Writing Does NOT Equal Endorsment!

[Failnot]

Also to add context: I got a negative review on RR, which is fine, whatever, but in the 12 chapters they read they said:
I had a small penis and was raging at nothing (way to assume my gender! Also It's clear that Jackie is angry at the wider government for poor policing and lack of justice)
UV is just violent fantasy of mine (I don't think so, but whatever)
Said basically I would never confront or fight anyone (What?)
Had never thought of the ramifications of taking a life (I do. Quite explicitly in Chapter Six)
Said that the antagonists are one note (they only read 12 chapters, and the main baddie is mentioned the whole time and introduced in chapter 13. the henchmen are... henchmen. I didn't know I had to write backstory for cannon fodder. John Wick is an awful movie by their logic).

It's clear they just, didn't read my story. And disrespected me for some reason??

I went to read the review and it's killing me

It opens with "I am an expert in violent fantasies and I understand not everyone has cool ones"

Some interesting characters on the internet

 

[CharlesEBrown]

I went to read the review and it's killing me

It opens with "I am an expert in violent fantasies and I understand not everyone has cool ones"

Some interesting characters on the internet

I think that sentence is missing a few words:
"I am an expert in triggering violent fantasies in others, usually involving what they will do to me if we ever meet off line, and I understand that not everyone has cool ones..."

 

[OtherSlater]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and how they perceive something. There's definitely a difference between a factual error and an interpretation, but themes are experiences and not facts. If a reader finds the subtext of your story buried under violence or w/e you got going on in your story, and it connects different dots, it's not inherently a 'wrong' interpretation, it's just a reflection of how the story was understood by that person. As far as I'm concerned, no author has 100% control over how their audience processes dark themes, regardless of their intent.

That being said, out of curiosity, I did find this person who left the review on your story on RR. They were pretty harsh and immature, but overall, I wouldn't dwell on it. Plenty of people like that exist, not worth hanging your head on every negative comment you get. At the end of the day, there will likely be other people who equally have a different reaction than you hoped for. Nothing you can really do about it aside from improvement or simply move on and keep writing.

I think only because it’s the second time it’s happened across two different stories is what’s annoying me. But I won’t dwell on it. The right people are liking it.

I went to read the review and it's killing me

It opens with "I am an expert in violent fantasies and I understand not everyone has cool ones"

Some interesting characters on the internet

It’s just a strange review lmao. They didn’t read far, most of the problems they had was answered already or would be answered, very funny

To be fair, if a story has an action and there is no consequence to that action, even much later down the line, then I'd argue that the writing does equal endorsement. Because you're saying, in your fictional world, that action doesn't have any consequences.

You obviously have a lot of different ways to showcase these consequences to the reader. Most of these ways aren't going to be outright and immediate retribution, but there does need to be an acknowledgement somewhere of 'hey, this is bad'. Especially if it's the MC doing the actions.

I've seen people seem willing to just say that writing =/= real life so it's fine, but it isn't fine.

Of course, there are just cases where the reader can't actually read. I just wanted to mention the above argument for sake of authors.

I disagree. Because the point of a slow burn is to realistically see the changes at an eventual pace. They didn’t even read a quarter of the story lmao, Ultraviolence JUST made his first appearance, how could I show consequences that quickly?

 

[Makimaam]

Said basically I would never confront or fight anyone (What?)
Had never thought of the ramifications of taking a life (I do.

It is true that the review is badly worded and contains a lot of dumb “trust me, I’m an expert” claims, I didn’t interpret it as implying that you endorse violence simply because you write about it. On the contrary, the review says that you are inexperienced at depicting violence realistically, but it does so in a condescending way.

But while we’re on that topic, I just want to add that endorsement implies glorifying or fetishizing it. Simply including it in the narrative may be necessary depending on the demands of the plot. I have published novels on RR, and not once have I received such an accusation.

P.S. The claim that RR readers are only into harem LitRPG is also false. Most of the most popular works barely contain any romance at all.

 

[OtherSlater]

It is true that the review is badly worded and contains a lot of dumb “trust me, I’m an expert” claims, I didn’t interpret it as implying that you endorse violence simply because you write about it. On the contrary, the review says that you are inexperienced at depicting violence realistically, but it does so in a condescending way.

