Newsflash.

[hackthis_archive]

Okay, guys, it's one thing to hope a story you're reading will turn out the way you want, with the pairing you want, but rolling up on an author and saying a story better turn out the way you want is not cool. In fact, it's rude and aggravating, and you pretty much ruin the story for everyone else, because then, you piss the author off.

An author is not required to do, or write, anything they don't want to do.

Comments

[the-naked-city.livejournal.com]

Not that I don't agree with what you've said, because of course I do, this is fandom, everyone's in it for the love and not money or any sense of entitlement and whatnot, but you're kind of vague: is this something that's happened to you? with the story that you're currently working on? an old story? or did it happen to a friend of yours?

It's just that without having a little better idea about things, you sort of make people wonder--"Is it me that she's talking about? Did I not comment the way that she would have liked?" Thinking that, I, at least, feel like I ought to comment using the language I think you want me to rather than the way I feel.

[k-glorificus.livejournal.com]

being passive aggressive online also is pointless. trust me, if it was you, you'd know.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

It's just that without having a little better idea about things, you sort of make people wonder--"Is it me that she's talking about? Did I not comment the way that she would have liked?" Thinking that, I, at least, feel like I ought to comment using the language I think you want me to rather than the way I feel.

The whole point in writing is freedom of expression, right? You can write what you like, when you like, and no one has to read it, or like it, or comment on it, yes? The same applies for commenting -- you can like something, or not like something, and say what you will about it. That's what LJ is all about.

If someone had come along and said 'I hate this story, I think it sucks,' then that would be their opinion. It'd've hurt, but that is one person's opinion. They're entitled to that; you shouldn't be censored in your opinion. What I believe is crossing the line is when people act as though they are 'entitled' to harangue the author to create the ending they want just because that's how they want it.

No one is entitled to anything. Never put your (generic 'you') opinion on someone else and demand that they accept it, because it won't happen, and then they'll get pissed off. Like now.

[the-naked-city.livejournal.com]

If someone had come along and said 'I hate this story, I think it sucks,' then that would be their opinion. It'd've hurt, but that is one person's opinion. They're entitled to that; you shouldn't be censored in your opinion. What I believe is crossing the line is when people act as though they are 'entitled' to harangue the author to create the ending they want just because that's how they want it.

Thanks for answering--everyone has their boundaries: what's constructive criticism to one person is a flame to another, so wanted to know what you considered demanding vs. fannish squeeing/wibbling. To one friend I might be like "OMG! That chapter blew! Get them back together, bitch!" because talking in an over-blown way is the kind of thing she likes and would consider funny. To another person I would try to convery the same feeling in a different manner because I know they wouldn't be at all receptive to that kind of language use.

I didn't actually think you meant me in your post (I think maybe the previous commenter semed to think I did?) because I don't know you and have thus been posting in the more conservative (vs. "OMG!") way, but I think that a lot of people are like me, visiting your LJ temporarily while you post new chapters to your story and so don't have a clear idea of what your commenting boundaries are in the same way that your friends do.

If something does bother you, it's best to do as you did and immediately say "Don't talk to me like this" instead of letting it well up inside of you.