Writer's Rant

[rusty_armour]

It seems like all I've received since I posted the latest installment of my story has been nit-picking. Now, I know that isn't true because there have been people who have left very generous feedback. However, being over-sensitive and a "glass is half empty" type of person, I've been dwelling on all the negative comments. Ooops. I mean "constructive criticism". Yes, I realize that people are just trying to be helpful and I should be grateful. But when half the replies involve a debate about whether Sheppard has a drawl or if he would use the word "soda," I find myself wondering why I bothered to post this part in the first place. I mean, if those are the kinds of things that people are remembering then the rest of the installment must be seriously boring or just utter crap.

I know I'm over-reacting and I know I should be a better person about all this. I keep telling myself that I should be writing for myself first and foremost. But then I think to myself that I know how the story is going to end. It's not as if I have to read the subsequent parts. And, if this is the case, why should I be busting my ass trying to finish the god-damn thing?

Of course I will finish the god-damn thing because I've already put in too much time and energy not to finish it. Unfortunately, I just don't have any particular desire to work on it. At all. I certainly don't plan to go through another series of marathon writing sessions because I feel guilty for making my readers wait so long between installments. The proverbial straw has been broken and right now guilt is the last emotion I'm feeling.

Well, now that I've probably alienated anyone who might have been willing to read the rest of In the Family Way, I'll just see what other destruction I can wreak.

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I still want to read the rest of the series.

[crew4.livejournal.com]

*Hug* People who debate about if a certain character would say a certain thing have way too much time on their hands, and no life. If you don't want to write at the moment then you shouldn't. It's way to hard to write when you start to hate doing it. Take a break, have a few drinks, and see what happens in a couple of days. Don't let the idiots get to you. If you enjoy it, then don't let them stop you, if you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

Yay you for having a rant. Feels good sometimes doesn't it ;-)

[crew4.livejournal.com]

BTW, awesome work on RoS Fanfic. Thanks for all the effort you put into it. We may not say it all the time, but it is really, really appreciated.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Oh dear... am sorry to hear the commentators are giving you such a rough time. I know how you feel though: Lately I have been seriously wondering why I make icons because I hardly get comments on them at all! :(

As for your fanfic, I know you're a good writer so please don't let those nitpickers get to you. They probably want to give some constructive criticism but since the story is so well-written and Pullitzer-prize worthy that's probably all they can come up with! ;-)

There are plenty of people who do like your stories or else they wouldn't wait for the next installments so finish the darn thing already! ;-)

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

*pets you gently*

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

Joins in the patting. I can understand why you feel that way. It's a great series. We had John! and Sex! in this one! Sex! and John! Both really good things that go great together! The basement as a character is also really growing on me. I think the way you bring such a regional Canadian voice to the series is wonderful and unique (which is something hard to do with SGA).

More specifically, I particularly loved your comparison of Jeanie to a Wraith Queen. Only John!

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Oh, Rusty. I feel so much empathy for you right now. I am also a glass half full (with a leak) type person. I hope the rant helped you. Beat up a pillow. Slug back a beverage. Shred something. Or, you could do what I do (and hate to do)...cry.

If I were in the same city, I would walk over to you and give you a great big hug and then take you to the pub. While at the pub, we would pull out great big pieces of paper and draw things with crayons. There is nothing like drawing with crayons to help us feel better. I think it brings us back to the simpler days of childhood and lets us see what's really important to us.

Oh, and you know I love In the Family Way. I don't give a damn about John's accent or the difference between soda and pop.

*hugs*