19887 réponses à ce sujet

[Sialater]

Aris: I wouldn't have spoken up if I weren't told that being in a minority means I should keep quiet.

[ThatDancingTurian]

@Sialater: Right, I totally get that. And there's the fact that I've seen this particular fanfic mentioned multiple times now, which makes it harder to ignore. I think it also is probably hard to hear a negative response about something you really like, though.

Though I will say, when you advertise a fanfic that has obviously polarizing elements in it such as controversial subject material (hybrids, the animalistic turians thing) and a ton of OCs/alternate character interpretations, you have to expect there is going to be some negativity.

[widowspeak]

I've been avoiding coming over here, for obvious reasons, but I can't stand idle any longer.

"Bashing," and "critiquing" are different things, Black.  I have personal reasons for not liking the author, but my reasons for disliking her writing are completely separate.

She can't keep her own continuity straight.  Her treatment of women within the story, as well as abuse victims and even entire species, is deplorable.  She plays fast and loose with canon, then bashes other writers for not sticking to canon.  She claims certain things she's come up with are in line with Word of God, when, in fact, they are not.  She has no sense of editing, because she could have made her points much more concisely, as is proven by the fact that she has nearly 100 chapters and 1.5 million words.  Other fics with similar chapter totals contain 250,000 words or LESS.  (Not to mention the length of the average novel is around 175,000 words these days. If you do the math, she's written the equivalent of 10 novels, which, to me, is a waste of words when she could have done it in the length of, say, four.  Of course, that's the editor in me talking.)  All the women in her stories tend to be virgins, and all the men tend to be horn dogs, with only one exception that I've seen/heard about.  (I stopped reading a while back, for various reasons.)  I can see her own views on sexuality and sensuality bleeding through, and that, loves is a NO-NO in writing.  If you can see the author within the prose, THERE IS A PROBLEM.  She also seems to believe in the Meant to Be trope, which results in relationships that are shallow and lackluster, rather than deep and rich.

EDIT: Also, I have been told that an asari is asking a human doctor about creating hybrid children for herself and her krogan mate, because they want something that looks like both of them.  Do not get me started on how stupid this is, considering canon.

And that's all in addition to what Ciaweth pointed out.  However, here are my personal reasons for disliking her:

She talks a big game about being a professional, then can't catch most of her own mistakes; but, don't suggest she get a beta, because OH, NO. NO ONE could possibly do a good enough job to keep up with her level of awesome.  She bashes other writers for their view of things within her prose, and behaves as if it's not big deal, because she'd "never leave a negative review on someone's site, ever!"  (Because being a passive-aggressive, two-faced harpy is totally okay.)  Her author's notes often too damn long, and many times, are inserted at the ends/beginnings of certain sections, which completely breaks what little momentum and flow she has built up.  Again, if I can see the author within the prose, someone's doing it wrong.

I could keep going, but I have things to do today.  TL;DR--Those who have never sinned should shut the f*ck up.  If you do open your mouth and bash someone, learn to reap what you sow.

*dismounts soapbox*

EDIT: And that TL;DR was directed at the author, not you guys.  The TL;DR for the thread is: Do not tell a person to pipe down because you don't like what they are saying, especially if what they are saying is about something as comparatively trivial as FANFICTION.  (As for other, more serious topics, like homophobia, racism, and whatnot, feel free to fire away.)

Modifié par widowspeak, 12 juillet 2011 - 05:30 .

[Obsydian]

*sighs* humble apologies. didn't mean to start anything.

[ThatDancingTurian]

Have you guys seen this sculpt of Garrus made by Crabcat Industries (the group that did the Grunt/FemShep/TIM/Tali costumes last year) for BioWare?! Apparently the armor part of the costume is going to be ME3 Garrus. They're also working on an animated Wrex.


Link

It's so beautiful. ::weeps::

[ciaweth]

EDIT:  Eh, the thread moved on while I was typing.  I'll save this for if the topic comes up again.

Modifié par ciaweth, 12 juillet 2011 - 05:19 .

