Links, a rec, and a massive eye-roll/rant

[stoney321]

First, Hey, Don't Judge Me is cooking today (with lots coming later today, too.)
Game of Thrones! Hope you like your incest. And baby killing.
Dexter! The rewatch continues with the beginning of Season 2, eps. 1 - 3.
Touch! The new Keifer show that is steadily picking up steam.
Later today: Mad Men! Bomb Girls! And THE RETURN OF THE BORGIAS (but debuting on HDJM!) Show my girls some love, if you would be so kind. They're working for praise, so how about you give them a raise? :)

FIC REC: one of those "Please drop what you are doing, read this, leave encouraging feedback, and marvel that this is in the world" kind of fics.

Sweet! A Love Story Told In Sugar by ohquixotica (I believe there are two other authors contributing as well?

WHY: Did you love Pushing Daisies? Do you love surreal romance and beautiful words and maybe a little Like Water For Chocolate? Because this story is all of that and more. I very rarely get emotionally moved by a lot of fanfic. I'm a jerk, I suppose. I choked up, clutched my heart, squealed with happiness, and felt everything right along with the characters. So funny, so sweet, so achy in places I could barely catch my breath. Everything I love in a story and all I didn't know I needed. PLEASE. Track this one. It's a WiP.

And those in Glee fandom? THAT IS HOW YOU WRITE 3rd PERSON OMNISCIENT. Know your POVs, it seems to be a problem. Do I sound snippy? I'll tell you why. But before I cut, PLEASE PLEASE READ.TRACK, BOOKMARK SWEET. You'll thank me later, I guarantee.



1. Fanfic is free. You get to turn on the computer, type in what you like and then you have it! That's amazing. The person providing you with a story (or a drawing, or vid, or...) because they have fannish love for something is doing you a service, and they're not even asking for much in return. Maybe you say thanks. (Most don't.) Maybe you leave them a comment or engage in things you liked, etc. It's still something that another person is GIVING TO YOU FOR NOTHING. Pretty sweet!

2. Which makes many fen feel entitled. You are not owed a new chapter, a new drawing, a new vid. No one "had better" fulfill the promise of posting at a time when it's convenient for you. Posting on Tumblr with a tag for the story (vid, etc.) "Fuck you Author" is about as shitty as it gets. (I'm not even going to go into how much I hate people who post "Look at this asshole" and "fuck you" when someone is especially handsome, pretty, etc. It's douchey; I think it's douchey; I can't stand it. Which is why I scroll and filter.)

Demanding (even when anonymous - that's just worst, imo) that people give you things to your schedule is just about as bratty as it gets. Really? You feel that's acceptable behavior? Or only because you're hiding behind being anonymous? And if you're simply bitching for things (legitimately bitching) then you're just awful, it has to be said. See: FREE.

3. I can't speak for everyone, but here's why I share fan-works - because fandom is (and has been for a very long time) my happy place. We all feel that to some degree, I'm sure. We share our mutual love for things, discuss things we don't, and yes, some people exist to bitch, I know. Believe me. But that's not how fandom serves me. Am I alone? Probably not. Do I want to interact with people that want to put their hand out constantly and bitch and be ugly? NO. Go your way, I'll go mine, we're both satisfied.

I feel JOY when I write. I feel HAPPINESS to create something I care about. I feel PRIDE when I share it and people don't hate it. That is an amazing feeling! I'm sure I'm not alone with that. Which leads me to

4. TONE. Do you know what this is? I in no way think I'm perfect. Everyone who knows me knows without a doubt that I'm my own worst critic. No, really. Look up self-effacing and you'll find me. I don't take myself too seriously, I'm pretty fun as a human, generally speaking. BUT BOY THERE ARE SOME BEHAVIORS THAT PISS ME OFF.

a) people make mistakes. Errors happen. This does not piss me off.
b) it is perfectly fine to say: "Oh, did you see that you dropped the italics tag in paragraph 4?" or "Whoops, there's a homonym error in blah blah." That's just fine with me, and I have no problem with people helping me make the final product as good as can be.
c) it is NOT perfectly fine to adjust your glasses, smirk at me, then proceed to explain what words mean as if I am someone uneducated. Can you honestly think while reading - say, this latest story I'm posting - and think I haven't been schooled? That I don't understand English? Really? And word to the wise: if you're going to correct someone, ESPECIALLY if it's in a holier-than-thou condescending tone, you better make sure your message isn't riddled with errors, yourself. It just makes your ass into a hat.
d) I am NOT interested in being challenged on plot points. Wanting to know motivation, discussing things? Awesome! "I don't believe this" is not okay with me - I don't care that you don't. I've clearly missed something for you, and I'm guessing there's no way to make you see what I see. You can close the screen and move on. I won't be mad, promise. I sure as hell will get irritated if you try and explain my own characters' motivation to me and how I got it wrong.

