Housekeeping

[geoviki]

I read somewhere that obsessive-compulsive behavior and neatness are part of the same continuum. And sometimes I find myself closer to the scarier edge. Now that I'm done with the sequel, I'm finally getting back to RL chores. I finally finished the bloody garage-painting. That took 6 days. Moon landings were accomplished in less time. Just logged 3 hours in kitchen cleaning. Now it's Merlot time.

I admit today that I tested the comment function on Skyehawke to make sure it wasn't broken. I haven't had a comment on the sequel since last Wednesday. Not a peep. It's a good thing I have some self-esteem built up over my writing from my betas, because I'd sure be wondering WTF right about now. Scientifically analyzing the situation, the feedback rate is clocking in at 1%. If I estimate that each reader hits the prologue twice before finishing the story, that's 2%. Which means that 98% of the readers bugger off without saying a thing. Which is my own behaviour with fics I'm not all that enamoured of. Which also, in an odd way, gives me freedom to write the fics in alternate fandoms that I've got bunnying. I've got two plots percolating, one in a fandom that only God and I even read.

ETA: Hey, I didn't intend to make any of you feel bad about not having tons of free time and not reading the sequel. Really! I'm just pondering the thousands who did read it and tiptoed away. But I know that archives are notoriously bad places to gather feedback. I know this. The stupid fic just won't fit on my LJ, though. < / ETA >

There's an age-issue thing going around, and I find myself clueless. Don't know who, don't know how. I was relieved that it wasn't about those of us who might be too old for this sort of thing! So maybe one or two underage fans have wandered over here; if you look at the userinfo you'd have gleaned my age and scurried away by now.

Oh, right, I was going to say something about defriending. I updated my infamous and anal spreadsheet of who's who in my friends list. Here's my policy:

- I can't friend everyone back and still have a RL, dull as it may be.
- if I've friended you, I read your LJ all the time.
- if I haven't friended you back but you still have me friended, I sometimes read your LJ, too.
- I friend folks who interest me. I have lots of folks friended who don't have me friended.
- I'm looking for fandom stuff. If you only post RL topics, I can't keep up.

So here's the kicker: if you have me friended out of guilt, or I used to interest you but now I don't, or you're afraid if you defriend me I'll sic my minions on you or snub you or react badly - don't fret. I'm announcing amnesty: feel free to clean up your list and bid farewell, no bad feelings. I have no minions anyway.

Comments

[dementordelta.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'll be your minion! I'm, er, actually pretty good at it!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I hear there is a Minion School. Maybe we should sign up!

And yes, I'm going to The Witching Hour. It's my fall indulgence. It'll be fun to meet all these LJ names at last. I came into fandom almost simultaneously with the last conference in Orlando, and so was unaware of the event. I've never been to New England in the fall.

[urnesha.livejournal.com]

I haven't had a comment on the sequel since last Wednesday. Not a peep. It's a good thing I have some self-esteem built up over my writing from my betas, because I'd sure be wondering WTF right about now.

Hi! Ah.. I'm one of those people who have you friended mainly for HP fic though I do read all your posts. I don't comment very often but felt the need to respond to this one because of the comment that I have copied.

I squee'ed like a fangirl when you posted the link to the sequel. Yet I still haven't built up the courage to read it yet. A Thousand Beautiful Things is my absolutely favourite fanfic in any fandom, any pairing. I've recc'ed it to all my friends and the Harry/Draco reading club that I'm in. I love every word of it and adore your Harry/Draco relationship. And ironically am now petrified to read the sequel because I know that somewhere in there they are going to argue or fight or whatever and though I know that's how thigns work I know it's going to break my heart. Not to mention I don't know if you leave them together at the end or not (I refuse to read any reviews extra so I don't spoil myself). Anyway, I will read it soon. I just need to have a nice long free day (haven't had one of those in 5 weeks) and will definitely leave a review.

Hmm.. No idea if this helps or not. lol

But just wanted to say hi and hmm.. let you know that I adore your writing, your characters and will be reading soon? hahaha Feel free to ignore me if this comment makes no sense.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

You've always said the sweetest things about ATBT, so I don't begrudge you putting off reading the sequel. And I always think that "Once upon a time" should meet with a "happily ever after."

Your comment made perfect sense, no worries.

