I needed to get this off my chest

[Spaz]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but given the circumstances, I feel I must speak my mind. Recently, we have had several prominent members of our community complain of the lack of comments on their work. As a recent participant in the storyboard, I can now see where they are coming from, but after giving it some serious thought, I feel that they are somewhat missing the point.

Personally, I have no friends. I am not a social person. I barely communicate with my own family members. You all, in this community, are the only ones who know of my fetish. I started out lurking on this place about ten years ago...but it took me two years to finally decide to join as a member. I viewed people's photo manips, I read their stories, and I followed their links.

After being inspired by the dedication of a few good members, such as Robotman for maintaining the wiki, and Dale Coba for archiving all the good stuff in his ftp, as well as the numerous artists and authors posting their work, I finally decided to start taking an active role in searching the web for information regarding our fetish. I posted links to videos, and information regarding upcoming shows/movies. I finally decided to start uploading images to the wiki, bringing the wiki back to what the old Gynoid Gallery, and the old Fembot Central gallery used to be...no, even better.

Finally, less than a year ago, I mustered the courage to upload several stories that I had written over the years but was too afraid to post. I even wrote several new ones as well, and am currently planning several more. Who inspired me to write these stories? Mirage, Silent_Lurker, and Serf, to name a few.

Why have I done all this? Because I feel, that as a member of this community, it is my obligation to share whatever I find with it. Because I have enjoyed the stories, and images, and links over the years, I feel obligated to pay it forward, so that not only may others enjoy what I share, but that they may someday decide to start sharing as well.

I work a boring job, and, every now and then, a story idea pops into my mind that I feel obligated to put down and share with you all. I care not if you like or dislike it, only that it be put here for anyone to read and enjoy.

This is not to say that I do not welcome comments, feedback, or constructive criticism on my stories, or messages thanking me for my image uploads. I am merely saying that I do not demand nor require comments, or thanks.

In summary, I feel as members of this close knit community, we need to share whatever we find with each other. Maybe you don't get thanks, or feedback. But maybe you can help inspire others to contribute, so that we may all enjoy what they have to offer.

Well, that was my two cents. Feel free to agree or disagree with me, either way, I will continue uploading images to the wiki, and posting my stories.

[Frostillicus]

Well played, sir.

Btw, Thanks for all your work, man. I really do appreciate it. I mean it.

[darkbutflashy]

Well played, sir.

Yeah,

Spaz, I could have written nearly the same as you did. This is the general atmosphere here, and I like it that way. I too don't want to join the game of gaining attention just for the sake of gaining attention. To me, it's the art that should gain attention, not the artist. Though, some people here are doing great work just because they are so productive - even if you don't like a certain piece, chances are you like the next one.

[WilloWisp]

I know I've whined about a lack of feedback, and for my part, I'll freely admit that it's mostly a matter of conceit. In addition to trying to write a fun story, I'm also trying to explore emotional and psychological aspects of the fetish, from multiple perspectives, and how they relate to our perceived "real life." Basically, I'm trying to map out enough of our interests that an outsider could read it and say "Okay, that makes some sense, you're not a werido for liking that." Part of that relies on the assumption that I know what I'm talking about, so a lack of feedback makes me worry that I've got it all wrong. I can write about my own psychological makeup with confidence. Others, less so.

[dale coba]

Will O'Wisp, I see your point about wanting that separate kind of feedback - maybe more like survey cards and a focus group of hard core fans after a pre-release viewing of a movie. Is this mythos coherent, on-track, recognizable? or have we strayed from cultivating the true spirit and facets of the subject?

You could get your storytelling and editing feedback at one of many co-operative writing sites, but you would still have to come back here. With your goal to encompass some range of the community, FC readers should provide this feedback. All the problems with we've been talking about have nothing to do with providing WilloWisp his second kind of fan-identity/content feedback.

- Dale Coba

[DukeNukem 2417]

Seeing as how my post yesterday is what set this off, I may as well throw in two more cents.

I know that what I write isn't everyone's cup of tea. I also know that there are, in fact, other stories on the forums, and that my own work gets consistent viewing figures with every post.

Here's the thing, though: In my mind, views are like silver, and comments are gold. Both are valuable, but one's more immediately valuable than the other. That's not to say that I don't want views---far from it, in fact---but I appreciate and anticipate comments on my work. Not only does it make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to read what others think, it helps me get over the weaknesses in my writing (and yes, I am, in fact, admitting that my writing has weaknesses), and to improve my style so that the next story will be just that little bit better than the one before it.

Oh, and one more thing (apologies to the late, great Steve Jobs for nicking his catchphrase from Macworld): A.N.N. and apok, if either of you are reading this, I'm sorry for flying off the handle in the thread yesterday. I just have a thing against bumping threads from two years ago back up to the top of the forum.

[--NightBattery--]

spaz we...
...Share your sense of community
do what you like and enjoy what you do. as long is not against the makeshift rules of FC

[rickdrat]

Spaz,

First let me say just the work you've put into expanding, organizing, and upgrading the photos on the Wiki qualifies you to be enshrined in the ASFR Hall of Fame. I know all of us appreciate that.

