Exactly when did I get notorious?

[seiberwing]

The author, who's name I've removed because if he/she happens to be reading this I don't want him/her getting madder at me, already e-mailed me once asking me to stop reviewing her fics, and I did. In the same e-mail, I asked that she explain her fics, as they were all written in the "sticky fic" style and I wanted to see what her justification for it was.

I got this in my e-mail a bit ago.


Seiberwing, you have been posting sarcastic negative reviews for my fics on AFFN, FFN, The Padded Cell, Mechwhores, and some others I can't remember right now.

I keep stumbling over your damn posts knocking me, [Name deleted number two, and I don't even remember reviewing this one's fics] and [Name deleted number three] , everywhere I go!

I wouldn't even call them 'reviews'. Its author bashing.

I am aghast that ANYONE would be so damn awful.

You are not just upsetting me, but also the people who like my fics. They have been sending me quite a few emails about your reviews. They are worried and upset.

I left the reviews up for a while, curious, as I have heard from other authors about you before. But then I took the rare step of deleting them (didn't know if I could, or how, but I found out).

There are quite a few people who you have really pissed off with your 'Not in character!' attitude, and now I'm one of them!!

[Name deleted number four, who I've never encountered in my life] on the TFW2000 board said it VERY nicely;

[Name deleted number four]
03-23-2003, 02:42 PM

"Who are you? The goddess of TF lore? What's it to you if someone wants to write a character in another fashion or how that author sees it anyway?

Second, what is with your ego? Quit ripping into other people's work as if it were an argument or debate. It's FICTION!

It's okay to have an opinion. It's okay to offer some suggestions or constructive criticism, but all you've done is gouge at other author's pieces...and now you decide to post about how you've "tolerated" the other fan fics?

Grow up.

All I've seen you do is moan and complain. If you want notoriety this is definately not the way to go about it.

Your work should speak for itself, and if it doesn't get the acclaim that you believe it deserves, so what? Maybe some don't want to read it, maybe some read it and weren't interested, and probably still there are those that like it."

Your 'reviews' (for fics that are NOT in the least bit serious!) are straight out harrassment and author bashing.
They ARE NOT constructive criticism, so get off your high horse.

For Primus' sake, Oasis left a nice little recommendation on The Padded Cell for one of my fics, and you popped straight up with your usual rants.

You wanted to know? Now you do. Please leave us ALONE.

[Name deleted]

My reply:

Actually, my question was why you chose that particular method of TF sex and what the logic was behind it. I like discussing the subject in a reasonable manner, is that so wrong?

Look, for the record, I'm not author-bashing. I'm sure you're a very nice person when you aren't upset, and I really liked your Catman/Batwoman fic. It was very creative. And I apologize for what I said on the Cell. Your fic was very funny; it just didn't make sense. I've been leaving you alone, as you requested. I don't understand why you think I'm doing this for my own ego. I don't like this sort of attention. In fact, I hate it. I don't like to get people upset when I don't have to.

I had no idea I was so...notorious. I just like giving people my opinion on their work; isn't that what the review function is for? I'm not the only one who thinks your theory of transformer sex doesn't make sense(I prefer spark merging, but there are a whole bunch of people who don't use it and I'm fine with it. Some of the circuit-board style sex can be really interesting). I've tried to be nice about it; maybe I wasn't as nice as I could have been. And I apologize for that.

[Name deleted number four] is quite right that fanfiction is not an arguement or a debate. However, there are limits on what you can do. For fanfiction, you need to stay within the boundaries of canon. I couldn't write Megatron skipping happily through a field of daisies, right? It wouldn't be in character. The same goes for a drunk Ultra Magnus discussing mate's cup size with an equally drunk Optimus Prime. It's not in character.

I hope you reply to this. I never meant to hurt anyone personally and I'd like to get this straightened out. I apologize for any offense I might have caused. And if you happen to read my fics(I don't know if you would, they're all Armada/Energon, and considering your feelings towards me you probably wouldn't want to anyway) and you see anything wrong with them, feel free to rip into them and tear them to shreds. I welcome the constructive criticism.

Also, who is "us"? I'd like to know so I know who to leave alone in the future.

Seiberwing, who really doesn't want to make trouble.



I wanted to be famous, but not like this. Exactly what does one do in this situation?

EDIT: Wait one fragging minute!

