::teary eyed::

[permetaform]

because I just reread The Morning After by Isis again and it reaffirmed my love of Snape/Black.

because these thoughtful words from d_r_o_n_e I loved exceedingly and because this one quote works so very well with Johnny Depp that I used it in my infopage and because that picture always makes my heart go *squish*.

because Surfaces by cupiscent is an h/d fic just so painfulbeautifulwrongbroken in all these semi-hidden ways and by god, THIS is how denial in first person is written folks. THIS is how you do it.

because the world sucks and because the world is beautiful all the same.

because this man is starting to give me hope and this man just makes me cry. sometimes with laughter.

because I can't write linearly. Oh WHY can't I write linearly?! damn. it. ::head in hands::

and a side note: question for you all, how do you state in a review, or a beta, that you thought that the author could have written better? (and if you're reading this, I'm not talking about you) Is there any tactful way of saying something? Should I just ignore it?

Comments

[cupiscent.livejournal.com]

(Is it immodest to publicly respond to and give thanks for recs? I'm so uncertain with my netiquette. Perhaps I should graciously turn a blind eye or something. But it makes me happy, and I just wanted to tell you so.)

Giving constructive criticism is always a tricky thing. But I think the review and the beta are two separate situations. The beta is supposed to help it be a better piece. They're like RL editors, there to help the author shape the work. So in that instance, I'm not sure there should be any hesitation about saying: "Over here, this expression is clumsy and over there, I'm not sure that really feels very in character." When I'm beta-reading, I always emphasise that this is my opinion, and this is my overall feel, and this is where I'm coming from, and of course, it's the author's work.

I think the standard, fall-back way of giving 'bad news' in a review or critique is to give a list of what's right, and then some pointers on what you think is 'wrong'. Like: "Your characterisation of X is really great, especially in this scene. In contrast, I found Y to be rather two-dimensional." Or: "The plot is so fabulous, but it's hard to appreciate because of the cliched expression here and there."

Just go with what feels right, I think. Look at it and ask if you'd want that sort of thing addressed to you. (Although, of course, all of us have varied desires in that regard. I hang out for harsh criticism. I am a literary masochist. *g*)

[permetaform]

Is it immodest to publicly respond to and give thanks for recs?

er, heh, then I was immodest several times over...but yeah, no problem! It was my utter pleasure to pimp your fic because it's just lovely, and also, thank you for your comments on the rewiew/beta issue