As to compliments, I view them as a double edged sword. Kinda like in the afterglow of sex when your partner asks "How was it?" I think most of us want to know how great we are, not hear about our shortcomings. I myself have written numerous stories that I just don't want to share here. Partly because I consider them too personal, and partly because I really don't want to hear what you don't like about them. It doesn't help that I don't take criticism, positive or otherwise, all that well, but at least I recognize that foible in myself. I do post things from time to time. Some have sparked dialogs, and others simply die leaving only the deafening sound of crickets. I suppose that irritates me somewhat, but such is life on the internets.

I take a carrot and stick approach myself, only I don't ever break out the stick. I have a fairly narrow focus when it comes to topics here. I'd guess fully 80-90% of the material here holds little use to me personally. That doesn't mean it doesn't have worth. I just don't see it and therefore commentary from me would be pointless and uninformed. As my momma said, "If you can't say something nice about somebody..." Positive reinforcement, however, I believe goes a long way, and I don't hold my tongue when I do find something I like here. God knows I've all but dry humped Robotman's leg for several of his stories if only to coax him into writing more. Not that he needs the inspiration or encouragement.

I would tell everyone that I appreciate the effort and courage it takes to post stories here. However, art and risk go hand in hand. You share it at your own peril. Sometimes to great acclaim, sometimes to horrendous criticism, and sometimes to deafening silence.

[SunshineInTheGarden]

I've always liked and appreciated your work with vidcaps, stories and all that. I can't imagine a Fembot Central without Spaz.

[qxangelxp]

As you can see, this is my 2nd post.

So you know I consider it important to take the time and tell you that your post here is but a great one, and that you are a great person. As is everybody else here who shares a love for fembots.

You may not make an impact in the social world (neither do I, if that means anything) but you CERTAINLY make a great impact here.
I lurk for the most part, but I have in fact taken notice of you, Spaz, and your great contributions. This thoughtful post you made here only allows me to have more respect for you.

I for one would like to say that just because an artist's/author's work goes without response doesn't mean that it goes unappreciated.
Because I do visit often and enjoy everything I see here, from the Fembot Central and Fembot Wiki community, and hope the ones behind the picture, story, or what have you, know in their hearts that people like me in fact, DO appreciate their work.

[Mirage]

Being one of the longest and highest contributor here since the start, and stoping contributing here, is somewhat a releif for me. Why? The dissapointments.

In the past, we always got some inputs, good or bad, discusssions and such. Remember when I would do polls, and quizs, my crazy stories and such. Fun times, I think.

But it got very silent and so serious, and I found many of my favorites stop posting too, Keizo, my british friend (who's name evades me who had his amazing site too (sorry, I really forgot the name...). Even Kishin barely posted anymore.

I still tried to contribute, even do, something was truly gone.

In the last few years, the stories here became more serious, more pornographic/sexual in nature, just not my thing. I am a romantic at heart with a twisted sence of humor, as some of you might remember.

WHen I started Emma comics, I decided to see if other websites, not ASFR related, would like it... and they did. And got lots of feedback, mosty good. It was nice to get feedback, unlike here. But It's was never about attention, it's about knowing, is your stuff good or not? Why draw and write stuff if no ones likes it? Why bother if no ones says anything about it? A single compliment or a comment goes a long way sometimes.

So, when I saw a few people here started complaining about my posts and other stuff about my Emma comics, that was the nail in the coffin here for me.
Instead of enjoying my contributions, started finding faults into it instead. I was already on the edge, as it took lots of hours of posting it here and such.

I now draw/write horrors, romances, comedies at other sites, get daily feedback, even got published, got fans and hundred of followers, and have FUN doing it. Here, it was not fun anymore...

Spaz, you do an amazing job, and glad some are still here. But for others with huge egos here, being so negative, do get over yourselves, and you only manage to get less and less people wanting posting here altogether.

Mirage

[dale coba]

Obnoxious much?
Are we supposed to guess which of us you meant to insult, and then feel a burning shame?

I wish you could have shown spine by naming names,
or manners by saying nothing.

Please don't repeat your rants. You've already registered your opinions about FC and certain members, so move along if you can't play nice.

- Dale Coba

[Mirage]

Dale, you are not even worth my time.

But I must say, this, being 100% honest here, I truly beleive this from the bottom of my heart..., if Gynoids really existed, I am sure, it would rather self destruct than touch you in any way possible.

[darkbutflashy]

Oh man, does this has to start over and over again?

Mirage, it's bad that you accuse a vast group by the actions of "a few people here started complaining about my post". There will be always people who dislike what you do and feel the strong urge to say so. To handle it, take their complaints and check against your own inner compass if their complaints are valid. When you found out the complaints have no substance as you wanted your work to be like you first created it, explain it and state you won't change anything because of the complaints (as they have no substance for you). When you do that the polite way, you already have won.

