My first story went up this week. I've had great feedback on it, so thanks for that. A few people had stuff to say which was not constructive criticism, but offensive stuff, which I think is inexcusable. After all, no matter the quality of a story, writers put time and effort into their work, and if you haven't got something useful or constructive to say, it's better not to say it at all.
What got me, though, wasn't that these people didn't like my story, it was that their comments were just plain weird and annoying.
One person had a gripe that I used the term "mummy" to mean mother. He said you should only use that in reference to a dead ancient Egyptian. Not correct. I am am a UK writer, and in the UK "mummy" is a colloqual, correct, term, for mother. This guy may feel that everything should use American idoms and spellings. And, yes, I do call pantyhose "tights", and spell realised with an s. I am an English writer!
The other comment was fair enough "labia lips" is redundant. Labia on its own would have been correct. An oversight on my part, missed in editing. But the reader decided I thought I was just another hack who thought he could write. I've got news for that guy - I am a professional writer, having been paid many times for mainstream work, received honourable mentions in anthologies, been in print and audio, and had great reviews for some of my professional work. However, it's okay to hate the story - I have no problem with people hating it. But his remark was really out of line.
I really feel that the people who chose to gripe this way have no other outlets for their personal issues than to be offensive to people who have done them no harm.
Have other writers had to deal with this nonesense? I'd love to know. Normally I ignore crazymakers, but today I decided I've had enough of them.
This is an excellent site, and both writers and readers deserve support.
Thanks.
Johnny
What got me, though, wasn't that these people didn't like my story, it was that their comments were just plain weird and annoying.
One person had a gripe that I used the term "mummy" to mean mother. He said you should only use that in reference to a dead ancient Egyptian. Not correct. I am am a UK writer, and in the UK "mummy" is a colloqual, correct, term, for mother. This guy may feel that everything should use American idoms and spellings. And, yes, I do call pantyhose "tights", and spell realised with an s. I am an English writer!
The other comment was fair enough "labia lips" is redundant. Labia on its own would have been correct. An oversight on my part, missed in editing. But the reader decided I thought I was just another hack who thought he could write. I've got news for that guy - I am a professional writer, having been paid many times for mainstream work, received honourable mentions in anthologies, been in print and audio, and had great reviews for some of my professional work. However, it's okay to hate the story - I have no problem with people hating it. But his remark was really out of line.
I really feel that the people who chose to gripe this way have no other outlets for their personal issues than to be offensive to people who have done them no harm.
Have other writers had to deal with this nonesense? I'd love to know. Normally I ignore crazymakers, but today I decided I've had enough of them.
This is an excellent site, and both writers and readers deserve support.
Thanks.
Johnny