let's talk about the writing thing.

[amelialourdes]

I'm not a writer. I don't consider myself one. I'm not really good at it. I think once upon a time I had an imagination and creativity to write but I think that I've lost it. That said, I've always received pretty high grades when it came to English, grammar, phonics, reading comprehension, language, etc. I consistently wrote in college and graduated with a degree that is based on literary and visual analysis. I think that I have a pretty firm grasp on the English language. That said, when I see badly written fan fiction? I cringe.

Bad fic? It happens. For whatever reason, people make up what they make up without any regard or consideration of the personality of the characters that they're using. They write what they write without care or acknowledgment of their own terrible spelling and grammar. They don't bother with betas because a few fawning reviews means that they have fans and it doesn't matter what the writing looks like.

That bothers me. It bothers me. Every time someone spells something wrong and it's posted for all to see, it makes the angels cry (quote courtesy of Quinn from Glee). Someone on my flist has recently spoken a lot about the writing process and writing in fandoms and her perceptions are dead on. It's refreshing to find someone who's receptive to critique and commentary about her work. Of course, it wasn't always that way. It's never that way in the beginning. In the beginning, I imagine that people do think that they're good writers and for whatever reason (I blame fawning reviews with no critique) aren't receptive to criticism.

Fandom is supposed to be fun, yes? The stories are just stories. They're not up for Pulitzers or even national writing contests. I understand that. This is just a major, major, MAJOR pet peeve of mine that I want to address for myself and to share with anyone who may feel the same. Or! Feel differently. I'm open to both ideas. I'm not having fun if a large chunk of a story doesn't make sense. I sometimes try to look past the errors to just read the story itself but then it's bad characterization that gets to me.

So, if you're a writer or if you're an active reader, what in fandom fanfiction bothers you if you're bothered by anything at all? No specific fandom here. Any fandom at all. What will turn you off of a story? If you're a writer, why do you/would you not accept constructive criticism? Are you open to constructive criticism?

Comments

[court1429.livejournal.com]

I am in agreement with many of your comments and many commenters' comments. One of my pet peeves, that hasn't been mentioned, is anatomical names being used during sex, e.g., my hard penis this and his anus that. That completely takes me out of the story.

And then there are fics like this one that was just posted on bjfic comm. I had a feeling it would be really bad and I was really right. This is just so far from QAF I don't even know what to say. The only good thing is it takes just a couple minutes to read. not AU, just totally fucked up (http://community.livejournal.com/bjfic/2131862.html?style=mine#cutid1)

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Oh man. Someone actually uses the word "butt" in a sex scene and I burst out laughing. I just think it's a really juvenile word to use when you're talking about two grown men. I'm sure that people say it during sex but can you imagine Brian and Justin ever saying that during sex? No.

I just took a look at that story today and cringed. They lost me right about here:

”Brian, wait!” I turn around to look at Michael.

“You’re coming with us to the mall?” He asks and I shake my head.

“No, I’m going to take care of a rabbit named Bunny!” I smile widely at my friend and he sighs.

In other words, the beginning. Sigh. :(