A Bone To Pick
April 14th, 2009
I’ve a bone to pick and a choice to make. The part of me that’s grown in more ways than one since simple high school protests would like to say that I shouldn’t get involved for many reasons. Two more than others:
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It in no way, shape, or form effects me.
-
I know it’s going to make vindictive waves and a small but possibly poignant ball of stress that I don’t need.
Let’s start with that first one- it really doesn’t effect me. Sure, someday this person could try to do the same thing to me that they’ve done to countless others but other than that… and even if they did… it still doesn’t change anything in my life. A mere inconvenience- if that.
So, why am I even thinking about this? Frankly? It’s the right thing to do. Maybe I’m wrong but if I’m wrong and standing up for these others and saying something to these… wannabe oppressors isn’t what I should be doing then why does thinking about it feel so right?
Perhaps I need to time to let things settle in my mind but I fear that won’t make the matter simmer down within. I’m not the sort of person who ‘just’ calms down over time. No. Instead I ‘calmly’ begin to plot about what can be done. I’ve always been like that in a self sufficient sort of way. If I can’t find something- I make it, this blog and most of my other websites are a perfect example of that. If I see something wrong and don’t know how to fix it- I teach myself and if I see something like this… I just don’t think I can let it go.
Some of you are probably wondering what the hell I’m typing about but I’m not certain I’m yet ready to say. Knowing myself I’d be very tempted to take what starts as a simple in post rant and turn it into vigilante recruitment article of some sort.
This gist of it, in the vaguest of ways, goes something like this:
I was on a writing site today, not a site ‘about’ writing but a site where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and post stories known as fan fiction. The site is for people to get together share their love of characters from their favorite books, movies, and television shows. On this site authors of fan fiction can give and receive reviews on each other’s stories.
Now, I’ll admit, not everyone on the site is that great a writer. I can’t tell you how many times I want to pull my hair out when I see some of these stories, non-distinct paragraphs, poor use of English, and… well, I know I can’t spell but certain errors…
I digress.
Anyway, I was on the site. I have a migraine and even though my laptop screen isn’t very eye friendly it seemed like a good non-stressful way to kill time and it was until I happened along something different. It’s not uncommon for writers to post up ‘author notes’ in the place of chapters especially when they’re apologizing for taking forever to update (not that I’ve been down that road of course).
I came across one of these author’s notes and skimmed through it thinking I was going to find such a thing when some of what they were saying started to catch my eye and I took a closer look. It seems that someone, let’s call them UWC, left them a really bad review. Whatever, life happens, right? That’s what I thought on the matter at least- not everyone is going to like everything and there are bound to be a few vindictive people out there. Well, as I continued to read a lot of words the author used pulled me in. They weren’t hurt or whining about what the reviewer UWC said but sticking it to them so to speak. It sounded like they were defending their right to write.
Curious and bored I clicked up the author’s reviews and skimmed down till I found UWC’s and started to read.
What I found disgusted me on a level I wasn’t sure could be surpassed (but wait till you read the rest of this post).
I’m not going to go into detail, I’ve promised myself that for tonight because of my headache but the review included ‘mightier-than-thou’ language, telling the person to just stop writing, and some words that even I thought were questionable as far as being allowed on a public site. I mean, yeah, the story wasn’t that well written as far as my standards go but the review was downright hateful.
Still, this isn’t the big deal. Spiteful people are everywhere, they’re like ants. I can squish as many as I want but I don’t have a hope in hell of eradicating the whole nest of them. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve seen an ant either but this ant… is more like a… oh, I don’t know where to begin.
Further curious, yes- the cat is walking closer to the cliff, I went to UWC’s profile to see what stories they’d written. If they awesome and perfect and whatever I was just going to snub my nose and walk away, not my problem and even if they’re rude they know their stuff. If their stories were anything less than perfect my evil twin was going to point out every error I… er… my evil twin… could find but that was the problem. I didn’t find any stories at all. Nope. Instead I found that next level of disgust.
“This place has become a wasteland of
shit. Our goal is to get the “SO-CALLED” writers who post here to stop depleting bandwidth here. If you receive a review from us that says to stop, it means you are wasting your time writing. You should get a job or play video games to take up your spare time. The bottom line is: STOP writing! You SUCK! Until you LEARN how to write, don’t post what you THINK is writing where people can review it and give you CRITICISM.”
That’s just a single quote and I think I’ll leave it to that. UWC sounds so righteous it sickens me. There are so many things I have to say on just this itty-bitty little piece but I’m afraid if I start I won’t be able to stop and I’m not even done telling you about this online adventure today.
That’s right. There’s more.
Wondering what sort of person this UWC could be I visited their listed profile and sunk down beneath another level of disgust. Between the site and a LiveJournal account I’m not even sure where to begin. The site included more righteous fervor justifying their ‘mission’ as well as providing a place for their followers to gather.
My thoughts were that this person must be some serious grammar, spelling, Nazi with a penchant for dirty words and belittling others. Once more, it’s still not my problem. This person has never once stepped in my path nor I in theirs but as I traveled further down the roughly dug rabbit hole I started to see I was on a path of no return.
It happened when I got to the LiveJournal.
With each review used to tell others they should never pick up a pen there was a corresponding post boasting about it along with links to the victim saying they pitied whatever poor souls happened upon the ‘trash.’
