I don't know what made you post about that, the fic commentary one (did some anon send you ask/message and they trashtalk some fics?) I'm not an author myself and I'm very selective of what I read (because I get sensitive very easily) but I just, I feel like pulling my hair out because people do this? I mean when it comes to opinion, should they do it that way? twitter*com/clourryy/status/1382065828217126912?s=19
Hey anon. I have a lot of thoughts, not of all which may be coherent, so I’m gonna just start writing and see what comes out.
First - I’m not saying people shouldn’t have opinions. Obviously, we all have them! It’s not wrong to want to share your opinions!
Here’s my thinking though.
1. Authors are not OTHER in fandom. We’re not outside of it, we’re part of it. We’re part of the community. And when you shit on authors where they can see it, you know what you get? No more authors. I took a look at that thread and you know what it makes me want to do in response? Take down all my Larry fics and never publish in this fandom again (and my darling fellow writers, do NOT go looking, it’s just mean).
2. So I guess part of what I think is, share your opinions privately. Doing it where the very people who have provided you content for free can see it is a dick move.
3. I do wonder how many of these folks who are publicly shitting on people’s writing that they’ve worked hard on and shared, again - AS A GIFT TO YOU AND FANDOM, are writers? Because no writer I know would ever, ever do that. It’s not that we don’t have opinions, we do. But we don’t share them like that, as far as I know? I’ve never seen it anyway, not publicly - that’s not who I follow or an energy I want to invite in. So maybe it happens? But the people I’m close to, we don’t do that. And we don’t, because we KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURTS.
4. Unsolicited concrit from a total stranger is just never, ever going to be helpful, at least, not for me, and not for *most* authors I know. If it IS helpful for you as an ACTUAL writer who is ACTUALLY publishing in a fandom (not just someone who doesn’t write or publish but who is sure it can’t be that hard), you are more than welcome to put that in your Author’s Note and solicit it.
5. It’s not that I don’t take concrit. Or solicit it. I do, with pretty much everything I put out there. But you know who I ask? Writers who I love and trust and know. To take criticism is a thing you have to learn to do, and you have to build trust.
6. And you know when I do it? WHILE I AM STILL WRITING THE FIC. Once it’s out there, it’s done and I’m moving on.
7. Life is really hard for a lot of people, a lot of the time. Fandom, for me, is where I come for joy and fun and relaxation and art and words and creativity and inspiration and distraction. I want to be a force for joy and support in this world, including in fandom. I don’t understand, like I really, genuinely don’t understand, how being really mean about someone else’s creative work in a space where they can see it, feels okay? I come here to get filled up, and I guess, for me, one of my favorite ways to fill myself up is to be positive and excited and supportive. To spill it back into the world.
7. Not all fics are for me. I understand that completely, whether it’s a writing style that doesn’t work for me or topics that don’t work for me (don’t get me started on food fights in commercials kitchens, I am very, very serious). So when I encounter that, you know what I do? Nope out and head off on my way to something that’s a better fit for me.
Dear anon, I’m sorry if I sound annoyed at you, I’m really not. To me, the best thing to do when you have a negative opinion about someone else’s work is to shut up and keep it yourself. Sorry to be blunt, but it’s really how I feel. If you want to share it, find your trusted inner circle and have at it.
If you feel you must, you ABSOLUTELY MUST share your negative opinion with a creator who gave you a GIFT FOR FREE of their time and work and energy and love, then for FUCKING GOD’S SAKE GET CONSENT. ASK IF YOU CAN OFFER IT AND RESPECT A NO IF YOU GET IT.
Okay I’ll stop now. xox