But while we’re on that topic, I just want to add that endorsement implies glorifying or fetishizing it. Simply including it in the narrative may be necessary depending on the demands of the plot. I have published novels on RR, and not once have I received such an accusation.

P.S. The claim that RR readers are only into harem LitRPG is also false. Most of the most popular works barely contain any romance at all.

The first like said “I am expert in violent fantasies and I understand not all of them can be cool.” So I think they were saying that and the other thing at the same time.

also, my violence is different than the violence of a fantasy novel. Ultraviolence takes place in 2010s New York. You could say the violence in that story is political. It’s not slaying monsters, it’s a lot less black and white, and that’s the problem they have I think. The people being killed aren’t monsters, they’re criminals, and your interpretation of justice dictates how you feel about if Jackie is doing good or not. Idk what you write, but I assume it’s not as politically charged as Ultraviolence.
Ooh! Fun fact btw, in Chapter 12, when Jackie suits up into Ultraviolence, Power by Kanye West is said to play as he prepares.

The chorus is “No one man should have all that power” which is a direct criticism of Jackie’s decision of going after the main antagonist. Who also has too much power.

 

[PancakesWitch]

I feel like each time I delve into more sensitive topics in my stories, there will be SOMEBODY out there who thinks I like what I'm writing about because I don't outright say "Hey! this is bad!" I must love what's happening. Media literacy is only getting worse because people put their feelings of the author into account before judging the art. In Ultraviolence, the prologue is very gory. I chose this because I wanted high before the comedown. You see the ULTRAVIOLENCE the boom, you get a slice of life. It's a slow burn. But for some reason, some people think I like it?? Then again I don't get this problem here, which is why I came here. Other than the AI nastiness (And the PAY ARTISTS !! Post that had the AI bros who already disliked me look at my work in bad faith) It's calm here. This happened on RR. They cannot read anything that isn't a harem LitRPG, I swear.

Yeah, typical sanitized baby zoomer culture, everything has to have trigger warnings and sensitive topics must be written very carefully, and please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't you ever dare let your main character say a SWEARING WORD! AAAHH! THE HORROR!

 

[OtherSlater]

Yeah, typical sanitized baby zoomer culture, everything has to have trigger warnings and sensitive topics must be written very carefully, and please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't you ever dare let your main character say a SWEARING WORD! AAAHH! THE HORROR!

Well let’s relax lmao. Trigger warnings are important, cuz I don’t want anyone who’s sensitive to SA go into my story and see it and be hurt by it. I have TWs in UV. The problem is that one enjoys the topics presented simply because they wrote it. I’m just discussing the subjectivity of justice and the consequences of Vigilance justice. They didn’t read that far, and assume it’s a generic edgy violent story. Which is whatever lmao

 

[Time4T]

Write what you feel. Any reader who believes they can completely understand the authors psyche from reading thier fiction is a fool. Unfortunately people can be idiots and not all feedback has value. It's up to you to determine what's helpful and ignore what isn't.

 

[TinaMigarlo]

Joking aside, I don't understand why you're bothered by receiving hate. I practically write for that reason.

the more I got made fun of? I just quit "taking the bait" and started calling them "my fans". LMAO.
this one, was just a nut. I called that one my "number one fan".
Honestly? This seemed to tick them off more than arguing with them.
Where I came from,. it was a very rough crowd.
I have a cast iron chin for that stuff as a result.

I went to read the review and it's killing me

It opens with "I am an expert in violent fantasies and I understand not everyone has cool ones"

Some interesting characters on the internet

I'm sitting here with my first evening coffee. Pondering... how in the hell one gets certified in "violent fantasies".
I probably don't wanna know. The image I'm getting in my head? Is some nut-ball m@strubating to the "American Psycho" movie.

