Just Another Victim of Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Fanfiction.net or anything else for that matter really, but my own opinion and ideas.
Author's Note: Hey y'all! Anyway, I have a rant to make. That's right. A RANT! It's really none of my business since all those who have read my story and reviewed are so damn nice (so I'll thank you all right here, right now) but my dear friend Twilight Fantasy got a flame for her story "Under the Stars." In my humblest opinion, I think it is a great fluffy Draco/Hermione story (I know most of my readers are Ron/Hermione so if you don't like the pairing, please keep an "open" mind). Flames are cruel and flamers are crueler. Not everyone is J.K. Rowling but every writer here at FF.Net tries their best to write a story that would make Ms Rowling proud, I'm sure of that. Some may write it for fun and are downright silly but they were written like that on purpose. However, I'm positive that most, if not all, writers are somewhat proud of their story. My point is that ok, so the story was not as good or as well-written as you wished it to be but I'm sure the author appreciates the fact that you read it and gave it a try. If you wish to express your opinion, it is much *nicer* to give constructive criticism to help the author improve, rather than a bash and/or flame. The author would appreciate that, and I'm sure they would be most grateful. Flames are impolite, rude, cruel and it greatly bashes the self-esteem of the author and the confidence he/she had in his/her story, in which I am sure that he/she had poured their heart into. So please, no put-downs ok? I know the world is not a friendly place, but I would appreciate it if FF.NET was kept to be a friendly, POSITIVE place for writers to exchange stories and encourage each other to write. I mean, that's what I thought the purpose of the web site was (I could be wrong… I hope not though!) BOTTOM LINE: I encourage every reader/writer to review other people's stories, but if you must review even though you didn't like the story, please, PLEASE write something positive. I don't wish for you to lie… but it is much better if it was constructive criticism, so the author can write a better story that perhaps you would even enjoy reading. I know that there are many critics out there that are cruel and mean in their reviews, but writers here at FF.NET make no profit, as opposed to all the "professional" writers out there. So please, be positive and encourage others to write, NOT discourage.
Phew! Rant over… I think! I would like to ask you all, who have manage to read my whole blurb up there to read my friend's story "Under the Stars" and tell her what you think. I'm sure you'll find the story to be neat. If you don't like certain parts, go ahead and tell her how she can improve. She'll like positive criticism and it'll help her gain confidence in her story. I don't think she knows how much potential the story has, or how good it is already! ^ ^ If you have time, maybe you can leave your mark in other writer's pages, giving them positive feedback and advice to improve (if it is necessary). I mean, as a fanfic writer myself, I know how it feels to receive positive feedback from others. It's really an amazing feeling; it really does bring a smile to a fellow writer's face.
If you have anything to say about my opinion here, feel free to "review" and tell me what you think. I am not here to bash other writers, readers, reviewers and even flamers, I'm just hoping that I bring across the point that there is no need to be cruel here. We all want to have a good time writing and reading; to enjoy ourselves and share what we think or would like to take place in the world of Harry Potter. Nothing has to get ugly. Help keep this a positive place. I don't mean to offend anyone, I just want to bring a point across. My only fear is that people will misunderstand my message. I only hope that everyone has a good time reading stories here ok? I guess it's much easier to keep to my own business and just worry about my own hide but hey, if friends don't stuck up for one another, who would? ^^
KEEP FANFICTION.NET A POSITIVE, ENJOYABLE PLACE!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
jd