Tonks love! And If you're going to tell me I suck, send evidence

[mhalachai]

First off: Tonks love! theregoesyamum has a great character profile up on Tonks: The Deconstruction of a Miss Nymphadora Tonks. In which Gun goes into the character, how Tonks is smart and blunt and fallible and real, and then the writer backs her shit up with evidence. Good times.

Second: You know, if you don't like what I'm doing in my stories, tell me. But give me evidence and specifics, not just "yeah, this licked, you hack." I'm willing to take criticism as much as anyone, but give me a hand and make it constructive, KTHNX.

PS No one actually said that my writing licks, or called me a hack. I'm paraphrasing.

Comments

[ligeia-bm.livejournal.com]

I discovered Inevitable by chance, reading one of your drabbles. When I read it was a AB/HP crossover my first thought was "yeah, right". In my mind, both universes were incompatible by definition. However, as I started to read, Inevitable turned absolutely addictive. I spent a full night and part of the following day reading up until chapter 57 in one sitting. I simply refused to back down. I had to read it all, no pauses, no interferences.

I was amazed and pleased at the discovery of Inevitable. I come from a fandom where quality has plummeted to the abyss, so reading your fic had me squealing in delight. You just hadn't merged both universes, you had done it with grace and quality, and managed to do it respecting both worlds. The characters are IC as far as I can say, the style is fluid, catching, and the very clever plot and its twist keeps the reader panting, clinging to the chair, desperate for more. I'm not a native speaker, as you probably guessed by now, so I cannot comment on your grammar.

Since then, I check every day for updates, or the derivative works produced for your own universe. Through Inevitable I discovered your writing, which is really excellent, and a few little jewels as "Different Eyes", "Twenty One Years", or "Switchback". Thus, I'm surprised that someone could have hinted the proverbial "you suck".

Usually, I'm a very harsh critic, and when I read about someone complaining about critiques or flames, I usually scowl, because in 90% of the cases, the perceived "flame" or critique is in fact CC. In the fandom I come from originally, reviews doesn't equals quality, just hits mere popularity. However, in your case, I can say without a doubt that if you received such a critique, it was undeserved. I am going to say something that have always made me raise my eyebrows when I read other people's comments about critiques, but in this case, it hits the nail in the head: it's a question of jealousy, in this case. And it's 100% true, since a real dose of CC never comes without real advice and true help to improve. It sounds as if you haven't got any in this case.

Your fic is popular because it's good, so good that you've spoiled my taste for other AB/HP crossovers. Inevitable is the standard I use when I read them, and though I don't doubt there are good works out there (the proof are the very good ficlets written by watcher457 and other few works I've found), most don't stand a chance when compared with yours.

I don't attempt flattery here, you don't need it. Your work speaks for itself, so don't pay attention, unless they give real advice.

Good luck, may inspiration be with you, and keep the magnificent job.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

When I read it was a AB/HP crossover my first thought was "yeah, right". In my mind, both universes were incompatible by definition.

Welcome to my world. It was the strangest thing, even more so than a Buffy/Anita Blake crossover, as they both have such a different take on things. But when I realized that, really, Harry and Anita are the same person, it all came so much easier.

I come from a fandom where quality has plummeted to the abyss, so reading your fic had me squealing in delight.

What fandom is this, if I may ask?

You just hadn't merged both universes, you had done it with grace and quality, and managed to do it respecting both worlds. The characters are IC as far as I can say, the style is fluid, catching, and the very clever plot and its twist keeps the reader panting, clinging to the chair, desperate for more.

Okay, now you're making me blush.

Through Inevitable I discovered your writing, which is really excellent, and a few little jewels as "Different Eyes", "Twenty One Years", or "Switchback".

Switchback will be going into "epic" mode as soon as I finish Inevitable. Frankly, writing Switchback for longer than a few days at a time depresses me. It's not a light story. Anyway. Thanks for your kind words on my stories. I do like to mix things up, try new things and new fandoms.

Usually, I'm a very harsh critic, and when I read about someone complaining about critiques or flames, I usually scowl, because in 90% of the cases, the perceived "flame" or critique is in fact CC.

Hey, if someone sent me CC, I'd be happy. Well, maybe not at first (I tend to pout sometimes) but in the long run, acknowledging and addressing writing issues is the best thing I can do to grow as a writer. But really, if someone has something they want to say about a writing issue, I welcome it.

Thanks so much :)

[ligeia-bm.livejournal.com]

But when I realized that, really, Harry and Anita are the same person, it all came so much easier.

Honestly, is still shocking to see it spelled like this, but you're right. They have the same traits of character --well, some of them anyway. So from this perspective, you're right.

What fandom is this, if I may ask?

Anime / manga based. Rurouni Kenshin. When I just started, it was available only via imports and fan subs, so it wasn't mainstream. The story deals with a good amount of adult themes (a XIX century Japanese ex-assassin in search for atonement and the answer to the meaning of his life is the main character. There is blood, there is gore, angst, etc.)

Unfortunately, now what is left is a bunch of high school plots, very ridiculous pairings (I do write alternate pairings and I enjoy them very much, but like canon pairings, they need a sound development to make sense and be believable.)and the worst kind of romance novels clichés. There is not an original idea even if you look for it with a magnifying glass, and if something remotely interesting pops up, it's faced with indifference or plain hostility by the "establishment". But reading mctabby's summary executions (http://summary executions), I see that this is partly true in the HP fandom.

Switchback will be going into "epic" mode as soon as I finish Inevitable. Frankly, writing Switchback for longer than a few days at a time depresses me. It's not a light story. Anyway. Thanks for your kind words on my stories. I do like to mix things up, try new things and new fandoms.

I will look forward it anxiously. And I understand, I also have a few fics that are emotionally demanding, and drains me too, making me stop and change to something else. Sometimes it's not necessarily the theme of the fic, but things that revolves around the writing itself.

Hey, if someone sent me CC, I'd be happy. Well, maybe not at first (I tend to pout sometimes) but in the long run, acknowledging and addressing writing issues is the best thing I can do to grow as a writer. But really, if someone has something they want to say about a writing issue, I welcome it.

Oh yes, I understood that! You were explicit about this, and I've seen you accepting corrections, so I know you have no problems accepting CC and that's why I expressed my support.

At some point, I think we *all* pout at first when someone picks something that could have been done differently or a plain mistake. It's human nature, something in the vein of 'hey, how come I didn't realize about this or that myself?' more than anything else, a kind of inner frustration. Now, unhelpful critiques are a totally different matter.

Thanks so much :)

Don't mention it, every word is absolutely deserved. :)