Dear Bloggie
And thus is continues. As you know, dear bloggie, I recently had an interesting experience on fanfiction regarding a story I posted, now apparently I should have seen it coming?
I received a PM from a reader who could not even finish the story and I was informed that I should have expected the reaction the story received and I was the (unwitting) scapegoat for the fandom.
Is this an honor I should embrace?
Or should this attitude bother me?
There was a time when we could happily embrace various storylines, look at characters in this fandom from differing perspectives, but now we can’t—or perhaps I can’t unless I wish to become a scapegoat.
Ah, I ask again, what have we become?
I am trying to take it all with a grain of salt—although a part of me wants it to be a grain of salt and burn.
We all have flaws—I as a writer, the characters on the show and the readers of fic (and viewers of the show).
I stand by my story.
I guess if this gives me the mantle of scapegoat, I accept that too. I’m not sure why we need a scapegoat, I’m still not sure why I should have expected this from my readers or the fans, but such is the way of things.
I guess the fact a reader/reviewer felt it necessary to write me an additional note defending their review was a little odd. Or maybe sad, perhaps that it.
Again I ask, what have we become?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Anger and Death Threats
Dear Bloggie
I recently posted a story on fanfiction.net, Words Spoken in Anger. I knew there would be controversy, but frankly I am stunned by some of the response. I chose this single moment for a reason, I know, within the terms of the episode, other things were said by both brothers, but I wanted to deal with this one moment. Now most of you know I am pretty much bi (I heard that snigger, Dean Winchester) when it comes to the boys—I love both brother’s but my leanings are and always have been a little more Dean than Sam. They always have been, but I try to be fair and balanced.I identify with Dean for a number of reasons and tend to want to see things through his eyes. I write both Sam centered and Dean centered stories. You cannot have Supernatural without both. I LOVE BOTH BROTHERS! I have always felt that way, and frankly the growing division in the show between the brothers (and our fandom) kills me. That’s what prompted this tag. Yes, they both said hurtful things at the end, but Dean took the shot at Madison before that. Heart is a favorite episode, and so gently and beautifully handled by Kim Manners, the comment raised my hackles. I couldn’t un-write what the show had done, but I could maybe fix it. I had actually written a Sam POV the exact same scene, but I decided that the first could stand on its own merits. So I decided to stick with the one chapter—and I have never backed down or apologized for my writing, not as a columnist and not here, so I posted, and I knew the response would be varied. Some people would agree and some not. It’s the way it is in any fandom.
That said, what concerns me, and really makes me weep for our once loving and supportive fandom, is the very ugly responses I’ve gotten. Not just in terms of reviews—some of which are personal attacks, but in PMs. I have received PMs from people demanding answers for my logic and telling me I will be pulls from Favorites list. Those are the mild ones. Also among the mild ones are this, and I am quoting: “you are the most hateful blood spitting narrow minded horrible Dean hating Samgirl ever.” Now part of me chuckles at that, I am usually thought of as a Dean girl! But again that was fairly mild. I have also received “If I knew where you lived I would kill you.” “I hope the hellhounds find you, tear you apart and hand you over to Alastair” and a personal favorite “Die B**ch Die.”
When, dear friends, did this fandom come to this ugly place? When did a disagreement on POV lead to this ugly hatefulness? And how can we reclaim what we once had? Some of the things directed at me are more hateful than Sam and Dean exchanged. That this spewing of personal attacks and hatred seem to be viewed as acceptable makes me weep. People have threatened me with death and wished me to the tortures of hell. Over a story. I weep, I truly do! For our show and our fandom. This division is destroying the fandom that has supported me and in many ways saved my life. And I have no words to express how much this breaks my heart.
To all of you who have send little notes of support, through reviews or PMs THANK YOU HUGEST OF ALL HUGS I LOVE YOU ALL!
I recently posted a story on fanfiction.net, Words Spoken in Anger. I knew there would be controversy, but frankly I am stunned by some of the response. I chose this single moment for a reason, I know, within the terms of the episode, other things were said by both brothers, but I wanted to deal with this one moment. Now most of you know I am pretty much bi (I heard that snigger, Dean Winchester) when it comes to the boys—I love both brother’s but my leanings are and always have been a little more Dean than Sam. They always have been, but I try to be fair and balanced.I identify with Dean for a number of reasons and tend to want to see things through his eyes. I write both Sam centered and Dean centered stories. You cannot have Supernatural without both. I LOVE BOTH BROTHERS! I have always felt that way, and frankly the growing division in the show between the brothers (and our fandom) kills me. That’s what prompted this tag. Yes, they both said hurtful things at the end, but Dean took the shot at Madison before that. Heart is a favorite episode, and so gently and beautifully handled by Kim Manners, the comment raised my hackles. I couldn’t un-write what the show had done, but I could maybe fix it. I had actually written a Sam POV the exact same scene, but I decided that the first could stand on its own merits. So I decided to stick with the one chapter—and I have never backed down or apologized for my writing, not as a columnist and not here, so I posted, and I knew the response would be varied. Some people would agree and some not. It’s the way it is in any fandom.
