Truth is stranger...

[permetaform]

So. We've accidentally dropped a bomb on Yorkshire?

::facepalm:: no. words.

(pointed out by potterwitch)

[]

Leopard Slug Aerial mating

0.o;;

[]

So, how manly can one look while sporting pink?

madam_h gives us the answer:
Angoragorn and Maragorn Sue

Do not consume liquids while viewing.

You have been warned.

[]

stevie_jane makes the Snape/Hermione look fantastically good...

[]

Okay, so I got completely fed up with those Hogwarts Sorting Quizzes that are *completely* obvious. It's unsatisfying to be sorted Slytherin, when I KNOW what questions to answer.

In denial and rebuttal I've created my own:

Hogwarts Sorting Hat

Please, crashtest it, I'm trying to think of more questions and to refine it, and to think of less obvious questions but I don't have any good perspective on the questions so far...

[]

fabu makes interesting commentary on why we write fanfiction.

It reminds me of an article I read somewhere on a rant page (I'm not sure where's the link) about fanfiction writing as a sociologial gateway, ie. you're not really part of the fandom community (or at least not part of the 'inner circle') unless you write, and that *this* was part of the reason why there's such a bad reaction to negative criticism.

Namely, there's a major difference between ficcers who write to *write* and ficcers who write to participate in the *community*. There is, of course, an overlap; but probably how far you are a ficcer who writes to socialize indicates how little you can stomach/accept criticism.

After all, if you are presenting fic to be accepted into a community, *any* negative comments about the fic is a direct reflection on your acceptance into the community and is a negative comment on the auther themself. And in the anonymous and fluid sphere of the internet, it's *much* easier to get away with being a bit spoiled and selfish as our egos huff in indignation.

mehp. I realize that I have a bit of a tendancy to react that way with beta's, which is allllll the more reason why I'm curling myself around their feet going thank you thank you THANK you for putting up with me and helping me make my fic better. Thank you calichan. Thank you hippediva. Thank you lil_neko. Thank you inkbug. Thank you linaelyn. Thank you majokai. Thank you slashygood. And thank you Munky! You guys are god-sends and blessed beyond belief. Thank you.

Comments

[calicokat.livejournal.com]

You're very much welcome! :3 If you need future beta'ing some time I'd be happy to help.

[jenicomprispas.livejournal.com]

I like the quiz! There are several questions on there that I like better than the standard "OMG, do U liek Snakes, Badgers, Ravens, or Lions?!?!?!" I did notice a typo on the first question (that or I'm on crack, which is always a possibility). Should it be "What DO your parents want for you at Hogwarts?"? Or "What would your parents want?"? It doesn't read right in my brain for some reason.

Also: Feel free to ignore me, I've never made a quiz, so I don't even know if you can change it. :-*

[permetaform]

Nah, it's a typo, and no worries, I can change it no problem. Thanks for pointing that out!

[penm.livejournal.com]

After all, if you are presenting fic to be accepted into a community, *any* negative comments about the fic is a direct reflection on your acceptance into the community and is a negative comment on the auther themself. And in the anonymous and fluid sphere of the internet, it's *much* easier to get away with being a bit spoiled and selfish as our egos huff in indignation.

I agree. Even when posting constructive criticism one tends to 'gloss it over' so as not to make it too harsh.

Personally I like getting negative comments. It's like peeling off a scab -- it hurts but in a satisfying sort of way.

I would expand my thoughts but my brain has just short circuited. So yeah.

... *goes away*

[melusina]

Negative criticism can be very useful, and I appreciate it when someone takes the time to point out the things that didn't work, in addition to / instead of the things that worked (which, of course, is also useful). I do appreciate it when people are kind, which, for the most part, everyone has always been to me, so I can't say how I would react to nastily worded criticism.

I do think it can be bracing, because it's somewhat unexpected - most people are so careful to accentuate the positive in their feedback, for a variety of reasons.

quiz

[jenna-thorn.livejournal.com]

Not knowing anything about how they are built, I can't be of any help save as tester.

Um, it's the first time I've ever come up as Hufflepuff. Blink ... blink.

I'm going to go curl up with a book now.

Re: quiz

[permetaform]

::blinkity:: what do you usually come up as?

[wikdsushi.livejournal.com]

YEAH! Let's show them damn Redcoats! Tea-slurpin', bean-eatin' freaks!

Ohh, I'm in trouble when Stu gets home. *grin*

Gotta love American stupidity feistiness.

[frooit.livejournal.com]

<3

Identity crisis averted!

[ficangel.livejournal.com]

In other words, still Slytherin. I liked it. The only place I could see where a person could concievably guide the test was on the question of the colors.

