General PSA.
After this post, I'm done talking about this fic and that includes responding to comments, both positive and negative.
I've been part of the Glee fandom for about a year now - I've been writing fics non-stop and I had hoped that I built myself a reputation as a fandom participator who was open-minded, kind, and maybe had some decent writing to share. It's my first time being in a fandom that's so active and populated and I was excited at the prospect since all my previous fandoms have been very quiet, like the Marauder-side of the HP fandom, the Gilmore Girls fandom, and the RK fandom.
Obviously that prospect is a double-edged sword; I've seen people get attacked in this fandom for unnecessary wank and it always enraged me. Just because a person has a controversial opinion or fanwork doesn't mean the person in question is terrible or believes what he/she writes. I think people need to give more credit to writers and not automatically believe that we're using a character as a mouthpiece.
I don't know, I guess when I de-anoned, I had hoped that everyone would be open-minded and kind in return to me, maybe understand that it was just a fill for a thought-provoking prompt and I wanted to really challenge myself and do something that wasn't just an easy friendship, which I love writing, don't get me wrong, but. I wanted to branch out.
Apparently that's frowned upon in this fandom, which is ironic since this show and its fans are supposed to promote it.
I've gotten some really lovely feedback, even some from those who disagree but still found it interesting, which is all I could've ever wanted. But of course there are people who have to ruin it.
I understand that people have their strict headcanons about characters. Lord knows I do for my favorites in all my fandoms. But some of the comments for this fic were downright insulting, especially to my craft because I'm capable of separating my personal beliefs and opinions out of my fics and letting my characters speak for themselves, ESPECIALLY when it's to fill a difficult prompt on the angst meme, thus looking at characters in a very different light. If you don't agree with them, then fine, it's your prerogative, but don't insult me for my creativity.
I'm obviously not going to quit the fandom because I've made some really lovely friends and they've been really fantastic and supportive during this shitfest, not to mention the fact that I'll probably be inspired to write once Glee starts up again. But make no mistake: I'm totally and completely jaded from this episode and I hope those who started this wank in the first place realize that you were, in fact, being dicks and hurt me enough to make me cry, which is a gross thing to do, especially when fandom is supposed to be a happy, supportive place.
Next time you have a complaint about my work, come to me personally about it instead of abusing your status in fandom to direct unnecessary hate towards me/my work. I'd appreciate it and have more respect for you.
And on that note, I'm putting this to rest and focusing my creativity and attention in other places.