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

[daneffew.livejournal.com]

I never ever understood how anyone could tell an author what to write or how to write it.

I have been reading fanfic for nearly 30 years and it still astounds that people have the gall to do that. I would never presumed to even come close to thinking that I would be able force an author to write a certain way. I know if an author writes something I have no interest in I just go to something else.

A few years ago one of my favorite authors starting to write about RPF about a different music groups. I was disappointed that they weren't writing in her previous fandoms but I would never tell her not to write in them. I go back every 6-8 months and see if they have posted any I am interested in and if not oh well.

That is life. Pro writers do the same thing. Write something you love for 3-6 books and then start something brand new and you can't stand it. But you would not dare to tell them what they can and can't write, why should fanfic writers be different?

I have only ever written one email complaining about a story. And it was about the lack of spellchecking. OF course I was ignored. But I liked the story and just had to say something that most people would have given up on it after a couple of chapters because of the typos. I just remember spending an hour spellchecking just so I could read it.

Once a story in on the web it is finished. 99 percent of authors are not going to change it just because you don't like it. Tough. Suck it up and move on. Don't like then stop reading it and don't embarrass yourself by trying to change the authors mind about how to write. It won't happen. You'll just piss them off and maybe they'll stop writing all together. Which would really suck.

[quadratur.livejournal.com]

But you would not dare to tell them what they can and can't write, why should fanfic writers be different?

Actually some people are doing that. Neil Gaiman once posted an interesting blog-post dealing with the entitlement and demands of readers.

It's also happening a lot in the m/m romance field.

But sometimes I have the feeling that fan fiction writers are held to a much higher standard than professional writers. Maybe due to the perceived intimancy of lj/dw?

[keiramarcos]

I do think that availability like with LJ, Facebook, or Twitter creates a false sense of intimacy that leads to serious communication issues.

It's like -- I have a few friends I can call and say "Hey, what's up bitch?" And they would laugh their ass off and tell me about their day. And yet, I have this one friend if I called her house and used the word "bitch" in reference to her in any way she'd probably burst into tears and tell everyone that I hate her.

It's all about knowing when to hold 'em as Kenny Rogers said.

[spikespet7.livejournal.com]

Hell, the internet is a powerful outlet......look at the SGA fans that have shared their wants and needs to the writers/producers.....

The Pros get it in fan mail and have for years.....look at the power the fans voiced for Supernatural with Jo, Ruby, and Bella. It will not go away and with the internet now it will only grow.

I think 'Fanfiction' gives some of the readers a false feel of power and say so over what the author puts out there. Why do you ask? Becuase of the word 'fan'. They feel that empowers them to 'fan review and request'. You have the 'canon' believers that want their 'canon' characters.

My one friend hates and yet loves when we bounce her ideas, cause I play the roll of 'canon' vs 'no-canon' issues or 'will or can this work' and if not 'how can it work'. Any time I 'plot' plot with her or anyone is 'how real or fanfiction do you want this' especally with the 'medical' aspects of the story.

This is just my thoughts, and does not mean they shoulc be accepted by everyone, LOL.


Kimber