Confessions of a Glory Hound: On Fanfic and Feedback

[dashakay]

So, I've been meaning to write a big old thing about feedback for a while now and I'm finally getting to it. It seems particularly timely since there's been a lot of discussion, not always civil, in Big Bang Theory fandom lately.

Comments

[mack_the_spoon]

Yeah, I have to agree with just about everything you said here!

I love what people have said about feedback inspiring more conversation about the show - so true, and rewarding, too.

[dashakay]

The more conversation, the better. It keeps a fandom active and alive!

[coffeesuperhero]

I have no idea what the context is for this, since I'm not in BBT fandom, but here are my thinky thoughts! (Since I'm totally studying for finals, right? Right

[dashakay]

Why are you so smaaaaaaaaart, Erin? IT IS OPPRESSING ME!

I agree with every damn word in this. I'd hug them if I could.

[coffeesuperhero]

I keep my brains in my boobs. I think that helps. ;)

I was just responding to your total awesome smartness! WHY ARE YOU SO GREAT ALL THE TIME. I FEEL SO OPPRESSED, D.

::HUGE SQUISHY HUGS FOR YOUUUUUUU::

[dashakay]

MMM, BOOBS!

*THE LARGEST HUG IN HUMAN EXISTENCE FOR YOUUUUUU*

[zinke]

words like "attention whore," "glory hound," and "needy" have been thrown around to describe fic writers who care about receiving feedback and what members of their fandom think about their writing.

Well, then. Clearly, I should be changing the title on my business cards. Or something.

Just about every fic writer of my acquaintance states that she primarily writes because she has a story to tell.

Yes. This. And I'm telling that story as much for myself as I am for others. I'll admit it; at times I've gone back and re-read the stories I've written (yes; I am just that weird). I like that writing fic gives me a way to get into the characters heads, think about why and how they'd do things in a give situation, how they'd be different if 'X' had never happened... in a way, I guess fic-writing is my meta.

When we post something that means a lot to us, that we've invested a lot of time and care into, and there's a general lack of enthusiasm for it (not because the story's poorly written or boring, but because people just aren't

[dashakay]

Maybe we can get a 2-for-1 deal on those business cards?

We're all just rats in a maze! Although I hate to admit that when I first read "Skinner's theory" I thought of one Assistant Director Walter Skinner. Hmm. What would his theory be? Kick asses and take names later?

[zinke]

I hate to admit that when I first read "Skinner's theory" I thought of one Assistant Director Walter Skinner.

Both Mulder and Scully approve.

I believe Walt Skinner's theory would go something like this: In the absence of positive reinforcement, employ 'enforcement' to get the job done.

[dashakay]

Oh, Skinner. I think I love him even more than Mulder and Scully these days. ♥

[breyer]

And readers aren't entitled to fic from writers.

WHAT? I don't own you? When did this happen? I never got the memo! Nobody ever sends me the memo on these things!!!

;-)

[dashakay]

You need to update your address on the BOFQ registry, girl. SHEESH.

[dashakay]

Hearing that you're sneaking in writing time is the best news I've heard all day.