In case it's not clear, I have been nitpicked up one side and down the other on this FREE STORY that is FINISHED and is being posted like clockwork DAILY.

I'm not in it to be a BNF. I'm not aspiring to fandom heights. I'm writing a story and sharing it, and if you like it, thank you so much! I truly and from the bottom of my heart appreciate it. If you don't, THAT IS FINE, TOO. You can't like everything, I get that. There are many many stories in this fandom that I cannot for the life of me understand why people even bother reading. The characters are unrecognizable (aside from physical features) the story telling is woefully under developed, there are spelling errors left and right, and not in ANY of these stories have I seen comments with corrections, "hem hem" type condescension, etc.

Why the hell have I been bombarded with it? I don't want it, in case you thought I did. We can talk story and character all day long. BUT MY STORY HAS BEEN VETTED, and I'm guessing much more thoroughly than 99% of the stories out there. Give me an "Oopsie doodles, there's a t-e-h in there, not a t-h-e" all day long, I don't mind.

But you don't need to PM me, comment, drop in my ask box the origin of the word "THE" like I'm some kind of mouth breather. I've had close to ONE HUNDRED of these messages since I started posting last Monday. ONE FUCKING HUNDRED. I'm at my limit, guys. My chest is tight, my heart rate is through the roof, and I just want to share a free god damn story. Those of you that have been so supportive and fun (and those of you that brought errors to my attention in a "Hey, whoops - your fly's down!" way are awesome, and I'm so grateful to you.

The rest of you? Ahem.

Glee fandom: It's time to start behaving like humans.


And here come the anonymous "Stoney's a bitch" comments, I'm sure. Sorry for having opinions in my own journal. *

*no, I'm not. And one last time: CATCHING TYPOS is one thing. Talking down to me is another. Guess which one I'm cool with? (And christ, the story is 148,000 words. There's bound to be an error. Find me a printed book without a single error, would you?)

Comments

[megobsesses.livejournal.com]

This sucks. Like really, what's fundamentally wrong with these people? I'm watching each chapter show up in my inbox and yet am waiting til they're all up to dive in. So I can spend a whole day just reading it (even though I loved reading each daily update of Where there's Smoke, I decided to take a different tack with this one).

And now I'm second guessing my writing of a COMMENT for fear I'll be judged here!

At any rate, it pisses me off that you're being hurt over something that I'm anticipating loving so much. Especially when your writing and attention to detail, in both your story development and your grammar, far outstrip the vast majority of fanfic I've read over the last 15 years.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks for the vote of support. I don't need to be popular or to have my name on the top of recs list - I need to enjoy fandom, and it's getting harder to do, day by day. I just don't understand where people got the idea that I want to be condescended to? I don't know where they're getting the idea that I don't know things and must be educated?

I don't mean to drive people away - comments are great. Discussion is great. People giving me a droll look and telling me how I'm wrong isn't. Are you going to comment to me like that last one? Please don't. Do you want to talk about story and character and plot and the show and the boys and... - YES, PLEASE.

I guess I feel the distinction between the two is obvious, but maybe it's not? I honestly do not understand.

(And again, thank you. I have spent a lot of my spare time on this story, lovingly-so, and just wanted to put it out there, that's all.)

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

I seriously don't know why this fic, which people profess to love, is getting you so many cranky-making comments, my dear friend.

My little note to everyone:

She's worked really hard on this fic and gets her feelings hurt like (or more than, because she really is a big ol' self-critical softie) everyone else, so please think about your wording and motivation when responding to something that - like most everything else in fandom - is a gift given freely and with love.

Also, there are few things more likely to make an author stop sharing her words with you than people being rude about them. If you like the fic, say so. If you find a typo, please mention it in a friendly manner. If you want to talk about the story and how it's making you feel, you will seriously make her day... unless you're rude about it. There's no reason to be rude or entitled. This is a GIFT from her to you.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I CAN BARELY READ YOUR COMMENT WITHOUT BAWLING. I JUST WANT TO BE ORGANIC AND MAKE ART AND HELP PEOPLE.