[Surmansuuhun]

ciaweth wrote...

 This is the fic where biotics are now psychic, turian women go into "heat" where they have to be held down and screwed by a male for 24 hours until they're "themselves" again, quarians are cat-people, and a krogan recently established a psychic bond with a clouded leopard which now follows him around?  Are we talking about the same fic?

Wow, that sounds terrible. Those reasons, the hybrid baby, and the fact that it's more than four chapters (about all I can take in fanfiction) makes me extremely glad I never read this. Ugh.

[Surmansuuhun]

@Aris, that is so awesome!

[widowspeak]

Surmansuuhun wrote...

ciaweth wrote...

 This is the fic where biotics are now psychic, turian women go into "heat" where they have to be held down and screwed by a male for 24 hours until they're "themselves" again, quarians are cat-people, and a krogan recently established a psychic bond with a clouded leopard which now follows him around?  Are we talking about the same fic?

Wow, that sounds terrible. Those reasons, the hybrid baby, and the fact that it's more than four chapters (about all I can take in fanfiction) makes me extremely glad I never read this. Ugh.

Hybrid babies, Surma. Plural. *shudders*

And to whomever it was that said she gave "convincing reasons" behind the creation of hybrid babies, I've got news for you: She bases a lot of her science fiction in real, hard science, so the fact that she conjured up ways to get around chromosomal differences doesn't really fly, because hard science does not support this.

Modifié par widowspeak, 12 juillet 2011 - 05:25 .

[ciaweth]

I'd like to point out at this point that in the fic in question, Shepard has spewed out FOUR hybrid babies (two sets of twins), but mostly leaves them in the care of other people, including a drell nanny who gave up her position as a priestess to come to the Spectre base and clean up baby dribble.

[widowspeak]

ciaweth wrote...

I'd like to point out at this point that in the fic in question, Shepard has spewed out FOUR hybrid babies (two sets of twins), but mostly leaves them in the care of other people, including a drell nanny who gave up her position as a priestess to come to the Spectre base and clean up baby dribble.

That's a slippery slope, unfortunately, because on the one hand, if you don't have time to spend with your children, why are you having any?  On the other hand, to say that would be to bash all military parents everywhere, and as a product of a military household, with both parents being active duty for 30 years, that would be very disrespectful of me.

[dannybates]

seems like there is plenty of hate going round here. I think I will continue to be half dead until things settle down

[widowspeak]

Danny, you need to stop that **** right ****ing now.

To have a dissenting opinion is NOT the same thing as "hating" something.  True hate is irrational, which is not what any of us have been in regard to this topic.  Not at ALL.  You need to get that through your head, or there will continue to be problems.

Also, considering what you have said about certain fanfics that I happen to enjoy, you really have no leg to stand on.

Modifié par widowspeak, 12 juillet 2011 - 05:49 .

[Obsydian]

in here just doesn't really seem to be the place for this discussion, to be honest. and i think that was a bit uncalled for.

i get why you don't like the story, and thats fine. but really, is this thread the place for it?

[ciaweth]

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't taking a swing at working parents of any stripe--military or civilian.

But when Shepard had her last set of twins and then immediately rocketed off into space (and she didn't have to--no one ordered her to do it, and she didn't need the money), her return home was without any of the recognition/bonding issues that one might expect. The drell nanny was handling four children at once, and sometimes other Spectres' kids as well. Families have to do what they have to do, but there are stresses that go along with that. Instead we're in rainbow unicornland.

Also, I have to wonder what in the hell would cause a priestess to give up her calling to go and tend to Spectre kids. Stranger career changes have happened, for sure, but her switch is a mere footnote, like of course you'd give up a religious calling because oooooh, Shepard.

Have we discussed that there's going to be a krogan/asari hybrid baby? Not regular asari reproduction, but an actual hybrid; the asari in question, having been cured of her trauma from childhood molestation by being sent to Tuchanka, has decided that the way her people reproduce isn't legitimate.

