I do not like Once More With Feeling (the Sherlock fic, not the Buffy episode). John is written as just a complete and utter douchecanoe and the secondhand embarrassment is making me squirmy.

Uuuugh no. Bad characterization.

Annoyed.

madlori:

I am annoyed, and I apologize in advance if I’m a bit shrill, but I just have to get this out.

I’m probably overreacting, but this just pushes my buttons, and since I’d never say anything directly to the person in question (they meant well and did not intend any offense), I’ll just vent about it to my Tumblrbuds. You guys cool with that?

Just got a review for “Alone on the Water” at ff.net. It was very nice, complimentary, etc. All was well. Thank you, reviewer. I appreciate your kind words, and that you took the time to submit them.

Then the reviewer said the following: “You should be a writer.”

Sigh.

In what sense am I not already a writer? Because (they assume) that I don’t get paid for it? Number one, I do get paid for it, and number two, even if I didn’t, that would not disqualify me from being a writer. And if they think my writing is so great, why are they disqualifying it from being “real” writing? Because it’s fanfiction? I just…I can’t…it’s words and sentences constructed to convey meaning. That is writing. I wrote it. Therefore I am a writer. One can make the amateur/hobbyist/professional distinction, which is valid, but please don’t tell me that I should be a writer. I already am one. I wrote that thing you just read.

I’m well aware that they probably meant “a full-time writer” or “a professional writer” or whatever. But just this offhand implicit assumption that I am not already a writer? I don’t even. John Grisham and Stephen King are not the only guys who get to call themselves writers. In my opinion, if you write, you are a writer. It doesn’t matter if you get paid for it, or what kind of things you’re writing, or if it’s just a hobby or a major career track. The act of writing is what makes you a writer, just like the act of running for its own sake makes you a runner. You don’t have to be running the Boston Marathon to be a runner.

I’m really tired of having the “legitimacy of fanfiction” discussion. Raise your hand if you’re tired of having it, too? What percentage of the world’s great literary works are derivative works? Huge. HUGE. I’m preaching to the choir on this question, so just insert all the usual arguments here, okay? It’s so exhausting.

I appreciate the reviewer’s intention, which was to tell me that they enjoyed the story. But I can appreciate that intention and still be annoyed.

Most of the time I agree with the things you say, Lori, but I just can’t get behind this. Sorry. Writing fanfic is legit writing for some people, yes, but for most people it’s just not. It’s a matter of perspective. I share your perspective; I do believe fanfic is legit writing. But I don’t believe you can really fault someone for an opinion like this.

You have every right to be annoyed. I just don’t see the point of it.

Fact #50: I don’t enjoy video games.

I was never allowed to have them as a kid (not even giga pets or tamagotchis, haha), and I did just fine. I realize I’m probably the last person in my generation like this, but oh well. They just don’t interest me.

I’ll play old school Mario Brothers if someone offers it to me. That’s pretty much it.