feedback from your characters?

[DarlingNikki]

I got feedback from someone writing as if he were the male character in two of my (true) stories. It was only a couple of seconds before I realized it was not really him, but before that I nearly had a heard attack thinking somehow the real guy had come across the stories.

It was along the lines of "thanks for writing about our experiences doing X, Y, and Z. Now could you write about how I came to see you and we did A, B, and C?"

So far I have answered every feedback I've gotten. To be honest, this one made me a little nervous. I know I don't have to do anything, but do I have to answer this one?

And has anyone else ever gotten feedback like this?

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

I have never gotten feedback like that and quite frankly I hope I never do. It would freak me out.
Good luck answering it.

Wicked

 

[KillerMuffin]

That is such a cool way of doing feedback! Heh.

Write him back as civilly and politely, complimenting him on such a wonderful and novel approach to feedback, and tell him that you'll keep his idea in mind if you ever get the urge to write a prequel (sequel). No promises made.

If he corners you, tell him you don't have an interest in writing it at the moment and if you did, you're not sure that's where you intended to take the character in the first place.

Like I'm any good at replying to feedback or anything. *sigh*

 

[MathGirl]

So far I have answered every feedback I've gotten. To be honest, this one made me a little nervous. I know I don't have to do anything, but do I have to answer this one?

And has anyone else ever gotten feedback like this?

Dear DN,
Like you, I always try to respond to feedback, even those which are less than complimentary. If it's something I'm not comfortable with or want to avoid starting a dialog, I either send a "form" reply to don't answer at all. You're under no obligation.
MG

 

[sailorm72003]

DarlinNikki,

I've also answered all my feedback, but that's a new approach to me.
Closest Ive ever had was a woman who thought she might have been the "observer" in one story.
She was distressed to be informed that the story was fiction, and was I sure it wasn't me?

Sailor

 

[Rainbow Skin]

I reply to all feedback but the most stupid, and usually reply at some length. However if they come back with something inappropriate, the re-reply (almost certainly the last they get) is much shorter, not unfriendly, but vague and dismissive. If you don't like the direction it's going, just 'Thanks again for your interest in my story. I'm glad you liked it.'

That said, this sounds like an opportunity for fun. If it were me I'd be tempted to take them up in character and discuss it a bit from within. Tell them you got feedback from another one of the characters too -- fantasize there. But not writing another story for them: no way.

You can still shut them up any time you want by saying you have to go and talk to people in other stories now.

 

[XicotencatlSmith]

Feedback from characters

I don't think I'll ever have to deal with this issue. My characters tend to be one or more of the following:

A) Dead
B) Autobiographical
C) Too stupid to read

All factors that will prevent someone from assuming their identity, I would think.

Of course, you never know.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I know which one of my characters I would like to write to me...

Can you guess which one?

 

[Guest]

I know which one of my characters I would like to write to me... Can you guess which one?

Oh dear, he told me he was going to write to you next. But then he's so bad isn't he?

Perdita

 

[Svenskaflicka]

No, P! He's not really a bad boy, he just keeps getting those parts in his movies!

Trust me, he's goooooooooooooood..!

 

[Guest]

Yes, but he's goooooooooooooood because he's bad. So show me your letters. I keep mine under my pillow. P.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Mine are, to quote a certain mr Fred Weasley, "in a place we don't generally display to the public".

 

[sweetnpetite]

Creative yes, a little creepy yes there too!

I'm not sure what I'd do here. I don't think I could pass up the opportunity to reply to a message like that. Maybe that was all he was thinking when he wrote it. I think you got some good suggestions here, especially "well I 've got to go talk to some other characters now" if the guy was just 'playing' he'll think you're nuts and definatly leave you alone! lol.

I wonder if a guy would be as creeped out by this tactic? He'd probaby be thrilled. What do you think?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I think it depends on how the feedback is written, and how much humour you have yourself. There's a big difference between a friendly joker and a sick stalker.

 

[DarlingNikki]

I still have not responded. It was creative, yes... maybe... I can't get past the idea that he actually thinks he is the guy, especially as his e-mail address suggests that he has the same name as my character. I know it is like 99.99% probable that he's just being creative and/or funny, but still.

As far as going along with it, it would be too weird. If I wanted that, I'd just e-mail the real guy. Oy.

Oh well. Thanks, everyone.

 

[Couture]

Maybe his real name is the name of your character. . .

Anyway, if you are uncomfortable, then don't respond. Did you know that some of the better mail programs give you the ability to block people from writing you. There have been a couple of weirdos that I've had to block.

 

[MathGirl]

Blocking

Originally posted by Couture There have been a couple of weirdos that I've had to block.

I've never had to block anyone from writing to me. I've always found that if you ignore them, they lose interest.
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I checked the option to Not Receive Anonymous Feedback, and that reduced the number of Creepers by 90%.

 

[MathGirl]

I checked the option to Not Receive Anonymous Feedback, and that reduced the number of Creepers by 90%.

Dear Svenska,
It will probably reduce the amount of decent feedback by about the same amount. Many readers prefer to remain atonymous.
MG
Ps. Incognito, too

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Which means that I will only receive feedback from people who have the guts to stand up for their opinions.

 

[PepperTed]

wow, sounds kind of spooky.

I have had some great feedback for my story, but nothing like that.

I bid you good luck, and hope it all turns out well.

 

[Sabledrake]

I just got an e-mail from a guy who'd Googled himself and had the same name as one of my fanfiction characters. That sort of thing has happened before. It's always a little bizarre, but kind of interesting.

Sabledrake

 

[Dirty Slut]

I just got my first feedback here...

That's how I found out that one of my stories had been posted, if you can believe that. I hadn't planned on replying, but now I don't know. Is it SOP here to reply to all feedback if they give you their real e-mail address?

DS