*sigh*

[thescarletwoman]

and then there are times I wonder why I even bother writing. I just got a review that made me feel so horrible about myself and my ability to write that I'm nearly in tears.

The one thing I've always prided myself on is characterizations. And how I craft a fic. The last thing I wrote... it wasn't intended on being a ground-breaking piece of fiction. Hell, it was mostly crackish if you'd actually read. There were things I didn't want to go into as an author and wanted to create a humourous atmosphere.

Apparently I fail and suck as a writer.

Joy.

And on top of that, I'm getting royally FUCKED with my car. The window "works" but it's not perfect. But if I want it back to how it should work, *I* have to pay the 350 bucks to do it. Yet, it was broken on THEIR watch. And then I had the general manager of the place tell me that even if someone smashed in my window while it was in their possession, it's my responsibility to replace it. I'm just livid -- and now telling me I suck as a writer isn't helping.

Anyone have any alcohol? Please?

Comments

[tqpannie.livejournal.com]

*hugs and hands over her vodka*

You know what it's only one review and who made anyone the be all end all of characterization.

Ignore the review and if you had fun writing it that's all that's important!

[ragdoll.livejournal.com]

*hugs you and passes the bottle* That sucks -- I don't know which story it was (I'm horribly behind because of exchange stuff) but it doesn't matter, that just is mean. If the person in question didn't get what you were trying to do, it's their fault, not yours.

I don't even get reviews and very few comments which makes me wonder why I bother. But I think I'd rather be ignored than have people savage me.

The car thing is insane. Can you check with your insurance company? I know my car window was once broken in a parking lot overnight. Never found the culprit. I was able to file the claim with my car insurance company and they covered all or most of it.

[syven.livejournal.com]

Whomever said you sucked as a writer needs their head examined. I've always enjoyed your writing for the believability, the care you take with characterizations and the stories you weave. And I am a very, very picky reader. Very. I always know when I'm reading one of your stories that I can expect a well-crafted, quality piece that leaves me wanting more.

[mrsronweasley.livejournal.com]

awww, honey, i'm sorry! don't let one review make you feel bad about your writing. i KNOW how that can be, but - seriously. you ARE good. just remember that, okay? it's so hard to remember that we can't please everybody 100% of the time, so - i don't know. please yourself! and that person was stupid, i am certain. :D

i'm sorry about the car, though! WAAAH! *HUGS*

[pikkalam-sri.livejournal.com]

Ah, the double-edged blade of fandom - instant feedback sometimes equals instant criticism. But think about all the positive feedback you've gotten - what's one person opinion in the face of all that? Don't let it get you down!

[adaptor.livejournal.com]

"Anyone have any alcohol? Please?"

The 99 Cent Stores out here stock Snagria in juice boxes. It's all yours, babe!

/Dad calls it Burbank Champagne

[meleth.livejournal.com]

You mean that fic you just posted? The Snarry-Regulus thing? I can't think of anything that would warrant a review telling you you're a terrible writer. I enjoyed the piece. Despite really not being a Snarry fan, so there's that.

[tailoredshirt.livejournal.com]

*pours you a shot of tequila*

Or whatever you'd like, really. I have everything.

[octoberstorm.livejournal.com]

It's the name of the game, babycakes. I've been insulted for my humor more than once. Some stuff just is hit or miss. Chin up, and let them fuck off. If it's one thing that makes me eyeroll about fandom is there is a back button. Use it. I do. I may not like the story but there's no real reason to snark the author.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Hey, don't sweat it. Not everyone is going to love your writing, and that's a fact of the universe. I've had almost universal love for Standish but it still hurts massively when I find a review that says "this book was the worst thing I've read this year" - and i've found a few of those, I just don't talk about them.

Chins up, hun.

[a-falling-sky.livejournal.com]

sangria juice boxes!!! :D
If i wasn't already having plans of LA, i would be now!