[forlornhope1865.livejournal.com]

Don't forget that due to Memorial Day, a lot of people are out of town, or day-tripping or outside doing cookouts, at the beach, camping, etc. There're tons of folks without Internet access this weekend, not to mention the days before and days after catching up with work, laundry, etc. Please don't take any lack of feedback during this time to heart. It'll be the same around 4th of July, so put it out of your mind for now and check back in a week. Treat yourself to some watermelon (did you know they have SEEDLESS watermelon now?) or some other Memorial Day-ish treat.

BTW, I'm 46 and I would be upset to think that I'm too old to enjoy fanfiction. The stories I read on the 'Net are many times better than what's in the bookstores by pros. Speaking of Pros (Professionals), go hang around Pros fandom for awhile. Everyone is around my age or older. We all started in fandoms in our teens or early 20s with Blakes 7, K/S, Dr. Who and/or Pros.

Personally I want to reread A Thousand Beautiful Things before I read the sequel. And what with the aforementioned holiday plus upcoming job interviews and my ongoing job search activities, I don't know when I'll carve out the time to. Unfortunately for me, it'll probably be when I should be working on job stuff - I'm too good at procrastinating.

Not spamming you but

[forlornhope1865.livejournal.com]

I checked your userinfo after writing the comment above. You're the Denverite who had a birthday celebration at the Oxford? Monaco? some nice place downtown and mentioned it in your LJ.

I'm probably right up the road from you (I'm at 8th & Marion). What a dreary day, huh? The weather is probably bringing you down. Just hold on til Wed when the sun will reappear.

Also, you aren't old! You're the lucky recipients of AARP discounts for the amazingly cheap sum of $12 year in dues. I can't wait til I can join AARP.

Re: Not spamming you but

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I am a card carrying AARP member! Go me!

Yeah, I was chuckling at your last comment about the picnics and nice weather. Although I'm not complaining about the rain - we really need it - and look how much lovely housework I got done today, too.

I'm out near Golden, BTW. Yes, birthday at the Oxford, and I want to make it an annual event. The massage alone was worth the cost of the room.

I don't know why I was so whiny, but really I feel as though I get to do it once in a while, you know? It's not that folks don't have lives and can't get around to reading my fics. God knows my own "to read" list is long, too. It's just odd that people are reading it in droves and then... silence.

[iulia_linnea.livejournal.com]

ATBT remains my favorite HP story, and when I heard you had written a sequel, I squealed like a fool---but I haven't yet read it. I'm getting ready to move, and I'm a huge procrastinator. I've promised myself the sequel as a reward to myself for completing the packing and doing everything else I have to do before we leave.

I'm sure that's not helpful, but I wanted you to know that I'm very excited about the sequel. :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Moving, huh? A big pain in the rear, isn't it? I wish I had a dollar for every single time I threw my life into boxes and hauled them to a new home.

Is this sequel enough of a reward? By then what you'll really need is a good massage!

[djin7.livejournal.com]

I could go all fangirly on you.

*We're not worthy!*

I read it on skyehawke, but pimped you in my journal, then told you how much I loved it in your journal. I have been doing most of my reviewing on the eljay nowadays. *shrugs* I don't go to skyehawke much anymore now that I have everything I need right here.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I saw your LJ comment, and thanks!

Ah, your icon reminds me of one of my first fandoms - the Beatles! I remember when "A Hard Day's Night" came out - the excitement of seeing them in the movies was unbelievable.

[tipgardner.livejournal.com]

It's probably worse to say this, but I haven't had time to read the sequel yet. I've been trying to read the cookies on Skyhawke, but have been mainly offline due to work/RL time constraints. But your piece is extremely high on my list (ie, first thing of any length that will get read the second I have even a second). Meanwhilst, I know that I've already posted you mail about this, but ATBT is AWE INSPIRING: It's driven, well paced, beautifully written, well imagined and executed and original. I thought it was quite humourous, that wank/critique about the unoriginality of the manner having been confiscated plot line, because I see all of those stories as referencing ATBT.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Are you trying to tell me you have a life? My jealousy is so transparent!

I think the hp cliche site is actually fun - I know I use cliches and I think we all have to on occasion, given the restrictions of canon. Malfoy Manor being confiscated, to me, can be tossed in to show how vindictive the Ministry can be. IRL, the US government has confiscation down to a fine art in the case of drug dealers. They can take one's car, one's home, anything remotely associated with the drug dealing, and often without trial.

