Okay, guys, I'll respond to this thing now that I have a cooler head.
Boy, when they say 'write in red heat, edit in cold blood', they're not
kidding.
=====
At 03:06 PM 5/27/98 -0700, you wrote:
<damn, I really hate the fact that these damn carrot brackets make the
email look like it's been through the shredder unless you fix 'em up by
hand. I gotta get a better email service (meaning not a free one)>
Uh, these carrot brackets are still with me, even though I have Eudora 3.
We're stuck with 'em.
On Wed, 27 May 1998 12:58:25 -0500 "The Eternal Lost Lurker"
<EternalLostLurker@worldnet.att.net> writes:
I was going to be silent on this, although I
definitely agree with the original rant, but...
Thanks, Lurker.
[snip]
more appealing. And even if a less skilled
writer were to pick up the idea, the originator
of the idea shouldn't really complain because
he/she put out the idea for public consumption
(right word?).
If you found enough merit for it to be released for public consumption, why
can't you find enough merit to write about it? Plus, besides the fact that
it may not go the way you want it to go, you can't expect an established
writer to pick it up as if he had nothing else to write. (Guess who'll
never say this --- oh, lookie, an idea by 'X'. I'll just drop 'Twisted
Destiny' now to write this idea that he obviously didn't feel worthy enough
for him to write himself.)
Wave to the nice lady, TimeRunner. ^^;
[snip]
2. It's all fine and good to say "Oh, I'll pass this
along so maybe Lawson or Lurker or Bailesu
or someone will pick it up"...
Doesn't work that way, folks.
Why not? Because most of us already have
more to do than we can handle.
Ayup. I've got five or six waiting to be written (ooh, the prods) and I'm
not even as experienced on the list as Lurker!
[snip]
There's also this: Someone who comes up with
an idea *should* at *LEAST* attempt to write a
little bit of it. You're missing out on the best part
of the fanfiction process if you don't at least try to
write. Oh sure, you get the satisfaction of
reading it and C&Cing it if someone else
eventually decides to write it, but it's the writing
in itself that's the best part of the whole deal.
Yes. By posting your fics with the reason (and I use 'reason' now) that
'Oh, I'm not good enough', you forgo your right to C&C and prereading that
this list gives you. What do you think all these other people on the list
are for? The list is an exchange. You read ours, we read yours. On one
side, that doesn't mean that we're forcing you to write, heavens no, this
isn't a job, it's a hobby. On the other hand, this also means that if you
feel that your writing isn't up to par (and I use 'feel' here, becasue your
opinions may differ from those of other's) then all the other memebers of
the list are here to help you out.
The first time daVinci's Last Supper started to melt, if he'd thrown it in
the trash dismissing it as 'a piece of crap' without showing it to others
and without having the drive to write it, well... you know the rest.
Believe me, I've tried. I've tried and tried and tried, but all I come
out with is cr*p. A disjointed idea here, slapped together with an
overused plot device here, and basically what I end up with is... well,
you know. So for me, writing ISN'T the best part of the ff process,
reading and providing intelligent (I hope) commentary for fanfics is.
I'm sure you do. Now give us some credit and admit that some of us can give
intelligent commentary, too, instead of simply scathing dismissal (like are
all too much toward our own work).
Take, tooting my own flute, Yen Town. I WANTED to write it, the idea was
much to valuable (in my eyes) to simply pass off to someone else to write
while I sit back and enjoy reading it, all the while wondering if I
could've done it better.
But after part 1, I all of a sudden started producing crap. I mean it. Crap.
Fortunately, I had people read it, I had people help me tighten it up, I
'had the time' or 'made the time' to rewrite it (and rewrite it I did, part
4 alone must've had three complete rewrites - and I mean from scratch), and
most importantly, I WANTED to write it. If I had wanted to write it simply
to prove that I write crap then I would've produced crap.
But you see, my pride tells me that after all that work, I didn't. And you
know what? It was my idea. No one posted on the list to tell me to write
it. True, I watched 'Swallowtail' and drew from it somewhat, but no one
told me I HAD to write a fic about it.
So don't go saying you can't write worth squat.
Tell you what. The next time you have an Idea, write it down, even if it's
just a one-page spam-fic, and send it to me. I'll 'make time' to read it,
and preread it. After all, you've helped other writers tighten up their
work, now let me return the favor.
At worst, you have an idea in the form of a spamfic, that you can ask other
writers to pick up, because you've sincerely tried.
At best, you have a fanfic you can be proud enough of to post on the FanFic
Mailing List. Few things can be more satisfying, I tell you.
Oh, and one of the best parts is, you have time to write, I have time to read.
Are you interested?
[mega-snip]
Oh right, the ol' "I just don't have time" excuse.
^_^ I have a sense you've heard this before, Lurker-san.
Funny, though, I seem to have the most time to write when my internet
account is cut off. ^^;
I have 3.25MB of fics from the FFML taking up
space in my hard drive, dating back as far as
December in some cases, that I haven't even
so much as glanced at.
I have a pile of new anime videos sitting on the
floor in front of my television that I haven't
watched yet.
I have a pile of Godzilla flicks I haven't watched yet.
I have a pile of manga I haven't read yet.
I haven't taken a 48 hour nap in a while.
*sob* I wish I could do this one day (err, two days). Damn finals
anway. Who needs 'em?
I understand. I just had finals, too.
