why so serious?
There are a couple things I've noticed lately in the world of fanfiction that sort of irk me.
In general: When people begin their fics with something like "I suck at writing." Personally, I'm a little hesitant to read things by people who begin with "This is my first time writing such and such" and extremely nervous at "first fics" and people who deem it the reader's duty to 'be gentle because it's their first time.' It's not sex, and the harsher people are in the beginning, the quicker one knows how to not screw up and be out of character. I don't like being asked to let OOCness slide, so I normally avoid fics that say things like that. When people say, "I suck at writing," it doesn't make me want to be lenient-- it makes me watch out fearfully for any suckishness if I end up reading it. I really wish people wouldn't do that.
Specifically Hetalia: In one of my SuFin fics, I got a smidgen of bad reception from a particular reviewer who is terribly opposed to Finland calling Sweden "Su-san" when not in the comic. I know others must have the same irk, because I've seen alternate nicknames for Sweden, like "Su-Su" (admittedly adorable). I understand full-well that Finland isn't Japanese, and he probably shouldn't use that honorific in English fanfiction. But then, what are we to do with Hanatamago? Finland isn't Japanese, so if I'm writing English fanfiction, shouldn't people be irritated that she's not called Floweregg? Or, in Finnish, Kukkamuna? And let's not forget, Sweden would have to call her Blommaägg. It's okay for Finland to have a Japanese-named dog, but not for him to call Sweden his practically trademarked Su-san? It just doesn't seem right to me.
Hmph.
In general: When people begin their fics with something like "I suck at writing." Personally, I'm a little hesitant to read things by people who begin with "This is my first time writing such and such" and extremely nervous at "first fics" and people who deem it the reader's duty to 'be gentle because it's their first time.' It's not sex, and the harsher people are in the beginning, the quicker one knows how to not screw up and be out of character. I don't like being asked to let OOCness slide, so I normally avoid fics that say things like that. When people say, "I suck at writing," it doesn't make me want to be lenient-- it makes me watch out fearfully for any suckishness if I end up reading it. I really wish people wouldn't do that.
Specifically Hetalia: In one of my SuFin fics, I got a smidgen of bad reception from a particular reviewer who is terribly opposed to Finland calling Sweden "Su-san" when not in the comic. I know others must have the same irk, because I've seen alternate nicknames for Sweden, like "Su-Su" (admittedly adorable). I understand full-well that Finland isn't Japanese, and he probably shouldn't use that honorific in English fanfiction. But then, what are we to do with Hanatamago? Finland isn't Japanese, so if I'm writing English fanfiction, shouldn't people be irritated that she's not called Floweregg? Or, in Finnish, Kukkamuna? And let's not forget, Sweden would have to call her Blommaägg. It's okay for Finland to have a Japanese-named dog, but not for him to call Sweden his practically trademarked Su-san? It just doesn't seem right to me.
Hmph.