Re: Identity crisis averted!

[permetaform]

The only place I could see where a person could concievably guide the test was on the question of the colors.

oh good! I wanted there to be an element or two of choice in there (knowing how much Harry's choice changed the hat's result) but not too much...I'm still slightly nervous about the 'two choices' questions, because even though it cycles through all the house combinations, I'm kinda afraid it might seem too Gryffindor/Slytherin...

[erisedraine.livejournal.com]

It reminds me of an article I read somewhere on a rant page (I'm not sure where's the link) about fanfiction writing as a sociologial gateway, ie. you're not really part of the fandom community (or at least not part of the 'inner circle') unless you write, and that *this* was part of the reason why there's such a bad reaction to negative criticism.

I don't write. I'm not a horrible writer, but I just don't feel the need to clog up communities with my unskillful prose. This doesn't make me feel any less of a member of the fanfic community, I read it avidly and can tell between good and bad fics -- case in point I know anything I would write would be bad, so I don't waste mine or other people's time. I prefer to sit along the sidelines and observe the wonderful artistry of others.

First. Things. First.

[girlpearl]

I can't believe I'm the twelfth person to comment and NOBODY HAS MENTIONED THE INVERTEBRATE PORN!!! What is WRONG with you people?
It is a very beautiful thing - translucent white, almost blue, like those photos of ice caverns you see. Yes... or... a slug penis. *shake* Look, I'm all for invertebrate sex, I once spent two years *watching* invertebrates have sex and then wrote a 60 page paper on it. But... it is not a very beautiful thing. It is a slug penis.
I tried your sorting hat but it did not work; perhaps it is me. I'll try again later.
And you've made an *excellent* point here about negative feedback being like a rejection from the community. I never really thought of it that way before, and it's interesting how you make the distinction between those who want to be better and those who want to be accepted, and ohhhh holy god who am I kidding, slug sex! My brain... *whimper* Where did I leave that brain brillo...

Re: First. Things. First.

[teardrop69.livejournal.com]

And your comment so made me spew iced tea...

*cleaning monitor*

But see, you got to use the phrase "slug penis", which should be a goal for everyone! yay!

[rhipowered.livejournal.com]

Crashtested, and approved. Still Gryffindor after all these years. God, I'm just Éowyn everywhere I go.

Oh, and nice slug porn.

[permetaform]

yay! worked then, and yes. slug porn, brought to you by wtf_inc, for all your mindboggling needs...

Woah!

[blackholedebris.livejournal.com]

It's official: You can never be sure what's gonna greet you in a permetaform post. (And I love you dearly for it.)

1. The Bomb--My favorite part is how they shrug it off as just a harmless practice bomb and then later in the article, it's like: "Oh, good thing no one was around at the time."
2. SLUGS IN LOOOVE!!--My new OTP. This has to be one of the strangest things I've ever seen. I thought the fluorescent blue penises were kinda pretty. I had no idea slugs had them. The very same slugs (at least they look the same) are everywhere in the summertime from where I come from. Now I'll be trying to witness the act myself when summer comes around.
3. Angoragorn--burst right out laughing as soon as I saw this.
4. Quiz--I'm so glad you attempted one with questions you can't just figure out. That's often my problem with quizzes. I tried it, and the first time around I came up as Ravenclaw. Since that's never happened to me before--I'm always either Gryffindor or Slytherin--I tried again, buy approaching the negative/positive qualities part differently. I was confused as to what you meant: Did you mean describe yourself with the traits you both are and you consider neg/pos, or did you mean only check the traits that not only describe you, but you also consider neg/pos? If that even makes sense to you.

Re: Woah!

[permetaform]

::grins:: aww, thanks, I try to entertain myself and I'm never quite sure if I manage to amuse anybody else too...

1. the bomb is just...gah. I'm wondering how much of it was, "Ooops ha ha, look how easy it was, we'll just have to be more careful next time, won't we? hmm?"

2. heh, the slug p0rn... not *only* do you get glowy translucent slug penises that sprout from the heads, but also: natural lube.

3. angoragorn, just gives you the warmfuzzies, doesn't it?

4. basically, if you were to describe your weaknesses to someone else, what would you say? If you were trying to pimp yourself in a college essay what would you say?

[rhipowered.livejournal.com]

Oh, and right on about the community...I've always felt like I'm on the fringe because I can never manage to get much criticism, good or bad.

[nekofreak.livejournal.com]

slug p0rn! *headdesk* AHAHAHAHAHA!!
and aragorn in PINK!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! *dies* x.x

[permetaform]

slug p0rn!