Bye-bye, everyone. I won't be writing anymore for
six months or so. I've got too many videos to
watch and too much manga to read, and too
many fanfics to read, and then I'll have even
more stuff to do to keep me from writing.
That's one way to prove a point, Lurker.
You can use the 'I have no time' excuse to your deathbed.
Remember the song 'Cats in the Cradle'?
I don't think so. I enjoy writing too much. That's
why I put everything else on hold to do it as
much as possible.
PRECISELY! My whole problem with this 'I can't write worth squat' approach
is that you people make it seem too much like work! It's supposed to be
catharsis! It's supposed to be release! You don't skip class or sneak time
in the office to write if it felt like work! You'd simply do more work!
Back to the 'I'd rather read, so here's an idea, now get to it' attitude.
People, people. If writing the idea seems too much like work to you, why
pass off the 'work' to someone who does it because he enjoys it? Why make
it seem like work to that person, too?
If you find enough merit in the idea, why make other people write it? So
you can enjoy the fruits of other people's 'work'?
'Many people who want to be writers don't really want to be writers. They
want to HAVE BEEN writers.'
- James A. Michener
Granted, I have more free time than most others...I
know some of the best authors around here have
college, jobs, etc etc. and don't get nearly as much
time to write as they'd like. But if you're using time
as an excuse...
I think if you were to read what I said, you'd realize I'm not so much
using time as an excuse but saying I'd PREFER to read rather than write.
My exact words were "I'd much rather spend it (time) reading fics than
writing one."
And yet you want us to spend our time writing out the ideas you'd rather
spend time reading than writing? What kind of deal is that? We write for
ourselves. At least I do. I'm a selfish bastard. So I like writing work
other people think is good. So I like the occasional 'liked it - keep up
the good work' reply in the mail. So I lap up praise like cats lap up milk.
So what? It's because I love what I do. I love to write even more. I love a
good story as much as the next person - probably more - and even more if
it's MINE.
Can't you see? I'm trying to show people that it's so much more gratifying
if you can be proud of something that's yours. Not just the idea, but the
writing itself.
*sigh* Am I making a fool out of myself yet?
[snip]
(Gah...let's hope I don't get this long-winded at A-Kon...O_o)
It's okay, Lurker. ^^;
BTW, I liked Onna: Red Side.
[snip]
Now, before you post something like 'what if Sailor
Moon met the Power Rangers' and 'I'm too lazy to
write it', WRITE IT.
*sigh* Not one of my best examples.
Hmm, and what about the people that actually
WANT to pick up ideas off the list and run with
it? If someone goes ahead and puts out an
idea, saying, "Someone go and write this,
since I'm too lazy," what's wrong with that?
It annoys you?
Yes it does! It annoys me to see people post ideas they feel aren't good
enough or inspiring enough to write and they expect other 'more
established' writers to pick it up like some cast-offs at the Salvation
Army like they have nothing better to wear.
'I'm too lazy, and I want to read it anyway'. Does anyone else see
something wrong with this picture?
Okay, okay, you're free to post ideas. I don't contest that. It's just the
cavalier attitude of 'Hey you, serf, write this so I can read it 'cause I'm
to lazy to do it myself*crack the whip*' that I just can't stand. We don't
work for you. We don't do this for work. Heck, we don't GET PAID for this.
We make time from 'more productive' activities to do this because we love
what we do. Can't you see that? Why can't I make you understand how
gratifying it is for us to do this?
Again, posting ideas is fine, as long as they're
ideas you've already tried to write and failed, or
at least as long as you don't try to give an excuse.
"No time" and "too lazy" are excuses. Be honest.
Say "I don't want to write."
While "no time" and "too lazy" are excuses, they are also reasons that DO
stop some people from writing. *shrug* It might not be reasons/excuses
that you like, but regardless, they're not always lies.
That doesn't make them any easier to swallow.
Or maybe you're just too scared of negative feedback?
Again, why should this be any concern of yours?
Some people are comfortable with receiving
ridicule, and some aren't. Is it BAD to be scared
of this? You show a surprising lack of sensitivity
towards some of the newer writers, TimeRunner.
OW! That's the first time I've ever been accused of lack of sensitivity.
But I guess I deserved it, if you felt the need to label me that publicly.
Of, course, what precisely are you talking about? The only way I overcame
(and not even fully, mind you) the fear of negative feedback was to post
publicly. I doubt I would be as secure with my writing as I am now if not
for this list.
Or are you just trying to goad some of them into
writing? Either way, this sure isn't working.
I do agree with Yee-san on this point. TimeRunner
was needlessly sarcastic with that particular comment.
I was out of line with that line, I concede that.
But you see how passionately I feel about writing. Now for someone to say
'I can't write' and then... ugh, I've said this already.
But really. No sarcasm this time. Please TRY. I'd be glad to preread it for
you if you only ask, since you've already been doing it for other writers.
Just... TRY. There's nothing more discouraging than to see good ideas go to
waste just because the writer feels he's not good enough.
...
Boy, if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black...^_^;;
It's okay. ^^;
Lurker's Phone Answering Message:
"Haro! You leach Noboyuki House of Sushi.
We guarantee derivery in thirty minute, or you get
NO sushi!"
O-! Datsu wanda-fu-!
Well, basically, that's what I wanted to say. If I was too passionate with
my beliefs, well, that's who I am. If no one else agrees with me then I
have one hell of a consensual reality to fight. That's the problem with us
Type A's, I guess...
Oh, yeah. The offer still stands, Yee-san, if you want it.