I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not, but I have written in my own livejournal in unlocked posts, six reviews of fanfic. (Although some people called them concrit (short for constructive criticism)).
Of the six reviews - four of the fanfic writers who were being reviewed thanked me for writing the review. Three asked me to write reviews of their work in threads on their journals. These reviews were admittedly positive in nature - I rarely write negative reviews on anything - because, seriously? What is the point? When I do, I state clearly that this is subjective and it may upset folks who loved whatever I disliked. (Most notably the Buffy comics - there are quite a few fans of the comics on my flist, and I like to be considerate of their feelings - so warn them if my review is negative in tone, and always put it behind a live journal cut. If I hate tv show or film and I know my flist loves it - I try not to talk about it.)
There were two reviews that I did that I did not know the fanfic writer and they don't know me. In both situations - the fics had been reviewed and rec'd by people on my flist. That was how I knew about them. They had also won numerous awards. The writers of both fics - were either accomplished writers or had over 1200 comments praising their fic.
The only fic I reviewed - which could be considered at all negative - was written by a professional writer, who taught creative writing courses, critiqued and reviewed writing for a living. I know this - from a biographical bit of information that she posted at the end of her fic, informing her readers that she was a professional writer.
The only writers who were not professional writers whose fic I reviewed - indicated to me that they wanted me to review it and would be flattered if I did so. They knew I did it. They responded directly to the review. And my review was linked to.
Also in all cases? The writers were made aware of the reviews by their fans. They all had the opportunity to comment if they wished.
The only people who ever complained - were fans of the writers, who for reasons I do not understand took exception to their favorite fun fic being analyzed or critiqued or discussed. And the only feelings hurt? Have been my own - mostly by those "fans" who wish to insulate their favorite fanfic writers, and keep attacking me for posting reviews on it.
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branchandroot
Re: Respectfully Disagree
Date: 2010-07-21 04:43 pm (UTC)Of the six reviews - four of the fanfic writers who were being reviewed thanked me for writing the review.
Three asked me to write reviews of their work in threads on their journals. These reviews were admittedly positive in nature - I rarely write negative reviews on anything - because, seriously?
What is the point? When I do, I state clearly that this is subjective and it may upset folks who loved whatever I disliked. (Most notably the Buffy comics - there are quite a few fans of the comics on my flist, and I like to be considerate of their feelings - so warn them if my review is negative in tone, and always put it behind a live journal cut. If I hate tv show or film and I know my flist loves it - I try not to talk about it.)
There were two reviews that I did that I did not know the fanfic writer and they don't know me. In both situations - the fics had been reviewed and rec'd by people on my flist. That was how I knew about them.
They had also won numerous awards. The writers of both fics - were either accomplished writers or had over 1200 comments praising their fic.
The only fic I reviewed - which could be considered at all negative - was written by a professional writer, who taught creative writing courses, critiqued and reviewed writing for a living. I know this - from a biographical bit of information that she posted at the end of her fic, informing her readers that she was a professional writer.
The only writers who were not professional writers whose fic I reviewed - indicated to me that they wanted me to review it and would be flattered if I did so. They knew I did it. They responded directly to the review. And my review was linked to.
Also in all cases? The writers were made aware of the reviews by their fans. They all had the opportunity to comment if they wished.
The only people who ever complained - were fans of the writers, who for reasons I do not understand took exception to their favorite fun fic being analyzed or critiqued or discussed. And the only feelings hurt?
Have been my own - mostly by those "fans" who wish to insulate their favorite fanfic writers, and keep attacking me for posting reviews on it.