I don't think we can have it both ways, saying that fanfic writers are just as good as original fiction writers, but also maintaining that they're too delicate to be publicly criticized.
Well, don't conflate those two categories. If I were to make a broad sweeping generalization (i.e., speak out of my arse), I would say that the first group, those who are as good as professional writers (and many of whom are professional writers of one stamp or another) are not too delicate to be publicly criticized. They've been through the editing process and they are able to distinguish between themselves and their words.
It's the ones with no comprehension of what it takes to improve, who think they must be brilliant out of the box, who look upon every story as their baby, who are too delicate to be publicly criticized.
There's that study about incompetence, right? And the truly incompetent have no critical ability, so they can't tell they are incompetent; whereas the competent recognize gradations in quality and technique and can recognize where they need to improve.
I'm overstating it, of course. Also, there's not NEARLY as much vicious public criticism of newbies as people seem to think. Sure, there's the Badfic Hall of Shame and similar sites, but you really have to go looking for someone shredding newbie fic. Most people I know in the fic community simply don't have the sort of time it takes to be that kind of mean.
And as a reader, I'd appreciate(unless I'm a beta) not looking at something the way it came out of your head in study hall...I mean, I know stories start that way, mine too, but check it and think it over before posting. Of course, posting something like that online that's not a snippet for Bitchy Fic makes me quiver a little, so even as I say that, I admire their guts, sort of.
It DOES take a certain amount of snatch to be able to post stuff, at least it did for me. Bitchy fic back at WX was one thing... sending things somewhere where people I didn't KNOW might read? Eep! I was quaking in my boots.
But, ultimately, even being insecure and bad with crit, it was my call. I chose to inflict oodles and scads of completely random pairings on unsuspecting list readers. I chose to put things out there for people to see.
For the most part, I made DAMNED certain it had been through at least one beta pass, though.
Bitchy fic back at WX was one thing... sending things somewhere where people I didn't KNOW might read? Eep! I was quaking in my boots.
Wrod.
Mad blind self-confidence or mad blind foolish trust that the universe is a friendly place where no one would ever, ever dream of whispering a word that isn't supportive and loving and agreeing that you're just the most wonderful writer who ever appeared?
Heh, snerk.
Oh, sorry. Back to our regularly scheduled supportiveness.
Oh my goodness. The TWoP Banner Ad click through just broke me.
Ple, I am afraid to click through that banner ad.
I am afraid to click through that banner ad.
Oh, don't be afraid. The site it takes you to is perfectly hysterical. And horrid-looking. But perfectly perfect, all the same.
I hate the mouse trail, but I might go back later and see if there's anything else fun there. My OTP.
You know what the thing on BBF reminds me of? The Smallville fic board on TWoP. Where there was one person, with her own little cult of sychophants, who made broad sweeping generalizations about very thing and then also lambasted "BNF" for having live journals or only having hangers on or followers that only praised them. "There all *mean* they have a cabal, they hate the little people" whine bitch whine bitch.
I wanted to say "dude!You're a big giant cauldron calling the kettle black." But of course I didn't, mostly I kept my mouth shut, got bored and left.
BTW the site behind the banner was hysterical.
