Anonymous Review

[only_more_love]

So Proximity netted the following anonymous review at FF.net (And can I just say that I was blown away by the response to this fic?):

"You have a great deal of unfinished fics. Wish you'd finish them before starting something new. I'm getting confused."

This comment didn't upset me; people have the right to wish whatever they want.  It did leave me a bit confused, though.  And I'll admit the timing of the comment gave me a chuckle.  *g* 

I do have several unfinished fics, and they're clearly labeled that way.  So if reading works-in-progress is confusing, why not stop reading them?  As a reader, do what's right for you.  If it confuses you to read more than one book at a time, then finish one before starting the next.  If reading more than one fanfic author at a time confuses you, then stick to one.  If reading more than one of my ongoing stories at a time confuses you, then stick to one--or none. 

The choice here, I think, is in the reader's hands, not the writer's. 

The solution really isn't that confusing.   

Comments

[tempertemper77.livejournal.com]

Comments like that always amuse me. The 'I'm getting confused' is an added bonus with this one... I would have thought anyone who reads fanfiction would be used to reading bits and pieces of stories all out of kilter.

*sigh* Clearly L, they expect you to be some kind of fic factory, churning out complete stories before moving on, never mind your own personal motivation and the like.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

It really is ok that the reviewer felt that way. But the bit about him or her getting confused made me scratch my head. I've never mislead anyone about the status of any of my stories. It's not like any of the fics are books sitting on a shelf, so a reader would be confused if they bought them and then discovered they were incomplete.

*sigh* Clearly L, they expect you to be some kind of fic factory, churning out complete stories before moving on, never mind your own personal motivation and the like.

*g* If that's the case, they're destined to be disappointed by me. That's just not how I write. At least to this point.

But in all seriousness, I think many people just don't consider the fact that real people create whatever media they consume, whether it's books, music, movies, or fanfiction. Real people have limitations, faults, lives, motives, and different ways of doing things.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

ff.net is called the pit of voles for a reason, you know.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

*g* I hear you. Like everywhere else in the world, though, I guess you take the bad with the good.

How are you feeling, by the way? Have your respiratory issues cleared up completely?

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I think so. (fingers crossed).

I've been crazy busy, but I spent the down downtown yesterday with the Amazin' A which (hopefully) I will post about a little later. How many 17 year olds like to hang with their moms on occassion?

[tempertemper77.livejournal.com]

PS. Just noticed this am how many reviews Proximity had netted! Amazing stuff, but completely warranted :)

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Your icon is too cute. :)

As for the number of reviews left for Proximity, I think it has less to do with the writing and more to do with the fact that I mentioned I wasn't sure if I would continue the story. There's no way of knowing for sure, but thinking about it now, that's my guess. I totally was not trying to manipulate people into leaving reviews if they otherwise wouldn't. Ironically enough, I wasn't sure about continuing Proximity precisely because I know I have other projects I'd like to finish up. It had nothing to do with my not being interested in writing anything more. Then I got that confusing review. *g*

[tempertemper77.livejournal.com]

*sigh* 'tis always the way *g*

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Hear hear! You can't win for losing, so I'll just smile and go on my merry way. *g*

Glad to hear that Joe's cast is off, btw. I saw your Wednesday smile; so cute. You have beautiful children. :)

[tempertemper77.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you *proud mum alert*

[jadeakira.livejournal.com]

I usually read 3-4 books at a time. I have them in different parts of the house.

/random comment

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

That wasn't a random comment. :)

I didn't used to be like this, but now I rather enjoy having multiple books going at once, too.

[fangirlgonewild.livejournal.com]

I do that too! Sometimes I stop reading something for months at a time, then I pick it right back up and finish it. It's a weird system.

[pinktealeaves.livejournal.com]

I didn't use to read WIP's before (when I was into XF a lot), because I don't like the waiting ;), but that's my problem. When I started loving B&B and reading fic, I did read some WIP's, and despite not liking the wait even now, I wouldn't change the feeling of seeing a new chapter of ANY fic.

And most of all, people don't know what's in a writer's head, or even in their lives, why do they think they have the right to tell anybody what they should do? That's confusing for me. ;) That's the same as if I went into a restaurant and told the cook I don't like the menu: Go to another restaurant!!

I loved Proximity, by the way.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

I understand why some people don't like to read stories that aren't yet complete. That makes perfect sense to me. What DOESN'T make sense to me are people who dislike reading incomplete stories but read them anyway--and then bitch about their incompleteness. Huh?

