I'd be on board for this, although I'm also unsure as to how to get it to work. I was whining about just this point in blcwriter's journal two days ago. She'd recced a story that I then read, and while I liked the writing I found the creative timeline too much like hard work. This is part of what I said there....
To ramble briefly, one of the things I don't find in fandom (in my limited experience of it) is any way to discuss honestly with people if you like a fic or not, and why, and what else might have worked and so on. The culture seems to be: leave a comment that says you loved it without reservation, or don't comment at all. And as an author I get the wounded feeling thing... And yet I do want to know what people honestly think about my work and how I might be able to improve it. And I would like to chance to think constructively about why I do or don't like something that I have read and discuss it with other people who have read it. There doesn't seem to be any way to do that in fandom.As an author: I am less worried about talking
( ... )
I agree with a lot of what you're saying here. In fact, I've posted this, and then checked verizonhorizon's link, and I thought, yeah, that's what I was talking about, but that's not what I really want. People are just gonna play nice and you'll never get to hear what they really think anyway
( ... )
So, essentially you're saying that published authors who get paid for their works are also paid to receive unfavorable reviews, but those writing for free shouldn't be subjected to the same treatment
( ... )
I see. Well, in certain respects you're right, there's no denying that. But I guess this discussion made me realize one thing that will probably paint me as crazy. Which, BTW, I'm okay with
( ... )
So while I don't think you're crazy, I just think it's idealist.
I've been called worse. :D
*sighs* Yes, I know. The art of giving and receiving critique is an almost extinct one, cherished ritually in the private shrines of our discussions with our betas and friends. Those of friends who actually do say what they think to your face, that is. I do believe that this situation isn't healthy, because sometimes a story could be made better by changing one or two things and no reviews don't exactly help with that.
That said, no, I'm not starting my crusade tomorrow. The windmills might live to see another day. ;)
I disagree with the notion that such a comm would condone flamers however tiny-ly. Constructive criticism is called that because it's supposed to be above personal preferences and subjective stuff. If I tell somebody something is wrong/right, I should be able to prove it or shut up.
That said, I didn't think it was idealist, too, but looks like I was wrong, I see that now.
And you're not intruding, of course not. This is a free for all debate post. ;)
I would hope we could, if it is done with restraint and care, and without getting too easily offended either. But maybe I am too new to fandom to have seen the ways it can all go horribly wrong.
But on this point: civilized discussion of things we don't like I'd like to participate in a discussion that looked to encompass good as well as bad. Why this fic works so well, how the author gets it right. And in my own writing, where my strengths are in the eyes of my readers so I can move in that direction ("loved it, awesome" type of comments don't tell me that either). I'm more interested in the good-to-great end of the spectrum than in piling scorn on the many truly bad fanfics that exist. They are all simply solved with the back button
( ... )
To ramble briefly, one of the things I don't find in fandom (in my limited experience of it) is any way to discuss honestly with people if you like a fic or not, and why, and what else might have worked and so on. The culture seems to be: leave a comment that says you loved it without reservation, or don't comment at all. And as an author I get the wounded feeling thing...
And yet I do want to know what people honestly think about my work and how I might be able to improve it. And I would like to chance to think constructively about why I do or don't like something that I have read and discuss it with other people who have read it.
There doesn't seem to be any way to do that in fandom.As an author: I am less worried about talking ( ... )
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I've been called worse. :D
*sighs* Yes, I know. The art of giving and receiving critique is an almost extinct one, cherished ritually in the private shrines of our discussions with our betas and friends. Those of friends who actually do say what they think to your face, that is. I do believe that this situation isn't healthy, because sometimes a story could be made better by changing one or two things and no reviews don't exactly help with that.
That said, no, I'm not starting my crusade tomorrow. The windmills might live to see another day. ;)
Reply
Reply
That said, I didn't think it was idealist, too, but looks like I was wrong, I see that now.
And you're not intruding, of course not. This is a free for all debate post. ;)
Reply
But on this point: civilized discussion of things we don't like I'd like to participate in a discussion that looked to encompass good as well as bad. Why this fic works so well, how the author gets it right. And in my own writing, where my strengths are in the eyes of my readers so I can move in that direction ("loved it, awesome" type of comments don't tell me that either). I'm more interested in the good-to-great end of the spectrum than in piling scorn on the many truly bad fanfics that exist. They are all simply solved with the back button ( ... )
Reply
Leave a comment