On poetic licence and stuff like that...

[wiseheart]

I sent the first chapter of a planned story to someone who I know generally likes what I do to have a first opinion. They sent it back with a lot of what was clearly ment to be helpful suggestions. Only that they would have changed the whole direction of the plot, the characterizations, and the basic aim of the story.

In my reply, I thanked them for their effort and explained that while I appreciate the amount of work they put into making those suggestions, they are just not compatible with what I had in mind when I started. Unfortunately, I doubt that I'd be able to continue the story in the direction I've originally planned, either. It seems that I no longer believe in it.

Perhaps I get discouraged too easily. I've got this reaction earlier - people wanting to read a completely different story than the one I was actually writing - and it usually killed the story itself for years, if not permanently. I don't know why. It's not so that I'd start second-guessing my own concept; I'm not. And yet whenever such a reaction comes, especially when it comes from someone who seemed to like my writing, the story just dies on me.

Perhaps I should stop asking people's opinion altogether and just go on doing what feels right to me. OTOH, I'm not omniscient, and I need feedback to see if the things I had in mind actually gets over to the reader. I don't know. I'm just a bit depressed over the dead of another promising plotbunny - and one that was supposed to be the pilot of an entire series, at that. :(

Comments

[dr-doomsduck.livejournal.com]

Look, I know I have little to no experience on the matter but you can't really tell where a story is going to go to from the first chapter only. The testers opinion could make a great alternative but that doesn't mean that your idea isn't good or that people won't like it. There are about a dozen WIP's I'm reading and everytime I get one of their chapters, the ending that I think should/will happen changes.

Right now, I am writing a fic (believe it or not!) and Weis is proofreading it (she is a goddess!), when she agreed to do so, I sent her the first chapter along with half a story bible and complete summary of what was going to happen. Yes, her influence changed the story (for example one character's role just got increased significantly) but the core of it, the goal that I have set for it is still very much there. Maybe it would be beneficial if you just showed one tester where you're planning to take it and another to see if the ideas you write are brought over to the reader.

Just pitching in :p

[aviv-b.livejournal.com]

This is why I don't show stuff to anyone until its done. I occasionally bounce an idea off a reader friend - but that's about it. I have a Beta with a light touch - spelling, grammar or awkward sentences gets fixed with perhaps a mention of something that wasn't clear or something they felt needed fleshing out, but never, never about the plot itself. I would have the same problem you do - it wouldn't feel like it was my work anymore.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I listen to advice but trust my instincts as the story has a life of its own. I horrified my beta reader with what I was doing in "Web of Treason", but I kept to my main plot idea and added more which fit in with what she felt and it proved one of my most popular stories.

[artemis10002000]

I'm sorry to hear that worked out so badly for you! *hug*

Wahhhhhhhh...

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

Wahhhhhh..... I hate it when something happens that makes you unable to continue to write a story. I hope the bunny reincarnates. Even if I know nothing of the 'verse and therefore can't evaluate that part, I have beta'd for you, and I do know you write well in this wretched native tongue of mine. (Trust me! I've edited professionally native speakers who don't do as well as you!) I'm sorry this one is at least back in the drawer for a while. Wahhhh...