You are my most favorite, and I cannot wait to hug your bones in just TWO WEEKS.

[quietdiscerning.livejournal.com]

Hey I just wanted to say I'm sorry that you're having such a rough time of it and I think it's really great of you to be posting daily. Knowing this is coming every day makes me smile and I might whine about having to wait but really I'm very grateful knowing that tomorrow there's of definitely going to be another chapter. So thank you!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, you are just a delight. (And it's not that I need praise -I mean, don't get me wrong, I'll take it! It's that I just don't need the "What you need to understand is...")

And tomorrow's chapter is HUGE. HUGE! I'm excited to post it for you! <3

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Gotta say. Killing off all the Royal Bastards is a great way to say "I am totally not concerned about those rumors that King Joffrey is the product of an incestuous union."

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Joffrey isn't showing us that he's really qualified for the long haul, is he?

[prosen8966.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry people are bombarding you with anything negative, let alone typing errors which I imagine they can either ignore or, if it (apparently) is bothering them to the point where they feel it is necessary to bring it to your attention, INSTEAD, they should probably just go read something else instead. IMO.

If I have trouble with a story/ don't like the way it's developing/ feel that Kurt has become the scum of the earth (that's just an example b'c he's my favorite character on Glee)/ suddenly realize that political opinions not my own are likely to be peppered throughout the tale -- I do this wild, awesome, and quite similar to using a remote on a TV thing where I simply stop reading the story. That's it. I don't find it necessary (or advisable) or anything other than mean, really, to TELL the author that I'm doing this. I certainly am not going to continue reading a story I dislike, just for the joy of letting an author know what I believe is wrong with each chapter.

And the thing that bugs me the most about all this is what you mentioned at the very beginning. You're writing the story FOR FREE. Apart from praise and possible recognition during the next story/artwork, etc., you send out, you're not receiving anything from your hours (and hours and hours) of work other than comments which (IMO) should be positive. (As in 'if you don't have something nice to say, shut the fuck up.')

I'm truly sorry I'm not (personally) leaving comments but I saw at the beginning that I very much liked where the story (appeared) to be going; you said the story was already written (as in, if I did what I'm about to tell you, it would make sense) which is decide to wait for the entire story to be available and then just read it straight through. It's not that it's a bad thing to read stories in stages, but knowing that the wait won't be all that long, it just seemed (to me) to make sense to wait for the full tale and read it all together like a novel. Or a novella. Or whatever.

At the time I decided this, I just assumed you would be bombarded with praise from other people and my holding back would not make a difference. And, as assumptions go, this was a doozy.

Maybe the hiatus is driving people mad and starting tomorrow night, they will begin to act humane and nice and not leave ridiculous, negative comments for you to read for no reason that I can understand.

In my mind, a much more natural response to fic reading in the Glee fandom (since I don't actually read other fandoms) is where hengilas posted a partial chapter to her A Better Way to Fall in Love story, which (for whatever reasons, I think school but honestly, it's none of my business and I'm just thrilled she continued the tale) had stopped back in December or January and thus I was ever so happy to see a new posting today!! TBH, I didn't read through the entire part of her posting where she apologized for the lengthy delay b'c (like you mentioned above) I don't think anyone should HAVE to apologize for when they post their chapters. We, the readers, should be happy that you, the writer, are doing it in the first place. So I can't swear that people didn't bug her during that hiatus w' messages like 'when is your next posting, huh, huh?! but I'd like to believe that they didn't and certainly I did nothing of the sort.

Because I'm perfect.

(I kid.)

Because I just think it's intrusive and rude and unnecessary and sort of like honking in traffic -- if you could post, you would, so how would (other than being rude and intrusive) my message help that process?

So, that's my UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLY long way of saying, I'm so sorry you're dealing w' such crap. (I am, apparently, incapable of writing short messages.)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

OH MY FUCKING GOD I WANT TO MARRY YOU. I laughed so hard at the turning the channel/shutting the window. I DO THAT, TOO. So good for my blood pressure, I must say.

And honestly, if it had just happened a few times, I wouldn't be so upset like I am today. But I'm not joking when I say how many complaints/nitpicks/when the hell are you going to post again,this song isn't working give me more free music blah - that I've gotten in a week. It's a LOT TO TAKE.

