I am too tired to even consider thinking up a witty subject...

[tallulahgs]

Ahem. Think I might have caught a mild version of the flu my assistant manager had - severe headache and inability to think at all sensibly are the symptoms. Bear this in mind, people, if I have had any communication with you today, because it might explain things if I sound weird. (What do you MEAN, I always sound weird?)

Received an e-mail today about one of my Akira fics. I am stating this because I want to put the relevant comment behind an LJ cut, and last time the title of said cut was eaten. So this paragraph is to explain what the cut is about *gasp*


The e-mail basically said what I've always suspected - the plot of Out Of The Ashes (OotA) sucks. There are too many elements in it, it wasn't properly planned, and there wasn't enough climax and resolution. (It also said there were too many coincidences, but I'm not sure if I agree with that - I can't think of any...) The e-mail also said the actual writing style of the fic was good and complimented me on another fic. I know I don't need to feel down about this and yet I probably will, which is quite pathetic.
Part of me wants to take the fic down, but I won't because:
(a) some of my JSR fics (ok, lots of them) are no better
(b) it may be a mediocre fic, but it's an Akira fic. Not many of those about on ff.net. Even less yaoi Akira fics. I maintain it should stay as it has ethnic (literate?) minority status.
(c) it feels like an admission of failure.
I feel confused. I need to learn to take criticism better. A LOT better.

On another note - Gorillaz fanfic. I read a review of a Gorillaz fanfic yesterday, in which the main couple was 2D/Murdoc. I can't decide whether this pairing is just plain WRONG or whether the fic was just abysmal. I think it's mainly the latter.

Comments

[jenova12.livejournal.com]

HEYYYYY!!!!!! OMG! I'm the first one to comment!! Cool! Ok, first things first. You are a wonderful writer and your "Out of the Ashes" fic did not suck. Fuck what that fan said. He doesn't know jackshit!!!! The only thing that matters is that you wrote it, it's an excellent piece of literature, and I LOVED IT!!!! That's all that matters. And it's not an admission of failure! It was excellently written! And the idea behind the plot was not cliched, on the contrary, it was rather original. Don't let what that forsaken, goddamned fan said. I'm here for you, if you ever need anything, just call. And thanks for worrying about me!! I can tell that you are truly a friend! ^_____^V

[tallulahgs]

Wow, I feel so defended! *glows*
Hey, you're alive and able to type! Even better! (You are okay, aren't you?)
Thanks for the defence. I agree with what he said about the plot but not the coincidences - I think he noticed the coincidences because he didn't like the plot, if that follows. But he likes Blood Sugar Sex Magic, so he's not a complete waste of space ^_^
But hey, it's always nice to know you've touched something through your writing.

[sashwizzled.livejournal.com]

Aww, poor you! Hope you get over the flu soon - I've still got the sneezes from mine, so I know how much it sucks. Narg.

:~shrugs~: Well, I thought it was good. Quite a lot of other people did, too - so I don't think you should take it down.
Coincidence? If you want to be arsy about it, everything is coincidence. There is such a thing as a planned coincidence and that's what most creative works do. Example - in the Akira movie, that kid was a very skinny little thing and the road was massive; Tetsuo crashing into him was a coincidence that was planned by whats-his-name that did the manga. And that's what you possibly did, although I can't think of anytime you did at the top of my head.

OK, I am officially talking shit. Let's move on.

Don't worry - loads of people don't take criticism well; its how you respond to it that counts, right? ^_^

2D/Murdoc? OK, I'm beginning to doubt the existence of God. Excuse me while I commit hara-kiri. :~shudder~:

[tallulahgs]

Aw, I'm sorry you're ill - my headache has gone but I now feel slightly nauseous. This flu is evidently random. Meh...
Thanks - I value your opinion so I'm glad you said that! I am fond of OotA but I don't think the plot is one of my best. Anyway, the guy has replied to my e-mail so hopefully I'll find out what he meant (if I later post here sobbing and cursing you'll know it wasn't good...)
That's very true! I put on my polite smiley face - er, most of the time.
You think it's a just plain wrong pairing then?

[sashwizzled.livejournal.com]

(If I've already replied, sorry! I've just got this thing through e-mail)

Heh, I've just had a half-week stomach bug, too, so I'm a little P'Oed. ^_^

Ee, well done! At least some people can take criticism, unlike some assholes I could name. It just warms my little heart...

Well, that and I think I've read the review you're talking about. FicBitches, right? ^^ If all 2D/Murdoc fics are like that... Well, all I need is a katana.

[tallulahgs]

I don't think you have already replied so no problem.
Yes, I can take criticism fine! *puts on a mask of joy while behind she cries senselessly* On the other hand, I don't immediately flame people saying 'HOW DRAE U BE SO MEAN!!!!1111' or words to that effect so I guess that's good.
Yah, twas ficbitches. And that was an excellent example for me of When Yaoi Goes Bad.

[angrychemist.livejournal.com]

*The following statement should not be regarded as serious, but as that of a comical matter*

Look, it's just a stupid fic you did a long time ago! Stop being slightly stuck up, relax, eat food that doesn't give you diahrea, and ignore the dumbass who is probably a newb anyway. I say newb because newbs are stupid and think they know how to pretend they know what they're doing but they don't know what they're doing even though it's pretend but they don't know because they're stupid because they're newbs! They're just like freakin Freshmen! And you should ignore them. Them being stupid. Because they are newbs. Like Freshman. Who pretend to know what they're talking about. The people you should ignore. The one who emailed you. Specifically. The e-mail you recieved. In your e-mail address. Hotmail email. To which he sent you an e-mail. Him be the newb who is stupid. And should be ignored. That being my point.

It's almost sad to think that I'm NOT on drugs nor have I ever consumed any harmful substances. >_>