Pet Peeve

[dragonydreams]

During my lunch break today, I was reading some stories that have been piling up in my email and felt the need to rant.

I read 2 chapters for one story by someone who I think is a new author. At least, I don't think I've read anything by them before. Aside from the spelling and word usage errors that always bug me with un-beta'd stories (at least I hope it was un-beta'd), this person did something that will guarantee me to not give feedback...

They asked for advice. This is a personal pet peeve, and I don't mean to upset anyone by saying this, but don't ask your readers for advice on where your story should go. That's what a beta reader is for. If you have something to say about where you're going, then say it in the Author's Notes in the header. Don't tell me what other pairings you're thinking of getting together. If you're going to do it, then just DO IT! Don't ask my opinion about it. It's your story! You're not going to please everyone. Write what you want to write.

/rant

Comments

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

It was on one of the lists I don't think you belong to. This was at the bottom of the first chapter:

What do you think? Is it worth continuing? I'm planning on having Willow try to stop Angel and Buffy from shagging. Then, Miss Calender won't die and Willow won't have to perform the soul restoration spell which leads her on her path to magical destruction. Of course, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

She then worked much of that into chapter two and put this after the story:

What's next, gentle readers? I feel so Andrew-ish now! :) We'll be exploring the Angel/Willow relationship more fully. And Spike will make an appearance. I expect Willow will change the time line more than she bargains for. What will Xander think about Willow seeing so much of Angel when he realizes she's lost her hero worship of him? As far as other ships, I'm toying with Oz/Buffy.

Now can you see where I'm coming from better? We don't need to know the entire story ahead of time. What's the point of reading it then?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Ah well yes see now that WOULD bother the heck out of me. Asking for input is one thing. This is trying to please everyone and you're right, that's not possible. ANd it does ruin any suspense.

My pet peeve. The people who put in the feedback column 'if you don't feed back I wont' finish this story.'

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't like being threatened into sending feedback.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

we brought that up on one of my lists about people NOT doing that and of course the person who did it routinuely was angry saying she had too many stories to write and she was only going to do ones people were interested in. Well not everyone feedbacks immediately. And a LOT of us said we delete stories with that kind of threat on there without reading (I do) And again write stories that make YOU happy. I've barely gotten any feedback on the last few stories sent but so what. I'm happy with them and that's what counts.