That's all, folks. *iris out* by
PoorCynic
on 2012-12-03 02:33:00 UTC
Reply
I once compared myself (in relation to the PPC) to the dude in college who parks himself on your couch, raids your fridge, and never leaves. Unfortunately, that metaphor can no longer be said to apply to me. I'm done. Finished. Consider this post my resignation from the PPC.
“But PC!” I imagine you exclaiming (if you did no such thing, just play along). “Why? What brought this decision on?”
I'm glad you asked (keep playing along).
One of my primary reasons is quality concrit, or more specifically, the lack thereof. I don't mean or want to sound like some spoiled fanbrat whining for reviews, but I need good concrit. I need analysis. I need people’s reactions. It's what makes me better as a writer. So single line responses or -- worse yet -- responses with no message whatsoever are ultimately useless to me. The PPC is supposed to be a community of writers. By extension, this means we are also supposed to be a community of readers, of editors, and of critics. But that's not what I've seen. There’s been very little true “criticism” coming out of the PPC for some time now.
I also don't feel like I fit in anymore. It's not that I've been actively made to feel unwelcome; many people are very polite and friendly. I do, however, feel a bit edged out. I can't connect with the newbies and I feel ignored by the old guard. Being alone is pretty bad. Being alone in a group is worse.
I'm frustrated that there’s been no real change regarding the appointment of sorely-needed mods and the regulation of community behavior. I'm annoyed with the same old cookie-cutter missions with the same old cookie-cutter agent archetypes. It feels to me like the PPC is stagnating.
But most of all? I'm tired. I’m tired of writing stories that almost no one reads and almost no one cares about. I'm tired of the cliques. I'm tired of the anarchic literary playground. I'm tired of the same hyperbolic “ohmigawd this is the worst fic ever KILL IT NAOW” reactions.
The PPC just isn't fun any more.
I wish this didn't have to be the case. There are still so many stories with Danny, Laura, Gremlin, and Xericka still rattling around inside my brain. Leaving with those stories left untold feels wrong -- a disservice to my characters. But it would be an equal disservice to them to keep writing when my heart isn't in it anymore. They deserve better.
I loved my time with the PPC, and I still do believe that it has improved my writing tremendously. For that, I owe the community much. But I want to keep improving, and I don't think I can do that here.
Many thanks to my assorted betas and editors, especially doctorlit, who read through the vast majority of my pieces. Kudos to you, good sir. Also many thanks to those who've been following my stories. I'm sorry that I won't be able to keep going.
Adios and farewell.
PoorCynic
“Excuse me then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.”