Mary-Sue's and Flames

[adiva_calandia]

Well then. I couldn't sleep last night for some time, because someone finally pointed out -- in bluntest terms -- that "A Will of Their Own" is a Mary-Sue. I knew that. I swear. And yet, it hurt. It felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. And then, this morning, I checked again and we had received several more reviews along similar lines. Flames, proclaiming that this story is a Mary-Sue, and it was incredibly stupid to use Jay and Acacia in it, even mentioned, and especially without their permission. I concede that point -- it was silly of me, not to mention cocksure.

And yet, I highly object to being made to writhe in shame like this, over and over and over again. Every time I have a quiet moment, it intrudes like a worm and eats its way into my head, making my stomcah clench.

From a purely analytical standpoint, I find this interesting, since I seem to be going through the stages of grieving -- first denial (They can't be talking about my parts of the story) then anger (how dare they?). Next bargaining (I wrote lengthy letters apologizing for letting this go on -- although maybe that was just good politics) and depression (described above). Finally -- hopefully -- I'll hit acceptance. I seem to be see-sawing between several of them, denial, anger, and depression being highest on the list.

I'll admit that I have a thin skin. I've had trouble taking even constructive criticism. But I appreciate constructive criticism. Simply telling me that I suck and me and my story should burn in Hell not only doesn't help my writing, it discourages me from ever writing again.

Anyone who reads this, I beg of you -- don't flame people. Politeness is a rare coin in today's society, and it's so much more effective. Flaming gets you just a knee-jerk reaction, a vicious cycle of insults and defensiveness.

Thanks for letting me rant. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep a little better tonight. It's highly annoying that I can't even read good books without thinking that they're so much better than my story. Our story.

In other news: Played with baby chicks all day, set some things on fire, rehearsed with Wendy, Christina, and a new girl, Emmy. :D Brian may end up singing with us this year! Wendy and I are going to see Secret Window on Friday. Yay, Johnny Depp!

Life will go on, no matter the flames. I'm done ranting now.

Comments

[ceph.livejournal.com]

It just goes to show what happens when you tick off people who make their Internet living by heaping ridicule on fanfic that displeases them. Try not to let their flames get to you--consider the source, and the medium. And you didn't let yourself fall to their level, right? That's something of which you should be justifiably proud.

As for the story, I am sure Dianna Wynne Jones wrote far, far worse at your age. They say everyone has 10,000 pages of bad writing to get out of their systems before they reach the good stuff--and from what I've seen of your writing it shows great promise.

[adiva_calandia]

*grin* thanks. I'm heartened by the fact that I haven't written much on this story, so I feel like they're not entirely attacking me. Mostly Erin. But I pointed out to her -- we're partners, and the criticism goes to both of us, no matter who wrote most of the story.

And from your pseudo-sibling...

[goddessmena.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

Re: And from your pseudo-sibling...

[adiva_calandia]

*Hugs back!*