I've been part of the fandom for about two years. I really enjoy it. I don't get involved in the drama. Actually, 99.9% of the time I'm completely unaware of it. I guess you could say I was even the victim of a witch hunt at one point almost a year ago when one of my stories was pulled from ffnet.
It didn't matter to me that much. Was I annoyed? Sure. Did it ruin my life, keep me up at night or become an ongoing sore spot? Nope.
However, for the first time ever, I read a story yesterday that bugged me. Well, isn't the first time I've read a story that bugged me, but it is the first time I've have trouble letting it go. It immediately bugged me when I read it, and here it is, 24 hours later, and it is still bugging me. I've tried, throughout the day, to phrase a review that would address my concerns while still remaining respectful.
I think it have it. I'm a writer, I can get my point across without being crass, rude, contemptuous, etc. Then I realized, that there is no way...NO WAY...the author of the story is going to see my point of view. No. Way. So...what to do? Do I post the review and deal with the inevitable shitstorm? Do I decide that it's hardly my place to share my thoughts when they are so out of kilter with the author's? Do I post an anonymous review?
None of the above?
What would you do?
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Private message - definitely - just my opinion
ReplyDeleteI don't know, what would you say to someone who thought your story was inappropriate because it had things they were morally against? Censorship is a tough issue. If it violates the terms of service, then it should be on a site restricting viewers. But other than that let it go and read stuff you do like ;) Just my two cents. I am not judging your thoughts or feelings.
ReplyDeleteI hate when that happens. Unfortunately I don't think they will share or be persuaded by your thoughts. If anything it will probably make them feel bad or mad. If it were me, I would type up my response so I feel better but then delete it and not send it.
ReplyDeleteCan you PM the person? Think about that it is simply a story and why do you need to say something. Can you ask a question first, for clarification while bringing awareness as to what bothers you?
ReplyDeleteI did that one time. Didn't want to give someone a bad review but felt compelled to say something. She wrote me back appreciating my comment. Not everyone will though.
I've been in this predicament, I stepped away from leaving a review for 2 days but at the end I ended up reviewing and leaving my thoughts. I felt terrible as I had never written such a review before but I felt that strongly that I had to express my disappointment.
ReplyDeleteTo the authors credit she did reply, it took her over a month but I got a very detailed reply back.
But I'm not an author and what I have to say really doesn't matter.
If you feel you can't let it go then I would send a PM. If the author then chooses to call you out then she has not showed you the same respect as you tried to keep it behind closed doors.
If I was in your position I would stop reading it and find something that I will enjoy reading.
Good luck and I'm thinking of you.
Irene
xx
That is a dilemma...I would probably opt for a PM first (but then again, you're convinced the author won't see your point of view). I'm sure as a fellow author, you appreciate most feedback as long as it's not 'personal'. I think you should post it -- maybe others feel the same but won't speak up?
ReplyDeleteSo, was that rambling on good for you?!? :)
It was a one shot, so it's not something that I have the option of not continuing. As for the 'censorship' issue, that's not my concern. Write what you will, as long as it doesn't violate TOS (hell, even if it does and you can get away with it). I'm not looking to tell the author I find the story morally repungnant. My issues are in the 'other' category. Nothing wrong with the spelling or grammar, it's not a moral issue. I can't be more specific without giving away the story's plot, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI'm still undecided. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, ideas and opinions. I'm still bothered by the story, but still not sure I should comment.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteGood point. I've taken some very critical reviews (some not even very nice or respectful) and responded to them. I've also taken what I can from them. But we've all seen what can happen when people get offended by even the most carefully worded criticism.
Sigh.
If you're sure they're not going to understand, then I agree with mommy2kh. Write a response to get it out but don't send it. I've been lurking on various fandoms for over a decade and small things seem to escalate easily- screens make people bolder than face to face, perhaps? Fandom is crazy-making at times, and unless you have a major moral issue, it's probably not worth the ensuing frustration and possible loss of sanity!
ReplyDeleteI would do an anon review. That way you can get your point across, and no one will be after you for it.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a tough one. I've read many stories, or started anyway, and realized I didn't really care for them, for one reason or another. I didn't finish them, but I agree, you don't have that choice when it's a one-shot. By the time you realize it's not for you, it's over. If I have bad feelings about a story, for me it's just easier to forget it and move on to something else. I usually only review if I like it, and if I don't, I don't review at all. But that's just me. Guess I don't like confrontation!
ReplyDeleteI do think you need to decide what your motivation would be in commenting at all. Is it that the story has elements that you find disgusting or repulsive? Did it seem like she plagiarized it? I guess it just depends on how serious your objections are, and what you're looking to get out of it if you tell her (or him?!). There are so many amazing stories out there, that I feel like if I don't like something, I can always find a million more to read that I will like. Just my opinion, though I'm certainly not saying you don't have a right to your opinion! I just think it would be better to decide what you want out of it. If it's just going to make you more mad if the author doesn't agree or argues with you, then I'd just forget it and move on. Life's too short! Love your writing, and hopefully, you won't ever have a reader in your position!
I can tell you now that I've decided to let it go. I'm not going to review. Plagarism is a cut and dry kind of topic. I'd have no problem reporting if that were the case. I would say my concern was more 'societal.' Does that make sense? I think I've found a parallel I can use, but I think I've exhausted the topic.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate everyone's thoughts and ideas.
Leave it be, Go on to a different story. Just like people who don't like a certain TV show or radio station. Turn it to something else.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this solution is generalized, not really knowing what upset you. If a law was broken , that falls under a moral obligation, or is anyone being hurt by it? If the answer is no to either of those questions and if it's just a matter of opinion or taste, go with my first suggestion.
It's very difficult to say what the right thing to do is, since the fandom can get rather dramatic when it comes to defending one person or tearing down another. One thing I can say for certain is that I miss The Bargain to this day.
ReplyDelete