Oh Fuck It

[hector_rashbaum]

Every time there's discussion/wank/whining/whatever about lack of feedback on RockFic, at least one person will bring up that people only read the stuff about their own favorite bands like there's something wrong with it, or how they read everything as if they expect some kind of prize or pat on the back.

What would be nice, though, would be if one of those people would explain to me why the Hell it's my - or anyone's - obligation to read bandfic simply because it exists.

If you're the kind of author who really just can't get motivated, can't see the point to writing or posting or whatever without reviewing, I get that. And I get how fucking irritating it is when people read and don't review, or when people who should be interested (fans of the band the pairing the crossover the subject matter whatever) just...aren't. I even get wishing everyone would take interest.

What I don't get is that wish extending into an expectation, and then a demand, and then a requirement for continued enjoyment of bandom. And what I get even less is when the people spouting this pretty much stick to one or two fandoms. Because my small-fanbase band isn't worth your time, but if I don't read and review everything you write about anyone, I'm more of a problem than the read-and-never-reviewers? Because I sure don't hear you complaining about them.

Reading bands I have no real interest in has led me to find some fantastic authors and some of the best fic EVAR. And there's very little to rival the feeling of drawing in someone who omghates whoever you're writing about. But demanding people force themselves through fic about bands they don't care about or characters they hate for the sake of your ego is just bullshit, plain and simple.

Comments

[rdyfrde.livejournal.com]

But demanding people force themselves through fic about bands they don't care about or characters they hate for the sake of your ego is just bullshit, plain and simple.

I totally agree with this sentence. I know full well that only myself and Andy like Kai paired with Dirk. I'm not going to force people to read it if they don't want to. It's there right as readers. Yes, it will get me a bit down at the lack of reviews but I would never try to guilt or force someone to read it just because I want to feel good. It's only common sense.

[evaine.livejournal.com]

Oh, God! I hope it wasn't what I said that got you going, Hec, because that's NOT what I meant at all! Hell, some of my favorite authors write about bands I cannot read about! My only wish is that the folk that come to Rockfic expand their horizons a little or a lot, depending on what they like. When I joined Rockfic, it was for Metallica and Metallica only. Then someone convinced me to read madandy's Legend. Iron Maiden? Huh? Okay... I then read one of the most fantastic pieces of bandfic/fanfic I've ever read and that was the beginning of my expanding my horizons. And why did I start reading and even dabbling in writing about The Police and the better half of Bon Jovi? Because I got to know you and sidewinder and I like seeing what my friends are writing. That's one side of the community aspect for me. Does that make any sense?

So if I got your back up, I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't explaining myself very well.

[hector-rashbaum.livejournal.com]

Oh no no no, I didn't mean you at all. There's a massive difference between "I've had fun discovering new bands to read and write" and "Most people stick to their own bands" with the implication that's wrong and a problem and makes you a lesser part of the community than the OMGAWESOMECOOLBESTEVER people who read OMGEVERYTHING (except, funnily enough, I could tell you how many of the "oh I ttly read everything and review everything and you all should too because it's your duty" people have read and reviewed MY stuff or, say, Chrissy's stuff, or 'winder's, or Fiendy's, with any regularity).

There's nothing wrong with reading omgeverything, or recommending (and I mean recommending on the strength of the story, not these weird guilt trippy recs I've gotten before like "you should go review so-and-so's latest fic [about a band I have no idea if you even like] because she's pouting about reviews") fics seemingly out of left field to people (when it's finished I'm gonna be reccing the newest Lepp fic to EVERYONE ON EARTH) - it's when people start to act like that diversity in reading makes them somehow better, or like other people are OBLIGATED to read their work, it makes me go wtf. You, for sure, don't do that.

[evaine.livejournal.com]

Oh good! *phew* I was worried there for a minute that I'd got my pompous ass on. *LOL*