There was a golden age, when authors wrote stories, and discussed in-depth
with their readers ways to make the stories better. Then the readers would
become writers, the writers would become readers, and the discussions would
ensue once again. Sometimes the authors weren't very good, and sometimes
they were great. Some stories received acclaim, others received shame. But
everyone, even the bad authors, were trying, and everyone was enriched by
the process.
A community grew around this idea, and while it was not without its
problems, it seldom lost sight of its goal: to further the cause of
improved writing skills, and tell tales to further and enrich the source
material in the way only fans can do. And along the way, friendships were
formed, as well as the occasional regrettable animosity. But the sense of
community, the enjoyment of fanfiction, and the respect of the authors for
one another, these made it a golden age.
Time passed, and the community grew. New people came in, with new ideas,
and new stories. People came in who had only read the old stories, and
looked upon the old authors with awe and admiration. Many of them wanted to
be like these authors, and strived to improve their own work. And this was
fine.
Then others came along whose only purpose was to read. This was fine,
except that these readers often didn't understand that the writers usually
tend to write for their own enjoyment and betterment...for the joy it
brings them...and share their stories with others not out of any mandate,
but because they wish to share their creative efforts with others. They
would harshly criticize the authors whose views did not necessarily agree
with their own. They would defame the authors whose stories did not set
well with them. And the old authors, whose stories were well-read,
cherished, and enjoyed by all, would be harassed by these readers, who
seemed to be under the impression that the sole purpose in life of a
fanfiction author is to write fanfiction. Things became far less pleasant.
Others came along, who didn't seem to understand the rules of the road at
all. They refused to abide by the guidelines set out by those who had come
before, and made a general nuisance of themselves. As more came along,
those who had come before began losing patience, and hostility became more
commonplace than respect.
What was once a golden community, turned to shit.
I speak, of course, of the FFML.
Folks, things have degenerated around here to an intolerable point. There's
less proliferation and discussion of fanfiction these days than there is
wanton spam, pointless argument, and open hostility. And many of us who are
authors, know what I speak of when I say that readers are becoming far too
pushy and demanding.
"Write more of this. Write more of that. You need to update your website.
When's the next part of ... coming out? When? When? Huh? When? You don't
know? Well FUCK YOU!"
How many of us have had to put up with THIS on a regular basis?
The relatively new members of the FFML complain that the older, established
authors are a bunch of elitists...can you blame them? These people share
their hobby--fanfiction--with others, others who share the same hobby.
Others who understand what it's like to be a writer. Others who understand
that various factors can intervene, causing delays in new chapters and
installments, and who can respect this. This is why many of the older, more
established authors have many friends in the fanfiction community. Fanfic
authors usually understand one another, and know how to deal with one
another, encouraging the continuation of a project without becoming overly
pushy and discouraging the writer.
Authors like to hear 'Hey, this was good. Hope to see more of this. How's
it going? Oh? You're about to have a busy week at work? And doctor
appointments too? Ouch. Well, hope things go okay for you.'
They don't like to hear 'I want to see more of this. Now. Now now now.
E-mail me when you have more of this.'
Also, there are way too many people who either just plain aren't reading
the FAQ, or have trouble comprehending it for some reason, or think it's a
big joke and are rampantly violating it just to get a rise out of people. I
don't know which is the case, and frankly I don't care, because the effect
is the same. You're trashing up this place with stupidity. Read the goddamn
FAQ, and do what it says, and everyone can get along...well, a little more
nicely.
And when you comment on something in a fic, for gods' sake, try to make
sure your comment has something to do with the actual fic! Authors get
really pissed when they put a week's worth of their free time, time they
could be using to do other things, into working on a story, and ask for a
few simple comments on their work...and the only discussion of it is
whether <A> would shoot <B> in the back with a rocket launcher, or if <C>
would have <SEX> with <D>, or save <C>self for <E>, <F>, and <G>. It makes
the author angry, and makes them wonder why they even bothered.
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"Come to think of it, you haven't named your
Pokemon yet, have you?"
"I have too! Meet Jean Luc Pikachu!"
"Pii!"
"How 'engaging'."
******
The Eternal Lost Lurker
Purveyor of fine fanfickshuns. Onna stick.
White Knight of the Knightly Order of Mihoshi Enthusiasts
Necessity is a mother.
Spare the rod. Boil the child.
The lie is out there.
lurkerdrome@worldnet.att.net
------http://www.geocities.com/~etlostlurker CLOSING SOON!------
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ICQ# 22559724