On Writing and Feedback...
So...
A few days ago, I decided to be "daring" and added my name to the Anonymous Writing Feedback Meme. I've done a few of these in the past, and never got any comments. But I was feeling a bit curious and tossed my name in the hat.
And then I got a comment today, anonymous, of course, and got very angry and upset by the comment left. Yeah, I should have known better, that I'd be opening up a can of worms that would probably be better left unopened. My work got called juvenile and un-developed [my emphasis], and I was basically branded as an unprofessional hack who needs better betas.
This person didn't have the balls to say this to my face. I don't know if this person was just a random fucktard, or someone with a chip on their shoulder against me, or someone on my flist. Regardless of who it was, and regardless of the fact that I participated in the anon meme [and posted feedback for several of my friends, all positive], this meme is indicative of a pervasive problem on the 'net and in fandom in general. These anonymous "fill in the blank here" memes are so rampant and foster a sense of "I can say whatever I want, whether it's true or not, as long as I say it anonymously and not have any consequences". It's sickening. No one seems to have the guts to really speak their minds anymore. And that's got to stop.
Based on this comment, as well as this entry and this entry over at thesinden, I am making a stand.
From this point forth, all fics of mine will contain a disclaimer stating that constructive criticism is accepted. While the "Yay! I liked it! Write more!" comments are lovely, I have been reminded again that I can only improve my craft by knowing what I'm doing wrong and fixing it. I would like to know what things work and don't work in my fics. You don't have to spend hours on it, but if there's something that stands out, good or bad, please comment on it.
Along these same lines, I will be getting back in the habit of giving out constructive criticism on any and all fics I read. If you don't want this, you need to let me know, and I won't bother. That doesn't mean that I'll stop reading your fics necessarily, but it does mean that I may not place as high a priority on them. But as far as I'm concerned, if you want to be a writer, you should want to better your craft. If you don't, that's your choice, and I'm not saying you're wrong. But if you can't take the time to have a proper beta done on your fic and don't care to improve your craft, why should I care to read your fic?
NOTE :: The previous comment does not apply to EVERYONE on my flist. I am talking to the people who tend to revel in churning out quantity over quality fics. And honestly? Most of those people aren't on my flist at all. But I'm going to say it anyway.
I fully expect that this is going to vilify me in some circles. But I believe in quality writing. I always have, but I got lazy for a number of years. When I send an email or leave a comment requesting a story for ShatterStorm Productions, I want the author to know that I find his/her story to be of a certain caliber that I want on my site. When shatterpath and I started ShatterStorm Productions eight years ago, it was initially for our fics and then for links to our favorites fics and authors. That spawned into what the site has become today. And I'm getting back to those original roots of what that site meant. And it's not really changing a lot of what I do already with the fics I request for the site, if I really think about it.
I was going to say that this isn't meant to offend anyone, but that's not exactly true. I want people to change their perspective. Mediocre fics shouldn't be considered the best thing out there. I have no issues with people wanting to write. And please, if my opinion makes you want to stop writing? Rethink that decision! If you really want to write? Can't stop thinking about it? Don't let anyone change your mind! But at the same time, consider bettering your craft.
I am a snobby, grammar!whore bitch when it comes to writing and beta work. Ask anyone whose work I've beta'd. The ones that stick around for me to keep betaing? Eventually, they do get to the point where there's not a lot for me to beta. And that right there makes me prouder than fucking hell. Knowing that I've helped someone get really good at their craft. Some people don't like my brand of beta work, absolutely despise it and call me a mean bitch. That's their prerogative. Hell, I've been asked to leave a number of yahoogroups because people didn't like my honesty in what I will and won't leave feedback/concrit for. I'm a picky bitch and I don't hide that fact.
Constructive criticism is not about bashing someone's work. And if anyone tells you it is, they're fucking lying asshats. Constructive criticism also isn't "OMG! U R a gr8 riter! Rite moar!" Constructive criticism is "This worked for me, and here's why." or "This didn't work for me, and here's why." While I do like any and all feedback I get, this is what I prefer. I want to know what I can do to improve my craft. Period.
