Pros fic challenge - A Question of Trust by Rob

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

(Oops - I don't know how to do 'links'!)

This is one of those stories that I probably wouldn't normally read to the end but I did persevere today so that I could give it a fair chance.

In my opinion, the writing style is flat and there are far too many explanations to allow my imagination any freedom. However, the fundamental flaw for me was that I didn't like either Bodie or Doyle ... they just weren't my lads.

Sorry Rob.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

This is just one woman's opinion (and I realize I am writing this anonymously, further invalidating said opinion), but this "non-rec" thing seems unnecessarily mean-spirited. Especially considering this whole fanfiction thing is a not-for-profit enterprise, why not just stick with recc-ing stories one likes? In general, as much as I love a lot of the stories, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the way this particular fandom works.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Why anonymously?

And it is part of the game: "it doesn't have to be a recommendation, you might have hated the story, but it's always good to know about things like that too!" (byslantedlight )

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

As I said in my reply to this anonymous poster here in the Rec Challenge post (http://community.livejournal.com/ci5hq/142736.html) I don't see anything "mean spirited" about asking for honest opinions of whatever people have read - and in fact even "bad" publicity can be good publicity, as you've mentioned below! I'll actually go and read this story of Rob's simply because it's come up on the comm, and to see what I think of it - despite not a fan of Waiting to Fall. If I'd asked for a list of "stories you hated" then that could certainly be construed as "mean spirited", but personally I like the fact that I can count on many Pros fans to be honest!

[hagsrus.livejournal.com]

Still wondering about the not-for-profit thing - it seems like an odd reason to suspend one's critical faculties.

Also wondering about "the way this fandom works". The horrors I've read about in some other fandoms make Pros appear all sweetness and light *g* unless I've been missing an awful lot of wank!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Yes, that struck me as being... perhaps a fair sentiment (these people have done it for love etc) carried a little bit too far? Doing something for free shouldn't mean people aren't allowed/supposed to think about it... Actually I remember vividly conversations I had with various other writers on the subject of concrit etc, including some who felt they weren't very "good" writers, and they pointed out that silence as the result of posting a story (presumably due to people being too kind/tactful to say anything critical, but not wanting to fib either) was often more hurtful than someone saying "I had problems with this, what about...?"

I was curious about "the way this fandom works" too - Pros seems to be really peaceful compared to what I hear of other fandoms... I can think of three "big"(ish) faffs in as long as I've been around, which is about five years, and even then they were mostly friend-supporting-friend in disagreements that got out of hand rather than anything really serious. Various niggles, but that's people for you... Nothing like the things I blink at in the metafandom lists etc! Unless, like you, I'm just completely oblivious... *g*

[roven75.livejournal.com]

We should keep in mind that everybody here just posts their personal opinion about the stories, and I don't think it's done in anything even close to a mean spirit.

Personally, I greatly admire everyone brave enough to write something and post it so others can read it - and judge it. Not being a writer myself, I'm very thankful people do this so I can enjoy the stories which make me feel a range of emotions.

This challenge had me rereading and rediscovering a lot of stories, and in some cases, reevaluating them, prompted by the comments others gave.

When I draw something, I cherish the positive feedback but what I cherish more is constructive critcism, because that is what helps me get better. When you post something in public you need to be ready to accept both postitive and negative feedback (if done in a considerate way), at least that's my opinion.

And a healthy discussion can give so much more than just going "oh" and "ah" and "this is great" - which I still have the pleasure of writing very often, seeing how this fandom has so many outstanding authors.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"I cherish more is constructive critcism, because that is what helps me get better."
It's funny, I think Rob had the same opinion. Because I've read somewhere (don't know where and correct me if I'm wrong!) that the first version of 'Waiting To Fall' was 'A Different Beginning', and that Rob did rewrite it because of negative feedback. And I'm very happy that she did, because I like WTF very much!

[roven75.livejournal.com]

Sometimes when you're stuck in something there's things you just don't see, and other people can provide an outside view of things and push your thoughts into new directions.

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

As I said in my post, I was only giving my opinion and I am sure other people will totally disagree with it.

I was disappointed to find that I didn't enjoy the story chosen for me and I suppose I could have pressed the random button again but I didn't. In fact the challenge encouraged me to read it to the end when I probably would have stopped quite early on.

I am sorry if I appear mean-spirited because I honestly admire anyone who posts their stories, thereby exposing themselves to the opinions of others.

I hope that people do disagree with me about A Question of Trust because it would be a boring world if we all only liked the same things.