As someone who has actually learned many helpful hints both from Estepheia and from Pet Peeve lists, I feel the need to add my two cents.
Anyone who has never tried their hand at writing before and starts with fanfiction can be doomed for failure unless they are pointed in the right direction. Fanfiction writers often start out simply as readers. They read a few dozen fics, suddenly get a plot bunny and decide they can write too. And they do – with varying results. My point is that these novice writers often know nothing more about writing than from what they pick up from other fics. This lends to repeating bad habits.
Pet Peeve lists do actually help some people. Most writers do want to become better writers (as Mikelesq mentioned). Reading these discussions helps them to recognize their own mistakes. If I read something in a Pet Peeve list that I’ve done, I sticks with me more than reading it in any Writer’s Guild. They have provided me with indirect feedback on my mistakes that I never would have received directly (outside of my beta).
Pet Peeve lists also opens debates for the difference between bad writing and personal preference. Some people list Spike purring as a pet peeve. Is that bad writing? To me that’s a personal preference. See – it works both ways : )
By the way – I am speaking directly about personal pet peeve lists and not bad-fic threads (that point out specific fics and authors). I can’t comment on those - since I’ve never read one.
no subject
Anyone who has never tried their hand at writing before and starts with fanfiction can be doomed for failure unless they are pointed in the right direction. Fanfiction writers often start out simply as readers. They read a few dozen fics, suddenly get a plot bunny and decide they can write too. And they do – with varying results. My point is that these novice writers often know nothing more about writing than from what they pick up from other fics. This lends to repeating bad habits.
Pet Peeve lists do actually help some people. Most writers do want to become better writers (as Mikelesq mentioned). Reading these discussions helps them to recognize their own mistakes. If I read something in a Pet Peeve list that I’ve done, I sticks with me more than reading it in any Writer’s Guild. They have provided me with indirect feedback on my mistakes that I never would have received directly (outside of my beta).
Pet Peeve lists also opens debates for the difference between bad writing and personal preference. Some people list Spike purring as a pet peeve. Is that bad writing? To me that’s a personal preference. See – it works both ways : )
By the way – I am speaking directly about personal pet peeve lists and not bad-fic threads (that point out specific fics and authors). I can’t comment on those - since I’ve never read one.