Well, then...

[przed]

Just got an email comment on my second UNCLE slash story, written, oh, about 15 years ago. It included the following gem:

"You have a knack for plot, and your dialogue isn't bad. :) Practice makes perfect, ne?"

I am soooo tempted to send a snarky reply, but think I shall settle for amused silence.

(BTW, I'm not saying the story's a gem. Those early UNCLE stories were a bit rough. But, man, I think my dialogue is better than not bad. *g*)

Comments

[cynatnite.livejournal.com]

Seems a bit condescending, IMO.

on edit: Well, more than a bit.

[przed.livejournal.com]

So, it's not just me, then. *g*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

I'm only a semi-lurker at best in MFU land but there's been a recent crop of newbies and unless you recognize the name of the person who sent you the e-mail I'd guess it's one of those and that they thought it might be encouraging? *tries to be charitable*

I recently had a LoM newbie send me a PM to encourage me, suggesting that I should try my hand at writing another LoM story, cos, you know, I've only written the one. *g*

I've got out of the habit but I used to collect my favourite odd comments on my stories, here's just a select few:

I think this is the most charming love story I've ever read involving victims of mind control drugs and rape and extortion at the hands of ruthless young women bent on revenge for their hustling brother's suicide. Reynardin.


I cannot list all the very, very strange things I have read. I can tell you though, that this wins the weirdness award. And the one for entertainment. It was...really good. And I'm not sure how on earth to react to it, and, erm, well. Thank you for proving that fandom can still be a very, very surprising place. kiwi_from_hell

This is seriously awesome!!!!! I've read Cartland books, and you are waaaaaaaay better than that!! :) Siluria

Best use of a rubber duck ever. acidpenguin46

Flippin heck, woman - you nearly blew my cassock off. Norfolkdumpling

I'm not going to be able to go through the scented candle display at M&S for a *while* now, damn you... Halotolerant.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Well, to put things in perspective, back when I was a (rather fat) actress, I once got a review that said, "(Shayheyred's real name) did a great job playing the drag icon Divine, the person she most nearly resembles."

As for me, I think your writing is brilliant. Just a few more tries, dear, and you should be even better...

*runs away*

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Oops, that comment was meant for przed, who KNOWS I adore her.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Just a few more tries, dear, and you should be even better...

Awww, thanks! That means so much, coming from you. *g*

::prepares for chasing down one Shay::

[przed.livejournal.com]

I tracked down the offender's commenter's LJ by googling her address (apparently I've got all this time on my hands *g*) and she seems to be a yaoi fan with almost no one friended. Interesting...

I'm working on the assumption that she wanted to be helpful, but it's like someone patting me on the head for my work in kindergarten. I like your wacky comments better. I want to write a story that makes someone avoid the M&S scented candle display. *g*

[gritsinmisery.livejournal.com]

*giggle!snorts*

*reads DV's collection; snorts some more, especially at the people she knows*

[przed.livejournal.com]

*giggle!snorts* is clearly the correct reaction. *g*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Well, Siluria's is in response to my Mills & Boon pastiche but Kiwi's is still the one that mystifies me. Those stories aren't even the strangest thing in the LoM fandom, let alone in fandom in general.

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

LOL . . . was this a bad attempt at a backhanded compliment . . . obviously she doesn't have a knack for it.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I think she's got the backhanded compliment down pat. It's the compliment part she needs to work on. *g*

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I got an absolute cracker recently, which basically consisted of someone telling me my story was rubbish because 'it wasn't real'. Erm, no, really? I would never have realised... ;)

[przed.livejournal.com]

What!? Your stories aren't real?!

That's done it. I'm never reading your fic again. ;)

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Getting comments after 15 years is kind of cool though! I reckon it was a compliment, just not delivered very smoothly *g* I reckon "your dialogue isn't bad" actually means "your dialogue is bloody brilliant" *nods* And the "practice makes perfect" bit shows he/she wants you to write more! I've had a number of "that was quite good" and "I quite liked this" comments and first off I thought oh steady on, don't strain yourself trying to be nice (heh) but maybe it's a language thing? Haha, I think I must have got out of bed on the right side for a change *G*

[przed.livejournal.com]

clearly I need to be charitable and take your glass half full approach. *g*

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

Not the nicest comments ever, to be sure, but it must make you feel good that your stories are still being read so many years later! That's neat.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Put that way, it's not a horrible thing. Thanks for showing me the sunny side of a crazy comment.

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Heh - I'm sure she meant well, although she might need to work on her 'compliments' a little :D

Nice to know your dialogue isn't bad though, eh? Something for you to build on...it's good to have goals! *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

I shall endeavour to improve, ma'am. *g*

[ancastar.livejournal.com]

That person clearly doesn't know what they're talking about. ;-)

[przed.livejournal.com]

Ah, so my dialogue really is bad, then? *g*

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

"You have a knack for plot, and your dialogue isn't bad. :) Practice makes perfect, ne?"

*shakes head* Sometimes I really wonder about people and if they think about what they write.

Still it must be nice for you to have a goal for the future *g*.

[przed.livejournal.com]

She has given me hope that if I work really, really hard, some day I'll be a real write. *g*

Oooh, Wet!Illya icon. Yum.

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

Just think how good you'll be in another fifteen years! *g*