I am a constructive flamer. That means I flame with good reason(s). I actually care about helping the author improve, even though I may flame. I must resort to flaming to offer constructive criticism because very few people will actually listen to good advice and constructive criticism if I do it politely, especially bad writers. Yes, most people claim to listen to advice, but most people just become defensive about their fic when things are pointed out to them. I'm not saying everyone does, just that it’s only natural to take offence when someone points out what you did wrong. So then can you just get over the fact that you need to improve (boo hoo), and start trying to improve?

Let’s get a few things straight, shall we?

1) I am not a destructive flamer. Destructive flamers go around trying to cut people up for their own amusement. Constructive flamers are flamers who try to help writers improve.

2) Not all flamers are bad. Just destructive flamers. And even some of their flames can help people improve. I very much respect people like that, who can see that their work needs improving and are willing to change.

3) When I say “good writer”, I’m not a schoolteacher talking about the amount of effort you put in. I mean WHETHER YOU CAN WRITE WELL OR NOT. I could say I don’t give a sh*t about the effort you put in, but that’s not entirely true; I want to see people improve their writing. I just firmly believe that not everyone’s a good writer, but everyone can improve.

4) I know many people think I only flame destructively. I don’t. I flame constructively 90% of the time. The other 10% is when I’m repeatedly insulted. Like most humans, I dislike unwarranted insults. I know many people call my flames unwarranted insults, but if there’s something wrong with your fic, is it a crime to tell you that? How can that be unwarranted?

5) If I tell you something needs improving, it may actually need improving! Surprise, surprise! I’m not flaming just to cut you up; I’m flaming to help writers. So can you just listen to what I’ve got to say?

6) Most of the time, I’m not going to waste my time saying what you did well unless it’s relevant. It’s not that I’m trying to be negative, I’m just more concerned with what needs to improve than what is already good. I don’t feel it necessary to “soften the blow”. What blow? If you’re posting your fic where people can read and send their feedback, expect to have people say you need to work on some things. Oh, and if you get a flame from me with a compliment straight out, feel proud.

7) Just because I flamed you, does not make either you or me a bad person. I can’t believe what some people have done because of my flames. I’m not trying to give you depression. I’m not trying to make you quit writing forever. I’M TRYING TO HELP YOU IMPROVE.

8) “I’m just a beginner writer so don’t flame me!” is not a valid excuse. If you’re a beginning writer, you’re bound to make mistakes, so all the more reason for someone to tell you what you’re doing wrong. And threats like “flames will be deleted” are understandable for destructive flames. But hiding from constructive flames, as certain people do, does not help.

9) Guess what? You’re in the real world. Your fic is in the real world. Prepare for it. If you’re living in a fantasy world where no one tells you what you’re doing wrong, you’re just going to be disappointed when someone gives you constructive criticism. I have little sympathy for authors who just go around feeling sorry for themselves, instead of trying to improve their fic.

10) Yes, I have my fics under a separate account. No, I will not tell you which my other account is. Several people have asked me that. I have multiple accounts for a reason. Some people have called me a coward for it. But with the amount of anger I seem to stir up, do I want to have people attacking my fics because of something I said?

11) Flaming is not necessarily bad. Flamers are not necessarily bad. Please understand that. Constructive flamers are very necessary, in my opinion. We flame because we feel the need to help people improve their writing, and we want to improve the quality of the fics on this site. There are very few constructive flamers here, and we seem to be very much unappreciated. We need more constructive flamers. Any good writer (not people who think they write well, people who can actually write well) can constructively flame, as long as they don’t fall into the trap of becoming destructive. If you think you can flame well, I advise you to try and help raise the number of constructive flamers. We need your help; we can’t do this alone.

12) If you’d like me to beta read your fic so I can help improve it, please email me telling me so. I’d be perfectly happy to, even if it is utter crap, because my mission is to improve the quality of the writing on this site. I will not turn anyone away unless I’m not familiar with the fandom, and even then I will try my best. Just note: I am a busy person; I have a life outside of fanfiction (unlike some poor pathetic “flamers” I know), I have my flaming to do, I currently am beta reading fics for 2 people, several people have asked me to read and review their fics, and I have my own fics to write, so I may not be able to get back to you quickly if you email me. But I will do my best.

Things that people could do to make things a little easier for constructive flamers:

1) If you need to say something to me, don’t make it a big deal, especially in someone else’s reviews. No one needs an irrelevant flame war in their reviews. I admit I have started and been in many flame wars, but I try my best not to, especially when it’s causing grief for innocent bystanders.

2) Don’t send me (and any other constructive flamers) hate mail. If you have a problem with something I did or said, please E-mail me politely and state your opinions clearly. You will receive an equally polite reply where I will explain my actions or words. If you send me a nasty, rude e-mail, you will receive not receive a reply. Your e-mail will be deleted and you will have earned my enmity. Lucky you.

3) Don't take it personally if I flame you, I flame a lot of people. I’m not trying to attack you, I’m trying to help you. Drowning yourself in self-pity isn’t the answer either.

4) Don’t try to start flame wars with me. I have much better things to do, and I’m sure you do too. Enough said.

5) Don’t assume you know everything about me and you can start judging me like you’re the Great Ruler of the Universe, because you don't. I try to show the same courtesy to everyone else.

6) Don’t give me that sh*t about beauty in the eye of the beholder and all. Sure, writing is an art, and perception of what’s good and what’s bad varies between people, but the fact remains that crap is still crap. Just because you can’t accept that your story requires work doesn’t mean it’s good. “Picasso was a famous painter and all, but he painted people with two eyes on one side of their head! So why can’t I have some things wrong with my writing and it can still be good?” This is an excuse I have heard several times. If you really want to split hairs, fine. Picasso had an excuse: he painted abstract art, where real life figures do not have to be exact. He chose to paint people that way; HE DID NOT PAINT THEM THAT WAY JUST BECAUSE HE COULDN’T DO ANY BETTER. Writing badly, however, cannot be termed as abstract art. Yes, writing is open to interpretation just like any art, but that’s no excuse for writing poorly.

7) If you listen to nothing else that I say here, listen to this. Please. At least give people a chance to offer their advice instead of hating them becuase they disrupted your little fantasy world where nothing requires improvement. I’m not forcing you to take my advice, I’m just stating my opinions on how to improve your writing. The reviews are MEANT for people to offer feedback on the fics, and if you're just posting your fic for your own amusement don't bother putting it on a site like fanfiction.net where readers are encouraged to offer advice. And if you’re just rejecting my critiquing because I’m a flamer, that’s just as bad as deleting flames without reading them, or hating flamers without listening to them. Even if you don’t follow my advice, just listen to it. Or else we’re both wasting our time.