too, I write for myself - getting readers is a MASSIVE bonus (thankfully none have yet contacted me like that)

and you get me to read fandoms I've never ever seen on TV (Sentinel)... so please, keep writing :D

[syble4.livejournal.com]

Wow. What ever happened to "don't read it if you don't like it"? It's seriously not that hard. And now someone is trying to tell you that you can only write in an "approved" fandom?? WTF?!

I admit, I didn't read your HP Story. That was my choice and had nothing to do with you or what you like. Why would anyone think they had the right to tell you what fandom you should even be in. OMG, this wasn't directed at me and yet I'm livid and can barely speak.

I can't say how glad I am that these small minded children didn't make you leave and take your toys with you.

I can totally see how shit like this would make someone give up on the fandom as a whole.

This is just bat-shit insane. How can people be so self-intitled!

Arrg - I'm so sorry you have to deal with this shit.

[keenoled.livejournal.com]

It's strange, reading the layout of the mail you got. Taken out of context, I'd probably think it was a letter to, like, John Lennon, after he'd started writing about hos and guns or something.

Dear upset people. These things you think are big problems are really not.

[keenoled.livejournal.com]

Oh! Also an interesting use of the word immature! Cos hey, I myself, would probably call writing hateful things about something they admit not to have read immature...

[jooniper-pearl.livejournal.com]

Oh my ever loving Lord in Heaven. The absolute nerve of some people. I view each and every piece of fic from you as mana from above. I have yet to find a fic from you that I don't enjoy reading. I love that you wrote in HP, I wish you still wrote in TS but I won't be begging you, pushing you, or otherwise bothering you about it. You will write what moves you and as your reader, I will either choose to read it or not. You are not a trained monkey there for my entertainment. I hope you never stop posting your fic. I don't care what fic it is! Thank you for all the hard work you put into everything you post, be it SGA, HP, TS, or the man in the moon!!

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

When people say or write this: ...I really do love your writing so I don't want you to get mad or take this as a criticism of your site...

They usually mean the opposite and really want you to cater to them because they believe in the Special Snowflake Syndrome. I work in Customer Service and see it all the time. Snowflakes believe they are entitled to things other mere lowly mortals are not and it bleeds into all aspects of their life. The bunny pic above is a fantastic way of letting Snowflakes know they are not somehow entitled to someone writing for them and only them.

I love that she also used 'assume' when discussing your HP fic and it being child porn. Effortless ignorance is another symptom of SSS.

I just re-read 'Lantean Legacy' last night and while yes, I do want more I am willing to wait because what you choose to do and write are your choices and no one else's.

[neeliemom.livejournal.com]

What you call SSS, I call "some of us are more equal than others" (ala Orwell's 1984). I work with the public, too, and could I tell you stories....

I don't read as much HP as I used to. I read so much of it for years that it was beginning to all run together. (Same thing with Sentinel fic.) That being said, I read both fandoms when Keira writes it because I know it will be a new perspective and not the same old thing. As for calling HP child porn, what about BtVS? Aren't they about the same age (high school, roughly)? I've never heard anyone call that child porn.

If an author I follow posts a fandom (or pairing) I don't care for, I skip it. If I come back to it later, lo and behold, sometimes I like it after all! I can't tell you how many fandoms I've been lured into because of a fav writer's fic. One of them is SGA!

I'm so grateful that Keira is posting again that someone like this makes me want to find them an give them a Gibbs smack up side the head. Sheesh!

What do you think causes this? Are we all so used to instant information and gratification via the internet that we think we deserve everything we want, and RIGHT NOW?