[balfrog.livejournal.com]

Oh, darn, no minions? Though not card-carrying, I suppose my minion status could be proved by bahavior:
1)crawled out of bed after having gone to bed from fatigue at 9pm
2)read your post
3)decided, "o CRAP, the house is a mess"
4)is considering doing housework now

Skyehawke is probably the worst place to get feedback, I guess. Chapter by chapter by lj probably gets more in depth discussion, but less readers?

Though, I got, what I considered THE GREATEST review the other day. Stuck it in my userinfo for vanity.

5)now, if I toddle off and do housework instead of goof around and write pron, then, mimion status will be confirmed, no?

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

OMG, that comment is priceless! I guess you really have the crack!fic down, huh?

One of the sad, sad facts about my housecleaning is that I have to wear my reading glasses so I can actually see the dirt and grime. Other times, I can blithely ignore it all since I can't see fine details anymore.

Should I make "minion of geoviki" icons now? Maybe with the sign of the crossed mop and broom?

[elsie.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better, I am in love with ATBT and DSoT, and although I can't even remember whether I commented on Skyehawke, I did leave more than one long-ish comment on your eljay. And I bet a lot of readers did the same thing.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

No, no, you left wonderful and multiple feedback, and I remember it very well! I counted all my LJ feedback, too. And email.

Thanks for the support, though. I do appreciate it.

Can I get you to drop by and tell me what a great job I did on painting my garage? :-) When I tell people I spent my weekends at it, the question I usually get is: "Why?" No one paints their garages much.

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Well I adore the sequel and it is in no way, shape, or form a commentary yon the writing. I actually think lack of comments has everything to do with the temporarily disabled "favorites" function on skyhawke. Since they post fic as it appears and several people have dumped several stories (like 10-12) on all at once, your fic automatically went "off" the page pretty damn quick. You might want to wait until they fix that function and then "repost" (or "edit) so that this comes up again so that people can see that it's alive and kicking.

This is a beautiful piece of writing. Make no mistake.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I feel guilty for whining, but there it is. Folks seem to be clicking on the beastie in droves; they just disappear.

But all you sweetie pies who commented already have made me feel loved and appreciated, make no mistake.

[teh-del.livejournal.com]

Hullo. You commented on some of my art. Sooo, I wandered over to check our your journal. See if we shared any interests beyond Harry/Draco, and... behold! We do. xD

Therefore, I'm friending you.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Is this because I obsess over admire Boyd Holbrook?

I want to hold LJ hostage until they allow me to buy 100 icons. I hate wanting more and not having any room. But I fear I will fail in my attempt and be nothing more than embarrassing, like that farmer who parked his tractor in one of the ponds on the Mall and bolloxed DC traffic for a while.

[charlotteschaos.livejournal.com]

I think it's this time of year, finals, end of school, people are gearing up for their summer plans, and probably a lot of people had to bookmark the story to read later.

I know that in advertising 1-2% click through/response rate is pretty average, so it's typical. Other people have brought up that they're less likely to comment in an archive. It is sort of a pain that they don't keep you logged in there so each time I want to comment I have to log back in whereas on LJ I'm usually already in.

Maybe they're so overwhelmed they're left speechless? :D I don't know. I've not sussed out why people comment or don't comment on fics yet. Give it time?

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think "give it time" is the best plan, especially when there's no Plan B.

I'd probably hear a lot more on ff.net or FA, but I don't want to bother with cutting up the sex scenes to make their standards.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I am reading the sequel, just uberslow because of work. I want to savour it, not readi it in the five minutes I have here and there. :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Not a problem! Don't know why I was all whiny about this anyway; maybe because it had been raining for two days straight.

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

not going to spam you again with my DSoT love. ;)

I was also struck by how few people actually left reviews/comments at the skyehawke archive, considering the scads of fans who are obviously reading your fab work. I know ppl are busy and all but, if they've read it, it's not hard to leave an acknowledgement or note of appreciation. I always feel v rude if I don't thank someone for something I've enjoyed and they've provided.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

It's made me more aware, really, and I've been a good little feedbacker myself for the past two weeks! Physician, heal thyself, right?

[pingviini.livejournal.com]

Which means that 98% of the readers bugger off without saying a thing.

They do.
That's what always happens to me. I see the hit count and the lack of comments, so naturally I think that people read but don't like it, and am very surprised when someone tells me they did like it...
One little comment means such a lot to the writer!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

That's kind of the deadly combination, isn't it? Reading and vanishing. I know it's Skyehawke, but it's not that hard to leave a comment there, I don't find.

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

I hope you don't think you can get rid of me that easily... :) Can I volunteer for minion duty?

