Oh man

[karadinart]

I saw a great premise for an AU in a fic someone wrote, and it has to deal with wounded war vets, and yet, right in the header the note 'I don't know how the American Military works and I have no idea what PTSD is about'

It's just the basis of YOUR ENTIRE STORY.

And those of us who are familar with PTSD, or whatever the issue may be, race, disability, religion, whatever can get really pissed off when the same stereotypes get trotted out and reinforced. How difficult is it to Just Do Some Research? After you are putting the work into writing in the first place? Your fic can get trashed on a detail - such as putting the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' premise in a story with John Watson, when that was never part of the British Military. Yes, Someone Did That.

When I look up info, I get ideas that make my story better, making me a better writer, but I am more informed as a whole on many subjects so it makes people think I am smart.

And now with the internets there is no excuse.

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I couldn't possibly agree more. Oh, people.

[unwritten-icons.livejournal.com]

I HATE it when people don't do the proper research for fics. Hate it. Even I do research for my fics, and I rarely include as much detail and cultural references as you do. It is really not that hard to go type something into google, if nothing else you can go to wikipedia. I read a fic once about a girl with bulimia, the author obviously did not do their research, I chewed them out for it in my review, and instead of going and researching to modify their story, they gave me some excuse and took the story down.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the general reaction, I love the one that goes 'oh it's only fanfic' no wonder fanfic gets such a bad rep.

And then the same authors whine that they don't get a lot of readership, gee I wonder why?

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, some people should be reminded of Churchill's definition of what the Royal Navy ran on: "Rum, sodomy and the lash."

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Hee, well, they din't have much of a choice! Cool icon btw!

[goodbyemyfancy.livejournal.com]

I refuse to read stories where authors have no idea of the real world issues that happen within fanfic and do not deal with them in any kind of respectful and knowledgeable manner. If you want to write, do the research to make the narrative authentic.

Sorry, rather ranty today!

[karadin.livejournal.com]

no problem, rant away! I'll just be here playing with my spn angels.