 

[seavmun88]

I feel like each time I delve into more sensitive topics in my stories, there will be SOMEBODY out there who thinks I like what I'm writing about because I don't outright say "Hey! this is bad!" I must love what's happening. Media literacy is only getting worse because people put their feelings of the author into account before judging the art. In Ultraviolence, the prologue is very gory. I chose this because I wanted high before the comedown. You see the ULTRAVIOLENCE the boom, you get a slice of life. It's a slow burn. But for some reason, some people think I like it?? Then again I don't get this problem here, which is why I came here. Other than the AI nastiness (And the PAY ARTISTS !! Post that had the AI bros who already disliked me look at my work in bad faith) It's calm here. This happened on RR. They cannot read anything that isn't a harem LitRPG, I swear.

media literacy isn't getting worse. it's always been bad. remember when the 30 year old parents were calling pokemon and DnD satanic? it's just the latest generation going through the same unprompted moral panic over anything and everything. especially when people want to virtue signal and act like they have the moral high ground. "think of the children!!!" they say when someone dares to write an obvious villain character saying bad things. and then those same people do nothing to actually make the world a better place for kids.

 

[InceTagn]

I do, but now my rating is low on that hellsite, and it's annoying. they only read 13 chapters and assumed that much outta me, and now my place on the site sinks because of it

They do that alot in RR. it's a very common tactic I heard because for some reason they don't have a gatekeep in place. I think in order to review a book you need to read alot more than THIRTEEN chapters

At least you have rating.

 

[Envylope]

Just because I wrote two girls kissing doesn't mean I am gay! Th-there could be other explanations for this!

 

[PancakesWitch]

Well let’s relax lmao. Trigger warnings are important, cuz I don’t want anyone who’s sensitive to SA go into my story and see it and be hurt by it. I have TWs in UV. The problem is that one enjoys the topics presented simply because they wrote it. I’m just discussing the subjectivity of justice and the consequences of Vigilance justice. They didn’t read that far, and assume it’s a generic edgy violent story. Which is whatever lmao

I dont give a shit about trigger warnings, I feel like they ruin the entire vibe and are made for overly sensitive crybabies.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

I dont give a shit about trigger warnings, I feel like they ruin the entire vibe and are made for overly sensitive crybabies.

Idk man, I kinda like knowing if a story has racism, slurs and rape in it so I can steer clear. Be lame if people hid it.
I like avoiding things more retarded than me.

 

[OtherSlater]

I dont give a shit about trigger warnings, I feel like they ruin the entire vibe and are made for overly sensitive crybabies.

You have the privilege of not having trauma with certain things. Good for you. I don't have a peanut allegory. I don't get annoyed seeing food labels warning you that the product has peanuts.

 

[Sylver]

I feel like each time I delve into more sensitive topics in my stories, there will be SOMEBODY out there who thinks I like what I'm writing about because I don't outright say "Hey! this is bad!" I must love what's happening

My stories antagonist committed religious genocide, crusades, and tortured others enough to off themselves whilst using his faith and religion to excuse his actions "for the greater good."

I'm not very religious, but I am not an atheist either. Heaven forbid someone misunderstood my villains actions and messages for my own, or I would have been incarcerated or put in the chair long ago

 

[OtherSlater]

My stories antagonist committed religious genocide, crusades, and tortured others enough to off themselves whilst using his faith and religion to excuse his actions "for the greater good."

I'm not very religious, but I am not an atheist either. Heaven forbid someone misunderstood my villains actions and messages for my own, or I would have been incarcerated or put in the chair long ago

I just gambled with shade of gray. The protagonist is a violent vigilante who guts and brutalizes criminals. How you feel about this, like I said, depends on your feeling of crime and punishment. It isn’t a situation where it’s clearly bad or clearly good. Some people do support vigilante justice

 

[PancakesWitch]

Idk man, I kinda like knowing if a story has racism, slurs and rape in it so I can steer clear. Be lame if people hid it.
I like avoiding things more retarded than me.

Pussy

You have the privilege of not having trauma with certain things. Good for you. I don't have a peanut allegory. I don't get annoyed seeing food labels warning you that the product has peanuts.

I dont give a shit about the traumas of anybody, thats not my business

 

[OtherSlater]

Pussy

I dont give a shit about the traumas of anybody, thats not my business

TW: mentions of trigger warnings

you seemed very upset at the mention of warnings. Maybe I’ll add a warning to make sure you’re ok :)

also this isn’t a new thing. Parental Adversary is a thing, and I’ve been hearing “Viewer’s discretion is advised” since I was a child. What I assume is some YouTuber told you to be mad at it or something.

 

[Envylope]

Don't listen to PancakesWitch. This woman runs off some kind of perpetual angry energy devise. Honestly, I find it rather impressive. She has the energy to write 14k words a day or something and then come on here and call people insults.