Just Out of Curiosity...

[kriadydragon]

What would you do - or how would you handle it - if you took part in a fic-exchange challenge (Secret Santa fic exchange, for example) and ended up getting a story of the kind that you absolutely do-not-like.

Or ended up with a story that, though okay, had something in it that bugged the complete crap out of you, in that the story would have been just fine if it had not been for that one annoying thing?

No, this never happened to me. It's something I started wondering after reading a story written for someone else. It was the kind of story that I - personally - absolutely do not like, and after reading it found myself thinking "Wow, I'm so glad I'm not the recpient of this story" because, well... how would you respond to a story that you ended up disliking more than liking? (It was enjoyed by the recpient, though, so it was all good in that respect.) What would you say? Would you say anything? Would you be honest in your response or stick to being polite and saying it was good (but not saying you enjoyed it, or something.)

I would think it rare, especially in communities where most of the writers have a basic understanding of each other based on what they've written (or complained about in their journal *whistles innocently*. ) I know not to include certain types of whump in stories for certain people, and there are those who know the kind of whumping I don't like. But that's the thing - not everyone knows, especially if they're new to the community or fandom in general (or your stories), and you can only list so much in the "do not want" section of the sign up post before things start getting too picky, confusing and restrained.

So what do you all think? How would you handle such a situation if it ever came up? And remember, I'm talking about stories that you did not like, or had something in it that ruined the story for you, not stories that had one little nit easy enough to ignore.

Comments

[gwendolynflight.livejournal.com]

... lie like a dog. This is how I treat all gifts: all gifts that are supposed to be a surprise are a surprise (no matter how quickly I discovered the existence of the present), and all presents are loved and cherished (in the presence of the giver). ... And I kind of expect the same in return. You just got something for free - gift horses, etc.

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Huh, tough one... and one that I've considered myself, reading some of the entries for such exchanges, though I haven't been participating in them myself (haven't really worked up the courage to do one, and I'm a ridiculously slow writer). A lot of it would really depend on the circumstances, extent of the thing that bugged me (is it something that might reasonably be changeable?), and if/how well I knew the other author.

Heh, personally, because I'm a bit of a coward, and I also really hate to hurt people's feelings, in many circumstances I'd probably go with the politeness, try to find some things I can honestly praise or say that I liked, and try for the thought-that-counts, thanking them for putting so much effort into the story, route.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

That's a tough one. A friend of mine took part in an exchange a few times where the writer ignored her prompts for the most part and she was forced to say something meekly nice.

Shrugs...in cases of exchanges, you can't be honest I'm afraid...it was written for you, no money was given, no real debt. Its one of those things I guess.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Ah, but what if it was a story that you couldn't even get through? For example, sex-scenes are a major squick for me. They make me physically and mentally uncomfortable and I will stop reading a story if the story involves such scenes. And they can be hard to skip as some writers like to make them long.

That's what I'm wondering.

Personally, I suck at lying and prefer to either be honest or say nothing at all. Were I to recieve something that, not only do I dislike, but was offensive in some way (but the one who gave it to me didn't know it would be offensive or bothersome) I would have to tell them as much... in the kindest, most polite way possible, of course.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Cowardess is my problem as well ;). But so is being a sucky liar who hates lying.

"I'd probably go with the politeness, try to find some things I can honestly praise or say that I liked, and try for the thought-that-counts, thanking them for putting so much effort into the story, route."

Oh, excellent.

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

Alrighty then, here I go getting myself into trouble again replying to one of your ponderances... *sigh* I really need to find a good medication that will stop me someday.

Or ended up with a story that, though okay, had something in it that bugged the complete crap out of you, in that the story would have been just fine if it had not been for that one annoying thing?

One of the recipients in last year’s SA ficathon ended up in that boat. :(

No, this never happened to me. It's something I started wondering after reading a story written for someone else. It was the kind of story that I - personally - absolutely do not like, and after reading it found myself thinking "Wow, I'm so glad I'm not the recpient of this story" because, well... how would you respond to a story that you ended up disliking more than liking? (It was enjoyed by the recipient, though, so it was all good in that respect.) What would you say? Would you say anything? Would you be honest in your response or stick to being polite and saying it was good (but not saying you enjoyed it, or something.)

