Reviewer: shrimp Signed
Date: May 15 2012
Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Pixis said:
Yes, I'm writing for myself first. Is that such a crime? I didn't realize I was supposed to take this story that I'm writing for free as a hobby in my spare time and tailor it to what someone else wants to see, rather than what interests and inspires me as a writer. This may surprise you but almost every author writes for his or herself first. Many that do not are either selling out for a quick buck or end up writing inferior work because their heart is not in it.
I'll let you in on a secret. I've been having a shitty few years lately and my writing is an escape from that. An outlet for my creativity and a chance to do something I enjoy. So yes, these stories are created partly for my amusement. If others enjoy them too, I'm glad to hear it. If others do not, well, no one is forcing them to read my work. If you find that selfish or find the end result boring, maybe these are not the droids you're looking for.
I appreciate that you're trying to give constructive criticism. Under other circumstances, I might listen to suggestions. But telling someone that he will "languish in mediocrity" or that his chosen genre is "boring" and "sad" does not come across as very constructive. It just rubs people the wrong way.
I realize that getting negative feedback can be tough. And you are under no obligation to improve your stories, this is true. I only wanted to point out how you can go from being a mediocre writer to a great one Pixis. . You do have that potential as we all do.
And it is your prerogative to either listen or throw a tantrum as well. But it is my hope that once your tender feelings have been given enough time to subside that you will see the wisdom of my words. Which are, Please Stop Writing Just For Yourself!
Once you can do this, your stories are going to double in value.. Rather than becoming angry, or looking for the one perceived slight in order to justify anger, just put your emotions on hold for a little while and consider how including something for everyone or writing to the genre as a whole demands that one sided selfish aims go to the wayside.
Thank you very much for informing me that you are going through a rough time and that writing is your outlet.. This explains why there is so much Me, Me, Me, in your writing.
Perhaps when the situations of your life improve (as I very much hope that they do) you might be more prone to see that I am right about approach and substance.
Until then, I only ask that you suspend your hostile emotions and think about what I said to you and how you can improve your stories from a status that only appeals to a very tiny segment of this community.
I regret that my words have angered you to the point that you would ask me not to read your stories but if my words would lay seeds that will grow when the soil finally becomes fertile then leaving your writings per your request for greener pastures will not ruin my enjoyment of this genre.
Having and holding a higher standard for writers who can live up to it is worth angering them in my books and worth the risk of flames from other Don Quixotes who wish to champion the original writer. As the main objective is to let the writer in question know where his/her stories are at present (mediocre) and where they have the potential to arrive at (greatness).
If you are incapable of seeing the compliment in this response and only capable of wallowing in self pity due to having thin skin than whoa to you my friend.
Think some more on this and then make us a masterpiece that can embrace the entire community.. There are a few out there. You've got what it takes... You need only lay down the selfishness and the classics with issue forth from you.
Best of luck to you Pixis!
Author's Response: I apologize for my rant. As I said, shitty mood lately. I still think that we fundamentally disagree however.
If I were to change my approach and write for the genre I don't think my writing would improve. Why? Because this genre has many elements that don't appeal to me (violence, crush, insertion, hard vore, etc.). You can find that self-centered if you choose but the bottom line is that while I could write such scenarios, if I don't care for them and don't believe in what I'm writing, the end result is going to be very poor.
Also, it is impossible to "include something for everyone" because you cannot please all people all the time. Let's say I include these other scenarios to appeal to the rest of the GTS fanbase. By making Vera a violent giantess, I have now alienated the gentle fans. By keeping the little people an inch tall, I have alienated anyone who prefers other sizes. Or who likes actual giant women rather than shrunken men. And as every person's interests in this fetish are different, I am sure to leave something out.
Aside from all this, it is my belief that a writer should be true to himself or herself. If a writer has a vision or a goal for a story, he should follow this, not change it based on what other people think it should be. There's such a thing as artistic integrity. Some people will like the author's work. Some people will find it mediocre. But at least it's his. It's something that came from that author's imagination and life experiences, not an altered product written by committee.
My goal for "Vera" was to write a gentle GTS story that satirizes our culture's conflict between secularism and religion. If that's not what you came here to read, I don't know what to tell you. That's what this story is. And I'd rather write a solid gentle story that I can believe in than a half-assed mixed genre story designed to appease others.
I see from your user page that you have a chapter posted of an unfinished story. If you believe you know what can improve a person's writing and please the community, I encourage you to follow your own advice. Finish your story and show us how it's done.
