Ah, See, Now You're Getting Personal

[teddy_radiator]

Reply from Derelict Author via email:

Ooh, wow, if you think "rudeness" is critiquing your work and giving you exact examples of things that represent tired plot-writing techniques and complete out of characterless, then you better stick to reading the "good" reviews. Reviews are not always going to be consistent praise, hence why they exist. "My style" of writing does not necessarily affect what I read, either, as I have plenty of guilty pleasures, have read plenty of stories with tired techniques and still enjoyed them, etc. I actually commented on this story because you seemed to have a plethora of things that detracted from it, and I felt like saying my peace because, well, that is what arguably criticism is for--to comment on art and the affect is has on the reader.  Apparently being told exactly why your story or writing is weak is "rudeness" to you.

My reply, with gleeful thanks to pennswoods for giving me the chance to respond:

Oddly Self-Important Reviewer: I can't even believe the amount of bandwidth your response is consuming. Most of the opinions expressed seem so utterly non-constructive as to be ridiculous, the examples used to support your position are trite, and the overuse of hyperbole and fandom cliches instead of actual concrit is self-defeating. I read through this entire review to try and give it a chance but it's just too underspecific and cliched for me to even bother trying to glean a modicum of useful critique that would help me to become a better writer.

This is the last oxygen of acknowledgment I plan on giving you. Yes, I do listen to constructive, well-mannered criticism, and believe me I have had my fair share. And yes, you are rude, and no, I don't think flames are constructive, and in time, they do get reported to mods.

Please enjoy your guilty pleasures and stop harassing me. You said your piece. I said mine. End of story.

Regards, Teddy Radiator

You know, sometimes you just DON'T need this sh1te.

Comments

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

Piece is spelled wrong. "My style" doesn't need to be in quotes. Oh has an extra o in it. She has issues with run-on sentences. She doesn't know what a semi-colon is either. Doesn't know the proper use for "etc". "Out of characterless" should only be "characterless"; otherwise it is saying "out of out of character" -- which would actually mean "in character" (I looked it up). She doesn't understand the basics for sentence structure.

If you want to flame someone, you better be able to stand your own when they respond. She can't, because she doesn't even know how to formulate a correct sentence and use words the way they were meant.

You handled it so much better than I would. Your use of pennswoods response and what you added to it was very tasteful and to the point. More importantly, it will show her correct grammar, puncuation and spelling.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Pink. I am just at a point with the story where I don't really want to go on with it, but I will not abandon the story. I think that is far more rude than anything she would have written. I just think she was extremely nasty in the way she put things. I'm not saying I completely disagree with some of her statements, but I think I would have either just stopped reading or found a nicer way to put it. And it insults every reader who did enjoy it to say basically "All these people don't know what they're talking about."

[laurielover1912.livejournal.com]

This is clearly causing a lot of negative emotion which is going to just sap you when you don't need it. Just try to shrug and move on. It is difficult when you get tough reviews and she did word it rather unnecessarily rudely, but these things do happen. What we must not do when we get them is to let them boil over into personal vindictiveness which just leaves everyone feeling like shit.

I have once started a PM back and forth with a reviewer who left what was essentially an honest review but which at the time offended me. It was silly of me to get so het up and by the end of the correspondence we had had quite a mutually beneficial and interesting discussion.

I also had a review once which told me plainly that they didn't rate a certain aspect of my writing, which infuriated me at the time. But, that was by far the most important review I have ever received. It changed my writing for the better, there is no doubt about it, and of all the things people have said to me in reviews, that is the one which has been the most useful and beneficial.

It really stings initially, especially when worded as this one was, but it takes all kinds in this world and we can learn from them all. You keep a lot of people happy with your writing - but I'm sure you want to strive to keep even more happy - reviews like this help us do that, even though they don't seem like it at the time.

Have a glass of wine and think of happy things like princes in RAF uniforms! x

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I think what is really bothering me, Laurie, is that essentially I believe her. I have lost faith in this fic, and I am tired of it. What started off as an intense story is sapping me physically and emotionally. Obviously her timing's not great, but she's really not saying anything I haven't said myself. I've just said it in a way that wasn't that nasty.

I can't really fault her findings - I just think she was incredibly nasty in the way she said them - things like, "I don't understand the reviews you're getting here", that sort of thing.

[laurielover1912.livejournal.com]

She was unnecessarily rude; I'm sorry.

I know exactly how you feel about getting to a stage in a fic where it saps you emotionally and physically - I have one which does that. But you mustn't pander to readers. You can only write effectively if you are relaxed and ready to do so. If this fic is proving difficult at the moment, step away from it and take a break. Your enthusiasm will most likely return in due course. But the harder you force it, the more difficult it will become. Your readers will respect that and will much prefer to read good quality writing which they may have had to wait for than something which has been contrived and forced.

