You fail only if you stop writing (or how not to stop a writers' inspiration)
Hello lovelies!
It has been a while.
So, a particular fandom which I am mostly a lurker in, exploded the other day. Why? Not surprisingly it came out a tumblr account. Shocking, no?
I want to preface this little rant by saying I don't want to judge something before it starts up but for me, first impressions start with the initial presentation.
And this one leaves a lot to be desired. This tumblr in question is "fanfic council review." The purpose is to critique fanfics about one particular couple and "grade" them. I have nothing against constructive criticism. As a writer, I find it so helpful and when offered in a constructive way, can be both thought provoking and provide a chance to grow. Let's face it. 99% of people's first fanfic based on a show, character, or couple isn't 'bestest story ever' or 'omg this is your first story?' material.
If you are one of those rare people, I congratulate you, but in all reality, most authors don't necessarily start out that way. But that is the joy and challenge of being a writer, isn't it? It is the fuel which keeps you going. The desire to challenge yourself. There is no shame and going back to reflect on your old fic and cringe. We all do it. Even a seasoned writer doubts themselves. I might be happy with one of my stories and yet, I go back to my post, and edit it about three times again, because I find something else I didn't like. Then you sit back and with a bit of fear, waiting to see if people like your update.
Most writers are plagued with self doubt. Constructive criticism is helpful. And wanted. Will there be some comment which might hurt? Sure but when it is offered in a non judgemental way, it can be rewarding and give you a new perspective. It can make an author rethink their writing and often help them get better. In fact, I wish more people gave author's constructive criticism because there are so many stories (and their authors) which show so much potential but there is no one to offer a frank and non harsh critique and maybe even help the author grow. Trust me, I find it so difficult to offer criticism because I fear coming across as too harsh, rude, or critical. And that is why I think some people are so hesitant to say anything but 'good update' or 'loved it.' which are two of the most unhelpful pieces of feedback a reader can provide.
So going back to this fanfic review council which has emerged. In theory, I think it is a good idea. But I don't like how some of the grades are designed to completely trash a story and destroy an author's confidence. How does it help by calling a fic totally unreadable? Or DNF - the fic is equivalent to shredded paper?
Imagine being that writer who gets a grade like that? First off, this will be a very public and popular social media site (Tumblr) and you are being called out for being an horrible writer? That is just being too cruel. Also I see this whole idea being counterproductive in helping writers and encouraging other unpublished ones to 'come out' and share their stories. Why bother putting yourself out there if there is a chance this tumblr will find your fic and then either trash it completely or think it is the greatest fic ever?
I will say this has turned me off on ever potentially publishing my own fic in this fandom especially when I only wrote for this particular couple to challenge myself (and hell it got my muse to be inspired for once!)
Fandoms shouldn't discourage people. They shouldn't try to promote this idea of being hurtful and embarrassing people.
Another issue I have with this fanfic review council? The creators have yet to identify themselves. That irks me. Who are these people? Are they fanfic writers themselves? Or just fans? Isn't it partly unfair if they are only fans? What right do they have to be the final say on a fic? I know that sounds unfair but there is so much to consider when you critique a fic? A fan will never know how much work goes into planning a story, or research, or just coming up with an idea. It isn't truly fair to judge something that you can't completely understand IMO.
I think this whole idea would potentially work better if two things happened. First, they didn't call out bad writing/fanfic/authors to trash them. You didn't like a fic and thought it was the most horrid thing ever? Fine. That's your right but don't post on tumblr to let the world know how terrible it is and hurt someone's feelings doing it. Post reviews of excellent, very good fics, and good debuts. Talk about what makes them good. Why do they standout? Offer a critique of what works. That is a lot more inspiring and helpful to all writers when the really good fanfics are given the spotlight. Why? It is encouraging to both that particular author and it may help other struggling writers with their own insecurities or difficulties in capturing either the characters' voices and personalities, and in turn, bringing in reviewers to offer their feedback.
Second, I know this probably defeats the purpose but instead of making this a search of fanfic based on this 'review council,' why doesn't this council only offer their critiques to authors who request it? Some writers might not welcome this type of publicity or feedback and that is their right. So why should they be singled out if it isn't something that want? Trust me, there are so many writers out there who would want this unbiased and critical critique of their works. So why not offer that instead? Then the writers whose stories are judged and given a honest review are going into this knowing what to expect and understand their story will either be a) adored and faved about, b) seen as a solid effort or c) labeled as garbage.
Just as it is the right of this review council to judge and critique a story, those authors have the right to say no. It wouldn't make them horrible people. It doesn't make them 'chicken' or 'not true writers' who can't handle being critique. It is about free choice. Most writers are aware of their flaws. Also some people write for different reasons. We all have different motivations. Personally I write for two big reasons. First being a show/character inspires me. Second, I write for fun. I find it rewarding. Difficult. Frustrating, but I do it for fun. I don't write because I think I am the next Jane Austen. Or Charles Dickens. Or JK Rowling.
And why take that enjoyment of writing from people? Why try to diminish the fun in the process? Most fanfic writers aren't professional writers. We are just fans who love a show, a character, a movie, a book and in turn, they inspire us to write. To delve into their world. People don't write for reviews. For kudos. For fame. We write because we want to. We do it out of love and passion.