[Sialater]

Obsydian wrote...

in here just doesn't really seem to be the place for this discussion, to be honest. and i think that was a bit uncalled for.

i get why you don't like the story, and thats fine. but really, is this thread the place for it?

You know what?  It is.  Because frankly, we've been calm in our dislike of having this fic shoved in our faces and told to shut up because we're in the minority.

So yes.  I'm going to keep talking about how it's apparently not "cool" to be in the Garrus thread because we don't like this fic and we're rocking the boat.  I'm sure our favorite vigilante would be SO PROUD of that sentiment. 

[ciaweth]

Obsydian wrote...

in here just doesn't really seem to be the place for this discussion, to be honest. and i think that was a bit uncalled for.

i get why you don't like the story, and thats fine. but really, is this thread the place for it?

Yes, it is, because it's (nominally) a fic about Garrus and Shepard.  Such fics are discussed in here all the time.  I'm sorry if you like a fic, but that's never, ever going to stop me from critiquing it.  I would never ask you to stop criticizing a fic I enjoyed.

Repeat after me:  "Oh, yeah?  Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man."

[Obsydian]

.....alright. and on that note? i'm outta here.

[ThatDancingTurian]

I wouldn't say it's 'uncalled for'. This is a discussion thread, it's a discussion. Trying to silence criticism only makes people more likely to give it, the proof is in the last page.

That said, I think we've clearly established by now that some people like the fic and some people don't. I'd make an Almond Joy/Mounds joke, but I didn't want to use the words 'like a nut' with this much tension in the air.

[Sialater]

Aris Ravenstar wrote...

I wouldn't say it's 'uncalled for'. This is a discussion thread, it's a discussion. Trying to silence criticism only makes people more likely to give it, the proof is in the last page.

That said, I think we've clearly established by now that some people like the fic and some people don't. I'd make an Almond Joy/Mounds joke, but I didn't want to use the words 'like a nut' with this much tension in the air.

Oh, c'mon.... do iit!

[Lady Olivia]

@cia, Sia and widow:
Thank you for speaking up. I never intended to read the fic in question, partly because of hybrid babies, partly because of the unbelievable word count, but so many people have been praising it that I began feeling a bit alien.

@Obsy and danny:
Nobody is criticizing *you* for reading, liking or recommending this. We're all free to have our likes and dislikes and to stand up for them. If you think the criticism is unfair, you're very welcome to defend the story. We're all nice folks around here and we can have reasonable discussions, right?

Also, a well-meaning, mature writer will find negative comments as useful (if not more) as positive. By shrugging off and withholding all opinions on things you don't like, you're doing nobody a favor: the author won't know that he or she made this mistake or that, and the rest of us potential readers, will possibly read something bad when we could have avoided it because of your review (the same way we'll read good things because of the recommendations). It's all fair game.

[widowspeak]

Is it weird that I like both Almond Joy AND Mounds bars?

. . .you know, there's a sexual orientation joke in there, somewhere. I just have to find it. . . *lol*

[Surmansuuhun]

Damn, first post in awhile and I already started a riot!

I'm personally really glad people have been voicing the negative reviews because of all the recent love this fic has recieved. I also felt left out, as Lady Olivia said she did. Now I'm super glad I never read it.

And I don't think we've been negative towards people on this board. All the critique has been of the fic.

[ThatDancingTurian]

widowspeak wrote...

Is it weird that I like both Almond Joy AND Mounds bars?

. . .you know, there's a sexual orientation joke in there, somewhere. I just have to find it. . . *lol*

I think it's right there in the slogan.

ciaweth wrote...

The drell nanny was handling four children at once

Okay, I don't want to bring the discussion back to criticizing of this particular fanfic. That said, why would you put your infants in the care of someone who from simple prolonged skin-to-skin contact would give their sensitive baby skin a rash?

That makes me wonder.. How do turians handle their babies? Are the infants born with plates? Is claw-filing standard postnatal procedure? It seems like a literal case of 'wearing kid gloves'.