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The Etiquette of Holiday fics
Like all the rest of you, I'm delighting in the reams and reams of new stories and art (and this year's art is especially terrific!). There's the granddaddy, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
merry_smutmas, and then others like harry_holidays, hd_holidays, smutty_claus, lupin_snape.... an embarrassment of riches!
As we are encouraging each other as writers and artists, I'm trying to leave feedback as well. One thing that caught my notice, though, has left me feeling uneasy, and I wondered what your views are: In your opinion, is it uncouth to leave concrit that's negative on a fest fic? (Disclosure: this is not anything that's happened regarding my own fic, just other folk's.)
I don't see the author requesting any, for one thing. Personally, I won't do it, but then I never leave anything less than praise unless I'm asked specifically and privately. If I don't like something, I just pass it by. Which unfortunately is the same response to something I've not yet read, so the writer is never sure if I'm unhappy or just behind (if the writer even cares what I think), but there you go.
But IMHO, these stories are gifts. And I can't see criticising a gift. Am I over-sensitive? What do you authors and artists think?
merry_smutmas, and then others like harry_holidays, hd_holidays, smutty_claus, lupin_snape.... an embarrassment of riches!As we are encouraging each other as writers and artists, I'm trying to leave feedback as well. One thing that caught my notice, though, has left me feeling uneasy, and I wondered what your views are: In your opinion, is it uncouth to leave concrit that's negative on a fest fic? (Disclosure: this is not anything that's happened regarding my own fic, just other folk's.)
I don't see the author requesting any, for one thing. Personally, I won't do it, but then I never leave anything less than praise unless I'm asked specifically and privately. If I don't like something, I just pass it by. Which unfortunately is the same response to something I've not yet read, so the writer is never sure if I'm unhappy or just behind (if the writer even cares what I think), but there you go.
But IMHO, these stories are gifts. And I can't see criticising a gift. Am I over-sensitive? What do you authors and artists think?
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For me, I almost always like feedback, except for in these exchanges. There are a couple of reasons. First, I CAN'T edit. I don't have control over my own fic, once I submit it and it's posted. And I can't harass the moderator to alter or re-post my fic for me. Second, exchange fics aren't done out of pure inspiration. The fics are done for a purpose, with requirements, on a deadline, and that's not always a person's best writing environment, if you take my meaning. For some people, it brings out their best writing. For others, it's tougher. Some people were writing nearly a half-dozen fics for this holiday exchange season, between multiple fandoms. I'm not, but I know that would stress me out! And finally... you don't know who you're reviewing. We might judge a very good author more harshly than someone who is newer and just stretching their quill. If we leave harsh concrit for a newer author's story, without her even being able to identify herself and enter a dialogue, it's not a good way to gently encourage new authors. Yes, it's true that many people on these exchanges are experienced fandom writers, but not all of them. There are times for concrit, and there are times to grin over what people have put forth as their best effort. Sometimes, it's just nice to smile and appreciate.
And then... we have 11 other months to merrily rip each other's fics to shreds. :D
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i actually think that the anon exchanges are an opportunity to [unknowingly] leave concrit for well-known writers. i think that a lot of people are hesitant to speak their mind if seemingly everyone else thinks this author is amazing. but in anon exchange, you have no idea who you are leaving fb for. also, if a review really bothers an author, they always have the chance to respond anonymously [i certainly would]. there's no rule against that.
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i actually think that the anon exchanges are an opportunity to [unknowingly] leave concrit for well-known writers.
That's a point I hadn't thought of, and I wonder what authors think about that. Are there other forums where authors can post anonymously and get feedback, if they wanted to do this?
I tend to be uncomfortable leaving public concrit unless it is clear that the author wants this, so I am already a bit more conservative than some on feedback ettiquette. But I think I'm just as, if not more, bothered by the concrit on behalf of the recipient than of the author. It may sound silly, but I think there's something sort of magical about receiving a gift, and hearing criticism (even well meant) sort of tarnishes that moment.
And, I admit, I choose to see these presents as gifts for fandom (I, as a fan, get more presents that way, you see), so it sort of tarnishes my moment too.
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*Devil's Advocate mode on* On the other hand, as
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