It would be a shame if this new fanfic review council helps to extinguish that.
It has been a while.
So, a particular fandom which I am mostly a lurker in, exploded the other day. Why? Not surprisingly it came out a tumblr account. Shocking, no?
I want to preface this little rant by saying I don't want to judge something before it starts up but for me, first impressions start with the initial presentation.
And this one leaves a lot to be desired. This tumblr in question is "fanfic council review." The purpose is to critique fanfics about one particular couple and "grade" them. I have nothing against constructive criticism. As a writer, I find it so helpful and when offered in a constructive way, can be both thought provoking and provide a chance to grow. Let's face it. 99% of people's first fanfic based on a show, character, or couple isn't 'bestest story ever' or 'omg this is your first story?' material.
If you are one of those rare people, I congratulate you, but in all reality, most authors don't necessarily start out that way. But that is the joy and challenge of being a writer, isn't it? It is the fuel which keeps you going. The desire to challenge yourself. There is no shame and going back to reflect on your old fic and cringe. We all do it. Even a seasoned writer doubts themselves. I might be happy with one of my stories and yet, I go back to my post, and edit it about three times again, because I find something else I didn't like. Then you sit back and with a bit of fear, waiting to see if people like your update.
Most writers are plagued with self doubt. Constructive criticism is helpful. And wanted. Will there be some comment which might hurt? Sure but when it is offered in a non judgemental way, it can be rewarding and give you a new perspective. It can make an author rethink their writing and often help them get better. In fact, I wish more people gave author's constructive criticism because there are so many stories (and their authors) which show so much potential but there is no one to offer a frank and non harsh critique and maybe even help the author grow. Trust me, I find it so difficult to offer criticism because I fear coming across as too harsh, rude, or critical. And that is why I think some people are so hesitant to say anything but 'good update' or 'loved it.' which are two of the most unhelpful pieces of feedback a reader can provide.
So going back to this fanfic review council which has emerged. In theory, I think it is a good idea. But I don't like how some of the grades are designed to completely trash a story and destroy an author's confidence. How does it help by calling a fic totally unreadable? Or DNF - the fic is equivalent to shredded paper?
Imagine being that writer who gets a grade like that? First off, this will be a very public and popular social media site (Tumblr) and you are being called out for being an horrible writer? That is just being too cruel. Also I see this whole idea being counterproductive in helping writers and encouraging other unpublished ones to 'come out' and share their stories. Why bother putting yourself out there if there is a chance this tumblr will find your fic and then either trash it completely or think it is the greatest fic ever?
I will say this has turned me off on ever potentially publishing my own fic in this fandom especially when I only wrote for this particular couple to challenge myself (and hell it got my muse to be inspired for once!)
Fandoms shouldn't discourage people. They shouldn't try to promote this idea of being hurtful and embarrassing people.
Another issue I have with this fanfic review council? The creators have yet to identify themselves. That irks me. Who are these people? Are they fanfic writers themselves? Or just fans? Isn't it partly unfair if they are only fans? What right do they have to be the final say on a fic? I know that sounds unfair but there is so much to consider when you critique a fic? A fan will never know how much work goes into planning a story, or research, or just coming up with an idea. It isn't truly fair to judge something that you can't completely understand IMO.
I think this whole idea would potentially work better if two things happened. First, they didn't call out bad writing/fanfic/authors to trash them. You didn't like a fic and thought it was the most horrid thing ever? Fine. That's your right but don't post on tumblr to let the world know how terrible it is and hurt someone's feelings doing it. Post reviews of excellent, very good fics, and good debuts. Talk about what makes them good. Why do they standout? Offer a critique of what works. That is a lot more inspiring and helpful to all writers when the really good fanfics are given the spotlight. Why? It is encouraging to both that particular author and it may help other struggling writers with their own insecurities or difficulties in capturing either the characters' voices and personalities, and in turn, bringing in reviewers to offer their feedback.
Second, I know this probably defeats the purpose but instead of making this a search of fanfic based on this 'review council,' why doesn't this council only offer their critiques to authors who request it? Some writers might not welcome this type of publicity or feedback and that is their right. So why should they be singled out if it isn't something that want? Trust me, there are so many writers out there who would want this unbiased and critical critique of their works. So why not offer that instead? Then the writers whose stories are judged and given a honest review are going into this knowing what to expect and understand their story will either be a) adored and faved about, b) seen as a solid effort or c) labeled as garbage.
Just as it is the right of this review council to judge and critique a story, those authors have the right to say no. It wouldn't make them horrible people. It doesn't make them 'chicken' or 'not true writers' who can't handle being critique. It is about free choice. Most writers are aware of their flaws. Also some people write for different reasons. We all have different motivations. Personally I write for two big reasons. First being a show/character inspires me. Second, I write for fun. I find it rewarding. Difficult. Frustrating, but I do it for fun. I don't write because I think I am the next Jane Austen. Or Charles Dickens. Or JK Rowling.
And why take that enjoyment of writing from people? Why try to diminish the fun in the process? Most fanfic writers aren't professional writers. We are just fans who love a show, a character, a movie, a book and in turn, they inspire us to write. To delve into their world. People don't write for reviews. For kudos. For fame. We write because we want to. We do it out of love and passion.
It would be a shame if this new fanfic review council helps to extinguish that.