One post made mention of a user who’d stood up for themselves at one point in time and finally decided they just couldn’t handle it anyone and changed their user name and other info. The post contained a link to the old account and the old name as well as a link to the new account and the new name- they were encouraging their fans to continue to harass someone who’d clearly had enough and wanted nothing more to do with the subject!
The whole page reeked of bullying and encouraging others to belittle these writers and yes they are writers. Even if they don’t write well, even if it’s only fan fiction. If they are expressing themselves, their imagination, or their thoughts through use of the written word then they are writers and they have every right to express themselves in a non-hostile environment!
I believe UWC has every right to say what they say. Like I said, it’s not my problem if they give harsh reviews and they have as much freedom in speech as I do. Yes, they are harshly belittling writers who don’t deserve such treatment, once more not really my problem it happens to everyone at least once and it’s what makes some of us stronger (I don’t like it but it’s life) but when UWC starts to encourage harassment like that, causing others to close their accounts and stop writing forever- a line has been crossed and something must be done about it.
I’ve read numerous letters and author’s notes where writers have stood up for themselves only to be put down further and ganged up upon by these self proclaimed judges. I’ve looked at handful upon handful of links that lead to now inactive accounts from people who were just happy testing the waters of the writing world. I’ve read and researched and found myself moved by those who stood and by those who ran.
I’ve thought long and hard about it and I find myself plotting.
Each of those writers were just a candle by themselves. Standing tall only to be blown out in the wind- but what if all those candles were gathered together at once? How tall would that blaze be?
Even a tornado will only spread the flames once they grow so big.
I need to put a day or two worth of thought into this before I make my move. Nothing drastic, just a few well placed letters to the right people. Ants can always rebuild their nest, yes, but it’s damn hard to start a reputation up again in the wake of certain events.
Well, I hope something can be said and done about this.
I began writing online in 2004 and had to learn the trade of writing and it can be a difficult road, I know for a fact I have made errors in the past, though I have (thankfully) been overlooked by these cyber bullies (which is a miracle in itself ^^’)
Still, it’s a shame that someone is willing to go out of their way to make it difficult for beggining writers to lend their voice and express themselves and their beliefs.
In any event, count me in on this crusade! The little person (or flame in this case) needs a voice of encouragement.
@ Mari K.
Woot! :) Like I said, stuff happens, not everyone is going to like everything and some reviews are bound to be harsh but a crucial line is being crossed here. When people feel the need to defend their rite to wright… something needs to be said. I mean, sites like FFnet and FPcom are there so barely budding writers can try their hand at the craft and gain constructive and hopefully helpful criticism. The site motto is ‘unleash your imagination’ not ‘be perfect or be crushed beneath my mighty thesaurus.’
[Edit: Lol, looks like I'm not perfect either. I wrote 'write to right' and 'might thesaurus' just a moment ago. ;) Makes me who I am.]
I’ll be the bait… XD
But seriously, this is out of line. I’m with you here. If this had happened at Writer’s Club at my school, the guy woulda been kicked out. If there’s something I can do to help, perhaps a well-written criticism or two… Give me a shout.
If one were to do something, faith and confidence is important. Constructive criticism is acceptable as it helps us to improve. But no one should judge another as who are we to judge others?
For me and to those new budding writers, do not be discouraged. Just soldier on and don’t bothered about all those cyber doom-sayers. To these cyber bullies, I would like to ask them this question, “What right do you have to tell me not to this or that?”
@ Branth
Lol.
I’ll definitely bring you in on this one. Like I said, I need to wait a few days and collect my resources but my plan does involve a few very well placed letters. I’ll fill you in more on instant messenger though.
You know what one of the worst parts about this whole thing is? I’m not just talking about a twenty some people being harassed, I’m talking about a few hundred. This digital lynch mob has to stop somewhere.
@ Areka
Very true words, my friend. In the section where UWC was leaving his/her remarks it pointedly says that reviews are there to help writers improve, that constructive criticism can make a world of difference for that writer and it’s true but these people have crossed a fragile line, not by a single step but by a mile.
Too true! Freedom of expression.
hmm this is a bit of sticky point. I mean EVERYONE has a right to an opinion, yes? It’s an opinion and I will state right now I don’t approve of bullying in any way shape or form. However it’s an opinion and everyone has one, it doesn’t mean it’s right it doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it’s an opinion you don’t have to agree with it and you can even ignore it. Keep in mind too that what you don’t like in an author or a writer someone out there does. I personally don’t like authors who write like they are 12 year old girls it’s a turn off for me BUT someone out there does. Anyways I’m rambling now and I have to go and get ready for work.
oh and I send you LURV my little spirit!
It is one big problem of the net isn’t it! People are so self-righteous and find it so easy to post their responses with out having a “face” for you to put to it.
You are right to be aggravated, I’ve been through some of this myself, but the best we can do is to put our own positive energy out there!!!
You are a light and I hope you is feeling better *virtual hugs*
@ Quill: True. Too true. This is one of the biggest reasons I said I had a choice to make. On one end yes they do have a right to say whatever they please but on the other I still want to do something to stop the harassment of others. It’s like building a bridge between two positions of morality- not sure how I’m going to do but I’ve an idea that would help everyone get what they want. Hopefully it all works out.
@ Jessie: I’ve missed you! I’m planning a visit to your blog here in a few minutes- promise! Yeah, anonymity isn’t always the greatest thing, it gives people power where none should be given sadly. Thankies, thankies, I hope I can help in this somehow.