(no subject)
This is something that I've been puzzling over for a little while, and I'd love to get others' input on the matter.
I'm sure that all of us who write fanfiction have gotten a feedback comment like this: "You know, I really hate this character/this pairing, but I really like the way that you've written it."
Now, is this an insult, or is it high praise?
On the one hand, I think it's pretty high praise if I can get a character-hater to sit down and look at a character they normally hate by reading my fic. I do think it's sort of cool to have a Relena-basher write to me and tell me that they liked my fic, and actually felt some empathy toward her, just because I gave the poor girl a chance and a little character development. I mean, it's entirely possible that part of the reason people hate a certain character is because they've only been around people who bash said character, or read fics featuring bashing.
But on the other hand, comments like that tend to irritate me, because I'm thinking, well, what if you hadn't liked my characterization? Would you have flamed me instead? Why did you bother reading something about a character or pairing that you knew you'd hate? I somehow doubt you looked at the story thinking, "Oh, maybe it'll be different this time," and then were pleasantly surprised. I take it as an almost backhanded compliment, since it's not exactly praise in its purest form. It's sort of like going to someone's house for dinner, and they cook roast beef. After dinner, you tell the hostess, "You know, I really, really hate roast beef. But because I wanted to be nice, I tried yours, and it was really good!" You wouldn't do that because it's rude. So why is it appropriate for fanfiction feedback?
When I get a comment like this, I usually respond gracefully and thank the person, since that's the kind of person I am. Backhanded compliment or not, it was feedback, and I should at least say thank you. But it still nags at my mind, all the same.
So what do others think? Is it praise? Is it an insult? Or am I thinking too hard on the subject? The latter is a distinct possibility, you know. :P I am interested in hearing what the rest of you have to say on the matter, however. It seems like most of the people I talk to have a different perspective.
I'm sure that all of us who write fanfiction have gotten a feedback comment like this: "You know, I really hate this character/this pairing, but I really like the way that you've written it."
Now, is this an insult, or is it high praise?
On the one hand, I think it's pretty high praise if I can get a character-hater to sit down and look at a character they normally hate by reading my fic. I do think it's sort of cool to have a Relena-basher write to me and tell me that they liked my fic, and actually felt some empathy toward her, just because I gave the poor girl a chance and a little character development. I mean, it's entirely possible that part of the reason people hate a certain character is because they've only been around people who bash said character, or read fics featuring bashing.
But on the other hand, comments like that tend to irritate me, because I'm thinking, well, what if you hadn't liked my characterization? Would you have flamed me instead? Why did you bother reading something about a character or pairing that you knew you'd hate? I somehow doubt you looked at the story thinking, "Oh, maybe it'll be different this time," and then were pleasantly surprised. I take it as an almost backhanded compliment, since it's not exactly praise in its purest form. It's sort of like going to someone's house for dinner, and they cook roast beef. After dinner, you tell the hostess, "You know, I really, really hate roast beef. But because I wanted to be nice, I tried yours, and it was really good!" You wouldn't do that because it's rude. So why is it appropriate for fanfiction feedback?
When I get a comment like this, I usually respond gracefully and thank the person, since that's the kind of person I am. Backhanded compliment or not, it was feedback, and I should at least say thank you. But it still nags at my mind, all the same.
So what do others think? Is it praise? Is it an insult? Or am I thinking too hard on the subject? The latter is a distinct possibility, you know. :P I am interested in hearing what the rest of you have to say on the matter, however. It seems like most of the people I talk to have a different perspective.