[Name deleted number four]
03-23-2003, 02:42 PM

Look at the date. I wasn't even ON ff.net back then. There's no way that person could have been talking about me.

Damnit, woman, you're making it hard for me to pity you!

EDIT EDIT

I did a bit of digging and found the thread she was referring to.

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers/thread9383.html

It's from over two years ago and features mostly just people being rude. My name is not invoked, and I was never that rude about the subject anyway. Honestly, some people...

Comments

[horsephiler.livejournal.com]

Your response is exactly what you should've done. If they're not mature enough to take criticism they don't like, they shouldn't be posting their works up for review.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I've been criticized, all I ask is an explanation of why.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I can't help but read that e-mail sent to you and wonder why no one has called this person the wahmbulance. Because, wow, GAFF has seriously lowered my tolerance for that kind of bullshit.

Tracked down the thread referenced in the e-mail, read your comments on the fic in question, was left wondering where the hell this translated to a 'rant'. Maybe it's just me but when I'm expecting a rant, I expect a little less sensibility and a litte more CAPS LOCK OF RAGE!

As to how to deal with this situation... Either don't e-mail them again and just ignore them, or continue to respond politely as long as they're willing to send you e-mails. Whichever makes you happier.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

I've been responding as politely as I can, although I don't know if the person would want to contact me again.

At least someone doesn't think I rant. I don't like to rant.

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that people tend to keep responding to e-mails no matter how much they shouldn't. Especially in arguments. The 'I have to get the last word, nyah!' syndrome.

Rants require a much more angry tone than that particular post had. Pointing out character inconsistencies politely is not ranting. It needed far more exclamation points.

Ranting can be fun sometimes, though. Pointless, but fun.

[rahedion-woif.livejournal.com]

CAPS LOCK OF RAGE!

Hilarious.


By the way, ooh infamous one, you seem cool enough, don't take it personally. Some people just don't understand the concept of constructive criticism and confused curiosity.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

I didn't, it's just rather amusing and confusing.

Um...do I know you? I saw your post over in fanficrants a bit ago, I know.

WTF?

[(Anonymous)]

"All I've seen you do is moan and complain."

????

That's funny. All _I've_ seen you do is write fanfiction that follows standard English conventions for grammar and style and, even more miraculously, manages to keep everyone in character. And even have a plot, most of the time.

And I’ve seen you give constructive criticism to people whom most of the fan community can't be bothered with - much to its detriment, since several of them seem quite intelligent and could make real contributions if they could only gain the writing skills they would need to make their fics legible. And who are clearly making sincere efforts to improve.

Then again, you also give it to people who are obviously hopeless, like [name deleted], and have no interest in improving or in writing anything readable or coherent. The internet is full of people who can’t seem to understand that when they post something to a public forum, they’re asking for a public response, be it positive or negative. Fortunately, these people have the grace to identify themselves quickly with their tantrums so that you know not to waste any more constructive criticism on them. My advice: don’t. Concentrate on the people worth helping.

Frankly, I can’t think of anyone in the entire fandom who has done more good work than you have in the past six months. (Or maybe I just really liked Rout of Survival, I dunno. Least SNADy thing I've ever read, by the way- major kudos to you.) I’m a perpetual lurker, to the extent that I can’t even be bothered to review the fic I read, but this attack pissed me off so much that I can’t help but delurk to reply.

[Name deleted], I dunno if you’re reading this, (probably, given the way gossip travels on the internet), but if you are, read your own words. “Your work should speak for itself, and if it doesn't get the acclaim that you believe it deserves, so what?” If Seiberwing doesn’t like it, (or points out the obvious logical fallacies it contains) so what? It speaks for itself, right? Everyone has their own tastes, and it’s unclear to me why her negative reviews should enflame the wrath of you and your legions of sockpuppet allies.

Primus knows I’m not trying to start a flame war on your journal, Seiberwing, but given the circumstances, I thought you ought to know you had some sockpuppet allies of your own.

~ Anonymous, relurking

And how the hell can a robot have a cup size, anyway? Even in the soggiest fluid-fic, they don’t wear bras. Removable breast-plate dimensions? But even then, Jazz would still be bigger than Elita-1...

Re: WTF?

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Wow. Really? Thanks. I feel loved now. Didn't know I had sockpuppet allies.

Apparently Elita stuffs her chest plate. I was speaking figuratively, they were just talking about the sizes of mecha-boobs.