*sigh* The review thing. First, I really wish that skyehawke would put its popular stories listings back up - I know what they're going through in terms of hosting/server problems, etc., but it's not really doing anyone any favours, that's for sure! Second, what with the problems, the site's been down sporadically quite a bit over the past few weeks. I know I've talked to quite a few people who've said they had intended to read DSOT, but skyehawke was down when they'd had free time. Hopefully that will all change soon.

I quite agree that skyehawke's average reader is not a particularly responsible reviewer. I also know tons of lurkers who only come out of the woodwork and comment when you've done something they don't like. It's always sort of a mixed bag when you get comments like "I've been reading your stuff for ages and always loved it, but I can't believe you wrote Harry/Lucius!" or something along those lines. Like, thanks for letting me know! I'm sometimes quite appalled myself, comparing the hits/reviews ratio on tons of stories. There are so many amazing fics on skyehawke with only two or three reviews.

The fics with multiple chapters that get posted one at a time seem to gain momentum, I've noticed. That does absolutely nothing for people who don't necessarily write chronologically, though, so it really isn't fair. But then, your stuff should be getting at least seven times the number of comments (for each chapter, that is). I admit I don't comment on everything I read, particularly if I found it less than inspiring - but I don't think that anyone who read even half a chapter of DSOT could claim that, so we're back to the issue of irresponsible readers. Sometimes I just think about how many words the author wrote, and how few it would take on the part of the reader to give an abridged version of what they thought. And I'm totally rambling. Apologies. :)

Do you really keep a spreadsheet? :) That sounds like something I would do... do you need any info on me? Just ask if you do. :) I have a feeling that the comment word-counter is about to curtail this, so pardon me while I go and start a fresh one.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do keep a spreadsheet! Becasue it's all part of that obsessive-compulsive/neat thing I've got going. Anytime someone mentions something about themselves that is interesting, I tuck it in the spreadsheet.

And it's true I can be all superior about not writing WIPs when it's true that I couldn't write a WIP if I had to! I just am not linear that way.

[kupukello.livejournal.com]

*squirms with bad conscience*

The other day you said somewhere that posting a fic as a whole gets you less reviews but it's definitely nicer for the reader. You are absolutely right there, if you had posted DSoT as chapters, once a week or once a decade, you would have gotten a review for each chapter from each person who usually reviews. I can't thank you enough for posting your stories the way you do, it's definitely nicer to get to read the whole story at once! The once a week scenario is nice too, as long as the writer sticks to the schedule, it gives you something to look forward to.

As for reviewing *squirms*. Even though I read tonnes of fics everyday (well, there's SOMETHING good about this company, after all ;), I rarely ever post comments. Either I feel stupid about posting *squeeeeeel* reviews, or there was something I didn't like about the fic and I don't know if the writer wants cotton-wrapped concrit or not. This becomes a dilemma when I liked the story but there was something I didn't like, and that changing it would make the story even better.

So, what do you prefer? No reviews (apparently not), positive reviews, or reviews in general even when they might contain concrit?

And, please *snicker* I know you are a Boyd fan (me too! me too!! Oh, I found his fansite, he's a POET! And a CARPENTER!!! *swooooooons infront of pretty carpenters*), and I know you used real Boyd pictures as part of ATBT storylines. So, is there a Boyd picture with the sarong? WANNA SEE!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

The best Boyd fansite ever is kattiya's, here (http://boyd.invisible-cities.net/). And there's an associated community by oxoniensis, ohreally___

It's even shorter than a sarong, but here 'tis:

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

Hello again. :) I just wanted to thank you for your review of Agnus Dei! I do wish that skyehawke would let you respond to people's emails when they're logged in, but it's apparently not to be, so...

Admit it, you just liked it because of the song title! :) Normally, it doesn't take me a long time to come up with titles, but in a lot of ways, there were quite a few themes in this fic, generally, that I could have based it on. The Barber had to win in the end, though. Some of my friends have nagged me about the fact that I never incorporate music into my fics, and given that it's sort of what I do all the time and all, I supposed I could give it a shot. I've (obviously) sung the Agnus Dei before, several times, and love it. It was raining here, too, most of the times I was working on it. I adore the rain, and dining out, too. Not to mention red wine, particularly Shiraz and Merlot in general. And the tension - ! If they're friends already, then one has to find another obstacle, yes? :)

Thank you for reading it! You know by now, I assume, how I feel about your writing, so it means a lot to me that you even read it, never mind liked it! :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Well, Sandra, when you write a songfic, you go all out! Pink Floyd can't compare.

