TIALCOTCFRACC days 22&23, TSALCOTCFRACC days 8&9 and a question on commenting for my flist...

[alovelycupoftea]

Mega long update post is mega long! It's hd_career_fair TIALCOTCFRACC* days 22 and 23!

hd_fanart's Annual Art Fest 2009 and TSALCOTCFRACC* days 8 and 9!

* TIALCOTCFRACC - The Inaugural ALovelyCupOfTea Complete Fest Reading and Commenting Challenge

* TSALCOTCFRACC - The Second ALovelyCupOfTea Complete Fest Reading and Commenting Challenge

Comments

[alovelycupoftea]

Politeness is a bit of a thing of mine, so I was wondering how my reaction compared to other people's...

You're welcome! All the hd_career_fair and hd_fanart stuff has been so cool!

[tari_sue]

It thought some of the comments left on Road to Hell were a bit uncalled for - yes, the subject matter was tough and Harry was a bastard, but reasons were given for this and the piece was well written. It would have been better longer, but the very nature of a fest piece doesn't allow this. I was determined to leave a positive comment on that one because at the end of the day someone worked hard on it and did a good job whether it was my cup of tea (sorry for nicking your username) or not. I hope my comment was taken as constructive by the author because I actually didn't think it was a bad fic. Sometimes it does us good to read something more thought provoking anyway

[alovelycupoftea]

I think you're absolutely right. I thought it was a well written, interesting take on an idea that is difficult for many people to stomach. I would have liked to have seen more of it, but fests are difficult - deadlines and such mean length can be hard, and there is also the fact that about 8,000 words is generally the most read length - and if you've worked hard, you rightly want people to read it! And this person cannot survive on flangst alone, so it is good to venture out sometimes!

The occasions where I can't find a single nice thing to say are so rare - I will probably have clicked the back button before I get to the leaving comment stage! I try and comment on everything I read, but then I have the liberty of having acres of free time, unlike most people.

Proper feedback is lovely. I love hearing what bits people liked in my work, so I try and do that for other people too.

I am pleased I am not alone in my reaction!

[alovelycupoftea]

Hello!

I'll be right there! I missed it on Sunday, because I was at Scott Allen's concert in London. With Stephanie J Block. And a host of other awesome people! /theatre excitement

I too was horrified - and I really felt bad for the author. Reading that would have been not unlike a punch to the gut for me. But then, I am delicate... *snorts*

I am sad that fic is not getting more comment love. I think it was good, and interesting, and ok, not the easiest of reads, but like tari_sue says, sometimes reading difficult stuff is good for us!

:)

[pink_mint]

:D Hi new friend! *squishes* I think you're so fantastic for leaving a comment on each entry!

...it seems unnecessary.

Definitely! It's way past giving a helpful critique. If there were nothing I liked about the story, I certainly wouldn't comment. Commenting takes time; why would anyone waste their time giving a rotten one?

I would probably respond to a comment like that by simply saying I was sorry to hear it.

[alovelycupoftea]

Hi! *squishes back*

Thanks! It's not exactly a hardship, I love reading fic, and I am loving this fest!

I think there are polite ways of giving your thoughts, and then there is rudeness. And in my book, rudeness is never necessary...

[pink_mint]

I know! It's been just wonderful, and I'm scrambling to catch up as I'm so behind. :)

Yes, and since it isn't helpful in any way, then there's no other reason other than to make the author feel bad. It's uncalled for. They put their hard work into giving something to the fest, whatever that may be, and that effort shouldn't be disregarded.

[alovelycupoftea]

Absolutely. I am glad my flist is so nice and polite and agrees with me!

[cassie_black12]

I actually thought that comment was incredibly rude. I'll be honest, I didn't particularly like that fic, but that's just my opinion, and probably has more to do with my personal fic preferences than it does to do with the author's writing.

If I really don't like something, then more often than not I just won't comment. I'm not going to lie, but equally I'm not going to slate someone's hard work either.

I'm a great believer in what my mother always used to tell me: If you've nothing pleasant to say, say nothing at all.

[alovelycupoftea]

That's the thing, isn't it? Ultimately, an author worked hard to produce that, and it just seems mean to disregard that hard work entirely, just because you didn't like it. Nobody's going to like everything produced in our massive fandom, but there's no need to be rude about that fact.

I am so glad I am not alone in feeling affronted on the mystery author's behalf!

[cassie_black12]

LOL! I just re-read your post a little more carefully, and noticed that you and my mother are as one on this topic!

It comes down to manners at the end of the day, and like you say, rudeness is never necessary. If someone commented on my fic like that I would be gutted - spitting mad, too - but gutted mainly.

[alovelycupoftea]

I hope your mother and I aren't as one on our thoughts about lovely men kissing!

Gutted exactly describes how I would feel, I think. I think cross would come later.

I'd probably also use my other motto, "screw this, I'm having a fag"