News
Respect and Stuff Lately, we have been getting a large volume of complaints that some of the story reviews are getting too harsh. This is a difficult subject to deal with, since there’s such a broad grey area between an acceptable review, and an outright flame.
We do not want to stop someone from saying what they think about a story, and giving criticism. It’s only when this criticism becomes personal, and not constructive, do we have a problem with it. Here’s an example of what is appropriate, and what is not.
Appropriate: I think this story has potential, however, you have some spelling and grammatical errors. A beta reader would probably help you a bit. Keep writing!
Inappropriate: Your spelling errors make me sick, I can barely read this. Stop writing.
Appropriate: Stories about molestation make me uncomfortable, and I must admit I feel a little offended by the way you handled the content.
Inappropriate: You are a bad person. How dare you write about this? Go to hell, you bitch.
Do you see the difference between these reviews? Sometimes a little politeness goes a long way. You don’t need to yell at someone to get your point across.
There’s been a fair amount of bullying lately. I’d like to address something: We are a privately owned website/organization. Yes, we’re based in the United States, but the right to have freedom of speech does not apply here. We’re not interested in censoring anyone, that’s probably the last thing we want to do. However, I am more than a little disgusted at some of the behavior I’ve seen.
Not everyone is going to be happy about the content/subject of some stories. In 99% of the cases, the author isn’t trying to be offensive and this never means it is acceptable to attack the author. If you have a problem with content or members on the site, contact the founders/administrators at thfiction@gmail.com and we will discuss it and try to find a solution. I want to make it very clear that your email will be confidential; the only people who will see it will be cynical terror and undrockroll.
If you feel like you're being attacked or bullied, please email us! We don't have eyes everywhere, we won't know if something has happened unless we are notified.
I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, in fact, it’s been a site wide problem and we’ve had more than a few people tell us that they’re put off fan fiction completely because of it. I know a lot of you are probably thinking, so what? It’s just fan fiction. But this site is supposed to be a safe haven where people can come and have fun, it’s a place for their hobby. I don’t appreciate anyone denying someone their right to enjoy something.
I’m not very happy right now with the way things are going, but I think we can turn this thing around and just RESPECT each other. You don’t all have to be friends, but least just learn to exist civilly together, please.
- undrockroll on 01/18/09 07:41 pm
50 Comments
News Archive
Comments
Not everyone is made of fluff and sunshine. Some people don't mind being blunt and telling people exactly what they think of someone's story. All I'm finding in here is that we're not allowed to leave reviews that the author might not like. And really, that's just stupid.
- spilled milk on 01/20/09 06:20 pm
if nasty reveiwers have a problem with twincest/character death etc... Its their own fault cause they see the warnings!
- kimi483 on 01/20/09 06:51 pm
There's a big difference between constructive criticism and plain old talking shit, milk. There's no reason to leave spiteful comments on a story a person has worked hard on. Give them advice, don't talk them down.
- sirpustophlese on 01/20/09 07:08 pm
Jessica, if you read the news post you'll see that we accept CONSTRUCTIVE negative reviews. You can be blunt and tell someone what you think without being rude. I do it all the time, like right now with you. :)
- cynical_terror on 01/20/09 07:11 pm
What one person thinks is rude could be different from what someone else thinks is rude. It's all up to the interpretation of the individual. Some people are more sensitive than others; therefore, they take reviews that aren't "OMG I LURV IT MORE MORE!!!!#@#!!" as rude and offensive.
- spilled milk on 01/20/09 07:50 pm
The thing is, you have to be considerate. If you have suggestions, give them. If you have a compliment, give it. Don't be mean about it and tell them their work is trash, simple as that.
- sirpustophlese on 01/20/09 08:04 pm
This is our website so we will be the judges of what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. I think we've proved from running the site for two years that Darcy and I are reliable and fair, so we would assume that our members who we've served would trust in our judgment.
- cynical_terror on 01/20/09 08:04 pm
I love constructive reviews, and I rarely get them. They can help you grow and with me, I feel that no one has ever really said anything bad about my fics, or given me something to work on, which is phony because no one is perfect. I do agree that some people might get a little bit sensitive and it would be silly to simply cater to them, but you should review someone how you would like someone to review you. Or, review someone with at least a little courtesy. Being blatantly rude doesn't help anyone, especially not yourself. You want to read better fics, help better an author, just don't say you love it or hate it, give a legitimate reason. I hope that makes sense Dx
- RetteLeana on 01/20/09 08:10 pm
like I said, we aren't interested in censoring anyone. people shouldn't feel scared to say what they want or mean. but a little common decency is expected. we gave examples of appropriate and inappropriate reviews in the news post, and nowhere in the post did I ever say that "ommgg amazing I love it More plz" is the only thing acceptable. people aren't THAT sensitive. people WANT to learn and grow. what they don't want is to be chased off the site or attacked enough to feel like they need to take their story down or delete their account or be scared to ever write again. I don't get where all the hate and vitriol comes from. it makes me tired.
