An Announcement from the Author:
I remember the first thing I ever wrote.
It was in college for a screen writing class, and the teacher asked us if anyone wanted to volunteer to have their 3 minute script read. No one wanted to volunteer, so I did what I usually do, and I volunteered.
I worked so hard on this script. In my head it was a masterpiece. Read aloud - it was a shit show. It was awful. Not that I thought it then, but I can look back on it know and go "what in the hell was I thinking!"
But the kids in my class - my college class - that were chosen to read the script aloud were assholes. They laughed and mocked openly, and I was nearly in tears before my teacher stood up in front of the room and said something I'll never forget.
At least she was brave enough to have her script read. Did any of you volunteer? No? Then shut the hell up or get out of my classroom.
And I tell you this story to follow up with this: why are there so many ruthless, and for a lack of better word - asses - in the fanfiction world? Is it like this in all genres? Is HP just a snob fest? Why are there so many people - anonymous and actual accounts - hell bent on writing scathing and rude comments but when you click on their profile they have nothing in their author box. Why would you take the time to write out ten paragraphs about how much a chapter sucked when you've never had the balls to publish something? If you can talk the talk why don't you walk the walk?
I should note that there are a lot of you that are great and wonderful. Truly, you are. You're the reason why I just can't quit fanfiction.
I wrote the last chapter of "To Feel Again" and to be honest - I didn't think anything could make me feel as bad as that quid ditch cup fanfiction tournament I attempted to participate in earlier last year. That competition, a few people I interacted with, I mean, it was awful. It was like an episode of high school mean girls where they say they want suggestions and your team wants you to help them be better so you do what you ask and you're still fucked in the end. I quit that tournament because I was constantly waking up to awesome anonymous alerts in my twitter box that were so rude and hateful that I decided I was bigger than that, and just shoved off.
But then that last chapter happened - a chapter I enjoyed and not because I write D/H along with R/H - but because in my head I found it all plausible. That someone would seek redemption. That someone would be forgiving. That someone would gain an understanding. Isn't that how adulthood works?
Better yet - isn't that the point of fanfiction? You're taking an already created world and then making it your own, right? That's how this game goes?
I'm going to continue on with my R/H story, "To Feel Again." I don't know when my next chapter will be up, but it took me awhile to remember why I started writing fanfiction to begin with. I remember reading a story, and I was kind of disappointed halfway through with where the plot was going.
But instead of flaming them like a gigantic asshole, I figured I'd write my own story. Because that's half the fun of fanfiction, right? To be inspired? It was for me, anyway.
And I don't flame stories. Good stories, awesome stories, horrible stories - anything I decide to comment on is always encouraging. Again, it takes guts to publish any of this, regardless of who you are. If anything, I should be better at reviewing stories I read in general, because there are tons out there that I am legit addicted to right now - I just get sidetracked once I'm done reading and forget to review.
So I'm going to make a pledge right now to be better at leaving reviews for all the stories I read. It's only fair, considering how many of you take the time to review mine.
But just so we're clear on how the internet works, let me take the time to remind you of something:
If you don't like what you see or what you read - there's a big fucking red X in the top left of your computer screen if you're an Apple user and in the top right corner of your computer if you're on a PC. Instead of being a bully - because that's what you call people who bring others down that don't have the balls to do the one thing they're attacking - just close out the fucking window and be done with it!
You don't need to tell me you hate your story. I guess you can, if you really need to, but I'm not going to care anymore. I don't write this for you. I don't care about you. If tearing people down is what you do in your spare time then that's your prerogative but it make me feel sorry for you. I feel sorry that you'll never be half as brave as anyone you tear down, or have even an ounce of creativity that these amazing writers have on this site. I hope someday you find something you're good at, and that no one makes you feel as terrible as you've made me (and probably others) feel.
We'll be back with a chapter on the next update, and for those of you who stuck around - you're awesome. Really, you are. I want to high five all of you.
For those of you that will disappear - don't let the door hit you on the way out.
-Redhead414
