Felt I had to reply to both Lynn's and Wendy's posts. My apologies to everyone for hijacking the poll thread somewhat here - but I have to leave town this morning and, although I'd rather deal with this privately, there simply is not the time.
So:
Here's what I wrote a few posts back in this thread in response to Roger's post: << was also some discussion on the mbs about the characterization of Clark Kent in that story>>
To which Lynn replied,
<<I'm sorry, Carol, but I don't recall that particular discussion.>>
and also:
<<I know for a fact that she did not read BL, however she has clearly formed an opinion about it based on what she interpreted from the MB comments.>>
and also: <<it seems like a good bit of hearsay to comment on a story - or rather, comment on the comments of a story>>
and Wendy added:
<< think Lynn's right, Carol - I don't remember any discussion of Clark's characterisation in BL either. At least, not on these boards. Though I could be wrong; it was almost a year ago. I do, however, vaguely remember there being a discussion elsewhere, mainly among people who hadn't read the story and seemed to be making assumptions about it from things they'd 'heard'. Dangerous, that.>>
Anyway, having been censured here I did want to speak in my defense:
<< I know for a fact that she did not read BL>>
I sent Lynn two private e-mails about BL, one after the first installment I think, stating how much I admired her writing skill (which I do!!) and then one much later, in March of last year, explaining that while I very much liked many things about the story, I had difficulty with a couple of aspects and so wouldn't continue reading it at that point. Posted in the mbs feedback folder too about that time. So, as far as Lynn was aware I had read over half the story which is not quite the same as not having read it. In fact, I did read the rest as it was being posted on the mbs - curiosity and hope, I thinkJ, but Lynn, of course, had no way of knowing that I did so.
Sad to know that both Lynn and Wendy think I'd succumb so easily (and unethically) to hearsay, and that I let others shape my opinions. Must become more outspoken in the future - I'm not weak-minded, really.J
Now about the existence of a discussion on characterization in the feedback folders while the story was being posted: I did some checking.
The mbs feedback folders (most of the comments are in the nfic folders) cover a range of topics - writing style, plot, and character development as you find in the feedback comments for most longer stories. Quite a bit of Lois bashing, too, in order to justify Clark's behaviour.
Below are some excerpts that speak to Clark Kent's characterization from those feedback folders - I've included only a few because I don't want to abuse bandwidth more than I'm already doing.
A couple of caveats - I've only taken excerpts up to part 13, and also I've omitted the names of the posters because I haven't got their permission to use their quotes. But I've included a range of quotes because I did want to show that there had, in fact, been a discussion, that is a range of opinions posted at the time and from different commenters.
I should add that these quotes probably contain a spoiler or two.
<<<<Clark's enchantment with the village also seems a bit off to me. He's traveled worldwide and he's surely been in similar spots before.>>
<< I was glad to see that he's finally realized that it's selfish of him to stick to just one small village when he could do so much more.>>
<<"Sam" hasn't exactly been straight with Gillian. She doesn't know "Clark Kent".>>
<<I am a sucker for anything 'it's hard to be Super,' so love this insight into how this place has made him normal, what he's always wanted, and what he needs in wake of Lois' crushing 'the ordinary man.'>>
<<It seems that Clark is exhibiting rebound tendencies.>>
<<Even though on the surface Clark seems content to be with the villagers, I can almost sense a tension inside him pushing him to get back to his life.>>
<<I have to admit, that Clark/Sam makes me want to shake him for his own stubbornness,>>
<< like your characterizations a lot, and I really like Gillian.>>
<<But the fact that he doesn't seem to care about anyone else anymore. Right now he is just being a coward, running away and hiding from his problems.
He wasn't the only one to suffer loss. And as someone said before, Luthor might still be out there hurting people, Jack is in prision, Jimmy who knows. The real Clark would be more concern[ed] about his friends, and this Clark isn't.>>
<<Personally, I think what's happening in this story is perfectly within character and a very credible version of what could have happened at this point in Clark's life. His habit, until arriving in Metropolis about a year ago, was to roam the world and move on whenever things became a little tricky for him.>>
So the forgotten discussion of characterization on these mbs, then.
Respectfully
CC Malo