That said, what concerns me, and really makes me weep for our once loving and supportive fandom, is the very ugly responses I’ve gotten. Not just in terms of reviews—some of which are personal attacks, but in PMs. I have received PMs from people demanding answers for my logic and telling me I will be pulls from Favorites list. Those are the mild ones. Also among the mild ones are this, and I am quoting: “you are the most hateful blood spitting narrow minded horrible Dean hating Samgirl ever.” Now part of me chuckles at that, I am usually thought of as a Dean girl! But again that was fairly mild. I have also received “If I knew where you lived I would kill you.” “I hope the hellhounds find you, tear you apart and hand you over to Alastair” and a personal favorite “Die B**ch Die.”
When, dear friends, did this fandom come to this ugly place? When did a disagreement on POV lead to this ugly hatefulness? And how can we reclaim what we once had? Some of the things directed at me are more hateful than Sam and Dean exchanged. That this spewing of personal attacks and hatred seem to be viewed as acceptable makes me weep. People have threatened me with death and wished me to the tortures of hell. Over a story. I weep, I truly do! For our show and our fandom. This division is destroying the fandom that has supported me and in many ways saved my life. And I have no words to express how much this breaks my heart.
To all of you who have send little notes of support, through reviews or PMs THANK YOU HUGEST OF ALL HUGS I LOVE YOU ALL!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Fanfiction
Dear Bloggie,
I’m thinking about fanfiction again and what it means to me. I started writing fanfiction at the tender age of eight, when I was reading the “Hardy Boys” and wanted more adventures to read. Of course, I was writing for myself and one or two friends. I graduated to “Star Trek” and “Star Wars,” and from there to other favorite shows. Always for myself and one or two friends—with one or two fanzine exceptions. Now, thanks to the Internet, I can share my love of my favorite shows (okay, right now SHOW) with others who also love the show. It’s such an amazing thing and has led to friendships with people around the world.
I have also been honored with some awards, including a Best Story Supernatural Fanfiction Award for my story “Wolf’s Bane” and a Best Story Runner-Up for “When Last I Cried”. I have also been honored with other awards from the SNFAs. Recently Supernaturalville/UnGen awarded its first annual “Unscripted Genius Awards” and I was deeply honored and humbled to find I had won four of those coveted awards. I was stunned and pleased that my stories had touched people, I can’t begin to say how much these awards mean to me and what they symbolize.
Fanfic brought me back to my first love—writing, and thanks to the friendship and support I’ve found I have taken a few terrifying steps, including my novel The Legacy. Would I have done that without fanfiction? Perhaps, but certainly not as soon or as confidently.
I’m thinking about fanfiction again and what it means to me. I started writing fanfiction at the tender age of eight, when I was reading the “Hardy Boys” and wanted more adventures to read. Of course, I was writing for myself and one or two friends. I graduated to “Star Trek” and “Star Wars,” and from there to other favorite shows. Always for myself and one or two friends—with one or two fanzine exceptions. Now, thanks to the Internet, I can share my love of my favorite shows (okay, right now SHOW) with others who also love the show. It’s such an amazing thing and has led to friendships with people around the world.
I have also been honored with some awards, including a Best Story Supernatural Fanfiction Award for my story “Wolf’s Bane” and a Best Story Runner-Up for “When Last I Cried”. I have also been honored with other awards from the SNFAs. Recently Supernaturalville/UnGen awarded its first annual “Unscripted Genius Awards” and I was deeply honored and humbled to find I had won four of those coveted awards. I was stunned and pleased that my stories had touched people, I can’t begin to say how much these awards mean to me and what they symbolize.
Fanfic brought me back to my first love—writing, and thanks to the friendship and support I’ve found I have taken a few terrifying steps, including my novel The Legacy. Would I have done that without fanfiction? Perhaps, but certainly not as soon or as confidently.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Cliffhangers
Dear Bloggie
It’s been awhile, and I’ve been feeling the guilt of not posting anything with you. The stress of finishing a novel and the relief after it was done can be my only excuse. Writing can take a lot, and sadly you get neglected in the mad rush of fiction and fanfiction.
It’s the fanfiction that brings me back, and hopefully for a now weekly (or more frequent) posting. I’ve been thinking about the comments reviewers leave me and one of the most common is about my cliffies—cliffhangers at the end of chapters. I’ve been called cruel, evil, mean. All high compliments to my writing, since it means my readers were so caught up that when they reached that moment, they were left hanging. (Pardon the pun.)
So why do I do it?
Personally, I love a good cliffhanger. That moment before the commercial that takes your breath away, or the pause between chapters when you are left panting for more. I love those writers that leave us hanging, just not for too long. One of my favorite novelists left her last book with a little tiny cliffie at the end and I was screaming for more and wondering how long until the next book came out (since I bought it on the day of the release? A full year of course) I think it adds so much more to the tension of the story, those moments when the reader (or viewer) is left screaming begging for just a little more.
Of course, the other thing is I’m pretty sure I’m possessed by a cliffhanger demon who makes me do it. His name is Scopulus and try as I might to get rid of him—he seems to enjoy Latin—he just won’t leave. So we work together on stories, Scopulus and I, he prods and pokes until the end reaches the screaming point. He gently encourages those chapter endings that leave readers begging for more. So, he’s the one, really, who makes me do it! Yeah, really! Complain to Scopulus.