[the_rainbow_jen]

I can't claim to have read everything you've written, but honestly, nothing coming from you, and the quality you write warrants criticism like it sounds. Sounds like a jealous sockpuppet to me. And who made them king of the universe to decide what is good? I love your stuff that I've read, and thats really all that matters :)

[freckles42.livejournal.com]

So off-topic, but - all of the 99cent stores in Burbank? *must go SOON*

So horrifically tacky and hilarious and awesome, it will make for a conversation piece at my next party. XD

[freckles42.livejournal.com]

Also, I apparently missed this post entirely, but trust me when I say you are an awesome writer and somebody is apparently just hating. I'll have to agree with the "jealous sockpuppet" comment. It sounds like someone's got a bit of vitriol and doesn't know what to do with it.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these and also takes the vodka happily*

It's just one of those things that seeing it... just makes you really question things, yanno? And it really shot my confidence all to hell. Just look at how long it took me to get back to answer these. ♥

I hope you're doing well enough, hon.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*takes the offered bottle* It was the Snarry one that's actually a couple days before this old post. God it's taken me a long time to actually LOOK at this bloody post. *sigh*

Lately I've been getting shoddy reviews. tons of hits, but maybe 1 comment and I'm wondering why I bother too sometimes. *sigh*

With the car, I think we're going to talk to a lawyer. I'm hesitant to talk to the insurance company as PA is a no-fault state, so even if they cover it? My rate will be shot all to hell.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

♥ thank you so much sweetheart. I just... yes. Thank you.

And I know it took me a while to actually SAY so, but... yeah. My blood pressure kept rising each time I thought of the review. ♥♥ just thanks.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these/comment* *sucks*

Thanks, love. ♥ It's one of those... it hurts to get such a horrid review, and then on top of that to not get a lot of comments on fics in general. Alas.

*cuddles* I hope things are going well for you, sweetie.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these/comment* *sucks*

Thanks, hon. ♥ Your words mean a lot. Seriously. :*

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*nod* yeah that was the one. They said characterisations were totally off and what have you. *sigh*

♥ I'm glad you did enjoy it even if you weren't a snarry fan. ;o)

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these/comment* *sucks*

Very, very true. *cuddles* thanks, sweetie. ♥

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these/comment* *sucks*

Thanks, m'dear. It was one of those... I've never gotten one before that was absolutely so scathing. On top of that, I've been getting less and less comments on fics lately so in my head 1+1=suck.

♥

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*is finally able to look at these/comment* *sucks*

You're amazing. You really are, sweetie. That's all. ♥ and thank you. I am glad you love what you've read. It means a lot to me.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

don't worry about it, hon. It took me forever and a day to finally be able to look at this post and comment without either crying or wanting to punch things.

♥ thanks too, hon. Like I said to erastes... lately I've been getting less comments on fics and add to it a couple reviews like that... my mind jumps to suck.

♥

[ragdoll.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I know it's hard. I am never sure if a bad review is worse than no reviews at all. Sometimes I can justify it as 'at least someone read it' but...no.

It's really hard. There are some people who get the attention and the accolades no matter what they write and some of them even deserve them. Then there seems to be the other 95% of good writers who get passed over...I'm not big on the BNF conspiracy, but I think there are people who are known and they get read, and other people, not so much. There also seems to have been an influx of bad writers lately so you'd think those of us who are better would get more recognition. Somehow they all seem to like their own sub-par stuff.

On top of that, I just think civility and discourse are dead. I've seen so much negativity and nastiness in so many places lately that it's dead depressing, even from people I care about. (And of course, if anyone treated them the way they treat other people, you'd never ever hear the end of it) I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. Or at least be constructive. I wish that was the standard rather than the exception.

[thescarletwoman.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* That's my feeling too. And even more disheartening is watching a hit counter and seeing how few comments and how many reads.

You would think, wouldn't you? I used to get read a long while ago when I first came into fandom and wrote solely Remus/Sirius fic. Then I did Lusty Month of May and had complete burnout from writing 31 fics in 31 days and also began branching out in what I wrote. Then, I'd turn out 10 good fics in a year (maybe?) as opposed to just turning them out unbetaed unwhatevered... and get little feedback anymore. I don't know if something IS good and people just don't know how to comment or what? And I know I sounds like a whiny bint... *sigh*

I think I know exactly what you're talking about. I was taught the same thing. I don't mind seeing people want to help with writing, but at the same time -- most poeple are in fandom and write here to have a creative outlet and many just want to write, regardless of getting better or not. I swear authors should start adding a concrit: y/n to our headers.