Beyond Redemption

Last night -aside from some manga- I re-read and edited prior chapters in anticipation of the next update, which means writing will begin tonight after work. The hope is that it’s ready for mah birfday, so fingers crossed folks. And, of course, there will be some new art to go with it. (What’s a birthday without a present, ne? Well, even if I am the one giving it -haha).

Now, for the return of the Hump Day Confessional!

Today’s Confession…

The Art of Asking Too Much.

Had to dead another account. Not my favorite pastime, but I’m seriously sick of people coming at me with this false sense of entitlement when they don’t contribute a single word or penny to anything. *ban hammer time!*.  o_O

Nearly 100% of the time, when I respond to a review, the lines, “Thanks for the review. I appreciate it.” is in the text of the response. Why? >.> Because I appreciate it. I appreciate the time they took to let me know that the annoying CT pain and effort were worth it. I appreciate the acknowledgement that I don’t have to write -and most of the time- don’t want to write, but continue to do so solely for their entertainment. When I don’t reply to each review personally (because it’s probably too much on my hands), I often thank everyone through this blog. The kindness and support I receive is by no means lost on me and I always thank those who show me they care in some way or another. I can’t imagine not doing that.

But when people show me who they really are by plagiarizing my stories, stealing/using/distributing my commissioned artwork, talking shit like they actually know me, behaving as if I owe them something, or basically saying ‘so what?’ by deeming themselves too –whatever– to even do something as small as leave a review, that’s when I start cutting people off and making myself unavailable.

I think some people feel like it’s their god-given right to come into my site whenever they want, say or do whatever they want, and I should just let them without argument or complaint. They feel like they’re entitled to site access and how dare I want some positive feedback from the people who say they enjoy my fics. They feel that even though writing literally pains me, and I’ve lost a ton of interest in it, I should still write for the sake of writing, so long as they remain entertained. lol.

Seriously, when does that attitude work anywhere?

Everyone who becomes a member is told about the Terms of Membership in advance and they agree to it from the very beginning. So… how can anyone get upset because they’re being called out on 8 months of non-compliance (and in some cases, a full year)? There’s no one to blame here but themselves and there shouldn’t be any surprise if they don’t get back in because, come on, they were given a lot of leeway and still fucked it up. Some people also think that because they may -or may not- have known me since my MM days, they should just be exempt from the terms they agreed to. I think the fact that more than half a year went by with no administrative action on my part constitutes enough of a free pass.

Yes, I can be a bitch, but only when I’m pushed to that point. I’ve taken a lot of abuse in this fandom and have had to cut off many a bullshitter. Those who I call my friends are treated well and know that if they need me, and I can do it, it’s done. I have people that constantly buy/make/give me things just because, and somehow, I don’t think they would if I was some awful person. I’m exceedingly loyal to my peeps, and despite my initially rough exterior (Fandom bullshit is why that exterior even exits), once boundaries are established, I get along with pretty much everyone.

I also try my best not to act unapproachable. I may not always be able to reply in a timely fashion when I’m contacted, but I will reply, because I’m just like you -an InuYasha fan (Any fanfic writer or fanartist who acts like they’re anything more than that is full of shit. There’s no fucking hierarchy in fandom, no matter how these people behave). I write for my readers, as my heart has left IY fanfic a long time ago, so yeah, I do appreciate those who have shown me love. That’s why I don’t try to make money off their presence with annoying, shitty ads that would diminish their reading experience, nor do I post donation links, hounding them for money. I foot the cost of my server, domains, and all the artwork I buy to keep the site a visually fun place to visit. I “wrote” myself into a debilitating hand condition for the sake of entertaining and I did it all as part of my “thank you” to those who chose to spend their time with me, having a little fun and escaping reality. So maybe that’s why I find it so hard to understand those who have such an issue with leaving a 10-second, “Thanks for the update. I enjoyed it.”

I guess I’m still asking for a little too much. lol.