Something for the Old Scrapbook!

[rusty_armour]

I have now received my first bad review for In the Family Way on Wraithbait. And when I say "bad," I don't mean criticism for a particular scene or aspect of the story because I've received that already. No, I'm talking about a review in which the reader pretty much trashed the whole fic and found very little that she liked about it. I'm now wishing I'd waited until the anger wore off to respond to her review because the situation seems pretty funny now. I mean, I had intended to be diplomatic (in some part of my brain), but writing the following sentence wasn't really an act of maturity on my part:

I could argue the points you brought up, but I think that would probably be a waste of time.

I've really got to learn to develop a thicker skin. I mean, taste is such a subjective thing and people have a right to like or dislike whatever they want. That's kind of the point of a democracy. However, I have a problem with people who make destructive rather than constructive criticism. In this case, I felt as if the reviewer was looking down her nose at me and using this as an opportunity to show off how clever and sophisticated she was -- or thought she was. Her review felt dismissive. Well, your little fic was disappointing and definitely below my standards, but thank you for sharing it anyway. It gave me a few minutes of entertainment when I wasn't cringing over everything else. Well, thanks. I'm so happy that, despite its numerous faults, the novel-length story I spent over three years writing had at least a couple of things you liked about it.

Oh, well. Anyone can write a glowing review in which they praise a story, but it takes much more work to provide a list of everything the writer did wrong. I should appreciate the time and effort that went into this feedback. And, hey, it's the first truly negative review for this story, so it should be cherished. *g*

Comments

[crew4.livejournal.com]

Wow, this reviewer sounds very much like the kind of person that just likes to make people feel bad. There is no call for her to write the review in that way. If she didn't like it there are less conceited way. I've never read it because I don't know the fandom at all, but seriously, this girl needs to pull her head in.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

I didn't read this particular story but I do know how you write. I agree with you that the review is quite negative and I can understand why it stings - the reviewer could at least have given some solutions on how you could have improved it rather than just saying "I don't like this and that".

eta: reviewer sounds like someone who reads and reviews just to display to others her extensive knowledge of show and its characters and how she thinks they should be displayed. :(

PS - are the Naz-fans taking over your blog? :P

[lazigyrl.livejournal.com]

Seriously, plane travel is considered no-no after a certain point in a pregnancy... more so if it's a high risk. You got that right, not her.

I haven't finished it yet. NaNo snuck up on me before I got to the end. But what I did get covered was a very enjoyable read and I plan to finish come December.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to give this reviewer the benefit of the doubt and assume that her intention wasn't to make me feel bad. Well, not entirely, anyway. *g* I do think that she probably likes to nitpick and point out faults to show how clever she is, though, in at least a couple of cases, her arguments just demonstrated that she really hadn't understood what she was reading...Anywaaaaay, while I'm pretty biased on the subject, I think she could have outlined her problems with the story in a less conceited way.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I didn't read this particular story but I do know how you write. I agree with you that the review is quite negative and I can understand why it stings - the reviewer could at least have given some solutions on how you could have improved it rather than just saying "I don't like this and that".

Well, that's one of the things I find really annoying. She found it easy enough to point out all the faults in the story, but, for all her cleverness, she didn't really offer any solutions. In the instances when she did make suggestions, it was obvious that she hadn't really understood the part of the fic she was criticizing and/or hadn't really thought her suggestions through in terms of the story's plot, etc.

eta: reviewer sounds like someone who reads and reviews just to display to others her extensive knowledge of show and its characters and how she thinks they should be displayed. :(

I hadn't thought of that, but I think you're right! She does seem like one of those fans who feels she has all the answers and that she's the only person who knows how the characters should think and act!

PS - are the Naz-fans taking over your blog? :P

It's certainly starting to look that way! *g*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ooooops...I just realized that you probably got some pretty big spoilers with that review! D'oh! *g* Well, I'm sure you could probably guess how some of these events were going to play out. Hopefully, it won't ruin your enjoyment of the rest of the story.

Thanks for starting to read my fic btw! I figured you wouldn't have a chance to check it out until some time after NaNo. I'm happy that you've enjoyed what you've read so far. There's absolutely no rush to finish it. I mean, it isn't going anywhere, so wait until it's convenient. I know December is a really busy time for most people, so no worries if you don't get much (if any) reading done then. :-)

[avictoriangirl]

Ack! That's awful. I find it strange that if she hated it so much, why did she keep reading? Some people are just rude and mean. *hugs*

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

I can only agree with the others here and also wonder why she bothers with fan fiction if she is oh so clever and sophisticated. To me at least, fan fiction is supposed to be fun, and if you don't enjoy it, why bother?