That's the same as if I went into a restaurant and told the cook I don't like the menu: Go to another restaurant!!

Well said, my dear. :)

I loved Proximity, by the way.

Thanks, love.

[liblyn52.livejournal.com]

Clearly, the anonymous reviewer is confused because she doesn't bother to read the Author Notes at the beginning of your fics. I get the feeling that they may not be the sharpest crayon in the box.

At any rate, I, for one, love everything that you write, be it one-shots or multi-chaptered. As long as you keep writing, it will make me happy :)

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

I get the feeling that they may not be the sharpest crayon in the box.

You may be right. I just can't understand why this person keeps reading my stories if she's confused by the fact that I have multiple stories going at once. People have every right to not read works-in-progress--just like people have every right to post works-in-progress.

As long as you keep writing, it will make me happy :)

Thank you very much! I'm touched that you feel that way. :)

[fangirlgonewild.livejournal.com]

I never post anything at ff.net. No one ever bothers to beta their work, people beg you review (or my fave: "I can't decide how to end this - send me your ideas and I'll write them in!"), it's just nonsense. People aren't brave enough (or are too dense) to give real criticism, or they do give real critiques in the nastiest possible way.

I confess, I do sometimes find myself starved for fic, at which point I go there to read completed (only completed) works. Too many people start stuff there and never finish it. Whoever 'anonymous' is, they just need to actually USE the filter system. Or come to lj and follow people's work as it updates. For whatever reason, lj just seems to have authors that see works through to the end.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Fanfiction.net has some horrific writing and it has some great writing, too. Now, I'm not saying I do a ton of reading there, but that's been my experience.

I completely agree that people should use the filter system and whatever other tools are available to them in order to optimize their reading experience. That seems more efficient than trying to change an author's posting or writing method.

As for stories that never get finished, I completely understand how heartbreaking that can be for a reader who loves the story. But I make allowances for the fact that when I click on a link for fic, that isn't the same thing as my shelling out money for a printed book. The author isn't getting paid, and it isn't his or her job to finish the story. I HOPE that she'll finish what she started, but she doesn't owe me anything. Life gets in the way sometimes. People get bored of their own stories. Regardless, I would rather read a WIP and touch the magic that can be found in a story lovingly told than NOT read it and miss out on the magic entirely.

That's just how I feel, though. Anyone who feels differently just shouldn't read works-in-progress. It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.

[fangirlgonewild.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. Trust me, I recently wrote like, what, two fics after eight months of nothing? Some people can't help but not finish things, either the muse stops singing (oh, that was lame) or they get busy, or bored. Still, it kills me a little inside when I realize that the the entire fic was posted six months ago and there's been nothing sense (which doesn't always mean there won't ever be...but I'm an impatient little thing).

I think you hit it right on the head when you called it reader's choice. If I choose to leave myself hanging, (or as my friend calls it, 'waiting in delighted anticipation) then it's my own call.

As a total aside, I've read all your WIP fic (it's too good! I couldn't resist!) and personally, I love it. But you already knew that. (And I love the little drabbles too. I just love it all. And I'm on a total mental holiday, so I can't think of a better verb than 'love.')

[witchofthedogs.livejournal.com]

This is what happens when stupid people decide to try and leave comments...

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Get some rest. I'm still looking forward to reading your future rant about stupid people. *g*

[witchofthedogs.livejournal.com]

*g*

I'm actually off to an investigation tonight (they'll be shorthanded if I don't go) and a busy weekend (clients tomorrow, lecture - that I'm giving - on Sunday).

But in my most recent post, I discuss the King's furor over my 3.5 sick days this year.

[mdemvizi.livejournal.com]

If I can't remember what the fic is about I read the chapter before it to make sure I have the right storyline. Maybe they should try it too.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

:) That's a pretty logical approach; I know that's what I do when I need to refresh my memory. It seems pretty simple to me, so I'm not really sure what to make of this person's comment...

[ggjunkie33.livejournal.com]

Completely agree-I definitely do that too...sometimes if it's been a LONG time, I'll even reread the whole story (if it's not too much to re-read).

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

Heh. People amuse me.
Then again, I'm known among my family and friends for reading four or five books at a time, so...

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Yes, people are rather amusing. *g*

I'm like you; I like reading a couple books at a time. I didn't use to be like that when I was younger, but that's how I am now.

