Write your story the way I want to read it, or else!

[_rp_zeal_]

Or else nothing. By the time I realize that a book really isn't what I'd have wanted to read had I known its content, I most likely would've already bought it anyway. I also doubt ranting relentlessly in my own LJ would somehow bring revenge upon the author- not that I intend to harm people for writing things I wish I did not read- just saying

Comments

<33333333333333333

[go_back_chief]

Why is it not reasonable to expect competent deatheaters, when they supposedly have been the most fearsome terrorists and aren't old nor crippled yet? Why is it not reasonable to expect moral complexity on the villain's part when all of the good guys were written as various shades of grey? Why is it not reasonable to expect characters to behave in ways consistent to how they've been written? Why is it not reasonable to expect a more two-sided, objective illustration of any issue Rowling has brought up in the books and have put a certain amount of emphasis on?

"Because Harry Potter is not The Great English Novel, and thus we shouldn't have any expectations of quality whatsoever. Because we all know that Children's Books can't have any sort of literary quality, or meaning or message or anything, because all that is reserved for The Great English Novel.";D

Re: Oops!

[go_back_chief]

I just went to the thread and looked at your comment, and ah, i misunderstood that "Save Draco from his Creator, she doesn't understand him"-bit, wasn't even your comment, was it, only W's interpretation of it? (See, this is why links should always be provided when paraphrasing someone else... *grunts*)

Re: Oops!

[_rp_zeal_]

See, this is why links should always be provided when paraphrasing someone else... *grunts*

I consider that(providing a link when paraphrasing)basic manner even when wanking, or else I'll seriously doubt if the wanker hasn't twisted what the OP said. *shrugs*

Re: <33333333333333333

[_rp_zeal_]

When did having a fear of a certain development in an ongoing story suddenly become "OMG, you're trying to deprive this poor author of her free speech!!!!11111"? I just don't get it.

Interestingly, none of those who fiercely defend an author's right to not be criticized for their work that I've so far come across disagree with the author's POV/takes on major issues in the books. Just saying ;)

Word.

[tiferet]

and amen.

Re: Word.

[_rp_zeal_]

Heh :D

[sherrymarie]

Nothing sucks quite like finding out a book isn't what you thought it would be. Well, actually, there is - reading a book that IS what you thought it would be, until the last couple of chapters screws the whole thing up. Not to name any authors or titles, but once I was done reading 'The Fall of The Kings' by Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman, I was so mad, that I literally threw the book across the room.

Oh shit, I did name authors and titles. Oopsie.

Whatever, Kushner's 'Swordspoint' is one of my favorite books ever written, and then the much anticipated sequel came along and screwed the whole thing up. Its almost funny how personally ANGRY the whole thing make me to this day. Funny and sad.

[_rp_zeal_]

Oh shit, I did name authors and titles. Oopsie.

Ahahahaha, oh man, thanks for the heads up :P

Well, actually, there is - reading a book that IS what you thought it would be, until the last couple of chapters screws the whole thing up.

Actually, this is exactly the sort of thing that some of us nutter HP fans fear is/will be happening. Most of us came into the HP fandom loving the first few books, but began to doubt if we've gotten ourselves into a series we shouldn't have. whether or not it's entirely our fault, and Rowling has never promised us a rose garden, like I said is a debatable matter :)

I've always been wanting to read Swordspoint! Er, so what happened in its sequel that was so atrocious?

[sherrymarie]

If you think about it, its pretty intense the power that certain authors have. JK Rowling makes me very nervous, because I am SO involved in the HP books (just like so many), and she has already shown us that she is not afraid to take risks and make big changes. I was emotionally and physically devastated in OOTP when Sirius died. At that time, he was one of my top 3 characters in the series, and call me naive, but I did not see that one coming. I think I actually cried when it happened

[_rp_zeal_]

Hey we've never really talked about HP before (since I began stalking you for your ZoroSan fics!)- can I safely assume the 5 kids in your icons are who you like? Oh and also Sirius!

and call me naive, but I did not see that one coming.

I don't think anyone did see that coming. Although maybe because I did not like Sirius until after OOTP, I was more amazed (at Rowling's "bravery" to kill off such a well-loved character) than anything when reading the death scene. (sorry!)