Maybe I don't have to say this, but even without knowing that particular fandom, I enjoyed your fic a lot, as I told you before, but of course, to someone like her, that might not mean much. I mean, I'm obviously not nearly as clever and sophisticated as she supposedly is.

This sort of thing happened to me too, once and funnily enough it was a Stargate SG1 fic. Maybe it was the same person? Despite having a hot temper I took the time to be patient and respond to her criticisms, but after that it was kind of ruined for me and I just removed the fic. DOn't do that. Your fic is too awesome. Just leave it online for other people to enjoy.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That thought actually just occurred to me! Why would you keep reading such a long story if you feel it's riddled with faults? I mean, it's not as if there was a lack of SGA fic. SGA probably has more fic than just about any other fandom I can think of! *Sigh* Well, I guess some people just get off on cutting up other people's work.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I can only agree with the others here and also wonder why she bothers with fan fiction if she is oh so clever and sophisticated. To me at least, fan fiction is supposed to be fun, and if you don't enjoy it, why bother?

Thank you for reminding me of that, sublunarfields! Fan fiction is supposed to be fun. And this story was supposed to be fun. I mean, I wrote it mostly as a comedy, for Herne's sake!

Maybe I don't have to say this, but even without knowing that particular fandom, I enjoyed your fic a lot, as I told you before, but of course, to someone like her, that might not mean much. I mean, I'm obviously not nearly as clever and sophisticated as she supposedly is.

It means a lot to hear you say that. :-) Well, I'm guessing this person knows very few people who are as clever and sophisticated as she is. I'm sure she must have a hard time finding fic that meets her exacting standards, unless it's something she wrote herself.

This sort of thing happened to me too, once and funnily enough it was a Stargate SG1 fic. Maybe it was the same person? Despite having a hot temper I took the time to be patient and respond to her criticisms, but after that it was kind of ruined for me and I just removed the fic. Don't do that. Your fic is too awesome. Just leave it online for other people to enjoy.

Oh, no! That's awful! I'm so sorry this person ruined your story for you, especially as you patiently responded to her criticisms and kept your temper, which is more than I did. However, I can understand why you would want to remove your story. Unfortunately, I think this has happened to quite a few fic writers, which is just completely wrong. Well, I won't be removing my story. I worked too long and hard on it to take it down. And I know there are people who have enjoyed it, despite its imperfections, so the story isn't going anywhere.

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I don't think she should have taken it upon herself to write a review at all if she had nothing good to say. A balanced review with some constructive suggestions would be fine, but it sounds as if she likes writing negative reviews. Nassssty person! Don't let her spoil it for you.

I've read the fic, although I have never seen the series. I was impressed by your writing, as always. You're very good at writing humorous stories, which is a rare gift.

[lazy-8s.livejournal.com]

Don't give her the benefit of the doubt or any credit at all. If one doesn't like a fic,one should hit the back button and look elsewhere. End of story. There's too much negativity, as it is.

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

It was inevitable that you would come up against one bad review. Just remember that there are petty people out there who have no concept of what is truly involved in writing.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, critique. Pity her.

Just don't remove the fic. It is too fun to keep from view.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I don't think she should have taken it upon herself to write a review at all if she had nothing good to say. A balanced review with some constructive suggestions would be fine, but it sounds as if she likes writing negative reviews. Nassssty person! Don't let her spoil it for you.

Oh, I have no intention of letting her spoil it for me, so no worries there. :-) My rule of thumb regarding fic is pretty much the same as yours. If I don't have anything good to say then I just don't leave any feedback. If a writer asks for my opinion when I do have problems with a story, I can pretty much always find something good about it or, at least, make suggestions on how to improve parts that don't quite work.

I've read the fic, although I have never seen the series. I was impressed by your writing, as always. You're very good at writing humorous stories, which is a rare gift.

Oh, karen9! I wasn't expecting that! How extremely kind of you! Thank you very much for reading and saying such generous things about my writing! :-D

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, lazy_8s. That's pretty much my attitude as well. If I don't like a fic then I hit the back button and look elsewhere. Like you, I think there's too much negativity already. Unless a writer specifically asks for my opinion then I won't critique a story I don't like.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

It was inevitable that you would come up against one bad review. Just remember that there are petty people out there who have no concept of what is truly involved in writing.

You're absolutely right, njc2007. I should have been prepared for at least one or two negative reviews. I mean, if you're going to post your story online, you should be prepared for that. Ironically, the person in question does write fic. In fact, I think I may have even recommended one or two of her stories in my SGA recs. However, it's possible that she's still petty all the same. ;-)

Just don't remove the fic. It is too fun to keep from view.

