A general note to the world, because I am in an odd mood

[timepiececlock]

Dear internets,

When it comes to the fanfiction.net reviewing system I am, at rare but noticeable moments, melodramatic and absurd. Melodramatic because I am, and absurd because I may go melodramatic on your fic-ass one minute and be kind as if to a puppy to the next fic to come along five minutes later that does the same thing to annoy me that your fic did. You may then choose to notice the disparity in my reviewing rants.

I really have no explanation for this except, you know, it happens. I read and review so much fanfic that by pure percentage numbers I end up reviewing some fics when I'm not at my most diplomatic self. I may rip a new hole into someone for a relatively harmless but annoying thing, or I may rip a new hole into someone for an incredibly insulting AND annoying thing.

Nothing prompted this letter. I haven't even reviewed any fic the last two days (I think.) I was just thinking to myself "You know, over the years I've written a fair number of bitch-slap reviews at ff.net, and in my currently sociable mood I ought to send out a general disclaimer of my melodramatic elitist streak so that anyone I've yelled at who might be combing the ether of the internets knows not to take it too personally because I've probably forgotten about it by now too and, in any case, these things happen.

--Except for fanfiction that demeans women or furthers sexist attitudes about gender roles. In those cases it was totally intended to upset you and I meant every word. Yes.--


And that's my confession for this week, folks. Grab it while it's hot! Or when it's cold and left forgotten on the livejournal basement floor next to the sign that says "BEWARE OF THE LEOPARD" and the locked filing cabinet holding the announcement for a new bypass being built through the middle of what used to be a tiny brick house in Islington.*





*I just got the author-read audio version of HGTTG on my computer, where I can listen to it any time I want. Whee!

Comments

[amber-leaves.livejournal.com]

I think I've always had this horrible fear that someone who I review badly will fall into a deep pit of depression and never write again, therefore inadvertantly depriving the world of the next Harry Potter-style classic.

On the other hand, I think this may be giving myself a little too much credit...

(P.S HGTTG rules-42 all the way)

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

I think I've always had this horrible fear that someone who I review badly will fall into a deep pit of depression and never write again, therefore inadvertantly depriving the world of the next Harry Potter-style classic.

A point I recall using against flamers more than once; but it would be nice if JKR polished her prose a bit, don't you think?

[amber-leaves.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I think you have to take into account that when JKR first wrote Harry Potter, she aimed it at boys around 10/11 years old. She probably didn't count on all these pernickity teenaged girls/adult book critics becoming obsessed.

But I know what you mean. I intend to shun all things Harry Potter (once I've finished the seventh book, that is)

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Good point; but I think she wrote the first chapters of book six with the intent of satisfying her older readers to a degree; there's a distinct difference in voice between this and book four. She might've been trying to add weight to the tone, or make the style more impressive; or something.

I preferred the way she wrote book five and the beginning of book four, personally. Book four's beginning sounded much more natural, and book five was the most maturely written all around. If she writes book seven the way she wrote book six, though, ((which she just might; she said it'll be shorter than book five)) I'm going to whine about it forever.

I wish I could quit HP, but there is too much excellent fanfic for it. Plus, it's easy to write for.

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

... and book five was the most maturely written all around.

Well... minus the abuse of caps, that is.

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

People should just review with lists from now on. Only, that's nowhere near as fun, so maybe not.

Truthfully, I think you're more honest than I am. There have been some mediocre - and one less-than-mediocre - fics that I reviewed with honey and sugar, pointing out flaws but insisting that they can be very easily remedied; and encouraging the writer to try again!

Not a good way to go about it, but I make friends. :D

I haven't read any of your more brutal reviews, so I can't say whether or not you're making preteens cower before their monitors. Your objective reviews, though, are pretty nifty. ^_^