Granted, I'm just going to add on to Mar's post here. People made a point recently that I've thought about and blatantly admit to. A lot of characters I've written personally were inspired by other books I've read in the past, personal experiences, television shows, even random pictures on the internet that got the gears rolling in my head. There isn't a whole lot on this site that's 100% original, many (not all, mind you, as some people can be amazingly creative and an inspiration to begin with) ideas are recycled and adapted differently.
Yes, it's super discouraging to see something you worked really hard on fabricated into something else. Personally? I think it could be flattery, if notice is given. If I get inspired from something, I try to make an effort into letting someone know about it. Even a simple message on AIM or PM saying "hey, I just wanted to give you a shout out that you've inspired me to do this. Thanks for that." Because to be inspired by someone or something, it's.. that "aha!" moment. When someone says that you've inspired them for something? It's motivation to keep writing more.
No, I don't think there's many people who read my work. I don't care if they do. I write for me, it's my personal creative haven to build a world and the people in it. If you want to make it your haven too? By all means! That's friggin' great. You want to be involved? A message is as easy as a click away. But I won't fool myself into thinking there's some damn imaginary fanbase going on in my folders (though Mar and I might joke about it).
The point I'm trying to make here, is that things were blown SPECTACULARLY out of proportion from the get go. Should things have been settled differently? Sure. The point is, the crap has gotten out of hand. When it had seemed the storm has been settled, the eye only started turning once more and stirred up more drama. Those that thrive with drama and center on it, bully for you but I'm not interested.
As Mar said, the icons were morale/support not a bullying/harassing technique. And people would've probably known about that had they gotten from the source. But telephone is a tricky thing, isn't it? That old game you used to play as kids, where the rumor mill just gets more and more corrupted the further away from the source it gets?
It has come to attention that the icons were misinterpreted. Was it cool to rip it off down to the description without at least telling her about it? No.
For the record, I think the Hot Mess thread is a great idea. It shows a lot of different perspectives of the same topic and different ways to write it. And those who wrote in it did a great job. I won't claim that Dani's post is original, there's been plenty off bitches to kick a one night stand out of a bed and be a complete ass about it.
I'm sorry for those that got hurt in this entire scenario, I wish those that weren't involved and didn't get the whole story had actually tried to (AND A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THOSE WHO DID! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE <3). I'm going to point out a few things here that I've been asked that are good points and the rebuttals I have.
1. We didn't have intentions of harassment. We might've gotten angry and said things that shouldn't have been said. Things could've been handled in a much more civilized manner, and I will apologize to those that seem to think that was the intent. Humans, we're dicks and we make mistakes. The fact of the matter is owning up to those mistakes and admitting when you're wrong. I'm a stubborn prick, those who know me can attest to this, and I have a temper like no one's business. You can call me what you want, (minus bully because I'll frankly tell you to get bent, js) and I'll probably agree. Hi! My name is Ass****! Can I have a sticker? I feel like I should have a sticker.
2. If you didn't talk civilly like an adult then why should we do the same for you? Well, I'll tell ya! It's called proper adulting (or something like that) and I'm putting forth the effort to do for you, to get this settled and over and done with because drama is a crock of crap and interferes with those involved's good times. No one wants that. Ever heard not adding fuel to the fire? This... is how I feel about this. But, the choice is ultimately yours to do so or not.
3. Why are you sorry now? Because what I thought was a little tiff that was over weeks ago is... apparently being stirred and it's a bigger deal than I originally thought. As previously mentioned, the gross word "harassment" has been brought up, so that warrants an apology to those that believed they got bullied. I, personally, friggin' hate bullies. No one should be bullied, online or IRL. If someone think I did so, then.. that's on my fault and I'm apologizing right now.
A thank you to those that read this, and (maybe wishful thinking) that this can all be moved passed and people can get on with their lives. As frankly, I'm here to write, not deal with High School BS all over again as I'm sure many of you are here for the same thing. This is officially me washing my hands of it as those directly involved and those that have actually given the decency to get both sides of the stories and make their own decision have done so as well.
Hope those that have read this have good days/nights/weekends and plenty of writing up ahead.
