| 1:57p |
I first posted this on LJ a long time ago, so consider this a "reprint"
I've completely given up on fanfiction.net. Too many of the authors are apparently eight-year-olds who have no idea that a) the rest of the world doesn't want to read about your self-insertion fantasies, b) spell check, and more importantly, human beta readers, are not just suggestions, c) if you can't spell the characters' names, why on earth are you trying to write stories about them?, and d) "flames" and "constructive criticism" are not the same thing. Oh, and e) begging for feedback just makes you look stupid, and does not encourage anyone to write a review. Half the time the pleas for "feedback" ("but no flames") are more well-plotted and well-written than the actual story. So from now on, I will only read ff.n stories that have been recommended to me by someone I trust.
I also want to know what happened to the way they separated Harry Potter fic-- there used to be a category for fic, and a category for author-fic, a wonderful way of avoiding half (well, perhaps more like a third) of the brainless, plotless drivel spewed out by these sorry juvenile-brained writers who have never heard of plot, much less dignity. Now it all appears to be lumped back together, blatant self-insertion and Mary-Sue-ism right along with decent fic. Though let it be noted that I use "decent" quite broadly.
I realize that ff.net is not responsible for the quality or lack thereof in its members (though the institution of a spelling and grammar check rule might help), and indeed I appreciate, in theory, the idea of a site where every author can share with the world the gleanings of their teeming brains. But the frustration of wading through hipdeep rotting refuse in search of a single good fic has finally gotten to me, and the ideal I support has in fact (like most other ideals) fallen short. Instead of a meetinghouse where writers make honest attempts to share their writing and garner constructive reactions, it has turned into a wildlife refuge for rabid Mary Sues, where the so-called authors are too content with what they have produced-- "feedback" doesn't mean helpful comments, it means "ego boost."
I firmly believe that no one of any intelligence truly wants to read "fanfic" where the members of a boy band drop from the ceiling and sing modern (American, Muggle, preteen) pop music in order to convince the fated pair to fall in love. This is NSYNC worship, not fanfiction. The only admiration of an author's work I see in play here is a puerile adoration of a music group; certainly it shows no respect for the universe crafted by Ms. Rowling, and no desire to work within that universe with appreciation for what she has created. It is boy-band evangelism, taking the joy of NSYNC to every universe where its timeless wisdom can smooth the path of fate. Give me this sort of "fanfic," and I'll give you my resignation notice. |