Have You Been Attacked by Your Readers for Creative Decisions?

[CinnaSloth]

people trying to headcanon gatekeep characters they believe as 'gay coded'.

SpiderGwen immediately comes to mind..

 

[Kitsuna]

A reader in my first story claimed I stole the name 'Hermes' because my goddess is named Hermes. They also pointed out that the original Hermes is male, not female like my character. However, my character has nothing to do with the actual Hermes... Not sure if this counts lol

 

[Envylope]

A reader in my first story claimed I stole the name 'Hermes' because my goddess is named Hermes. They also pointed out that the original Hermes is male, not female like my character. However, my character has nothing to do with the actual Hermes... Not sure if this counts lol

Yeah, it's annoying when you borrow names and people do that. Like, it's a name. I am not directly taking that character. I am using their name like people have for centuries.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

A reader in my first story claimed I stole the name 'Hermes' because my goddess is named Hermes. They also pointed out that the original Hermes is male, not female like my character. However, my character has nothing to do with the actual Hermes... Not sure if this counts lol

Just reply "Hermes is also a fashion brand. Like my novel, it has little to nothing to do with Greek mythology. Have a nice day."

 

[Kitsuna]

Yeah, it's annoying when you borrow names and people do that. Like, it's a name. I am not directly taking that character. I am using their name like people have for centuries.

At the time, I just asked AI to give me cool names for my character, so it wasn't that deep...

'Or should I expect that the "goddess" is a thief and a trickster too?' My chapter had nothing to do with this, so the reader just went schizo mode

Just reply "Hermes is also a fashion brand. Like my novel, it has little to nothing to do with Greek mythology. Have a nice day."

Honestly, I got a little triggered by the comment...

 

[Envylope]

At the time, I just asked AI to give me cool names for my character, so it wasn't that deep...

'Or should I expect that the "goddess" is a thief and a trickster too?' My chapter had nothing to do with this, so the reader just went schizo mode



Honestly, I got a little triggered by the comment...

A lot of times they are trying to trigger you.

 

[HouseOfUkiro]

Not attacked per se, but in one of my recent novels (Refactoring Tim), there was a certain chapter where two characters in a relationship made a series of choices that left multiple readers unhappy enough to announce in comments that they were quitting the novel.

It sucked. I felt like shit, knowing that they were so unhappy with the direction of my characters that they were quitting reading.

At the same time, I also tried to look for the positive. They cared about the characters. They weren't happy with the way the direction I'd chosen for the characters because they'd established enough of a connection that they became invested in them, and didn't think my choice was the best for the MC.

In the future, I'll try to do better explaining the character's view and decision making, so that readers won't feel upset about a choice, but I know I won't always be perfect and I'll do something that they're upset about. It hurts quite a lot to read the negative feedback, especially when they're so thoughtful about it - it's not just a "this sucks" but an actual well-reasoned perspective on why they don't like my choices.

Geez, I can imagine how that must’ve gutted you. That definitely made you a better writer. It says a lot about you and how you considered your readers pov instead of doubling down and reacting.

I’m one of those people. When I get attached to a character and something unfair or strange happens I get pissed ?

A reader in my first story claimed I stole the name 'Hermes' because my goddess is named Hermes. They also pointed out that the original Hermes is male, not female like my character. However, my character has nothing to do with the actual Hermes... Not sure if this counts lol

Is your Hermes a baddie? ?

 

[Anonjohn20]

A reader in my first story claimed I stole the name 'Hermes' because my goddess is named Hermes. They also pointed out that the original Hermes is male, not female like my character. However, my character has nothing to do with the actual Hermes... Not sure if this counts lol

The Percy Jackson fandom never grew up. LOL

It sucked. I felt like shit, knowing that they were so unhappy with the direction of my characters that they were quitting reading.

Don't feel bad. They have a right to stop reading if the story no longer suits them, and you have a right to try and follow your vision. I've been in both those readers' positions and yours. It's impossible to make a story that everyone in the world will enjoy, so all you can hope for is that your story finds the right audience.

 

[Kitsuna]

A lot of times they are trying to trigger you.