AFTER THAT, people who like your art will comment in a positive way. Because openly liking art has to do if your own reception is congruent what the artist wanted to show. (Ok, you can like a piece of art by any other means, but you are unsure if you should express your own, possibly silly, opinion.)


And about the discussion: exchanging insults is by no means helpful. Stop it immediately. Noone will win. That's the exact reason why people won't comment other's works.

[xodar]

Sooner or later you'll say something that generates comments, quite often about what a jerk or "sexist" or whatever you are. There's no need to try, just be honest.

[fection]

I stopped writing stories for two reasons:
a) I struggled to think of new ways to engineer the narrow band of circumstances that appeal to me in a fembot/malfunction scenario, and
b) I took the impression (perhaps incorrectly) that folks here found the narrow circumstances of my stories slightly unadventurous and predictable.
I did used to get really excited about feedback - as if the story had been really successful if it generated a lot of comments. I've since realised that was probably a symptom of deep-rooted narcissism. Perhaps that's a third reason I felt less motivated to write.
But if someone didn't like my stories, I would always either assume they simply had different tastes (understandable, given the specificity of my own) or they were an idiot. I don't particularly recall thinking anyone was an idiot though, so perhaps more of the former. But the latter's a useful strategy for not giving a shit.

[barakuda]

Your stories were predictable but very well written Fection. Sometimes predictable is good has long as there are stories for other taste. Which there is from other writers. I only hate when a story is advertised has new and unpredictable only to be very predictable. Basically like Hollywood SciFi is now.

[Grendizer]

As an artist of any stripe, a thick skin is required. You can't take a criticism personally. For one, why would you allow somebody who knows next to nothing about you harm your self-image? It's ridiculous. But for another, if the criticism is constructive, the critic is doing you the great honor of validating your worth -- because they think it is worth their time to make you better.

I've been to forums where you just can't please anyone: your voice isn't strong enough, your stories are predictable, your prose is unclear. Try going to a place where professional and serious writers and graphic artists congregate, and taste that fire. This is nothing by comparison.

You should write or render for yourself first. If you are happy with it, then nothing can harm you. If you are intent on becoming better, then you will be grateful for even blunt criticism.

It is valid to write for validation from others, but it shouldn't be your primary goal. If it is, then you will always fall short, because there will always be influential people who think your work is trash. Or you may get all the accolades in the world but be rejected by the mass market. Just look at Gene Wolfe. He's a genius, but you haven't seen any of his work on the silver screen, and he isn't filthy rich. Just well-regarded by his colleagues, often seen as the greatest writer of his generation.

Ask yourself what you want. Silence doesn't always mean you didn't get it.

[WilloWisp]

if the criticism is constructive, the critic is doing you the great honor of validating your worth -- because they think it is worth their time to make you better.

Hear hear. Overwhelmingly positive feedback with little to no critique can make the author worry that they're not getting an accurate reflection of their work. A lack of "That wasn't such a great idea" gives rise to things like the Matrix sequels, the Star Wars prequels, and Michael Bay's belief that Transformers should all look like they're made out of knives.

Criticism is a filter. Without it, the artist will continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.

[DukeNukem 2417]

A lack of "That wasn't such a great idea" gives rise to things like the Matrix sequels, the Star Wars prequels, and Michael Bay's belief that Transformers should all look like they're made out of knives.

Criticism is a filter. Without it, the artist will continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.

You hit the nail right on the head.

And made me laugh.

[DollSpace]

None of us should have to apologise or whatever for asking for comments. And they should be a double-edged sword, because on one hand, someone's read your work and is willing to stop and give you the time of day, but they could also contain some criticsm that you don't like or upsets you in some way (the criticsm itself, not in the way it's worded). But the fact remains that we used to have a lot of people posting stories and many people posting comments. Perhaps if more people post stories, more people will post comments. But nothing is going to please everybody, cos that's never possible. The arrow of inspiriation hits us all in different ways and at different times. I haven't written a story for this forum in a long, long time. Part of it is like Duke's quote: "Views are like silver, comments are like gold", because I love to hear what people think of my work, and how to make it better. But the reason I haven't posted anything on this board as a story is actually a trio of reasons:

1) The age rule (fembots must be at least 18; many of mine had ones that were about 16 or 17, so, close but no cigar)

2) The feeling I'm writing the same thing over and over with new characters and attributes. I hate exercises in futility.

3) A combination of being busy working with my non-profit and being too exhausted to just sit down and write. It's not that I don't have ideas. There are several fully-formed ideas in my head, one actually outlined, and this one I think will just squeak its way on to the board if I ever get round to writing it. Many of my other ideas don't meet the criteria for the forum, so I direct you to #2 and #1.

Most people here contribute positively to this board, making it one I visit often, but feel let down by the lack of new posts. At the same time, I can't think of anything to post about either, so....*sigh* things remain the same. And there you have it. This is not meant to be negative or a catalyst for a rule change or anything. It's simply a statement of fact. And one day, someday, a new story by this gynoid will grace the forum, for better or for worse.