And I'm not kidding when I say that I don't need a million comments - someone tells me now that they're enjoying it, that's wonderful! Anything beyond that is icing, in my way of thinking. And I really don't mind at all people who want to wait it out. I do that, too. For big stories I like the daily treat, but it's not like my feelings are hurt by people wanting it all - that's ANOTHER compliment, I think.

I didn't even think about the hiatus making people crazed with need. That's something to think about, for sure. I know I'm desperate for more show, so...

As for your story about hengilas, I would bet diamonds to donuts that people emailed her about posting soon. I would be shocked if it hadn't happened.

And I love long comments, please! I actually love talking things out. :D

[wickedwitty.livejournal.com]

You're awesome and a great voice of reason into a fandom of people who tend to not quite GET IT.

Shake it out, keep doing your thing. The story is fantastic.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm just me, and I know I can be abrasive even though I really try to be a decent human most of the time. (But thank you.)

I am going to shake it out - I might need to turn off my rule of no booze during the week. MAMA NEEDS TEQUILA. ;D

[etmuse.livejournal.com]

There are so many fics (not only in Glee fandom but they seem to be quite prevalent here) that I don't get how even one person can read and enjoy, let alone the masses that seem to adore them. Occasional typos, maybe one misuse of 'your' where it should be 'you're' - all fine. Especially if the characters actually sound and feel like the characters from canon (which yours do, and I don't even have many typos to overlook). I am endlessly grateful that there do exist in this fandom a small section of authors who can write the characters well, and place them in coherent, grammatically sound pieces of fiction. (Both you and your lovely beta are firmly in this group.)

The only reasons I can figure as to why they don't get bombarded with tutting 'corrections' comments and messages are that either a) most of their readers don't actually know any better, or b) when there are so many mistakes, trying to correct them would be a full time job the author probably wouldn't even pay attention to. (Sadly, I suspect it is a.)

(I'm sure there must be a post somewhere on 'how to be a responsible and respectful member of fandom, but if there is, too few people have read it...)

<3

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

re: fics I'm not into/don't get Just because I'm not interested or am baffled by it doesn't mean I need to tell the author why I don't like it. Or keep other people from enjoying it (which clearly the masses are in some cases.) I see so many errors in stories, and no one bats an eye. Which, who cares? It's free! People go bananas for stories where I don't know why that is Kurt Hummel, but he gets boners and cries and does whatever the story wants and people like it so.. *shrug* Mazel, readers.

LOL, I've written it! A few times, in fact! Hahaha. I'm just new to actively participating in Glee fandoms. My Buffy/Joss fen know my stance on this stuff.

[amyryd.livejournal.com]

First off - I ADORE Sweet!! The premise, the omniscient voice, 'Trice... All of it is just spectacular.

Speaking of spectacular, that is what you are m'dear. How anyone (let alone 100 people!!!) could find fault with the stunning, luscious story that is The Bones of You is beyond me. I owe you comments on the last two chapters, but suffice it to say they were flawless.

To paraphrase you (or technically Kurt in WTS), some people just need to get a big ole stepladder and get over themselves.

Mwah! Smooches from a loyal and VERY satisfied reader! <3

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, isn't that just the loveliest story!? I finally gave it a chance the day before yesterday and just fell in absolute love. I think it's in a class of its own, I truly do.

(Well, to be fair, some of those 100 comments were most likely from the same anonymous person.)

And as for owing, that goes both ways - you don't owe me comments. you have gone above and beyond the social contract here, and I love you for it. :D

[jerusha]

Oh, man, I am SO WITH YOU. I have lost track of the number of comments of that sort I've gotten over the years. I don't mind getting a heads up on a typo, but seriously, some folks just think they're owed whatever it is they demand. And some fandoms do seem to be worse than others.

Here's hoping the asshats GTFO and STFU so that you can enjoy your fandom in relative peace and harmony.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I really am okay with "hey, Stoney: check your their/there on blah blah" I am A-OK with that. It's the "what you need to understand is," ones that make me want to stab things. :D

If all else fails, I know who I can enjoy fandom with by this point, and they're pretty awesome people. Small numbers are good for social interactions, I think.

THANK YOU, TOOTS. You continue to be awesome.

[dancetomato.livejournal.com]

I was watching Income Property the other day (I love me some Scott McGillivray) and they kept showing the blueprints with one room marked "BATHOOM."