A few days ago, I decided to be "daring" and added my name to the Anonymous Writing Feedback Meme. I've done a few of these in the past, and never got any comments. But I was feeling a bit curious and tossed my name in the hat.
And then I got a comment today, anonymous, of course, and got very angry and upset by the comment left. Yeah, I should have known better, that I'd be opening up a can of worms that would probably be better left unopened. My work got called juvenile and un-developed [my emphasis], and I was basically branded as an unprofessional hack who needs better betas.
This person didn't have the balls to say this to my face. I don't know if this person was just a random fucktard, or someone with a chip on their shoulder against me, or someone on my flist. Regardless of who it was, and regardless of the fact that I participated in the anon meme [and posted feedback for several of my friends, all positive], this meme is indicative of a pervasive problem on the 'net and in fandom in general. These anonymous "fill in the blank here" memes are so rampant and foster a sense of "I can say whatever I want, whether it's true or not, as long as I say it anonymously and not have any consequences". It's sickening. No one seems to have the guts to really speak their minds anymore. And that's got to stop.
Based on this comment, as well as this entry and this entry over at thesinden, I am making a stand.
From this point forth, all fics of mine will contain a disclaimer stating that constructive criticism is accepted. While the "Yay! I liked it! Write more!" comments are lovely, I have been reminded again that I can only improve my craft by knowing what I'm doing wrong and fixing it. I would like to know what things work and don't work in my fics. You don't have to spend hours on it, but if there's something that stands out, good or bad, please comment on it.
Along these same lines, I will be getting back in the habit of giving out constructive criticism on any and all fics I read. If you don't want this, you need to let me know, and I won't bother. That doesn't mean that I'll stop reading your fics necessarily, but it does mean that I may not place as high a priority on them. But as far as I'm concerned, if you want to be a writer, you should want to better your craft. If you don't, that's your choice, and I'm not saying you're wrong. But if you can't take the time to have a proper beta done on your fic and don't care to improve your craft, why should I care to read your fic?
NOTE :: The previous comment does not apply to EVERYONE on my flist. I am talking to the people who tend to revel in churning out quantity over quality fics. And honestly? Most of those people aren't on my flist at all. But I'm going to say it anyway.
I fully expect that this is going to vilify me in some circles. But I believe in quality writing. I always have, but I got lazy for a number of years. When I send an email or leave a comment requesting a story for ShatterStorm Productions, I want the author to know that I find his/her story to be of a certain caliber that I want on my site. When shatterpath and I started ShatterStorm Productions eight years ago, it was initially for our fics and then for links to our favorites fics and authors. That spawned into what the site has become today. And I'm getting back to those original roots of what that site meant. And it's not really changing a lot of what I do already with the fics I request for the site, if I really think about it.
I was going to say that this isn't meant to offend anyone, but that's not exactly true. I want people to change their perspective. Mediocre fics shouldn't be considered the best thing out there. I have no issues with people wanting to write. And please, if my opinion makes you want to stop writing? Rethink that decision! If you really want to write? Can't stop thinking about it? Don't let anyone change your mind! But at the same time, consider bettering your craft.
I am a snobby, grammar!whore bitch when it comes to writing and beta work. Ask anyone whose work I've beta'd. The ones that stick around for me to keep betaing? Eventually, they do get to the point where there's not a lot for me to beta. And that right there makes me prouder than fucking hell. Knowing that I've helped someone get really good at their craft. Some people don't like my brand of beta work, absolutely despise it and call me a mean bitch. That's their prerogative. Hell, I've been asked to leave a number of yahoogroups because people didn't like my honesty in what I will and won't leave feedback/concrit for. I'm a picky bitch and I don't hide that fact.
Constructive criticism is not about bashing someone's work. And if anyone tells you it is, they're fucking lying asshats. Constructive criticism also isn't "OMG! U R a gr8 riter! Rite moar!" Constructive criticism is "This worked for me, and here's why." or "This didn't work for me, and here's why." While I do like any and all feedback I get, this is what I prefer. I want to know what I can do to improve my craft. Period.