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

[clare009.livejournal.com]

You don't suck. Evidence: if you did, I wouldn't be reading, hehe. So yeah - ignore the haters 'cause really they're just lame.

[gunderpants.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the plug! And don't let the flamers let you down: I wouldn't be on the internet if I did.

i talk too much

[watcher457.livejournal.com]

you know, i've been out of school for a few years and have been seriously tempted to write a paper about... something. what, i'm not sure. i'm seriously tempted, for whatever reason, to do a paper on your story. for my own consumption, of course, and yours. it's intriguing. it is a wonderful blending of two authors and two styles, and it would be excellent for use in thinking about fanfiction in comparison to the actual stories.

i think there is a thing about fanfiction that people do not understand. the entire idea of fanfiction is to take a situation which would never, ever happen to the characters in canon and say "What if?" what if harry and anita occupied the same world? what if harry met her? what would happen then?

this, of course, raises many problems when such fiction is posted for other's consumption. first, interpretation of characters are always different. a particular viewpoint or interpretation that i may have of harry, for example, may not be the same as yours. (this is not noticably the case. it is just presented as an example)

there is much criticism of fanfiction, usually for things such as poor grammar and other things that make the story incomprehensable and difficult to read, and then there is the distinction between one person's character interpretation and anothers. it often results in flaming the author, which is a poor thing to do.

what it boils down to is that, as i said above, fanfiction is a particular individual's interpretation of "What if?" events. characterization may not mesh, the story may not go in a direction that the reader enjoys, and bad things might happen that are upsetting to some readers. but... such is life. things don't always happen the way you want them to go.

my point is, i think.... (*scratches head to gather thoughts*) is that there is a painful lack of understanding in the fanfiction community sometimes that it is pointless, unhelpful, and just plain rude to make a comment about a story in a negative way without the possibility of opening the debate for interpretation. it's like being pissed at someone and not telling them why. nothing can be done, nothing can be fixed, and nothing can be explained, so it's a waste of energy on everyone's behalf.

i will say, in regards to the recent chapters in the story, that everything has taken a definite turn for the worst and is, at times, angst central. this can be tiring, hearing people whine all the time, and awful to see the characters you care about hurt. is this a bad thing? no. drama? angst? pain? duh! have you read the books?

i think that the story is going in a wonderful and intriguing direction and that the characters are in a good place. it's not as much fun to watch them be upset and gnash their teeth. watching someone in pain is just not a fun thing. but there should be an arch in a story, a progression in events and their should be stakes and costs. you're doing a beautiful job at providing all of these, as well as the humor and good times that make stories a joy to read.

i love your story, and i think it's a truly masterful concept and interpretation of these characters and these events. now, all i ask is that you continue. soon. like... now. *grins*

[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.

[shopteacher-guy.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with Watcher, I don't always like what is happening to the characters in the story, and yes they do whine a bit (A BIT?!?) just like in the books.
BUT!
That has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. Harry and Anita are going through some changes and with change comes uncertainty. The fact that we are discussing Harry, Anita, Nathanial, Jason, Ron, etc, etc, like they are real people says something about the power of both the cannon authors and Mhalachai's (your) work. Truth be told I really needed chapter 63,with it's wonderful fluffy bits, more on account of where I am personally than anything else, because the heavy chapters were so well written it was piggybacking on my personal angst. The fact that I am still VERY interested in this story after this much time is quite a feat, there are only a few writers on the web who have done that, I think you are one of the best.
If you wonder "Why do I do it?" because of a few nay-sayers (we call them butt-heads around here) please listen to the majority of us who scramble to be the first to post after a new chapter, who sit at their computers at work and at home going "oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" when things get hairy in Inevitable-ville knowing we are getting odd looks from co-workers, parental units, and partners. Relax, we like you, we really like you (and your work)
Heck, take a look at the number or responses you get after you post a chapter..... HELLO.... rabid fan-base here!
If you are just touching base to make sure you are still on track.. fantastic, if you are feeling any doubt about your work, please stop it!...right now.... stop... now...
Write another chapter, post it, then watch how fast the comments pile up, people putting in their 2 cents worth about plot, favorite characters, ships, and so on... (see how I ask for an update sooner rather than later, but make it look like I did it because I care about your well being.... clever that)
Sorry, got carried away there.

[igeria.livejournal.com]

So, deleted my last comment because I fangirled you SO horribly and also pontificated endlessly. Sorry about that. To sum up: love your story, intrigued by your references to Nathaniel/Anita misunderstanding, knew Anita could not be reading it right. (Line "Jean Claude's silence told me everything I needed to know", even at time, immediately apparent as work of true evil genius.) Found something interesting, below, while rereading from the beginning. Looking forward to more.

Anyway I include my original question in case you were inclined to answer it, but otherwise I will just wait patiently until chapter 64 or beyond!

In Chapter 28 you wrote that Anita says to Nathaniel:

"But first, you need to open your marks so we can do this right."

"They are," he said. I paused, my hands on his waist. "They're always open. In case you need me."

Am I crazy? Well, yes, but to think this is important? I was so sure that he was angry that Anita did not even try to feel his marks all that time. But then he was there when Anita was giving her statement and said that she knew she couldn't feel Nathaniel and went in anyway. So I abandoned that theory, but then when I reread this I became intrigued by it again...

[sorceress-death.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, Tonks. God I love that character. Any story with her in it (written well at least) I love to read. I like your Tonks in inev. She's spunky, shame she stopped Harry from beating Draco tho. ^_^

Though you'll get no complaints from me on your writing. I love it. I don't mind much what you do to the characters since you usually always have them in character so often, it's how you'd think they'd react in that situation. And I never minded a bit of OOC when done right, though I havent seen much of that with you.

I'm in my squeeness faze at the moment. 5 more days until Doctor Who! Ok, well maybe 6 for me since i have to wait a day for someone from across the pond to upload the new eppie. *snerk*

Oh! Did I ever give you the community for the eppies? Do you want it? ^^ *is bouncing* You know, I really shouldn't be this awake. It's close to 4am. Yikes

[alydhe.livejournal.com]

If you need a little ego boost then head over to my site. I had a little time so I went ahead and uploaded the newest fic recs early. Your number three on the list in Harry Potter.

Toodles!

[(Anonymous)]

I hope my last comment isn't what you were refering with the "yeah, this licked, you hack." It most certainly wasn't intended that way. I really enjoy your writing and would be very vocal and rather explicide the moment I thought you were on the wrong track. The only reason I complained is because I enjoy a bit of good natured fluff, just tossed in here and there, and you haven't had much of that lattely in Inevitable. I didn't complain during the angsty fest because I realized that it was necessary for the plot, and you really could keep the mood and put in fluff like I like. I still, however, think your story is absolutly grand.

[catherinecookmn.livejournal.com]

Oh, and Tonks is the rockingest rocker that ever rocked. She and Remus need to get together and make babies (or something).

[niccy07.livejournal.com]

I agree with the above. Fandom really is a matter of interpretations. The characters, the situations are all written from the point of view and understanding of the author. I'll admit, yes, your version of Harry is different from my view of him (i.e. I see him as a little more subdued and handling stress a lot differently) but, I still love reading your ideas and your plots. They're interesting and creative, not to mention you feed my need for a good AB/HP crossover.

I can honestly say that I can usually handle stories in any fandom as long as 1.) the writing is good 2.) the author catches my interest.

To sum it all up. Don't let the spammers and "u suk" comments get to you. You're doing a great job in expressing your creativity in both the hp and ab fandoms. *hugs*