Pet Peeves

[serafina20]

I figured out what bothers me so much about fandom/fanfic pet peeves lists. The way I see them, they're basically attempts to inform large groups of people that their interpretation of the characters is wrong.

You think Character A and B wants children together, to raise them and to worry about all the mundane things that go along with domestic life? You're wrong. These are a. men, and b. tough men who are (fill in whatever their jobs are in your fandom).

You think Character B is a bottom? Wrong.

You think Character A and B might get to a point in their relationship where they'd call each other pet names? You're wrong.

It's not just the feeling I get where I'm being told my interpretation is wrong (and believe me, even when I agree with the pet peeve, I don't like the list), but it's the generalization. The way the list is set up is even if your fic has an engaging story line and good characterization, good grammar and mechanics, and is the type of story the reader enjoys, if any one of the pet peeves is hit, it's automatically a bad or annoying story. Obviously, this is sucky feedback, so people with sense don't give up, but they have no problems with shaking fingers at the fandom and letting them know who they are by posting the list.

You know what? You don't want to read my fic because I have Clark call Lex baby, that's fine. I feel sorry for you because the main story I do it in is fantastic, but if it's not your interpretation of the characters, there's nothing I can do about it. Because, sadly, if your interpretation isn't any more right than mine, then mine isn't any more right than yours and I can't say anything about it.

Comments

not to worry

[astrea9562.livejournal.com]

Every rule has an exception. I like the guys calling one another baby or other pet names if it fits the fic. It does for yours and I love it in yours, not to worry.

{hugs}

Re: not to worry

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reassurance. What bothers me more than feeling that people are not reading my fic becuase of my preference is the fandom-policing aspect of pet peeves list and the pure negativity. I don't like negativity without a construtive purpose; pet peeves lists fall into that catgory. Some rants to as well, but I get the need to rant better than to rain on other people's parades by telling them they're wrong.

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

Yeah, pet peeves lists are gutless "critique" of a sort, because you always have to have a story in mind for every peeve and a general list only leaves people to guess which. Especially authors who will rightfully assume it's their story, because when you're dealing with such generalizations ... well, it *is* your story they're talking about.

It's lazy too. Why not give a full critique of the story in question with some "I liked such-and-such, but such-and-such hit a sour note and here's why ..."

I suppose it's easier to write cutsie lists (will the Internet's love of lists *ever* cease?) that everyone will "WORD!" you for instead of some true critque that might get you some debate.

*shrug*

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

First, I love your icon.

And second, yeah, you're right. I think part of the function of a pet peeves list to to get immediate affirmation that, yes, your pet peeve is *right*. So, instead of having to discuss it with the author, or sit around and wonder if your feelings are valid, you can just post and see what other people think. Meanwhile, if you alienate people, or let the offending author's know how very wrong they are, so much the better. It's critsism without the respect of actually trying to help.

[emrinalexander.livejournal.com]

As much as I'm the first person to admit I cringe at pet names and am thoroughly endearment impaired, I don't really give a damn what they call each other, as long as the story is well-written.

[emrinalexander.livejournal.com]

PS: Of course, well-written is entirely subjective too, I suppose. I don't do critiques and/or reviews because the amount of organization required to write one sends my brain into spasmodic knots *g*, but I don't do lists much either, though I don't see the harm - if I don't agree with them, and I usually don't, then I just go on and ignore them.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I really hate the negativity of lists like that. I honestly don't see the point of them except to rain on other people's parade and to elicit ego-strokes by the person who rights the list by other people saying, "me too." Pet peeve lists are one of those things where, no matter who the author of them, and no matter if I nod my head at a few of the items, I can't help but think less of whoever wrote them for the thoughtless mean-ness of the list. I think it's great that you can ignore them, but I have to question the reason why the list *had* to be posted in the first place and can't think of any productive reasons.

[shattered.livejournal.com]

Such lists exist? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But I try to avoid those things because it ends up just sucking all the enjoyment out of the experience. I really don’t have a problem with people having certain ‘standards’ or wanting to dialogue about what they read (doesn’t everybody? And in theory, that’s probably a good thing), but I do find the idea of forming an organized ranting list a bit puzzling to say the least.

Clearly, since we're discussing fanfic, there's always going to be some sort of outcry of OOCness to the characters, it's inevitable. But if you get right down to it, pretty much all fanfic is in theory OOC. The trick is making the audience who is familiar with the canon versions, also familiar with the author's interpretation. And on that note, I’d say I’ve read more fics that stay true to canon where I had trouble suspending my belief than I’ve read fics that diverge more sharply from canon, but were able to hold my attention because the writer had the ability to make the actions and events believable.

Which is why I find the debate over things like crying, children, general domesticity to be puzzling. I generally find it rather narrow-minded to label these as “feminizing.” Granted it *can* be emasculating in terms of “oh, well since I’m straying totally from canon I don’t have to bother convincing the reader of the character’s actions,” but the very inclusion of any of the above does NOT constitute character rape or whatever fanwank label you want to use. Bottom line is, you can pretty much cover any sort of issues with a given set of characters if the writer takes the effort and/or possesses the skill to fully explore all that said issues/circumstances entails.

And I think you’ve done that.:-)

emrinaalexander- See, now I'm a total endearment fic whore, yet I agree with you.

I love schmoopy fics *if* I find them well-written. And to me, well-written means plausible, in some shape or form.

I think petnames really depend upon the context in which they're used, as opposed to a blanket statement that all use of petnames is OOC.

[rhiannonhero.livejournal.com]

I agree completely. Those lists annoy the hell out of me for all the reasons you suggest and also because they are so very subjective and EVERYONE has a different opinion. I mean, some people just hate to see the word 'dick' used in a story and only like 'cock', others hate 'cock' and prefer 'dick'. Some like 'cum' and some like 'come', and if you do one and not the other, then you're sure to be offending someone, so my thought on the subject is that the author should do whatever the hell he/she wants because they can't manage to avoid everyone's peeve, so why even bother, you know?

Now, to be a hypocrite, if people would just spell the male who has gold hair as a BLOND instead of a BLONDE, I'd be thrilled. *wink*