All the Queen's Bitches

[keiramarcos]

So, I think my position on nitpicking is pretty well known. I certainly don't tolerate it with any kind of good grace or manners and I've been told by several asshats that it makes me "ungrateful and horrible". Whatever. That's not actually the whole point of this post... it's this:

Did you know that I've received emails from FIVE different authors since January telling me that they actually stopped posting their fan fiction on the Internet because of nitpickers?

The thing is that nitpickers don't piss me off anymore. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that my "give a damn" on the subject of nitpicking is broken. I mean my "give a damn" had a great fall and all the queen's bitches don't stand a chance in hell of putting it back together again. Just so we're clear. Right. Moving on.

Maybe I'm using the wrong term here because I don't mean people, who out of the good nature of their hearts, point out typos when they are asked for. I mean people who offer unwanted critique. I mean people who think if you don't run over to your site and correct the problem they had with your fic that you will forever be viewed as ungrateful and cruel and a no-good, horrible bitch.

It's just sad, really, that these asshats actually run people out of the fandom with their crap. Really sad. Fandom is supposed to be fun, right?

Comments

[half-vulcan.livejournal.com]

You know what? *APPLAUSE* Well said! It is called fan fiction for a reason. It is fiction, a story someone wrote. It is not meant to be taken literally and I thought this was supposed to be fun. Apparently people feel that the anonymity of the internet gives them the freedom to be overly critical or foist their unwanted opinions on others. I have learned that most of these over obsessed people are mental or 16 years old.(random number)

I don't want to hear "Dean would NEVER do that", "Castiel is better than Gabriel" or "Severus Snape would never "love" Harry the way I have written him" The story is what the author wanted it to be. Read it, like or not, get over yourself and move the fuck on!

I read a great deal in Trek, Supernatural and Harry Potter fandoms. I have only written a few HP fics and my Harry is always over 20. I get much shit about some of my stories because I don't do kiddie porn. WTF? So I should write my Harry as a 17 yr old boy having explicit sex with a 40 yr old man and be ok with that? Why? If that is what you want to read don't read my stuff. No brainer right? I got tired of the ignorance and abject stupidity so I stopped writing publicly, friends locked my journal and I lurk.

I do comment the wonderful stories I read but if I can not find something positive to say I don't comment. I do not feel the need to self aggrandize by telling the writer their story sucked, they misspelled words or correct grammar or characterization.

Basically some of the fans need to get a grip and a life and perhaps step away from the computer for a moment. Thanks for letting me rant. I really just wanted to agree with you and say "Bravo" but I could not stop typing.

[keiramarcos]

Number Six. I think I'm going to keep a count and see how many authors I can find that have done this because of mistreatment or just asshatery in fandom.

[half-vulcan.livejournal.com]

Prepare to use higher math. I am afraid you will find the numbers to be higher than they should be which is unfortunate. Some of my favorite authors have gone underground and it pisses me off.

I have been in fandom for 40 years. I am 47. I was a Trek geek from the age of 7 and I started to write at 16 when I discovered slash. I love reading the diverse stories from all the fandoms and if something squicks me out I skip it. I don't think I have the right to deprive the author or their audience from enjoying their particular flavor of story.

When I do write another story I am going to try for a Supernatural fic. You will see it because I will post to my journal. It will be my first one and I will be asking for critiques because I trust my audience; they are all on my f-list and many of them, actually MOST of them are writers I stalk...I mean follow. LOL! . I really do hope some of the hidden and missing authors return. And I thank you for posting your very relevant and well spoken opinion.