Okay I'll go read Swordspoint!! And I'll write a lengthy, incoherently passionate mumbo jumbo review afterwards if I do fall in love with it :)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh THANKS, I am not reading The Fall of Kings unless the character death was very muchly justified then. It doesn't sound like (the death being justfied) if it has pissed you off so royally. I don't like the tragedy-for-tradedy's-sake kind of books!

[sistermagpie]

I think we've truly moved through the looking glass when it comes to wanking. Fandom is about caring enough to express an opinion like this, and often involves jokes about what you're "afraid" will happen or what you want to happen. The wankier fans take it so seriously that it's disrespectful to say anything about a book/character/author you wouldn't say about your grandmother to her face.

So I really don't get why that thread caused all this fake uproar. OMG, who are these people who would ask for something as wanky as having the villains that are supposed to be so competent and scary be competent and scary!!! Yeah, what a dumb thing to say, and totally demanding something no sane person would ever ask of a book that introduced characters like this. *rolls eyes*

[_rp_zeal_]

The wankier fans take it so seriously that it's disrespectful to say anything about a book/character/author you wouldn't say about your grandmother to her face.

*Snerk*

So I really don't get why that thread caused all this fake uproar.

Neither do I... What's more I don't think anyone in Ishtar79's thread was doing anything like what the wanker accused- 'comparing HP with Shakespeare' or other 'high literature'. I thought people were merely applying common sense in most cases, and bringing up issues that Rowling herself has already incorporated in the books, not saying X or Y should take place in order for HP to meet a certain high literary standard or something.

[sistermagpie]

It seems kind of suspicious, doesn't it? I mean, when somebody has to exaggerate what you're demanding by claiming you want Shakespeare (who himself was just writing to a crowd of demanding fans who were known to throw things at the actors if they didn't like it) it sounds kind of insecure about the author. Because nobody's asking for Shakespeare. They're asking for less and it's maybe still not delivering.

[merrymelody]

What I love is that if someone who finds Rowling a mediocre writer describes the books as not being Shakespeare/'high art' there's always a fifteen page wank about snobbishness; and yet people who claim to adore the books are using exactly the same descriptions.
And besides, as go_back_chief pointed out recently, it's the popular 'lowbrow' stuff that's interesting to analyze, since it's patently not intended to have in-depth politics and moral views.

And I've never gotten why people care that other people who disagree with them might not stay in the fandom.
There's always 'OMG, someone says they won't read anymore if a character/ship/situation they like/dislike does/n't feature, how dare they blackmail JKR like this?'
Um. Firstly, an author isn't owed consumers' money, and secondly and building on that, people have every right to read for whatever reasons they have

[ishtar79]

You know, if I'd know that offhand little question would generate so much noise and JF mentions I...probably still would have posted it anyway, but given my flist a heads up.

'Best comment' award, eh? I'm not sure if congratulations or apologies (for bringing the wank upon our heads) are in order.

Of course what constitutes such a "reasonable expectation" is yet another debatable matter, but I'm just really tired of people making any reader who dares to complain about a book out to be some sulky brats who are just disgruntled the author doesn't cater to their needs/standards.

Apparently discussion and criticism are no longer an acceptable part of fandom life. Please restrict all your future posts/comments to squeeing. Not too enthusiastic, mind you. Because then you'd be labeled a 'fangirl'. The good folks at fandom_wank et co are only trying to gently guide us through our fandom experience and spare us embarassment, why can't we SEE that! We need to be saved from ourselves!

[_rp_zeal_]

'Best comment' award, eh? I'm not sure if congratulations or apologies (for bringing the wank upon our heads) are in order.

I'd say congratulation, it's not easy to be singled out as the most idiotic these days you know! I've worked really hard to gain myself such title! *preens*

Apparently discussion and criticism are no longer an acceptable part of fandom life.

But see, it's not that simple. I think the intelligent folks on that wank thread were actually saying that some "serious" discussions are alright, while others aren't. It's the which are alright and which aren't that got me confused. They didn't really work out a rule of thumb, but rather, "anything I think is within the boundaries is while anything isn't isn't". So that makes the Good Fangirl's Guide To Fandom a bit hard for me to follow, not knowing where a wanker proper fan draws the line... *weeps*