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

I blame my parents, I was talking at 18 months and reading at three years old. So I get to blame them for creating a book obsessed monster ;)
Used to get in trouble for bringing home too many books all the time, hehe.

[spaceyplum.livejournal.com]

Hi girl! I was happy to see you had an LJ account so I friended you :-)

I couldn't agree more with you, it's the readers option whether they want to start reading WIP's. I don't understand why this person is confused, I rather enjoy looking forward to new chapters of old favorites. The only time I've been frustrated with WIP's are when the author loses inspiration and never finishes it... LOL! I realize it's not always the writers fault but it's sad when a good stories goes unfinished.

Anyway, thanks again for your great stories! I'm a newbie to the Bones fandom and it's the first time in ages I've been inspired to read fanfic. I lucked out and read one of your stories first and was quickly hooked.

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Thank you for all the lovely reviews you've left me over at FF.net; reading them has been such a treat. :)

I completely understand why some don't like reading works-in-progress; I don't understand why they keep reading them if that's the case, though.

As for stories that never get finished, I completely understand how heartbreaking that can be for a reader who loves the story. But I make allowances for the fact that when I click on a link for fic, that isn't the same thing as my shelling out money for a printed book. The author isn't getting paid, and it isn't his or her job to finish the story. I HOPE that she'll finish what she started, but she doesn't owe me anything. Life gets in the way sometimes. People get bored of their own stories. Regardless, I would rather read a WIP and touch the magic that can be found in a story lovingly told than NOT read it and miss out on the magic entirely.

That's just how I feel, though. Anyone who feels differently just shouldn't read works-in-progress. It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.

Bones is a fun show; I'm glad it's netted another fan. :)

I lucked out and read one of your stories first and was quickly hooked.

That's lovely; thank you.

Welcome! BTW, I added you back. I tend to post a lot; writing helps me process everything. :)

[siapom.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Do some of these people realize just how amusing they are? :D

Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about any incomplete fic's. If anyone is in the running for longest running fic with longest times between chapters, it's me. *decides to be a good little author and opens Word*

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Do some of these people realize just how amusing they are? :D

I seriously doubt it. *g*

Happy writing. :)

[ggjunkie33.livejournal.com]

The choice here, I think, is in the reader's hands, not the writer's.

The solution really isn't that confusing.

I completely agree. If you get too confused reading more than one fic while they're still not finished, only read the completed ones. :)

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

I completely agree. If you get too confused reading more than one fic while they're still not finished, only read the completed ones. :)

Exactly. A nice, sensible solution. :)

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

I usually don't read a WIP unless I know the author. Let's use you, dear L., as an example: While it may take some time for you to update certain works a)they're always worth the wait b)you generally will mention on occasion that you know you have unfinished stories c)you make me forget I'm waiting on an update because you write something else fantastic that totally takes my mind off said WIP

If a story is updated that for some reason I'm "confused" about, I'll read a few of the past chapters - sometimesfrom the beginning - to remind myself of the plot. (It's not like we can't click on the left-facing arrow, people.)

"The choice here, I think, is in the reader's hands, not the writer's." Exactly.

You do have a knack for attracting the bizarro reviews *g*

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

I completely understand why some people choose not to read works-in-progress; they should stick to their guns and not read them. Their reading lives will be much less confusing as a result.

My perspective is different, but that's a different issue altogether.

If a story is updated that for some reason I'm "confused" about, I'll read a few of the past chapters - sometimes from the beginning - to remind myself of the plot. (It's not like we can't click on the left-facing arrow, people.)

A very common sense approach! :)

You do have a knack for attracting the bizarro reviews *g*

*snickers* Maybe that's because I haven't disabled anonymous reviews at FF.net.

[makd.livejournal.com]

The choice here, I think, is in the reader's hands, not the writer's. ...The solution really isn't that confusing.

Exactly.

Sometimes I think that there are readers who regard fanfiction writing as a job! :-(

[lerdo.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I think that there are readers who regard fanfiction writing as a job! :-(

I think you're right. :(

Sometimes I fear there are too many people who just don't think before they post.

[isisizabel.livejournal.com]

Pfft. Oh, whatever. If their poor little brain can't keep up, they need to sever their internet connection. How is your problem they can't keep them straight?

You know, L, you should require people take an IQ test before reading your stuff. Maybe that would help.

This is why I stopped writing for so long - people can get nasty if you don't post on time, start too many fics, etc. It's like they believe they're entitled to you updating a fic. How ridiculous.