Stoney, I am soooooo wiped out from Holy Week and Easter, but it was great.*

*this is apropos of nothing.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

BATHOOM!!!!!!! AHAHAHA.

Oh, honey pie I can just imagine how worn out you must be. *rubs your shoulders* There's porn in my LJ today, if you don't mind not being in the fandom?

<3 you, DT.

[rockinhamburger.livejournal.com]

People are asshats, yup. Not only do people like to condescend to others, there's also massive bullying in this fandom which is just wholly ironic. And it is truly infuriating, especially in this case because you are sharing 100,000+ words of glorious writing with us (and as you say, for free) and people spend their time complaining at you about a few errors? Unbelievable.

Another huge contention I have with fandomers is the entitlement. It's rampant, and it is seriously rage-inducing.

So, yeah, you're not alone, I've so been there before. I once saw someone had linked to one of my stories as a recommendation (awesome) but also included all their concrit, which they had not brought to my attention in my actual comments--they had not commented at all, in fact (not awesome). It was honestly very disheartening, and I realize they probably thought I'd never read their comments, but... why not comment and let me know what you thought?

Anyway, people are asshats. And for every idiot who has a problem with your story, there are at least ten more who are lurking and not commenting but genuinely loving every word.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I haven't encountered much bullying (but that might be because I don't watch many of the comms anymore. They don't seem to want the same fandom experience I do. *shrug*)

The entitlement is...shocking. Take for example the glee kink meme. People write out PARAGRAPHS of what they want and expect someone to write it out for them. Prompts are meant to be: "Kurt, ballerina, future fic (no watersports)" You spent all that time writing out the description, take it further, you're halfway there.

The "when are you posting? WHY HAVEN'T YOU POSTED" comments I see other authors get (like Iknowitainteasy, for example) is just... come the fuck on, kids.

I've had a moment like you described with the commentary - it hurts. If there's valid commentary I'll listen to it (even if it hurts) but 9 times out of 10 it's just someone wishing their ideas were on the page. There's nothing you can do about that (even though, yep. It hurts.) :)

I am really grateful for the awesome people I do interact with - that kind of support is so wonderful. It does make up for all of the negative, in the end. <3

[copykween.livejournal.com]

The staggering amount of fandom entitlement is simply MIND. BOGGLING. :(

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It really, really is. I've not seen it in ANY fandom like this one. And I've been around the fandom block a few times, as you know.

[mikaoru.livejournal.com]

ugh, I'm so sorry to hear people are being jerks, it's not uncommon unfortunately *sigh* Fandom is my happy place too so I try and avoid all the drama I can and yes, rant is HEALTHY and it makes you feel better *hugs* So I hope you feel better <3

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I do feel better! I'm a fan of getting things off my chest - but only in my own space, I don't want to jump down anyone else's throat. :)

(Thank you!)

[glitzy09.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what's wrong with some people. I've been eye-rolling at some of the comments I've seen on TBOY, but I didn't realise the scale of it. No-one's forcing them to read it so why don't they just scroll on past. Personally I think TBOY is one of the most beautifully written pieces of fanfic I've read in any fandom and it's a shame some people can't appreciate that just because its not the story they would have written. Entitlement isn't cool.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I get private PMs, emails, drops in my ask on Tumblr... It's been overwhelming, honestly, and not in the good way. (Fortunately there are enough people that I routinely interact with in fandom that are lovely people and remind me that not everyone behaves this way.)

I'm okay with people not liking my story, I really, really am. I don't like everything, so I can't expect others to like everything I do. I think what gets me is that a lot of the "Um, you messed up on xyz" comments are because they're wanting to connect in a bizarre way - but...I already have a beta. Or they're trying to, IDK, show me how smart they are? I'm honestly baffled by it.

But as I said, there are enough people that I *DO* enjoy (smiles at you) that after all is said and done, I can relax.

Unpleasant people

[(Anonymous)]

Sending you my utmost love and tightest ***HUG***!!! Thank you for sharing your TBoy writing. I am so disheartened by how people can be so rude and ungrateful towards you in any way.
I am looking forward to the 'refreshing drink of TBoy" at my ME-time.
Most Sincerely and thankfully yours,
Tin in FL

Re: Unpleasant people

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you Tin! I've appreciate your leaving me little notes on Tumblr - it's very kind of you to do so. I'll "see" you in the morning with a new update. ;D

[percy803.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how much I am enjoying the Bones of You. You're amazing for getting a chapter posted every day! Your writing is 1)remarkably free of typos and grammatical errors and 2)so wonderfully complex and polished in all of the important ways that even if there were exponentially more minor errors I would gladly ignore them. Please don't let rude people ruin something that makes you happy - and I'm not just saying that because it makes me happy too!