I’m in the crapper with one of my writing friend’s atm because she discovered I didn’t like something she’d written, more or less for me. It’s a frustrating situation for me because, though I’ve tried to be supportive and polite, I’ve mentioned to her several times things that really bothered me and she opted to simply shrug and tell me that’s how she does it, so like it or lump it (not a direct quote, mind you, but that was the basic sentiment.) That’s a perfectly acceptable response (I’ve occasionally replied that way to negative criticism myself), but to expect the reader to simply decide that the bothersome-something is no longer bothersome because the writer doesn’t want to do it differently seems unreasonable to me (it’s never been my expectation when dealing with readers.)

I would think it rare, especially in communities where most of the writers have a basic understanding of each other based on what they've written (or complained about in their journal *whistles innocently*. ) I know not to include certain types of whump in stories for certain people, and there are those who know the kind of whumping I don't like. But that's the thing - not everyone knows, especially if they're new to the community or fandom in general (or your stories), and you can only list so much in the "do not want" section of the sign up post before things start getting too picky, confusing and restrained.

I noticed last year’s with the SA ficathon and it was reinforced with this year’s, that authors sometimes see ficathons as an opportunity to try something new, even though the ‘old’ is what the recipient wants. I find that baffling… I’m participating in my very first one, and though I have low hopes for the greatness of the story, the formula for coming up with the idea was simple: take the elements the recipients wants, the elements that the recipient doesn’t want, look at what the recipient likes to write and read…do something that fits. Of course, as I said, this one is my first ficathon as a writer, and only my fourth attempt at SGA fiction, so perhaps if I had a load of either of them under my belt, I’d go at them from a different angle, but I know as both a reader and avid story-nagger, that when I ask for something in a story, THAT’s what I want, and not getting it really tics me off – and I WILL say as much if I think it’s within the author’s ability to have given me what I asked for (it isn’t always within their ability, and so I take that into consideration.)

With a ficathon, I think it’s really important that an author write something they think the recipient will like. It’s a gift, basically – it’s intended to bring pleasure to the receiver, thereby giving pleasure to the giver. As a potential recipient, I’m REALLY hoping I get what I asked for… If it is close -- hits my wants and doesn’t include my don’t-wants -- I’ll most likely say I love it, whether I do or not. However, if it doesn’t manage the wants and includes any of the don’t-wants (which, if I recall correctly, were just my major squicks), then I’m gonna voice my displeasure – there was a reason, afterall, that I listed those things. ;)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

True, very true.

But there lies another good question - what if the person completely ignored your prompt, including the things you don't want in the fic? Sex-scenes are an uber squick of mine - bigger than gut wounds. So big I'll stop reading a story the moment I run into the first detailed sentence leading into such a scene. Or not read at all if sex is mentioned in the warnings.

I guess what I'm really wondering is if there's a point that something should be said. It is a very complex issue.

[sholio]

In spite of everything I've said lately on my journal about honest concrit and honest responses ... this is one of those exceptions, as far as I'm concerned. *g* I think it's the risk you take when you sign up for an exchange -- just like, at a family gift-exchanging event, you run the risk that Aunt Mabel is going to give you an appallingly ugly rhinestone collar for your dog who died four years ago. And, basically, the classy thing, the polite thing, is to do pretty much what you'd do in that situation: smile and find something nice to say, even if it's only "Thanks for writing this for me." You can vent in private to friends, via email or filtered under friendslock so that the person would never, ever see it -- but this is definitely an exception to those situations where honesty is a virtue, IMHO.

My experience with gift exchanges has been all over the map. I've never received a story I absolutely hated or one that included things I'd specifically asked not to receive. (It does help that I'm fairly easygoing about what I'll read.) On the other hand, I've received some stories I was lukewarm about; in those cases, I praised the things I did like, and let the rest of it go.

It usually helps that, even in the gift exchanges where I wasn't totally happy with what I got, there was so much *other* fic that I liked. Even if I asked for one thing and got something not quite up to my standards, it's fairly ungrateful to complain when there were a half-dozen other stories that really hit my fan buttons, even if they weren't written for me.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

*Winces* Sorry *Hands you medicine.*

Though I've yet to ever recive a fic I didn't like, I do tend to cringe when the author says something along the lines of "I didn't stick exactly to the prompt because I wanted to try something different." My heart immediately sinks right to my feet. Thankfully, after reading, it climbs right back into my chest when the story ends up being satisfactory after all.

