Why do people hate BNFs?

[icarus]

I really don't understand this BNF phenomenon. I just don't get it.

I don't see why people go "whee, Icarus!" when they find out their review or whatever is from me. I understand "whee, Stories!" -- or -- "whee, Icarus' Stories!" That makes sense to me, because this is all about the stories, all about the fun of writing. If you've liked something I wrote in the past, there's good chance you'll like the next one. I'm the same way about "whee, Candy!"

But I don't know why the focus shifts from the story to the person. What the hell...?

Comments

[dkwilliams.livejournal.com]

After reading everything people have said, I've have my own definition of BNF:

It's fucking politics.

*Heavy sigh.* So what do I do?

Yeah, it's politics. And being defined as a BNF can make people look at you differently, although it really shouldn't affect people who are genuine friends. They'll remember you when you were just an upstart newcomer. *G* If you continue acting the way that you always have, then people will quickly get over the whole "awe" thing - you'll only have to deal with newcomers looking at you that way, the same way you looked at Telanu or any of the others when you came to HP fandom.

In your posts here *snicker* you've basically all but said that I'm (at best) a mediocre writer. Erm. Ouch. But people react to the excessive praise and....

Me? (looking back at my posts) Er, I didn't think I'd said that at all. I think you're a good writer, although I haven't read all your stories because you write pairings I don't read. I think your writing gets better and better over time - the growth from the start to finish of "Primer to the Dark Arts" was incredible and a real delight both to witness and read. You've shown a willingness to take risks with stories and pairings that I heartily applaud. I also enjoy your essays because I think you have a good insight into writing and fandom. All of that together is what, in my opinion, puts you in the BNF group.

And don't worry about the whole BNF thing. Being a BNF is kinda cool - it means you've "arrived" in the eyes of some people, and that can make you feel warm fuzzies. Accept the limelight while it shines but don't let yourself get hooked on it, and continue to grow as a writer.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Don't let yourself get hooked on it

Yeah, that's the main danger. I should enjoy it, but instead I'm getting neurotic. :D

Me? (looking back at my posts) Er, I didn't think I'd said that at all.

Yeah, like I said, I'm getting neurotic. Not egotistical, more like 'holy shit, I can't live up to this.' So any criticism, vague hint of criticism, implied... well, you get the idea... just reinforces my underlying state of worry and nail-biting.

It bugs me that The Courtship of Harry Potter wasn't included in the Harry/Snape quiz that came out a while ago. It deserved to be there, was rec'd a lot, but didn't get the attention it deserved.

Courtship has a fascinating, well-researched and original concept that was believably carried out (and it's very rare for someone to be able to pull off cultural pedarasty). You captured a terrific Ron and a very subtle and intense relationship between Harry and Snape.

The slow build is what really made it work. The image of Snape's brilliantly conceived gestures, the pictures of Corfu, have stayed with me -- alongside the characterisation of Snape dragging his heels every inch of the way.

I remember thinking at the time that Courtship really needed to be pimped more. :D

Er. Speaking of pedarasty and such things.

Icarus

[dkwilliams.livejournal.com]

(shrugging) I didn't even hear about the quiz so it doesn't matter to me that it wasn't included. What's important to me is that the story turned out to be better than I had anticipated - it's the one in HP fandom that I'm most proud of. Also, I continue to get feedback from people who have seen it recced on lists, so that gives me warm fuzzies.

From personal experience, I can tell you that the best thing to do is relax and not worry about it. When I was in X-Files fandom, I started a series that rapidly developed a large following - and it literally panicked me. I would get the shakes before posting a chapter, worried that it wouldn't live up to the hype, and basically worried all the fun out of writing it. It wasn't the readers' fault - I just got too focused. I had to step back and do something completely different in another fandom to get some perspective on it, and it's only a couple years later that I'm ready to go back and finish it. If I hadn't let myself feel pressured, I wouldn't have needed to do that. Of course, I don't regret my fandom-wandering - I think I've learned a lot about myself and writing through my exploring.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Worried that it wouldn't live up to the hype, and basically worried all the fun out of writing it. It wasn't the readers' fault - I just got too focused.

God, that's exactly what's going on. Good advice, if easier said than done.

Icarus