I'm really angry

[rayvyn2k]

edited to add, I received a most kind and EXTREMELY gracious email from Metamuse which cleared up a lot of my misunderstandings about the validation email I received earlier which I then went off the handle and ranted about here. I am not deleting the entry because I was wrong and I am willing to admit it. I want to apologize to Metamuse and everyone at SH. I will remember how wonderful you all were to a raging lunatic and not be so damned touchy about things in the future.

Got an email from SH today..."correcting" several "errors" in my latest chapter. Now, this chapter has been checked by my word processing program spell-check and grammar check and was beta-ed twice.
There were a couple of things which needed correcting, especially my non-capitalization of "Mudblood" which neither I, nor my betas caught. I am going to have to correct that in my MS Word program so it will auto-correct that particular word.

So, I'm wondering if this has anything to do with my question to them last night regarding validation. This is the FIRST time I have had any chapter sent back to me with ANY corrections since a few canon corrections they asked for in the first chapter. Not to mention, I fucking WON FIRST PLACE in their damned Spring Faire contest...wonder how THAT happened if my punctuation is so bad???
Obviously I was out of my mind. The one had nothing to do with the other.

I'm really pissed off. This is NOT the way to start the day.
I am better now, the day is going quite well, as a matter of fact. I'm wearing my GoF hat and my "Marauders" t-shirt, my HP watch and I brought my HP lunchbox to work today. Getting lots of comments and lots of chances to squee about the book!

I fired back an email with the above (without the cursing and without the last sentence) and now I'm waiting for a reply. If they insist, I may just have to pull the story and all of my other stories from that archive. This is a petty revenge response, in my opinion.
Hey, I know my writing isn't perfect, but there's NO WAY that more than six punctuation and/or capitalization "mistakes" were missed by me or my betas.
Again, I can only plead temporary insanity. And I did delete my final, arrogant "Fuck them, I'm pissed. It was uncalled for and I should know better than to write in this thing when I'm mad.

The latest chapter is live at SH:
http://ashwinder.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=4732

Comments

[snegurochka_lee]

It's OK, sweetie. *pets you* Don't pull your stories. I really think they are a good archive, and the admins work hard to ensure absolute top quality over there. I know others have been bothered by their correction-suggestions as well, but... hmm.

Are the mistakes they suggested correcting not, in fact, mistakes? If you can argue the point that they are wrong in asking you to change something that is not a mistake, then absolutely, you should do so. If they think something is a mistake, and you don't... yes, that's a problem you should ask for clarification on.

But please don't take it personally, or assume it's a grudge thing because you had just inquired about validation status. And I only say this because I love you, but don't assume that just because you won that (well-deserved!) award, all your writing in the future will be perfect!

I almost never have a chapter/fic accepted with no changes. *shrugs* I consider them a secondary beta for me, and I appreciate how thoroughly they go through submissions, to catch small mistakes I had missed.

In sum, you're entitled to your POV of course, and I'm sorry you're upset, but don't let it ruin your day! It happens to all of us; I really, really don't think it's a personal thing against you.

*hugs* ~Lee

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

Lee, I am a maniac about checking my stuff. I cannot believe that they found so many errors. I will be glad to send it to you and you can see for yourself if you'd like.
I'm still angry about it and I've been at work for two hours.

[snegurochka_lee]

No no - I believe you've checked the thing over maniacally, as we all do. What kind of "errors" did they cite? *more hugs*

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

It was punctuation, capitalization and one so-called "italization choice" which was stated as "not needed but if you have used it (on purpose) then it's okay".
The last one is what made the magical number 6, which their new submission rules is too many to post.
This is why I'm royally pissed. My entry was rejected because of an optional "taste" italization???
I have a feeling the person who was "validating" it is British (and I LOVE my Brit friends!!!) and we all know there are wide differences between their and American punctuation.

I had to take a Lortab to calm myself. This has RUINED what should have been a fun and anticipatory day for me. I feel like I want to cry.

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

As far as I can see, only one comment (I missed a capitalization of "Mudblood") is valid. Other than that, I do not see any other problems with my comma placement or my quotations. And especially with the italization of one of the character's comments.

[snegurochka_lee]

Hmm, yes, I think I would also be irritated if the sixth (magical number) suggested change was really 'optional.' But I see from your edited entry that all is good now, yay! I know this sort of thing can be frustrating, but try not to let it ruin your day when it happens. Fanficcing should be FUN!

Also, and this is just a guess, I wonder if they are more strict at Ashwinder, because it's such a huge archive, and they get so many zillions of submissions, as compared to the other archives? If a particular admin has just had an entire day of picking through adolescent bullshit that gets submitted, and then comes across your chapter, I can see how it might have gotten a harsher reaction than it should have. *shrugs* Happens to me when grading student papers, at least. At any rate, Metamuse indeed rocks, so I'm glad she's sorted things out with you. :)

But wait- what am I doing here when there's a new Binding chapter to read? *races off*

*pauses to give more hugs*

[rayvyn2k.livejournal.com]

*hugs back, adds a big snog for good measure*

Thanks for being there today Lee, you were the voice of reason for an insane writer. You helped way more than I'm sure you know.

Loves on Lee...scurries off to see the reviews...

[snegurochka_lee]

No problem. Anything for a fellow KAWGer! (Eep - have had zero time this week to get the GF back up at KA, btw. Will try next week. I also suck and didn't get it to Lumos. Waaaah. Next week, next week). Great new chapter! *dances* Don't keep us hanging for so long again, eh? I'm dying to see what Harry's going to say. :)