- on 01/20/09 08:26 pm
All I'm saying is that maybe reviews that aren't intended to be insulting will be and are taken that way. Like I said, some people are sensitive and can't handle a negative review. If someone doesn't like something, are they not allowed to simply say they don't like it? Are you only allowed to leave a review if you have an ecstatic response or a list of reasons WHY you don't like it? Is it not okay to tell someone you don't like it, it's not at all realistic, it's confusing and rushed, it's practically unreadable? Just saying those things like that without words added, would that be taken as inappropriate?
- spilled milk on 01/20/09 08:27 pm
Jessica, I'm not going to explain this again. We just said about three times that we aren't into censoring people. Of course we don't only want ecstatic reviews, that is obvious, you know that's not what we're saying.
If you just say to someone "this story is practically unreadable" we wouldn't think of that as an inappropriate review, but really, how is that constructive?
If you say something is unreadable, explain why. How will someone know why it's not realistic, why it's confusing, why it's unreadable?
Like I said, that response isn't the sort we're taking issue with, but that review isn't helpful to anyone. Unless you can explain why something is a certain way, why should the person listen to you?
Now, if you said something like "this is worthless, you suck" then that is inappropriate. I think we ALL know what is appropriate and what is not. Anyone who plays dumb, and I see it all the time, I have NO time for.
If you just say to someone "this story is practically unreadable" we wouldn't think of that as an inappropriate review, but really, how is that constructive?
If you say something is unreadable, explain why. How will someone know why it's not realistic, why it's confusing, why it's unreadable?
Like I said, that response isn't the sort we're taking issue with, but that review isn't helpful to anyone. Unless you can explain why something is a certain way, why should the person listen to you?
Now, if you said something like "this is worthless, you suck" then that is inappropriate. I think we ALL know what is appropriate and what is not. Anyone who plays dumb, and I see it all the time, I have NO time for.
- cynical_terror on 01/20/09 08:33 pm
Well sorry, I just want to be sure on what we can and cannot put in reviews, seeing as I tend to not like many stories and tell them so in reviews.
- spilled milk on 01/20/09 08:37 pm
Jessica, be polite and you'll be fine. It isn't difficult, it isn't confusing, and it shouldn't be a problem.
- cynical_terror on 01/20/09 08:38 pm
"We do not want to stop someone from saying what they think about a story, and giving criticism. It’s only when this criticism becomes personal, and not constructive, do we have a problem with it." is what they said. pretty clear.
- sirpustophlese on 01/20/09 08:39 pm
I'm sure it won't be a problem :) And yeah, thanks surpustophlese, you've been a big help.
- spilled milk on 01/20/09 08:44 pm
If you think your review might offend someone who is sensitive, then don't review.
You obviously aren't reviewing to up the count, so if the only other reason is to be straight up and tell the person you don't like the fic, keep it to yourself. That isn't the definition of a review anyway.
OR if you're offended by a fic, try contacting an admin before you make an ass of yourself in the reviews. They'll know how to handle the situation better.
You obviously aren't reviewing to up the count, so if the only other reason is to be straight up and tell the person you don't like the fic, keep it to yourself. That isn't the definition of a review anyway.
OR if you're offended by a fic, try contacting an admin before you make an ass of yourself in the reviews. They'll know how to handle the situation better.
- veestone on 01/20/09 08:55 pm
I'm glad the problem is being addressed--I've seen a few reviews that, to me, crossed the line from constructive criticism to bashing, and it kind of sickens me. This is a place for us all to have a creative outlet, and I don't see why people feel the need to be rude to others. I think the admins just want to keep things civil. Obviously they aren't into censorship--I mean, jeez, this site is practically the definition of freedom of speech. I think if we all think about it, we know the difference between a constructive review and a rude one.
- Remy on 01/21/09 10:38 pm
thank you x9837839, vee and Remy, you two said it better than I ever could've :) :) :)
- on 01/21/09 10:56 pm
Quote "But this site is supposed to be a safe haven where people can come and have fun, it’s a place for their hobby. I don’t appreciate anyone denying someone their right to enjoy something."
How much I appreciate such words! Sad to see that this is a worldwide problem (I'm Italian): many people seem not to know what "hobby" means and try their best to poison everything... Managing such a big site must be a very hard job and you're doing great! ^^
How much I appreciate such words! Sad to see that this is a worldwide problem (I'm Italian): many people seem not to know what "hobby" means and try their best to poison everything... Managing such a big site must be a very hard job and you're doing great! ^^
- My Immortal on 01/25/09 03:17 am
It's sad you guy's even have to waste your time on writing something like this just because people are to childlish for there age.
- Little Living Doll on 01/27/09 03:28 pm