let the rain / wash away / all the pain of yesterday

[afteriwake]

Appropriate song for the post, since it was lyrics from the original version of this song that were the prompt for the contest. I won first place for the contest at hyouhakuzai_fic for my Byakuya/Yoruichi and Renji/Rukia fic "Threats And Declarations," and I was happy about it. I told my mother and her reaction was "Since you won you don't need to award the prize

Comments

fandom

[benshee]

Seems like a strange thing to get sad over. Don't you write for the joy of writing? For the joy of simulating those interactions between the characters? Discovering their individual personality traits from what was given to you in the canon, twisting it to create your own amazing story? Why does it matter that your mother was feeling un-generous, or that some kid didn't comment on your work?

Then again, maybe I just don't get fandom :P

Re: fandom

[afteriwake]

Every fanfic writer loves to write the characters, and we do get joy from it. We wouldn't write it if we didn't because we don't get paid for this and we don't get recognition from the creators most of the time. Every fanfic writer will agree to that. But ask any writer, fanfic or regular, if they like to get feedback on their work, if they like to get recognition, if they like to know that someone else read what they wrote and thought "Yeah, I get that." They'll all say yes, it's important to them. I've been writing fanfic for 14 years this June and I've found that feedback encourages me more than anything else, even if it's concrit like "I like the story but I don't think so-and-so would have done that." Lack of feedback has stopped many fanfic writers from continuing in a fandom

Re: fandom

[benshee]

Not at all, as I said, there's much about fandom that I don't understand. I haven't been a writer/blogger for more than ... 5 years at most? And even then, intermittently and without the passion you clearly have for the artform. I respect that, and I say it's a pity your mother doesn't see it in you

[aaronlisa]

First of all: Congrats! Go you!

Secondly... your mother. Sigh. Sometimes parents just don't get the whole fandom endeavours that we go through. Mine are supportive but deep down they don't get it.

Do you have a A03 account? It's not the same as getting feedback and sometimes I get a little irritated with it but the kudos feature where someone can click a button to give you kudos does make you feel ike "Hey people are reading it! Hey people are liking it." (I don't always tack on "Why can't they leave a comment?" either.)

[afteriwake]

I know. She seems interested a bit when it's a fandom she knows (like Doctor Who or Firefly), but anything else? Not so much.

I do not, but I keep hearing about it and seeing fics crossposted there. Should I sign up?

[aaronlisa]

Yes you should sign up. I can give you an invite code if you need one.

[makeyourmoment]

Cool, I'll take it.