For now, I have to admit, I will continue with the cliffies, and Scopulus will be there encouraging me along the way.
It’s been awhile, and I’ve been feeling the guilt of not posting anything with you. The stress of finishing a novel and the relief after it was done can be my only excuse. Writing can take a lot, and sadly you get neglected in the mad rush of fiction and fanfiction.
It’s the fanfiction that brings me back, and hopefully for a now weekly (or more frequent) posting. I’ve been thinking about the comments reviewers leave me and one of the most common is about my cliffies—cliffhangers at the end of chapters. I’ve been called cruel, evil, mean. All high compliments to my writing, since it means my readers were so caught up that when they reached that moment, they were left hanging. (Pardon the pun.)
So why do I do it?
Personally, I love a good cliffhanger. That moment before the commercial that takes your breath away, or the pause between chapters when you are left panting for more. I love those writers that leave us hanging, just not for too long. One of my favorite novelists left her last book with a little tiny cliffie at the end and I was screaming for more and wondering how long until the next book came out (since I bought it on the day of the release? A full year of course) I think it adds so much more to the tension of the story, those moments when the reader (or viewer) is left screaming begging for just a little more.
Of course, the other thing is I’m pretty sure I’m possessed by a cliffhanger demon who makes me do it. His name is Scopulus and try as I might to get rid of him—he seems to enjoy Latin—he just won’t leave. So we work together on stories, Scopulus and I, he prods and pokes until the end reaches the screaming point. He gently encourages those chapter endings that leave readers begging for more. So, he’s the one, really, who makes me do it! Yeah, really! Complain to Scopulus.
For now, I have to admit, I will continue with the cliffies, and Scopulus will be there encouraging me along the way.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Mythology
Dear Bloggie,
I am considering mythologies. Not the large mythologies that govern our lives, not those of the myriad religions that cover the planets, no not those at all. I am considering personal mythologies, or rather, the mythologies that writers create to motivate and move their characters.
All fiction (and to a lesser extent non-fiction) contains mythologies. The people, the places, the motivations are all part of the writer's personal creation and the mythology that governs the work. This is even more true when one dives into the realms of the fantastic--science fiction, fantasy or horror. As you write these, you are creating a mythology that not only governs the characters actions, but their world as well. What are the physical properties of the world, what are the spiritual properties of the world, what is the technology, does magic exist. And once you begin, once the mythology is created, you have to be willing to play in the world you created, even if some factor of your creation becomes inconvenient.
Of course, that brings us to those who deviate from their mythologies. Yes, occasionally the world we create can limit us, but that is part of the game, you can't suddenly change something because it is a stumbling block. If you are writing non-fantastic literature, you can't suddenly decide, say, the sun rises in the west, you can't break the laws and rules that govern the world. When you have created your own world the same rules apply. Tolkien could not suddenly decide that Orcs could fly and would toss down their arms for pear pie any more than someone else can change the movement of the stars in the sky. The rules are set. You have to play by your rules, and writers (books, television, movies) who suddenly deviate, or even discard, their own mythologies are not playing the game, they are breaking the rules and they lose my respect.
It's something to think about, reading a favorite author or watching a favorite movie or television show. Is the writer true to the world they created? Or are they cheating, and if they are cheating what does that mean to you?
I am considering mythologies. Not the large mythologies that govern our lives, not those of the myriad religions that cover the planets, no not those at all. I am considering personal mythologies, or rather, the mythologies that writers create to motivate and move their characters.
All fiction (and to a lesser extent non-fiction) contains mythologies. The people, the places, the motivations are all part of the writer's personal creation and the mythology that governs the work. This is even more true when one dives into the realms of the fantastic--science fiction, fantasy or horror. As you write these, you are creating a mythology that not only governs the characters actions, but their world as well. What are the physical properties of the world, what are the spiritual properties of the world, what is the technology, does magic exist. And once you begin, once the mythology is created, you have to be willing to play in the world you created, even if some factor of your creation becomes inconvenient.
Of course, that brings us to those who deviate from their mythologies. Yes, occasionally the world we create can limit us, but that is part of the game, you can't suddenly change something because it is a stumbling block. If you are writing non-fantastic literature, you can't suddenly decide, say, the sun rises in the west, you can't break the laws and rules that govern the world. When you have created your own world the same rules apply. Tolkien could not suddenly decide that Orcs could fly and would toss down their arms for pear pie any more than someone else can change the movement of the stars in the sky. The rules are set. You have to play by your rules, and writers (books, television, movies) who suddenly deviate, or even discard, their own mythologies are not playing the game, they are breaking the rules and they lose my respect.
It's something to think about, reading a favorite author or watching a favorite movie or television show. Is the writer true to the world they created? Or are they cheating, and if they are cheating what does that mean to you?
Monday, May 12, 2008
The MuffyBlog
Welcome to the MuffyBlog, my little bit of ego on the world wide web. I think I will begin all entres with Dear Bloggie, to keep up with the idea of my own secret diary, shared with the world.
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