Annoying and Mean Spirited...

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Over in the mfu_canteen there's a conversation going on in response to a reader's nasty comments on stories written by
spikesgirl58.  The commenter is annonymous, irritatingly so, making it impossible to respond on ff.net.
So, what do you do with people like that?
I've had some really unkind comments on a few of my stories, unnecessarily critical views based on their particular prejudices.  I'm sure some of you have experienced that as well.  The first reaction is to want to blast back at them for being so hateful, and usually unreasonable.
That's the problem though, they're unreasonable.  Whatever is said is nullified by an inability to accept anyone else's point of view or experiences, whatever has contributed to the story's content.  You can't reason with people like that, and so their opinion becomes null and void.  At least to me.
I don't like to see people bullied, whether in word or action. We write stories and lay out a bit of ourselves when we do so, and to face ugliness in response to our offerings is unacceptable.  I'm sure you know that if it ever happens here the comments will be deleted and the person banned or restricted.
Some things are simply not done.
If you get over to the canteen, show Charlie some MFU support.

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I've had a few nasty and expletive ridden comments anonymous comments on FF.net as well. It's upsetting especially in that you can't respond to them. I simply delete them so they're never seen in public. Cowards think they're being brave when they post anonymously...

Spikesgirl is a big part of the MFU community whether you're a slash fan or not, and I agree everyone should have her back.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I've had a few valid criticisms of my work over the years (not to say only a few were merited - people are generally pretty kind about my stuff!). I've had one or two ranty type comments. They amuse me because my reaction is "Um ... this has nothing to do with me or what I wrote, so - hey, whatever floats your boat!" I like to think I can take genuine criticism to heart; I can certainly tell when a comment is about the reader, not me or my work. Easy to smile and shrug it off. That's probably why I never delete stuff like that. It's all part and parcel of the world of fanfic, and I find it interesting.

On the other side of the coin? I've seen writers rant and whine that someone was "mean" or "jealous" because of their comments, and said comments were actually valid and sensible, and even civilly phrased. The writer was just so shocked that someone considered her work imperfect she went on a rampage.

So ... readers and writers alike can be susceptible to overreaction or oversensitivity. It behooves any writer, once he or she gets over the ouch, to step away and go "Is there any validity to this comment?" If not, blow it off. That's life. I get that that is harder when you're younger or a new writer and you're quite sensitive, but it will really benefit any writer to get past the ouch part and objectively weigh any comment.

One way or the other, we learn a lot from the comments on our fiction. The lesson isn't always about writing. :-)

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Cowards think they're being brave when they post anonymously...

We're all posting anonymously.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Glenna. I appreciate it. It's true - there is no reasoning with some people.

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[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I suppose to a point, but the brave ones post their with user names so at least you can reply and possibly engage in some sort of conversation.

Many of us may not know each other by our real names, (though a lot of us do) And I think we have a handle on each other's feelings in regards to many topics, so in a way many of us do 'know' each other to a point. There is a sense of the familiar among us.

But when a person posts such a mean spirited comment while not logging in and being completely anonymous and preventing a response, that's cowardice. They can dish it out perhaps, but are afraid to handle a rebuttal.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Anonymous and nastiness translate to 'B'bye'. If you don't have enough confidence in your opinion to sign your name or psuedo, then it isn't worth printing.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Valid criticisms are helpful, and hopefully we can and will learn from them. Petty comments that merely fuel a person's dislikes, or perhaps jealousy, are rarely useful. Delivery goes a long way to making criticism palatable.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Beyond any preferences or even points of view, the bottom line is we are all here for MFU and the two men who continue to inspire us.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yep, B'bye is right!