(no subject)

[shapinglight]

Okay, said I was going to spam, and since this subject is horribly embarrassing for me, I might as well get it off my chest rightaway.

Ahem! I am a feedback whore.



Not that it's True Confessions Week on LJ, or anything, but since I was brought up to think that trying to attract attention to yourself was un-British or unfeminine, or un-something, admitting this is a lot harder than the subject (which is very trivial, I know) actually warrants.

I thought at first I would try and pretend to be all scientific and impersonal and put up some kind of poll so you could all join me in admitting you were also feedback whores, or else take the moral high ground and say getting feedback was a matter of indifference to you. However, implicating you all in my horrible character flaw didn't seem very fair, so I didn't do it.

Anyway, I am one. I wish I wasn't. I wish I was like peasant_ who not only doesn't like getting feedback, but actively discourages it by making it as hard as possible for people to give her any and glaring at them a lot when they do, but I'm not. Getting told people have enjoyed something I've written is one of the best feelings in the world for me. Likewise, not getting any feedback, or not much feedback, for something I've written makes me grumpy, and I have to own up to it.

:sigh: Oh well. Never claimed to be perfect. Should I have done the poll after all, or have I embarrassed myself enough already? Or, indeed, are you asking yourself, what on earth is wrong with wanting/liking to receive feedback? It's a British/women's/old person's problem. Get over it.

Comments

[twilightofmagic.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd guess 90% at least of people writing stories get pretty down at the mouth if their labours at the keyboard are met with indifference or scant attention. There's nothing quite so motivating to carry on writing as lots of feedback. I've seen lots of reference to low levels of feedback these days though. ::hugs::

[shapinglight]

I've seen lots of reference to low levels of feedback these days though. ::hugs::

Yes, menomegirl above was saying she's noticed a big drop in f/b for fics since she started editing the Herald. Is it possible that all the Buffyverse stories have been written, and therefore people start a fic and then don't finish it because they realise they've read it before?

Oh, I don't know, and you are of course right that most people feel upset if no one comments on their story. And those who don't mind often have very specific reasons why they feel that way.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Is it possible that all the Buffyverse stories have been written, and therefore people start a fic and then don't finish it because they realise they've read it before?

I don't think so. There are some wonderful new authors to the Jossverse who are full of new ideas for fanfiction/meta and they write them with just as much passion as we did. I've seen this new generation, who for the most part (as far as I can tell) came to Buffy & Angel through DVD. They didn't go through all the fandom angst we did back in the day. Maybe that makes a difference in how they view both the series.

[shapinglight]

I'm sure it does. I think it probably comes as a shock to them when they encounter the various groups of old-timers still busy throwing brickbats at each other.