I Don't Know What To Do

[nerwenaldarion]

Today I posted chapter 7 of a fanfic I was really proud of. I was really looking forward to seeing what people thought about it.

To my surprise I was criticized for the fact that one of characters was not actually showing his feelings for the other. I had a lot of "He doesn't seem to love her" reviews.

At first I was just frustrated and posted an author's not reminding people that I actually had written a scene two chapters before where the character in question actually confessed his feelings for her to his therapist but said that he wasn't going to let her know how he really felt because he didn't deserve her.

Then I found out that people have been skimming my chapters instead of reading them.

I guess my chapters are too long or too confusing. I've been given requests to shorten my chapters, make them more like the average length posted on the site (my chapters are generally at least twice that long) and to post the flashbacks in separate chapters which completely changes the framework I designed for this fic.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I thought I was doing something right but apparently I'm not as good as I thought I was. Thinking about scrapping the whole thing.

[teelduo]

I am not an author but I encourage you to continue on. As far as the length of chapters go, you can't please everyone. Either you have too short of chapters or they are too long so just make yourself happy. If the readers are skimming the chapters, no wonder they are confused. So I refer back to my first advice...Make yourself happy with your work first.

[Queen Of The Castle]

Everyone has their own style, Nerwen, so I say write what you want as you want to write it because it's YOUR expression of your creative ideas. If there are people out there who don't enjoy reading the longer chapters or don't like the flashbacks being included amongst the real-time parts within the same chapter, they can decide for themselves to either read it or not read it.

But it's YOUR story and you need to continue writing in your own style and in a way that is natural and comfortable for you. When it comes to the creative expressions like writing or art or anything like that, you can't possibly alter your own expression to please other people.

Just trust that you have an audience of readers out there who do love your stories and how you write them, whether they comment or not. Let the others find stories that match the style they prefer and don't try to change how you write or structure your stories for them. If you do that, you'll lose something in your writing itself because you'll be so focused on changing those elements rather than focusing on expressing your creative thoughts and ideas.

[debo81]

Hey Nerwen, chin up my friend. I think most of us who've written anything longer than a couple thousand words, or anything with more plot than fluff end up feeling like this at one point or another.

After reading your post I ran over to FF.net to see what fic you're talking about. In all honesty I have not read it, but I have also never watched that show. I did go back and read several pages of reviews though. I don't think you need to worry. From everything I saw, you are a talented writer with a large, healthy following. Of course I don't see any PMs, but almost everything I read was praise. Trust yourself. It's your story to tell. Don't let others take that from you. If they chose to skim it's their loss. And if they want more relationship that you're willing to give or than the characters are ready for, stay true to that, if you give in to pressure it will take a toll on the story. True it may cost you a reader or two, but who of us has ended a story with the exact number of readers we had in chapter one?

When I wrote Back To You, I had people who tried to rush me with the storyline. When I wrote Picking Up The Pieces I had reviews in almost every chapter begging, and warning me for an end I knew wasn't coming. Heck in that one, I had a Beta who wasn't completely on board and advised me to go with what the others were asking for... but you know what, in the end, a lot of those people who were so opinionated came back and thanked me for keeping it the way I did, even if it wasn't what they would have chosen... it was was different, and it was still good.

If there are a lot of comments about the length... keep that in the back of your head as you write or edit... maybe there are little things that you could take out, without taking from the story... editors and publishers, I know, ask writers to cut stuff all the time too... BUT if you've kept your fic lean so that it's only story and no filler... keep going.

Before I go, I'll add one more thing. I've noticed when I write, my favorite fics and my fav chapters that I just LOVE, and am so proud of, am make me feel like a good writer are usually the ones that later get the least feed back. I don't know why. But the ones I practically tear my hair out over, and are so nerve wracking to write, and I go over and over without a bit of confidence, are almost always always the ones that people go nuts for. I can't tell you how many times I've questioned myself and wondered if I'm any good at all when I give the people something that I love like my baby, and like 2 people review. It sucks. Or when I think they'll love this chapter, and I get negative feedback. I try to take what they say into consideration , but without taking it to heart. It's not easy though. Ask Teel, every long fic I write, I want to give up and never write again. I question her relentlessly if its good enough. I'm not looking for attention or pats on the back.. I seriously just have that much self doubt when I'm putting my heart and mind out there for the world to critique. So basically, this long rant boils down to... what you're feeling is normal, but TRY not to let it bother you. If you can learn from some of the reviews, take that knowledge and work with it, but if it goes against what your heart and mind is telling you, push it to the side, keep calm, and carry on!

[Shutterbug5269]

Hey!

If these people are too effing lazy to read the whole chapter then it isn't your fault if they miss something. It is not a reflection of your writing it is a reflection on their laziness.

Don't let the assholes get you down!

[eaz35173]

I agree with what the others have said. You need to satisfy you and your muse, and create things that YOU like. It's always great to hear positive feedback and know that your audience also likes what you produce, but you shouldn't feel like you need to please everyone. There's no way that you can please everyone. Some just voice their displeasure louder than others, it doesn't mean they speak for those that don't even leave feedback.

[RG]

Dec 11, 2012 14:30:09 GMT -5 nerwenaldarion said:

Today I posted chapter 7 of a fanfic I was really proud of. I was really looking forward to seeing what people thought about it.

To my surprise I was criticized for the fact that one of characters was not actually showing his feelings for the other. I had a lot of "He doesn't seem to love her" reviews.

At first I was just frustrated and posted an author's not reminding people that I actually had written a scene two chapters before where the character in question actually confessed his feelings for her to his therapist but said that he wasn't going to let her know how he really felt because he didn't deserve her.

Then I found out that people have been skimming my chapters instead of reading them.

I guess my chapters are too long or too confusing. I've been given requests to shorten my chapters, make them more like the average length posted on the site (my chapters are generally at least twice that long) and to post the flashbacks in separate chapters which completely changes the framework I designed for this fic.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I thought I was doing something right but apparently I'm not as good as I thought I was. Thinking about scrapping the whole thing.

As someone who was criticized for long chapters (one was over 19k words long) I can understand how you feel. All I can say is as others; write what you love and love what you write.

Nice reviews make me a very happy guy, but I have received some PM’s that quite honestly make me wonder if the person had any idea what the heck my story was about, because if they did they never would have written me PM’s like that. Didn’t stop me from being hurt by their comments though.

Don’t second guess yourself, from what I’ve seen you have a loyal fan base and lots of folks who enjoy your stories. Stick with them. I mean, 7 chapters and 219 reviews? What I wouldn’t give for that!

[Shutterbug5269]

I get critcized for short chapters so you really can't win.