because i'm a rebel without a cause. or something.

[evemac]

Felt all rebellious and didn't want to post for a while. But now I do, because I'm confused.

I wrote Let Down a while ago, and Laura graciously archived it on her site.

And part of me was really excited that I'd get flamed by hardcore-S/B shippers. Because you're not anyone until you get flamed. ;) And it's categorized as S/B on the site,

Comments

[circe_tigana]

What weird reviews. ::boggles::

And re: Orli: no one should have teeth that perfect. No one.

[evemac]

Yeah, I just don't understand the points they were trying to put across. Huh.

Of course *I* get the weird confusing ones and everyone else gets the flames. Just my luck. ;)

Orli's teeth? Well, I can tell the front two have been filed, but the rest just look like good results of standard orthodontia. Our parents paid good money for us to have teeth so pretty! ::g::

[netweight]

Heh. I noticed that it was up at AllAboutSpike and thought "Yay! Way to go, Eve!" ;}

I think the fic is quietly sad and extremely in character. It's an ending that I can easily picture. Specially because of a couple of kick-ass lines you've got in there that I really think are, unfortunately, quite true. Namely:

What she wants is something she broke long ago.

The fire burned out the spark.

But the whole of it, it's just... extremely well written. Pretty, pretty angst. *purrs*

And then I checked the reviews. And thought Jesus! Spuffys are scary, man! And if you're not mocking, well... I am. They're starting to resemble those crazy Ducks that are still campaigning for that fairy-tale ending they're supposedly entitled to.

I think they took the opportunity to express their concerns because yeah, they have issues with what the story represents (though I'm thinking not with the story itself). Which, kinda the wrong place to do it

[evemac]

It's a good story, Eve.
Aw, thanks. You made some points which are essentially why I loved/hated the original idea so much -- this could happen. All of these things are true.
And thought Jesus! Spuffys are scary, man!
Well, I'm glad that the six other people who reviewed on the site were rational, and even agreed with me that they could see this happening.

Which, kinda the wrong place to do it.
Exactly why I was confused. Why launch into a argument against Joss portrayal of the 'ship...in a review? Huh?

And you have every right to feel insulted by that comment.
Thank you. Because it almost hints that I 'failed' at everything else and had to resort to this, to 'sell out'. Yecchh.

But, to make all things better, here's your icon! I can make more if you like...or put 'ot3' instead of your name. You choose!

[netweight]

Oh, Eve! It's just BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you so much! *smooches you*
(You're really good at this iconage stuff, you know? That just captures them so vividly, the intensity of them together. Powerful, powerful stuff. ;})

this could happen
More importantly even - maybe this (I mean, the scenario in your fic) should happen. No, it's not a happy ending. But after all that happened, maybe they should just move on and recognize it's not going to happen. And that there's fault on both sides. (Hum, you know what I mean, right?)

it almost hints that I 'failed' at everything else and had to resort to this, to 'sell out'
Shipping a pairing and having the guts to acknowledge that no, happy-ever-after is not in the cards and to write it and go to that place where you just let the angst tear you up inside when it would be so much easier to just cop out... it takes guts. I don't think you've failed in the least.

[buffyx]

And if you're not mocking, well... I am. They're starting to resemble those crazy Ducks that are still campaigning for that fairy-tale ending they're supposedly entitled to. God, yes. They should just name themselves Spucks and get over it

[ascian3]

Yikes. His teeth fill my screen, and there's something very disturbing in that.

I get reviews from time to time that seem to have a vaguely similar intent: "I thought this story was well-written, but let me tell you why the canon story it's based on is really screwed up. Joss sold out and we hatesss him, my precious."

I think it's probably just that the issue (whatever it may be) is an emotional one for the reviewer, and you're the lucky recipient of their ramblings on the subject. I suspect both those reviews boil down to "I liked the story you wrote, and I have serious issues with the story it's based on."

Personally I always feel a bit weird about reviews that snipe at one of the characters or at Joss & ME. I know the reviewer means well and is trying to be complimentary (um, usually - my favorite was one that was like, "I thought this was good, but not really great. But keep writing, you have talent!" :-P ) but it sort of rubs the wrong way.

[evemac]

Bwah! It's the attack of the Orlando teeth!

I see what you mean, I guess people just feel they need to release their issues somewhere. And heh. Yeah, ascian, I'm sure if you keep trying you'll write something good someday!

Snerk.

[ascian3]

I know, I just keep slaving away in the hopes that that reviewer will someday email me back with their stamp of approval. ;-)

Also, what I meant to say the first time around is, I went and read the story, and I really liked it. You did a beautiful, heartbreaking job.

[buffyx]

(um, usually - my favorite was one that was like, "I thought this was good, but not really great. But keep writing, you have talent!" :-P )

*snerk* Someone actually said that to you?? That's highly amusing, especially taking into consideration the high caliber of your writing.

[julietlaw]

I'm really sorry I have to tell you this, Eve, but these reviews weren't for you, they were for Joss Whedon. *g*

They both reviewed your story but quickly turned into a rant on Buffy's end. At least, that's how I interpret it. Confusing, indeed.

[evemac]

Bwah! I guess that's true. It just made my brain hurt trying to decipher all of it. ;)

[muzakgurrl]

::reads reviews::

Uhh....HUH?! As someone else put it, those reviews weren't for you, they were for Joss. And they were really freakin' weird. I'd say more, but everyone else already has, and my brain doesn't want to cooperate right now. In any case, I *loved* the story, despite the fact that it made me cry, and it's not something I *want* to happen, but it is definitely something that could happen. I loved it, and I'm so much of a S/B 'shipper that some people probably might think of me as a "Spuck" from time to time---which scares me. Heh.

[evemac]

Oh Kelsey. You're not a Spuck. You're just delightfully obsessive. ;)

And that's my reaction to the story. I'm afraid of that ending more than anything. I just...*had* to write it.

Re:

[muzakgurrl]

::giggle::

Delightfully obsessive! I like that. :)