Also, to ban discussion of a topic would be a lot like saying don't write a another fic on a topic because it's been done before. If it's valid to write a deathfic, it's valid to discuss deathfic, so to speak.
I'm sorry, Carol, but I missed the part where *anyone* suggested the topic be banned.
The point here is that there are appropriate ways and places to have debates, which are more respectful to everyone.
increasingly, comments on fanfics have become "gushes" and "kudos" only. I perceive a chill on real discussion (pros and cons) of the ideas contained within the fanfic as well as on other aspects of a story.
Is it really "increasingly"? I've been around here for a looooong time, and gushes and kudos have always been plentiful (or else I probably wouldn't still be here
). Which is probably because most of us are writing primarily to have fun & share that fun with others, not to make philosophical points about life.
Constructive criticism can be very useful, I agree -- for those of us who really are looking to improve our skills as writers, it's essential -- but saying "there shouldn't be any fics where Lois is dead" or "Clark should never get serious with anyone who's not Lois" isn't particularly constructive, to my mind.
In general, debate threads fit much better in this section -- Fanfic related. Where they are always welcomed, btw, even if some of us have learned to roll our eyes and ignore the topics we're tired of
What's old-hat to some of us is brand new to others of us, and there ought to be plenty of room on these boards for everyone.
When it comes to feedback, FOLCdom has
always, as far as I can recall, leaned towards the gush/kudo side. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. For every suggestion, give four compliments. Etc. I think there's a
FAQ on the archive about it. People might still get their feelings hurt (since that's unavoidable in life) but we want to minimize the chances.
I even think I remember you complaining about it, four or five years back
Authors can, of course, request really detailed critiques. Actually, I think that's my point -- to get lots of that sort of feedback, you generally have to volunteer for it. I learned a *ton* about writing in the year we did Season 5, because we all read & commented on each other's stories before they were posted, in a private email list. Some of it was painful, but I had volunteered for it. Most serious writers want to have serious beta-readers, too. The suggestions and analysis are available -- but they generally won't come out unless the author asks for them.
That's the balance I personally (and as an admin) am comfortable with -- err on the side of kindness, not criticism.
PJ
