I feel pretty beat up, to be honest. Don't get me wrong, some of the critiques and criticisms are fair and I have learned a few things--hopefully to prevent misunderstandings better in the future (I don't believe you can ever fully prevent them).
What have I learned from 'Joey's Joy -- Chapter 2'?
- There are lot of people on this site that don't like any aspect of forced fem; but others do...
- Many people like my writing style, but not always my content. :)
- You can't introduce an aspect to a story that some people feel strongly about and just WISH they will push past it to get to the better parts...
If I had it to do over again, would I do some things differently? Yes. Would I write the chapter any differently? No. It is an important part of who Joy is to become. Would (or at least should) the things that happened to Joey in that chapter happen in our 'civilized' world? No. The thing is--Joey is not in our world--just a close approximation of it (in less you believe in controllable energy flows that control our lives; which, by the way I am not discounting at all).
For those of you that have either liked chapter 2 or those that didn't but pushed through it, I appreciate your support and sincerely hope it was worth your effort. For those that read chapter 2 and could not find it in themselves to move on to the 'rest of the story', I am truly sorry if your sensibilities were hurt and you feel that I somehow misrepresented things. For those that have not yet read the chapter and are thinking about it, I have added a new author's note at the top that gives readers a choice--there is a short synopsis that will allow the reader to skip the chapter if they so choose (with the appropriate warning) and still at least understand what comes next.
At this point, I will likely skip reading any new comments on that particular chapter. I reacted badly at the first comments, something that I am not proud of, but at this point it is truly clear that not everyone can be pleased unless I completely rewrite the chapter--something that I am not willing to do. Like I said, it serves a purpose.
I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday Season and hope sincerely that everyone can find it in their hearts to take the season for what it is meant to be.
Hugs,
Shauna
Comments
You Shouldn't HaveTo Apologise
As a contributor to this site you have no responsibility towards your readers other than to obey house rules. You're providing your material for free, and if some people don't like what you've written then you can sleep easily in the knowledge that not one of them has lost out financially because they clicked on your story.
I have absolutely no doubt that the work you're referring to was edited, proofed and submitted in the belief that it would give people enjoyment. That is all anyone who visits this site can expect from an author.
Thanks, Nicki!
I appreciate the support. It means a lot. That being said, I do take criticisms seriously--even when I don't really think they are (fully) deserved. If I can learn a lesson from them, then so much the better. But at some point, it turns into beating a dead horse. :)
Hugs,
Shauna
Thank you for the clarification
Shauna,
Thank you for your clarification post. Personally I feel that your post is a very positive example of the first two rules that Erin posted for BCTS. In a nutshell: Live, and let live.
Different people have different turn-ons and turn-offs. And I as a reader have the freedom to decide, after getting to know the style and themes of an author, if I want to (and can) read the stories of this author. Once I have come to like and respect the style and usual themes of an author, I am able and willing to read about themes or subjects that usually turn-offs for me.
I congratulate you for implementing your "lesson learned" of posting a warning and a brief synopsis at the top (maybe even before the break so it appears in the teaser) of a chapter with a "controversial" subject and/or theme, so that the readers can decide to skip a triggering chapter without losing the continuity.
You are a better person (as a fellow human and as an author) for having shared this post with us.
Jessica
Thanks, Jessica.
I appreciate the support!
Hugs,
Shauna
Don't depair and don't apologise
Please don't get disheartened by negative comments. Like many others I was surprised at the treament Joey received in chapter two, but I trusted your opening statement where you give forewarning and explain that the story pans out well over all. I persisted with the story and was glad I did, as it turned out just as you said it would. I really enjoyed the story and I'm following the continuation story avidly.
Just because something is unpleasant doesn't mean that it couldn't and doesn't happen, and pack behavior and a malicious leader is something that is all too sadly quite real. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be written about. If it was there to titalate, and I don't think this was, then that would be another matter. I have read far more graphic and unpleasant stuff on BC and have made a note to avoid those authors, so the choice is mine.
As you say, you write for pleasure, and you kindly share your writings with others. Some people will love your stories and others will not. But I'm sure there were more satisfied readers than disatisified. So please don't stop from posting. I for one love your work and would recommend it to anyone.
Wow!
Thank you, Mandy.
I don't know what to say, but a tearful thank you.
Hugs,
Shauna