Also, Where There's Smoke is easily in my top three favorite fanfics, and I say that in the context of ten years of various fandoms.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, that's unbelievably sweet of you to say so, thank you! (I'm really not trying to bully people into praise or anything like that.) I'm so, so happy that people enjoy what I write - hearing back from them is pure gravy. :)

*hugs you up*

[flosspyromaniac.livejournal.com]

Oh lord, now I feel worse than ever.

I'm sorry people suck?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

STOP IT. You aren't a jerk-face, so you shouldn't feel bad AT ALL.

Let's have cookies and play on the swings, what do you say? :)

[ohquixotica.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister. (Giving you some space-hugs and a power salute, plus several cookies and a check for a billionty dollars with which you can buy more cookies or other stuff that will make you feel better. But please wait to cash the check until Thursday, because that is when my deposit of unicorn dollars clears.)

Anonymity is the refuge of scoundrels. And ass hats. And clowns of any ilk.

It's also very easy to write condescending-but-not-very-insightful criticism. You know what's hard? Writing a glorious, captivating, heartbreaking, sensitive, witty, complex, stomach-flipping story that makes me stay up reading until 3 AM and maybe even longer (except that I have a spoonful of self control and made myself stop reading because otherwise I would not have slept at all, which would have made my morning's task of teaching some impenetrable poststructuralist theory to underslept undergrads a complete impossibility). THAT's hard. But look at you, you did it.

TBoY (the acronym of which still makes me laugh) is monstrously delicious. Your Blaine is just perfect, perfect, perfect, and sympathetic, and real. The tension between the two men? It's twisting up my heart in all kinds of good ways. Kurt as a high schooler? Absolutely perfectly-done in his short-sighted righteousness. (Did I think his reaction to Blaine's school choice was unreasonable? You bet, a little bit. Did that make me love it more? Absolutely.) Your OCs are the best, even when I hate them (I'm talking about you, Brandt Doughface). Praise, praise, praise, praise, nothing but praise for this awesomeness. Oh, and a thank you for writing/sharing it.

I've noticed a trend among some readers to express vehement distaste when a character does something one doesn't like, or wouldn't do oneself, or isn't perfect. This suggests to me a fundamental misunderstanding of what realist fiction is. People aren't perfect, nor are they consistent, clear, or understandable most of the time. Writing characters who are always right, polite, completely consistent and perfect is BORING and WRONG and kind of INDECENT. Or, at least, it's unfair to those characters. Not liking or not agreeing with what a character does is DIFFERENT from not liking the work of fiction that contains him/her. It's usually an inverse relationship, in fact.

Your characters are flawed in gorgeous ways, and you're unfolding this story just so perfectly, and I don't want to give that up. I know you say you don't need praise, but seriously, shouldn't there be a lot of that readily available? At least enough to outbalance the douchery of one or two people who, gifted with opposable thumbs, are able to click the comment button 100 times?

Rant!!

(PS: Meanwhile, thank you for the nice note about "Sweet"!)

[glitzy09.livejournal.com]

Writing characters who are always right, polite, completely consistent and perfect is BORING and WRONG and kind of INDECENT. Or, at least, it's unfair to those characters. Not liking or not agreeing with what a character does is DIFFERENT from not liking the work of fiction that contains him/her.

Can I just jump in here and draw hearts around this statement. It made me think of another author in this fandom who recently got a lot of crap because the Kurt in her story wasn't perfect. Guess what - Kurt is far from perfect in canon, he's flawed in lots of ways and so is Blaine. That's what makes them real and interesting and what makes me love them so much.

[mugglegato.livejournal.com]

I have to say I'm stunned you are getting this reaction. There is a lot of crap out there and this IS NOT part of that. I look forward to the new chapter everyday. (In fact I've been checking for it at work, that's how much I anticipate a new chapter.) I don't have time to read other comments, so I had no clue.