Oh, there's no way I'm going to do that. I'm not going to let one person dictate whether my story deserves to be read or not. Now, if everyone hated it then that would be different... *VBG*

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

Congratulations? On your first idiotic review. Everyone knows that you can't fly if you're 32 weeks+ pregnant. I think. Or is it the start of the 3rd trimester?

She didn't really like it, and yet she read it. Your icon is entirely appropriate. If I don't like something, and if you've ever read anything on fanfiction.net then you would have come across a few, then I stop reading it. Easy as. If the idea behind it intrigues me, I might continue. But sometimes the grammar and spelling is so poor that I can't.
I popped over and read the review. There are nicer ways of providing criticism, but it, at least, should've been constructive. Which it wasn't. Don't worry about her.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Congratulations? On your first idiotic review.

Well, I've been trying my darndest to turn a negative into a positive. *g*

Everyone knows that you can't fly if you're 32 weeks+ pregnant. I think. Or is it the start of the 3rd trimester?

I'm pretty sure that's what I read. It certainly isn't advisable if it's a high-risk pregnancy, which is what we were looking at in the story.

She didn't really like it, and yet she read it. Your icon is entirely appropriate.

LOL! Thanks! :-) This fact alone has had me scratching my head. Why read a story that's over 76,000 words if you don't like it? It's not as if there's a shortage of SGA fic. She could have easily found something else to read.

If I don't like something, and if you've ever read anything on fanfiction.net then you would have come across a few, then I stop reading it. Easy as. If the idea behind it intrigues me, I might continue. But sometimes the grammar and spelling is so poor that I can't.

I'm the same. If I don't like a story, I simply stop reading it. I mean, I have a pretty short attention span as it is, so if a fic doesn't grab me then I'm gone. Okay, I'll admit that I sometimes stick with a story if the idea intrigues me. Sometimes a story will have a really cool premise, even if the execution is somewhat lacking. Like you, I can only take so much bad spelling and grammar before I have to abandon a story. I can tolerate a fair degree of it if the story is fairly decent, especially if I know that English isn't the writer's first language.

I popped over and read the review. There are nicer ways of providing criticism, but it, at least, should've been constructive. Which it wasn't. Don't worry about her.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who thought her criticism wasn't constructive. I'll freely confess that I'm over-sensitive, and obviously biased as it was my story on the chopping block, but it did seem like the review was a tinsy bit unfair, not to mention dismissive. Did I mention dismissive? Anywaaaay, I'm going to try not to let her get to me anymore.

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was just a weird review. It's like she did like it overall (which makes sense because why read it otherwise), but picked a couple things at random to mention as being wrong. I thought your response was excellent. It came off mature and restrained with the above sentence in context.

Awwww...I didn't realize that I had anything to do with the story. That's awesome! I'm honoured to have recced the story that inspired it :) Astolat is the gateway drug to so much! Now if I can just use her to suck you into AI!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was just a weird review. It's like she did like it overall (which makes sense because why read it otherwise), but picked a couple things at random to mention as being wrong.

Do you think she liked it? I honestly wasn't sure. I mean, I basically only saw the negative in what she was saying (because I'm over-sensitive and need to learn to take criticism better), but it does seem strange that she would read the whole story if she didn't like it on some level. I almost wonder if she was trying to help me by suggesting areas that she thought I could improve on. Unfortunately, her approach wasn't exactly diplomatic, though I'm also defensive on top of being over-sensitive, so maybe I just interpreted what she was saying in a more negative way than I should have.

I thought your response was excellent. It came off mature and restrained with the above sentence in context.

I don't know about mature, but I was restrained. There was a lot I could have said (and wanted to say), but I held back. My response was kind of bitchy, but it could have been a lot worse. I've certainly said worse in the past, though not in response to Wraithbait reviews. *g*

Awwww...I didn't realize that I had anything to do with the story. That's awesome! I'm honoured to have recced the story that inspired it :) Astolat is the gateway drug to so much!

Oh, I thought you knew that I'd mentioned you in my author's note. It's been there since the beginning. Of course, "the beginning" was, like, three years ago, so I'm not surprised that you forgot! *VBG* Anywaaaaay, you definitely deserve credit for the role you played in my story! :-)

Astolat is the gateway drug to so much! Now if I can just use her to suck you into AI!

Nah! I don't need Astolat for that. I'm already intrigued by AI after reading your own stories. :-) And I will check out those recs of yours when I've got more time.