Late Night Regrets · 7:35am May 24th, 2020
I should probably sleep instead of being up talking about story stuff. Probably. Oh well.
My Little Minister recently got some flack from some readers due to the content of its most recent chapter. I've decided to add some more tags to the main story, to make it clearer what some of the MLM stories might contain. I'm sorry if anyone took offense to my foray into dark/black comedy. This most recent chapter was definitely the darkest idea I've had for the series, none of which I consider canon to each other unless a direct connection is brought up.
More My Little Minister will be forthcoming, though I will probably not delve into Proscription's level of darkness anytime soon.
Though, as I pondered that story, and how I felt about the whole situation, an interesting blog/rant by BezierBallad caught my eye, and got me thinking again. Specifically, I started thinking... about thinking.
See, I can get inside my own head really easily. I end up psyching myself out over little things and things I obsess over. And right on the heels of being rightly called out on mis-tagging and potentially disappointing or driving readers away, there comes this blog about emotional manipulation in stories (it's a real good blog). The last day or so, I've been trapped in my own head about a lot of things. Going back to that old "audience expectation" thing. Overthinking, is what it is, but my brain is wired to over-analyze and over-criticize. But only in regards to myself. I'm usually very easy to please, when it comes to media. Don't do something totally outrageous or stupid, and I'll give the author, writing team, or show the benefit of the doubt.
There isn't some grand point to all this, by the by. I'm just rambling some midnight thoughts as I ponder and consider things with far too little alcohol around to make it fun. What the blog got me thinking about wasn't even the same thing that the story response got me thinking about. The story... yeah, that sucks, disappointing someone enough to where they felt the need to voice their frustration. Lord knows, I've had one or two occasions to go on a little rant over a story I was invested in, yet also disappointed by (and for too many different reasons to go into here). But BB's blog got me stuck in my own head worrying that I was trying the same thing as those stories and concepts they were ranting about there.
Specifically: FEEL BAD, as a story theme. The disingenuous attempt to get readers to emote in a certain way. And that affected me because among the various stories I'm in the middle of writing, one of them does go into some deep, emotionally compromising stuff. No spoilers, but chapter 1 (of 3) goes up this Friday, so wait. Like I said, last two days or so now, I've been worried and thinking and thinking and thinking.
Okay, I lied. There is a point. Don't think. Learn to know when criticism is meant well and will help you improve as a writer. And know when you have to just let it go and push on to the next chapter. If I'm writing a sad story, I don't have to automatically put it under a microscope because one blog (no matter how well written) criticizes the use of a certain trope or writing style. I can only trust in myself and my abilities to avoid falling into that trap. And when I forget that humans have issues with killing orphans, I should probably apologize for being a broken, husk of a creature who feeds on misery, dorito chips, and happy pony stories.
Again. I should stop thinking. But I don't listen to my own advice.
*hugs for Ninja*
Although I am yet to read the chapter in question, just remember it is often about balance in stories. Characters don't get good things without going through some kind of risk or struggle. The greater the reward, the bigger the risk/struggle. And on the pathos thing, well, that's really a judgement call and one you only learn to make by writing more.
*Edit* Getting the balance right on stories with regard to ratings or warnings can be a judgement call as well. Had to recently add the suicide tag to my ongoing Teen rated story because of one particular scene talking about it, but not doing so in a graphical nature. I would rather the tag not have to be added, but the warning is there, just in case.
Hello darkness my old friend
I understand all too well, speaking as someone else whose first thought after every writing advice blog is "Oh crap, do I do that?" Everyone has different tastes and tolerances when it comes to some topics. It can be tricky to tell when you've crossed the line when everyone's lines are in different spots. Beta readers can help there.
Nothing wrong with dark humor, there's far worse stories on this site.
Dude, write what you want. Everyone else is pointless. You're not here to cater to anyone's taste. I'm not saying don't listen to criticism, but as long as you're not getting paid, who the fuck cares about what anyone thinks whether your writing is good or not?
Just enjoy the ride for what it is and not what you want it to be. Because it won't be that, I can assure you.
And if you can't sleep you can always just engage in extended, heated, (hopefully not) hostile discussions with almost strangers. That usually takes the edge off for me.
Also, I don't know why this new chapter would warrant any new tags after chapter 1.5.
... *lowers phone in shock*
Wow. I had no idea one of my blogs would affect someone like that.
5338700
Indeed. How dare you make me think, and self reflect!
Also, what brings you back to this old blog?
5338703
Heh. It’s funny, really.
I just typed in my username when searching through blog posts.
5338704
I suppose that’s one way to find out who is gossiping about me!
5338782
Heh.