I'm fairly new to the Glee fandom, having spent the last 4 years in the HP fandom. So I've been reading just about everything I come across. Like I said there is a lot of crap out there, but you find that in the HP fandom.

Since I'm new, I'm only now finding authors I like and plan on following. This has led me to tumblr, which is really new for me. No one I follow in HP uses tumblr. I have to say I HATE it! I only keep up with it for the pictures that people post. I find the people tend to be so rude on there. I think they think they are being funny, but it doesn't come across that way to me. Of course that is probably my age showing. I know I'm way older than most people on there.

Anyway, that's a long winded way of me agreeing with you and offering my support for your storytelling. Please, for the sake of those that do appreciate you, keep it up. :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm choosing to think that people want this to be perfect, so they're just helping me. *drinks a lot of booze* I'm just going to tell people that any error they find from now on is the green thread in the Persian rug that is my story - a mistake on purpose to not offend God. (Hahaha)

I've been in multiple fandoms for years, and yes - you find a lot of garbage, a lot of negativity in all of them. But that's not how *I* like to participate, so I try to avoid it. When I get hit with a deluge, I snap.

I actually like Tumblr, but that's because I tweaked my dashboard to hide all spoilers, all uses of specific tags like "fuck you Darren" etc. I cannot stand that. (I think of the actors, you know? Or their family? UGH.) And I follow mostly art blogs on Tumblr. :D No fandom hate that way! <3

(And I'm no spring chicken my self. I am thoroughly on the Adult side of the line.)

Hugs!

[mai-flower.livejournal.com]

People just really suck sometimes...

But you? You are the extreme opposite of that. Amazing times infinity! So don't you dare let them bring you down. I'll personally tie a million helium balloons to you if I have to!

Re: Hugs!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hahahahaha, I don't know about all of that, but THANK YOU VERY MUCH. (And like I'd ever turn down a helium balloon!)

<3

[forgiveninasong.livejournal.com]

I am 100% appreciating your work, still, just so you know! And like I said on the first couple of chapters, you got the *English* tone down really well, and to me, that shows chops of a good author. You've put in the work, you've done your research. Because there is *NOTHING* more jarring than reading a fic where it's supposed to be set in one country, but is so full of stuff from another country, that it makes you want to use the back button (and I do!).

I just....gah. I know that I am verrrrrrry much guilty of calling people arseholes and bastards for being attractive (hell, my Darren Criss tag on Tumblr is about him ruining my life). But I'm just a ridiculous person. I know people might not get *why* I do it, but that's just how it is. I'm not gonna be mad. I mean, for all that I say stuff like that ^^ I can genuinely look at a picture, and just go "wow, you are stunning, I think I love you". So, you know. It just depends on the mood.

I hate fandom entitlement. I do. It's stupid, it's ridiculous, and it makes authors feel shitty (hey, check out me bringing the Oxford comma back!). Writers do not owe their readership anything. You're writing because you WANT to, and if they don't like it, tough shit.

Also, why WHY are people criticising you? WHY? I'm SO up for just pointing out a helpful PS. you missed some formatting/spelling etc. Because, I don't think that's overstepping, and even if you have your piece beta'd, you nearly always miss the occasional spelling thing. But to say that you don't believe the story, or that you think it's unrealistic...or whatever? No, not cool. There's a reason we have a back button on our browsers.

Anyway. YOU ARE AMAZING and I continue to worship your work.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I have no problem with people having the fannnish experience they want in their own space - I mean, who am I to tell them how to enjoy something, you know? I just don't like it in my space, is all. (I just can't deal with the "Fuck you" stuff - it's rampant, I know. But it makes me have a sad. *shrug* So no problem, I filter, etc. They're happy, I'm happy.

I am all for a catch that "they're on the end of blah, so it's their." YES. That's fine. But when a) that's the only thing they have to say (I get quite a few of those) and b) it's in an eye roll, "You stupid article" tone, I just won't put up with it. Life's too short.

You are wonderfully supportive, and I thank you for that!

[linden-jay.livejournal.com]

I just... I... BUH? WTF, people! Manners! I don't even. I don't blame you at all for ranting.

I'm waiting until the whole thing is posted to read it, because I am incapable of cliffhangering (I have been known on multiple occasions to save the season finale of a show until the day that the new season airs--I have become a NINJA at spoiler dodging).