I would like it if the person in question posted here. I want to have a calm, reasonable discussion about the whole thing.

Re: WTF?

[beckyh2112.livejournal.com]

Psst, Seiber. Sockpuppets = extra accounts of your own creation and posting by you. NOT anonymouses.

[amasaglajax.livejournal.com]

Exactly what you did. This person appears to have a major persecution complex. "Onoez, u r upsettin mah tru fanz!" Bitch plz. Major authors need to take rougher bumps than the ones you gave everyday in the press and from their own editors. Expressing a dissenting opinion on someone's work should be greatly valued. And I can't really picture you being rude. So in conclusion, homegirl needs to get some xanax and take a break on the Internet, because she's getting ridiculous.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

I criticize even my best friends' work, for the record. It's kinda how I am; I can find problems in everything.

Published authors can take huge amounts of abuse. Look at J.K. Rowling. She's got the Christian over-the-toppers plus the shippers on her back now. Compared to them, I'm a raindrop.

[amasaglajax.livejournal.com]

So do I, at least, I try to. Because cc is VALUABLE. Anyone can be a yes-person; it takes brains to do real critique. Besides, if you put something up on the Internet, it's pretty much fair game.

[flybystardancer.livejournal.com]

(blinks) Wow... That person needs to take a chill pill. I haven't read any of the reviews that person is talking about, but I can tell from your reply that they're most likely very polite and chock-full of cc...

Now, see, if I were in her position, I'd be celebrating as I pretty much NEVER get serious cc, despite how much I would like it.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

I would be too. The ability to get concrit is one of the few redeeming quialities of ff.net.

[flybystardancer.livejournal.com]

Or it would be, if more people actually GAVE concrit.

[ravenology.livejournal.com]

'Anonymous' up there- *points upthread* -seems to have most of what I wanted to say pretty much sussed. FFN is FanFiction.Net, right? And I know the Cell already. Maybe it's just because I haven't been able to find the time to visit either of those places an awful lot lately, but I for one ain't never seen you "author bash" other people's fics, whoever they are.

I'm gonna be blunt with this, 'cause I ain't the type to waste time in situations like this fluffing everything up in nice, gentle words and beating around the bush:

I really think these people need to get over it.

Seriously. It sounds like they're the type of person who doesn't give a shit whether they tear up the canon or not, and if they wanna tear up the canon then fine, they go do that where I won't come across it, and I won't complain. But if someone's trying to help 'em to improve instead of breaking all the IC rules like some kinda steamroller, and they immediately start flailing around going "OMG, someone insulted me!" because they hafta take it personally then they're not worth fretting over. Leave alone and after a while they'll find some other well-intended conctructive criticizer to penalize.

I would probably say more and end up posting a rant of my own, but I have a science class to attend now... might be back later.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

Leave alone and after a while they'll find some other well-intended conctructive criticizer to penalize.

That would be the smart thing to do, yes. But I've discovered a certain rush from getting someone mad at you over something this silly. It's...interesting, certainly. As I said, I doubt she'll reply, but I wouldn't mind keeping this up as long as she wants to play.

[ravenology.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* In that case, I won't stop you from having your fun.

[revelininsanity.livejournal.com]

I'd rather have someone tell me where to improve, or what I did wrong, than give me a cheery little review, all spelling errors.

These people need to grow up.

BTW, did you mean to friend me? Not that I'm upset, just a "leetle" nervous.

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

I did, actually. Probably from seeing you around fanficrants and deciding you were interesting. Hope I haven't creeped you out too much.

[revelininsanity.livejournal.com]

No, no, it's cool. Just wasn't sure. Anyohw, I'll go friend you back. You lead a very interesting life.

[apprentice-lurk.livejournal.com]

*looks at it*

*blinks sleepily*

...

Oh, for heaven's sake - grow up and get some perspective, love. *bats whoever that was with a rolled-up newspaper* That's just daft and not worth getting het up over. *hugs you*

[seiberwing.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* It's just singularly odd, is all. You'd think they'd welcome the concrit, but then again, these are stickyfic writers we're talking about. They aren't much for logic.

[apprentice-lurk.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

Wost happens, ignore them and let them stew. That's just plain stupid, letting your pride get in the way. It's not even like you were being nasty, just pointing things out by the sounds of it. If someone gave me decent crit for a story, I'd be grateful for the intent, even if I didn't agree. *frowns*