[hearts-n-roses.livejournal.com]

I would like to apply to be a minion ;-)

And on an unrelated sidenote, I have't listened to that song in forever. BERLIN!!!!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Berlin, yeah! Someone had this available as a download not long ago and I grabbed it!

[ridicu-liz.livejournal.com]

Pick me! Pick me!! I want to be your minion. As qualifications I shall list the fact that I just started my dishwasher, and it is currently 1:03 a.m.

As to the commentage... I've been saving the fic until I have the appropriate amount of time to savor it.

Regarding the proposed minion icon - would it be possible to get permission for the mop to be "Potter's mop"? After all, we all like shiny things, yes???

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Shall I be known, then, as the Queen of Clean? Ha!

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

Is Merlot time some variation on Eastern time?? Only perhaps vaguer and more leisurely.

'why don't you call me at 4 pm Merlot time?'

and then you'd know you could call anytime betwen 1 and 6 and it would still be OK.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I like your version of Merlot time. Actually, mine was an obscure reference to an old beer commercial that urged: "Welcome to Miller time!" Only I believe you'd have to be old as the hills to remember it, not to mention American. Miller is one of those light, bitter, crappy American beers.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i've always been frightened of trying to leave reviews on sites. half the time you have to be a member and i almost never am. so i left a short review on you lj. if i don't have to be a member and it would be a goodness, i can leave another on skyehawk.

i really love the story and have great admiration for you as an author , so if it would make your life happier, i'd be glad too.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Don't be afraid to leave reviews! I'm not saying this for myself but for all authors. I can't think of a forum that doesn't allow at least anonymous feedback posting, and Skyehawke asks for an email address (optional) - you don't have to be a memeber to leave comments. Lj comments, email to the author comments - they're all good. That's the only tangible payment an author ever gets, so sprinkle your love everywhere!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

If I promise to be really quiet, and sit over here in the corner, can I keep you as a friend? I just never want to miss out on your fic, and actually, you have your interesting moments too *g*... : )

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Interesting moments, huh? Are those like senior moments?

[luci0logy.livejournal.com]

Hope you got the email relating to the prologue and chapter 1. I was hoping to review each chapter as I went along but the 'wank at work' continued into last week and I was paralysed with anger. It's half term now and I'm still angry! I'm going to have to do a RL post to exorcise the awful experience. God, I'm rambling again, sorry.

I have read it all and yes, it did cheer me up. I'm on my second read through now so I can savour every interaction between the characters. There are so many parts I could quote back when I review, but the bit that kept me smiling through last week was:

"We is never having Muggles here before. Not serving them tea. Not being as Master's guests. Muggles in only coming here as prisoners of Master Lucius and the Dark Lord!"

Priceless! I laughed so loudly I woke my husband up. I'm afraid his review wasn't very polite.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Yes, I got the email! Thank you. Sorry to hear about RL - darn that anyway, why can't we just blissfully flow along in our fantasy world. Except there's wank here, too, sometimes. Glad to hear you enjoyed the fic. I like it when folks tell me specific lines they like (sorry about waking hubby, though).

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

Amnesty you say? Now let me think... Nope, I think I'll keep you, on the main filter, no less :P

I can't catch you for a proper talk :/ Instead of vacuuming my flat I did a complete spring cleaning, and something went wrong with my back that now I can't either turn or bend it. Feeling as if I were 85. And now my period has come, too. So now I'm home, absolutely miserable.

Ok, enough whining. As for the people who don't comment, well, I almost never do. I comment only on LJ (commented on Skyehawke 2 times total, on FF net - once, and that's all). I can say that I rec what I liked instead, but that's no excuse. :/

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I think a rec is like a comment with whipped cream on it! Because not only are you telling the author, you are telling the rest of fandom, too. Besides, since I dedicated the fic to you, I certainly knew you wouldn't be mean about it!

I got into major spring cleaning myself this rainy weekend, so I know what you're going thru - except I hope your back is recovering. This is a bit of a busy week - Eric's last few days of school. Last night they had a big thing like graduation, because they are moving to high school next year. It was boring and endless and I'm all stiff from sitting on wooden bleachers listening to silly speeches for far too long. So I didn't get to check Y!M.

Catch you soon. Go read all of the new fic on pornish pixies and tell us all which are great ones.