When you can't say something nice...

[kellifer]

Hmmm...

A friend has gotten negative feedback on a story where the person is bemoaning a pairing(s) within the story.

Just got me thinking... why do people do this? Constructive criticism I get but WTF? I've had this happen I think only once but I mostly figure it's because I'm not known for a particular pairing but pretty much write everything. My flist is a melting pot and I know that they would just simply skip over something of mine if it's not what they usually read (or, because my flist is the Awesome, will actually read outside their normal pairing/fandom just because).

I like constructive criticism. I just don't get negative feedback where someone is basically saying, "Hey, that's not my OTP, how dare you??"

Comments

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

No idea. If there's a pairing I don't like, I simply don't feedback or rec the story. Most people are contrary enough to write more of an irritating pairing, anyway.

[brandifer.livejournal.com]

I have an answer for you: the anonymity - or just plain distance afforded by the internet at large.

I learned years ago that people will say anything to you as long as they don't have to look you in the face to do it. Many years ago I worked in a resort hotel, where I did a little bit of everything- switchboard, reservations, front desk. It never failed to amaze me how toxic people could be on the other end of the phone line, then arrive on site and behave with all civility. The advent of the internet only shoved this behavior directly into the mainstream.

Even if the author knew who this person was, the offender can easily say, 'What are you going to do about it?'. :-(

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

I know... I just see little point to it. Of course... it kinda is along the same lines to me as those 'fandom hate' LJ communities that keep cropping up where people post anonymously about authors they don't like.

I've started reading stories and thought 'eesh, this is terrible' so I use the back button.

[lyra-wing.livejournal.com]

Honestly, it's not even worth wasting your brain energy thinking about stuff like that.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Very true... You are the voice of sanity... *smiles*

[octavia-b.livejournal.com]

Was the crit from someone new to the concept of 'fandom'? Because really, that's the only reason I can think of that someone would criticize a pairing. Of any kind. Anyone who's been in any fandom of any sort knows that all pairings are fair game. You don't like it? Don't click it.

*is baffled*

[scoob2222.livejournal.com]

I hate when people do that. I've had a few do things like taht. The best thing to do is to try and ignore it. Even though it's annoying. Why waste your time telling someone you dislike something they wrote but offereing nothing constructive.

[sdani.livejournal.com]

I guess to me, the whole point of contacting an author with feedback is because there was something about the story you enjoyed/found creative... even with negative feedback, your point would be 'I thought you had a great premise, nice plot etc., but it could be greatly improved if you yadda yadda, advice here'.

So no, I have no understanding for that sort of thing.
::shakes head::

[ladyeclectic79.livejournal.com]

Sort of like when people flame you on your own journal with bad grammar and spelling over your own life views or decisions. Never ceases to amaze, the stupidity of people. Most of the time I think they just want attention, which is why I ignore people like this. I'll answer any other comments, but will ignore stupid people and their inane thought processes.

Ugh. Stupid people suck (and they can't even do that well!).

Negative FB

[stargatebabe.livejournal.com]

It's bad enough that people give such negative un-constructive FB. But, the spelling and grammar mistakes put it over the top. I feel like answering:

When you learn to spell and learn basic grammar, I will know you could actually READ my works. Until then, cross me off your list.

I recently had an idiot like that get ugly on cannon issues and actually be wrong to boot. LMAO.

Just laugh and move on.

[wive.livejournal.com]

I can read parings I "hate" and still like it because it was well written.

But maybe that's just me...

Oh and what I hate more is that people read it and don't say ANYTHING...good or bad.
You don't have to write an essay....

HUGS!!

[crayonbreakygal.livejournal.com]

That's happened to me too. And it was very clear at the beginning who the pair was. *sigh* I just don't get it either.