Will Write for Feedback

[rj_anderson]

Over the past few days Jemima, seemag and lizbee have been reflecting on whether it's arrogant (or inaccurate) to call one's fic a "gift". Jemima thinks "gift" is a perfectly reasonable term. Seema prefers some term other than "gift". And Liz has just amused herself by making a "My fic is a gift" icon, which produced this delightful response from ajhalluk.

I can see everybody's point -- I agreed somewhat with Jemima and even more with Seema -- but none of the descriptions I'd yet heard really seemed to quite describe the way I feel about writing. Then, just this morning, it came to me in a flash of inspiration.

I am a busker.

Here I stand on my little corner of the Internet, playing my fanfic tunes for anyone and everyone to hear, and hoping that some of them will be kind enough to leave some feedback in exchange. Some people pass by without stopping or sparing my fic a glance. Others hesitate a minute before deciding "Nah, I can't get into that old-fashioned het stuff" and moving on. Still more readers wander about in the background until the story is done, more or less enjoying the fic but unwilling or unable to FB. And then there are the few encouraging souls who toss a few coins of criticism and/or praise in the review jar and ask, "Do you do requests?"

Yep, that analogy suits me just fine.

Comments

Perfect

[seemag.livejournal.com]

RJ, that's exactly it! We are the musicians in the subway and street corner and hoping someone will stop and give us the time of the day - though I think if you're someone with lots of FB, your time spent on the corner is much less.

Re: Perfect

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

though I think if you're someone with lots of FB, your time spent on the corner is much less...

Well, I wouldn't say it lessens the time spent on the corner, but it at least makes the busking seem profitable, and increases the likelihood that it will continue.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

Very perceptive..now excuse me while go tune my guitar..I take requests! *smiles and strums*

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'll go with that definition.

By this analogy, I suppose that makes non-feedbackers the annoying types who hang around and watch, but never give money.

And as for those bozos who sing along...!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

And as for those bozos who sing along...!

Are those the betas, or the people who tell you what they want you to put in the next chapter?

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

Could be the ones who get so involved that they start hearing other people's OCs in their heads ...

But yes, I meant the latter option.