Neoboards: Friend or Foe

And to those who think that this doesn’t happen a lot, here is some proof from some Neopian writers. Several people who have experienced this have taken the time to tell about it. “Someone laugh at my story!” says one writer who had worked hard on her story for 4 months. Victoriaab2 says, “They said it was stupid, moronic, and pointless! And if it ever got published they would hurt me!” And angelsweet23 gives some advice. “Yes, I have been ridiculed. People should be honest, but not to the point that they are overly mean. The best advice is to ignore the ones who are. There are still nice people out there.”

Cougraheartsunflash reports this. “A paragraph from a story I wrote when I was ten was ridiculed. It was from a ten page long story and it took me about two years to do. People just said it was bad for a ten year old.”

And yet mournofastarael has different views. “I appreciate it when people are honest about my writing. If something in the story stinks then I want to be told so. If people only tell you that your story is great (even when it isn't) then your writing never gets better. I agree that people shouldn't be overly mean, because that isn't helpful either. Once someone told me that my story was terrible but didn't even say what part of it was so it didn't help anything at all. At the same time saying ‘Your story rocks!!!’ isn't helpful either.”

Not everyone believes that it is a problem. One Neopian states, “Some people just critique in a more direct manner.” Another states, “I don't think most people here remember a specific time when someone has made fun of them, just because everyone mocks everyone else for everything all the time. Most of us get over it.” But the truth is many writers get very discouraged when someone is trying to be harmful.

I suggest, if you want someone to rate a story, you get a group of people you are already friends with together to read it. They will help you and not make fun if they are truly friends. You could even join a good writing guild if you know you can trust everyone there and ask for advice. If you are having trouble with someone who has been rude and mean to you, you can ask them nicely to stop. Freaking out at them and yelling will only give them more room to make fun of you. Do not insult them back because they could report you.

And to everyone out there who has been the one that hurt someone's feelings you could and most likely will be reported. For example, while asking people about their experiences someone came and said this. “We're just honest. If you go cry about it you probably deserved it,” and, “If someone insulted your writing, you probably deserved it.”

That is very untrue. As kj_11892_07 makes the point clearer. “Some people are overly mean, and use the excuse of being honest as a shield. You can critique, but you don't have to be rude or mean. You can be just as honest in a kinder way. No one should have their writing flat-out insulted. It's cruel entertainment. You can critique it without insulting. Simple as that.“

And abeille_de_miel gives some advice about how to critique. “I agree with you, with my own opinion as well. I just don't wish to be bashed at this time by the other people. When they say it is just being honest they don't realize the whole point of critiquing. Honest only works with constructive criticism, not just 'that stinks' or something that would make someone cry. You can tell them that if you wish. I am just telling you that I agree that there is a fine line and they just don't know what it is.”

Some people get upset more easily and some may be very young. The people making fun of the writer just show how insensitive they are. They do not even stop to think about how the writer is taking it. They will not get a chance to improve their ability if they are constantly being made fun of or ridiculed. Someone who had been teased stated, “I guess that a bunch of them probably made fun of me at some point, but that's their sole goal on Neopets.”

Just because a few people made fun of what she wrote she now has that point of view about Neopets. It just goes to show how little things can get bigger and bigger.

And daydreaminginmath189 explains trouble others give her for the genre she writes in. “I always get dissed for writing about vampires! I think they're cool! People just say mean stuff about them and leave. It really gets me frustrated and discouraged as well. I write a lot, and I hope to get some of my books published, but people say I have absolutely no chance ever of getting one of my books in print, especially if it's one about vampires.”

And so, that just goes to show how making fun of someone and how they write can not only hurt the person's feelings, but also their writing ability. Even a few hurtful words could change their entire outlook on their writing life. Now you know how hurtful it can be to make fun of someone and all you writers; just be careful who you show your story to! Good luck!