Fanfiction.net. In the Written World, it is most possibly the largest congregation of fanfiction ever before and ever to be. It houses an untold number of characters, and almost as many authors. If the characters of the stories were the life blood of the site, then the authors were most certainly it's vital organs. The authors weave tale's that keep the site going, keeping it alive, and the characters fuel this.
But like all things, they can be tainted, corrupted. They are not infallible or invincible, and they can fall prey to disease. This disease is most commonly represented as flames. These are reviews of stories that have no point but to insult others, often without reason at all. There is no constructive criticism, no compliments. Only hatred, malice, and above all else, jealousy. Those who cannot appreciate the skill and hard work of others insult them because they know they cannot do this good, or they do not care. This disease is dually noted by many authors, and often those who fall victim to these flames are afraid to continue from them. Some, on the other hand, face these flames, laugh at them, and go on. One such author is Ash the Wanderer.
In the Dragonball Z section of the site, he has attained popularity that is nigh godhood. His work is what many aspire to be like, to be that great, to write an epic suc as that which he has written. In one such story, he decided to send a clear message to those who flame others. He wrote of a physical incarnate of this disease, and through support of his friends and fans, he destroyed the incarnate, though he was in no way alone in the act. His friend and rival nahognos lost his life in this event, sacrificing himself to stop the demon, the disease that plagued the site. Of course, this is just a story, right?
Wrong.
Though the events did not take place in the Real World, where you and I live our daily lives, it did indeed happen in the Written World. And even in the Real World, the Flamer is real, he is still here. As long as those who write reviews that do nothing but insult still do just that, he will live. One day, he will again achieve a physical body. And the next time…we may not be so lucky.
But like all things, they can be tainted, corrupted. They are not infallible or invincible, and they can fall prey to disease. This disease is most commonly represented as flames. These are reviews of stories that have no point but to insult others, often without reason at all. There is no constructive criticism, no compliments. Only hatred, malice, and above all else, jealousy. Those who cannot appreciate the skill and hard work of others insult them because they know they cannot do this good, or they do not care. This disease is dually noted by many authors, and often those who fall victim to these flames are afraid to continue from them. Some, on the other hand, face these flames, laugh at them, and go on. One such author is Ash the Wanderer.
In the Dragonball Z section of the site, he has attained popularity that is nigh godhood. His work is what many aspire to be like, to be that great, to write an epic suc as that which he has written. In one such story, he decided to send a clear message to those who flame others. He wrote of a physical incarnate of this disease, and through support of his friends and fans, he destroyed the incarnate, though he was in no way alone in the act. His friend and rival nahognos lost his life in this event, sacrificing himself to stop the demon, the disease that plagued the site. Of course, this is just a story, right?
Wrong.
Though the events did not take place in the Real World, where you and I live our daily lives, it did indeed happen in the Written World. And even in the Real World, the Flamer is real, he is still here. As long as those who write reviews that do nothing but insult still do just that, he will live. One day, he will again achieve a physical body. And the next time…we may not be so lucky.