Please don't let it get you down too much. Remember - this is all a tiny part of our own very real and very complex lives. x

[majorjune.livejournal.com]

I can't really fault her findings - I just think she was incredibly nasty in the way she said them - things like, "I don't understand the reviews you're getting here", that sort of thing.

Since you've gotten over 400 positive reviews, I'd say that one could fault her findings! :-o

I can definitely understand getting tired of a story one is writing...usually it's because you're too close to it, and it signals that you need a break from it. Leave it be for awhile, try writing other stuff in the meantime.

But definitely don't lose faith, not in your story and definitely not in yourself as a writer!

I don't know how long you've been writing, but I started when I was 12. I'll be 58 in June. I've always believed in myself as a writer, even when decades later I read things I'd written in my teens and twenties, and couldn't believe how bad they seemed to me later!

But I was never ashamed of them! Those early stories and plays represent a learning curve, and if I hadn't written them then, I wouldn't be able to write the way that I do now (for better or for worse! lol)

Maybe you should try writing some non-fanfiction stuff; also, if you could have your own "Inklings", whether in RL or on the internet, other writers you could get together with and discuss your WIP in a safe and supportive manner...

A PTSD therapy group for writers! ;-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Actually, I started out in original fiction - I still write it and it parallels with my fanfic. I just don't really do alot with it here, but I have self-published one book, and I'm almost done with its sequel.

It's funny, as I was emailing and commiserating with my beta about it, I started to feel a little spark of something in the back of my head about the new chapter, and it has gotten me a bit motivated to continue, so, I guess I owe her a debt of thanks - I'm sure she'll LOVE knowing she's galvanised me into writing more of my pointless, OOC dreck!

[majorjune.livejournal.com]

It's funny, as I was emailing and commiserating with my beta about it, I started to feel a little spark of something in the back of my head about the new chapter, and it has gotten me a bit motivated to continue, so, I guess I owe her a debt of thanks - I'm sure she'll LOVE knowing she's galvanised me into writing more of my pointless, OOC dreck!

Put a dedication to the bitch at the beginning of the chapter! LOL

[tonksinger.livejournal.com]

She is taking this way too seriously and way, way too fucking far. Sure, criticism is for pointing out flaws in artwork, but not in this context and not in that tone. I swear, some people in fandom think they're writing for the NY Times Book Review.

*huge hugs* for you for standing up to her and telling her exactly how out of line she was.

And I totally understand feeling like you've lost a story somewhere along the line, and your enthusiasm along with it. What I like to do is to go back and re-read early chapters, starting notes, stuff like that, to find whatever spark/idea/theme it was that started it off. This sometimes reminds me of the enthusiasm with which I started it.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

It's funny you should mention that, Tonks.

I was going over the plot points with my beta today, just saying "I want to do this and I want this to happen and this is when that needs to take place" and suddenly I felt a little more excitement for it, and I started thinking, okay, I can do this.

It might just be temporary insanity, but I think I might be back on track a little... keep fingers crossed :)

[bambu345.livejournal.com]

::snicker:: Actually she said her 'peace' and you said your piece -- I prefer yours. You know, if a critic would like their comments taken in good faith, it might benefit them to proofread their post!

I suspect your tweaked her where it hurt the most; in her vanity.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

It's quite telling how much of her reply referenced "I" and "my". The initial review really was about her and not about you or your writing at all.

I support those who recommend using this to inspire your writing. It sounds like you've got a flame burning in your belly now that's ready to be heard.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you for giving me the best paragraph I've ever not written - I would tell you how good it felt to be able to use it, but it would come with a 'Lascivious' rating.

Yes, it's got me a little more focused. Thank goodness; my beta threatened to hex me if I didn't get off my kiester, stop writing vampire and dark fics and get back to the show!

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

I was taken aback when I read your previous post that contained a copy of la critique. Uh, yeah. I love Lay Me Low. Does that mean I'm crazy? Nuh uh... only so far as I am crazy for your writing.

Hugs you with huge hugs!

Beffey

[alienor77310.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. That reminds me the time someone compared my type of fanart to pissing in the produce aisle.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

That is just so uncalled for! As Mimi says, those are the words of someone who has to put others down just to feel good about themselves. Very, very wrong.

[tally1302.livejournal.com]

I got a little kick out of the fact that she spelled "piece" incorrectly ;)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

:)

And let's not forget "out of characterless". I'm still puzzling over that one....

[ayerf.livejournal.com]

~hugs~ You definitely don't need it. I hope she stops trying to pick a fight.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I stopped reading her emails - just deleted them completely from my delete file. No sense in unnecessarily upsetting myself.

I totally respect concrit, and take it very seriously. Crap like this is just flames, and while I've not been the victim of very many, they still shock and upset me.

I'm fine now, thanks to the loving support and encouragement of the people that really count - my friends and those who enjoy the story.

It's sort of ironic that the new review I received on the story was probably one of the most glowing and flattering I've ever received! ;)