I think you said it best with this -

"With a ficathon, I think it’s really important that an author write something they think the recipient will like. It’s a gift, basically – it’s intended to bring pleasure to the receiver, thereby giving pleasure to the giver. As a potential recipient, I’m REALLY hoping I get what I asked for…"

It's a fic exchange, and in most fic exchanges the person you're writing for is writing for you, as well. If I write something based on the prompt and what I know my recpeient likes, it's only fair that I recieve the same in return, and not some fic "science experiment".

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

"On the other hand, I've received some stories I was lukewarm about; in those cases, I praised the things I did like, and let the rest of it go."

I agree.

"It usually helps that, even in the gift exchanges where I wasn't totally happy with what I got, there was so much *other* fic that I liked. Even if I asked for one thing and got something not quite up to my standards, it's fairly ungrateful to complain when there were a half-dozen other stories that really hit my fan buttons, even if they weren't written for me."

Very, very true. If the story recieved wasn't thoroughly enjoyed, there's still plenty to read ;)

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

I think it does help to have a good mod/organizer to pair people up, and to have recipients be up-front about what they want (and what bothers them). I've only participated in one fic exchange and I think it was small enough everyone knew everyone else's preferences.

The idea of doing a fic exchange is both exciting and nerve-wracking to me, since I know my writing isn't as strong as others and there is a fear of disappointing the recipient (and yes, I think betas can make a difference in that situation). I'll agree seeing what everyone else is half the fun!

[gwendolynflight.livejournal.com]

Hmm, if it were actively offensive ... express gratitude for the thought, and praise the quality of the story, but explain the truth about your reservations v v politely. Yeah, sounds like a plan. ^_^

[nebbyjen.livejournal.com]

Having written a fic for a gift exchange and never hearing boo back from the recipient is worse than getting a disgruntled comment. At least when they say something you know they've read it. (Yep, personal experience talking here.)

[a-pilgrim-soul.livejournal.com]

I have kind of been in a situation like this, I didn't hate the story written for me but it was disappointing because the prompt had been blatantly ignored, they'd just written a random story and submitted it.

It was disappointing but I was polite and respectful, and it wasn't a bad story, it just hurt a little bit because I had gone out of my way to try and incorporate what they had asked for in their fic.

But as someone above said when you take part in these sort of things you have to expect this kind of stuff to happen from time to time.

[linziday.livejournal.com]

For me it would depend on what was wrong with the story. Poorly written but the author made a big effort to accommodate what you wanted? Or well written but the author totally disregarded what you wanted... to the point of including aspects you very clearly stated you didn't want?

If it were a well-intentioned but poorly written fic, I'd say thank you and point out the aspects I actually enjoyed. Likely those aspects would not involve the writing. (Instead, perhaps, clever plot points, a snippet of good dialogue or how very well the author stuck to my request. :-)

A fic that included things I expressly didn't want? I'd say thank you for writing and that would be it. And, if possible, I would ask not to be paired with that author next time.

But here's a flipside POV... I'm participating in the ficathon for the first time and I'm petrified my person is going to hate the story I'm writing for him/her! I'm sticking to the request as closely as possible, but everything is open to interpretation and I hope I'm interpreting right. Also, I had a lot of trouble coming up with a story idea. So I'm still writing it... and praying the person likes it. Would I want the person to lie to me and tell me they loved it if they didn't? No. I want them to honestly love it!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I find the exchanges unnerving when you end up paired with someone you don't know very well or who has very specific tastes that - you know what those tastes are - but you're never sure if you've managed to incorporate them into your story.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Very true. At least with the honesty, if someone complains, you know that something was off about yuor fic (at least for them). Recieving no response makes you wonder forever whether something was wrong or so horribly wrong the person couldn't even read it... or if they just hadn't gotten around to reading.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

"But as someone above said when you take part in these sort of things you have to expect this kind of stuff to happen from time to time."

True.

"It was disappointing but I was polite and respectful, and it wasn't a bad story, it just hurt a little bit because I had gone out of my way to try and incorporate what they had asked for in their fic."

That's why I say it's better to stick to the prompt and write a story you're "meh" about than completely ignore it and run the risk of writing something that will disappoint. I've written stories that, by sticking to the prompt, I ended up unhappy with them. But because the recepient enjoyed it and got everything they wanted, it was all good :)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

That is the trouble with some prompts. They're either so detailed you feel restricted, or so vague they leave you wondering if you'd interpreted them right. When I'm unsure, I'll look at what that author has written and try to incorporate the things they seem to enjoy. Even then, it's nerve-racking.