...with natural lube! ::ducks and runs::

[billradish.livejournal.com]

Slug porn! <3 This amused me far too much.

The sorting hat quiz is the first quiz ever to sort me into Hufflepuff...which is actually the house I think I'd end up in, judging by the descriptions in the books. Either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. *nods* The first few questions seemed fairly easy to figure out, and of course the colors one, but the rest were suitably vague. Good job. ^^

[permetaform]

The first few questions seemed fairly easy to figure out, and of course the colors one, but the rest were suitably vague.

Yeah, I'd wanted an element of self-choice ('cause Harry got sorted Griff only after begging for it...) but didn't want it completely obvious. *Should* I make it more obvious tho? I'm still playing around with the idea...

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

*hugs* You're welcome. Anytime, really. You aren't at all hard to work with, honestly.

I've got some thoughts percolating about fabu's posts and polls, but I want to write them up after I can think in a straight line for ten minutes straight.

[permetaform]

::grins:: yeah, I find myself in that state quite often too, though I end up rambling and somehow perhaps maybe eventually getting to a point somewheres along the way...

[winter]

*blinks* First time ever I got Gryffindor. I suspect it's the colors and the cake-baking questions... should've cheated and said "house elves" ^_~

[permetaform]

that would have tilted you towards Ravenclaw...and the color question was a weighted blatant "So what house do YOU want?" kinda thing...

[sithjawa.livejournal.com]

Y'know, you're right...

When I write fanfic, I usually write it for myself, because I have an idea that just won't go away, but if I submit it anywhere, it's because I'm thinking "maybe it's time I should try to get an (online) life."

[sithjawa.livejournal.com]

And by "you" I realize I mean "nameless ranty person." *oops*

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

I got Gryffindor.

And I definitely want negative as well as positive feedback, although I'm more wary about dishing it out some days.

Gina

[permetaform]

are you Gryffindor tho? like, do you think the quiz is accurate? any opinions on the questions?

and yeah, I feel the same about negative feedback. I'm actually a little looking forward to my first flame...for the novelty if nothing else. The closes I've come to negative feedback is probably with my beta's, who's *job* it is anyways...so. ::shrugs::

[sylvertongue.livejournal.com]

Just thought I might say, in a random sort of way, that your posts rock. I enjoy your lj-reclists at the end of the day. :)

[permetaform]

awwww. thanks! ::glomp:: mostly I just rec because I'm in a delicious state of squee, but I always wonder if they're actually useful to anyone. thank you for letting me know!

[melusina]

Adamantly refusing to look at the invertebrate porn. . .

Did the sorting hat - it sorted me into Hufflepuff, but I haven't done enough of that sort of quiz to know if that's typical (for the record, I would describe myself as more of a Ravenclaw, although I'm possibly a bit deluded.)

I wonder if the split between ficcers who write to write and those who write to be a part of fandom is as neat and clean as some people would have it? This may just be my own narcissism talking, but I don't think I fit entirely in either camp. I mean, I write because I love to write - I spend large portions of my day writing all sorts of different things. But one of the big reasons that I spend some of that time writing fanfiction is the community aspect. Does that make sense?

After all, if you are presenting fic to be accepted into a community, *any* negative comments about the fic is a direct reflection on your acceptance into the community and is a negative comment on the auther themself.

I guess this is where I disagree - I think you can write fanfic to be a part of the community (to some degree or another) and still separate yourself from your work. I have seen at least one fanfiction related message board where a writers' workshop vibe prevailed and people gave and received negative comments with fairly good grace - in that environment getting feedback, negative and positive, was part of being accepted by and participating in the community. It would have been much more alienating to *not* receive any comments, than to get negative ones. I guess I'm just suspicious of neat and tidy dichotomies. . .

Babbling now, so I'll shut up. . .

[permetaform]

I think you can write fanfic to be a part of the community (to some degree or another) and still separate yourself from your work.

yeah, in general I think there's probably some overlap, though I wonder if the overlap correlates to how well one can take honest critique...

[slashygood.livejournal.com]

That quiz is actually really, really good. I only thought the question about baking a cake and the 'house elf' answer pointed at Slytherin, the rest wasn't obvious. I got everyone else in my house to do the quiz also and we all ended up in our normal houses at the end. ::applause::

Send fic my way anytime you want, I enjoy reading your work and anything I can do to help I'll do.

[permetaform]

aww, thanks!

(tho actually the 'house elf' response is Ravenclaw...::grins:: the 'betcha you can't!' is Slyth v. Gryff...)

and I'll keep you in mind for my upcoming fics then...