They didn't reply. Someone else tried to criticize my writing, but they completely misunderstood it. Whenever I respond to people like that, they never write back. Then there was another person with the whole "muh morals" thing, which was pretty annoying and cringe. I deleted a few other comments, so I'm not sure if there were more. It's really demotivating to deal with these dumb comments, and it's one of the reasons I don’t feel like writing that story anymore

Is your Hermes a baddie? ?

Probably... It's been really long, but Hermes is supposed to be really cute, and the way she talks doesn't match her actual appearance

 

[Anonjohn20]

Whenever I respond to people like that, they never write back.

If they stopped arguing, it's because you convinced them LOL. 10/10, another win for you.

I deleted a few other comments

Censorship, ew.

It's really demotivating to deal with these dumb comments

Just ignore them. If they like your story, they'll continue reading it, and if they don't like the story, they should read something else. You can get away with not interacting with your audience. LOL

 

[EMatthews18]

I read this one book that had a good idea that was as close to original as it could get.

The author made the MC do something bad. Really bad no motivational logic behind it. The readers flamed him. I mean I was on my way to the comments section with a torch myself. When I saw the heat he was getting I felt bad. I still dropped it cause I couldn’t trust his vision for the story and the way he wrote.


He’s successful and all, got a following and subscriptions but damn he messed up and damn he got cooked.

Has that happened to you?

Literally just earlier when someone said I should use grammarly when I have and hated it, cause god forbid I format my stuff how I want to. So I told people on my other post I did to try and get my story going was to be nice, and be constructive. Not destructive. Said there were grammatical errors when there weren’t. My stories my rules and it was on here.

 

[Anonjohn20]

when I have and hated it

Same. Grammarly, Quillbot, WordTune, etc. all suck because they can't understand that people talk differently. It always tries to turn informal and/or casual dialogue into a robotic, monotone style that looks like an academic paper. Good for college students, useless for authors.

 

[Kitsuna]

If they stopped arguing, it's because you convinced them LOL. 10/10, another win for you.

Is that how it works?

Censorship, ew.

Sorry, anon. We'll have to censor this post as well, it's in the bible

Just ignore them. If they like your story, they'll continue reading it, and if they don't like the story, they should read something else. You can get away with not interacting with your audience. LOL

I did that at the start, but at some point, it just becomes

 

[HouseOfUkiro]

They didn't reply. Someone else tried to criticize my writing, but they completely misunderstood it. Whenever I respond to people like that, they never write back. Then there was another person with the whole "muh morals" thing, which was pretty annoying and cringe. I deleted a few other comments, so I'm not sure if there were more. It's really demotivating to deal with these dumb comments, and it's one of the reasons I don’t feel like writing that story anymore



Probably... It's been really long, but Hermes is supposed to be really cute, and the way she talks doesn't match her actual appearance

Clutches chest. I’m a sucker for those types ?

 

[MFontana]

I haven't experienced it myself to any heavy degree, and never in the comments on my stories here or elsewhere. That said, I gladly welcome any, and all, genuine feedback.

And yes, even negative feedback is better than bots/scammers.

 

[HouseOfUkiro]

I haven't experienced it myself to any heavy degree, and never in the comments on my stories here or elsewhere. That said, I gladly welcome any, and all, genuine feedback.

And yes, even negative feedback is better than bots/scammers.

Looks like you have some form of plot armor

 

[Maelstrom556]

I haven't experienced it myself to any heavy degree, and never in the comments on my stories here or elsewhere. That said, I gladly welcome any, and all, genuine feedback.

And yes, even negative feedback is better than bots/scammers.

This is exactly how I feel. If a real person tells me they hate my stories and that I should just quit writing, it would mean more than a bot or scammer trying to butter me up. Granted, it would still sting, but it's at least a real human opinion.

 

[Worthy39]

No. But the only comments I've gotten were from bots or scammers.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

Farm their ass.

Don't like it? Tell me more so the algorithm gets me more to replace you. Why yes, this is an airport. Please announce it. Cold you fill out this questionnaire? You are clearly very important here.

 

[MFontana]

Looks like you have some form of plot armor

Honestly, your guess would be as good as mine here. I only just recently found out about scribblehub, and only just started posting stuff here.
The only other place I posted any stories was on DeviantArt, and that, well, that really wasn't a site for authors to begin with.
My best guess, would be a lack of notoriety so far.