I wanted to throw some sunshine down on you for your author's note that specifies that it is not a WIP, but a serial story being posted regularly, because I LOVE when people post their stuff that way (see above allergy to cliffhangers). It guarantees that as soon as that last chapter falls, I'm going to have a giant fuck off story to read, and I can enjoy the ten seconds of OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENS NEXT before I click on the next part like a greedy bastard.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I do that too - wait for entire things to be posted? That's no skin off my nose at all. I like to have a cozy afternoon/night with a story and a glass of wine, my self. :D (I also do that with TV shows! Ha.)

I had a favorite story (and OH how I loved it, The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot, Sparrington) that was missing one chapter for well over two years. And you know, the author was blocked, had things happen - I get it. But I just can't do WiPs unless it's A) amazing and b) from someone with a track record. It's agony waiting. :)

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Nearly a hundred pokes in the eye? WTF? Some people have too much time on their hands and don't use it for good. Leaving constructive criticism is one thing, pointing out typos is another, harassing the author is just bullshit. Fans, behave yourselves and keep fandom fun for everyone!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering if a large portion of those anonymous "asks" I've gotten were from the same person. I don't want to lump them all up, there are some folks that have been utterly delightful.

[kayoko.livejournal.com]

Glee fandom: It's time to start behaving like humans.
I honestly don't think this is possible. The fandom's filled with very young fans and it brings about a very different atmosphere. I hope that the good people that surrounded you outweigh the sea of garbage out there. It's rather smelly and I find that beating them down with a ten foot pole seems to do the trick. =)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Siiiiiiigh. I'm holding out hope (I'm forever an optimist. Blaine and I have a lot in common. This is me at the punching bag, btw.) :D

I have some amazing people I routinely interact with (and new people that I'm meeting) that are fantastic. I just need people with a default set to "not a jerk" you know?

[foreverfoxcat.livejournal.com]

Well, this is just pants. Fandom and fic and writing is meant to be such a positive thing, I really hate that it's turning into such a negative experience for you. Maybe it's the Brit in me again, but I honestly don't understand why people can't control their responses and be pleasant and polite instead of rude and bratty. It's basic manners, if nothing else! And like one of the ladies above said, if you're worried the story is heading in a painful direction or if you're no longer impressed with the writing/plot/characterisation etc then all you have to do is turn off.

I was reading some of the comments to chapter 8 today and thinking how much I would really enjoy having a conversation about the story so far, the events, what the characters are feeling and what might happen next, especially because some of the comments were quite different to my interpretation of the fic. This story has really engaged me, precisely because I think it's going to be a difficult fic for the characters and because I'm really interested in what might happen next and why. But I was really worried about accidentally getting in to some kind of argument with people. So yeah, I was too nervous to start a conversation with other readers in case it all kicked off, I can't imagine what it must be like being the author and having people give you a hard time when you post the fic itself. It's a shame, because I really like talking to people. And I really like talking to people who disagree with me, but it all depends on those people being able to respond in the same spirit.

I hope I've said that ok. I'm not saying that the people who commented would be arses, just that it's difficult to engage in a conversation with people who may disagree with you when you know there are people out there treating the author like you describe and acting like the fic can only be written to their specification, all else be damned. It's your fic. If Blaine grows two heads in the next chapter and finds out he's the love child of Bruce Lee and Zaphod Beeblebrox, then so be it.

Sorry, I think I went a bit rambly and off topic there. Anyway, I'm sorry about the arses. I'm very grateful that you're out there writing fic, for arses and non-arses alike. I really hope this kind of thing doesn't discourage you from your next 148,000 word epic because I would hate for the non-arses to miss out.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

IT IS PANTS. And as I teach my children (and any of their friends if they need reminding) there is no excuse for not having manners when they're free.

I would LOVE for you to engage in conversation with people. Honestly, that's something that commonly happens in my LJ and I love it. (When people forget it's not a community but my journal, I have to get a little snippy, but that's rare.)

Know this: I've modded comms (and maintain a semi-sprawling website with fan interaction) and take it seriously. I shut down bad behavior quickly when it's directed to another person. So I want you to feel comfortable enough to start up a dialog and know that I won't let people misbehave. It takes a while for me to stand up for myself, but I'm Johnny on the Spot when it comes to someone else in trouble.

I think the vast majority of people I'm interacting with are well-meaning, lovely people. It's always the loudest screech that gets the attention.

Plus you get bonus points for Zaphod Beeblebrox. Stay calm and carry a towel! ;)