How to talk to artists and complain productively

[kjn]

Jay Eddin posted a long twitter thread on how to talk to artists and complain productively. While we are at somewhat a remove from comics creators here nowadays (most action seems to be on twitter) it can probably still be highly applicable here.

Three takeaways, but the entire thread is good:

THIRD: Don't assign intent. This is one that drives me goddamn BATTY, because work-for-hire creators get no end of **** for decisions they had no hand in and often directly pushed back against; which, in turn, puts them in a fucking awful and impossible situation. And in the situation I described above? THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU, at least not if they want to keep their jobs. I know SO MANY WRITERS who have gotten SO MUCH ABUSE while fighting incredibly hard for the very things "fans" accuse them of abandoning.

FIFTH: Know how the sausage is made. Don't lambaste journalists for headlines. Don't abuse work-for-hire comics creators for failing to cater to your priorities (or failing to, say, make characters queer). Those respectively belong to editors and publishers.

TENTH: If you are frustrated with chronic lack of representation, -ist narratives, etc.--which is totally justified, btw--I HIGHLY encourage you to write often and vehemently to the following: Publishers, editors-in-chief, CCOs, presidents, and VPs.

[skyvolt2000]

I can sum it up like this for everybody-if you don't read the book LEAVE the creative team alone.

Unless you took the time to READ the book in question do not rely on hearsay of youtubers with agendas or folks looking to get creators attacked.

Too many folks have attacked creators and not read a single thing they have written.

[LordMikel]

I can sum it up like this for everybody-if you don't read the book LEAVE the creative team alone.

Unless you took the time to READ the book in question do not rely on hearsay of youtubers with agendas or folks looking to get creators attacked.

Too many folks have attacked creators and not read a single thing they have written.

Blasphemous, I must read something before I criticize? That is such a crazy idea.

[BroHomo]

Jay Eddin posted a long twitter thread on how to talk to artists and complain productively. While we are at somewhat a remove from comics creators here nowadays (most action seems to be on twitter) it can probably still be highly applicable here.

Three takeaways, but the entire thread is good:

I don't even have to click the link to know I hate this and have already started a hashtag bashing whoever wrote it

[MajorHoy]

Why "complain" to artists?

Believe it or not, they're (usually) people, too.

[The Darknight Detective]

TENTH: If you are frustrated with chronic lack of representation, -ist narratives, etc.--which is totally justified, btw--I HIGHLY encourage you to write often and vehemently to the following: Publishers, editors-in-chief, CCOs, presidents, and VPs.

Passionately, okay, but vehemently? I'm pretty sure that's not the right way to go.

[kjn]

Passionately, okay, but vehemently? I'm pretty sure that's not the right way to go.

New Oxford American Dictionary:

Vehemently: in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling

Besides, it is rather tricky to get the attention of people who have weaned themselves of the ability to pay attention to others. Sadly, it's an occupational hazard for CxOs and VPs. It's walking between the Scylla of being ignored and the Charybdis of unduly bothering them, and it's they who subjectively decide on the width of siad gap. (Sadly, for the Poison Ivy fans and current-day DC, I'm afraid that gap is negative in width.)

[The Darknight Detective]

Vehemently: in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling

When the majority of people use the word, regardless of what the dictionary says, they're talking about "in your face." Again, IMO, I don't see that as productive. I know I don't handle that type of attitude quite well, kjn.

[Username taken]

I can sum it up like this for everybody-if you don't read the book LEAVE the creative team alone.

Unless you took the time to READ the book in question do not rely on hearsay of youtubers with agendas or folks looking to get creators attacked.

Too many folks have attacked creators and not read a single thing they have written.

Quoted for truth.

I've seen some people literally say "i've not read this thing but i heard that...".

This is completely crazy. You can't be attacking something you haven't read, watched or listened to. That's flat out trolling.

Take time to experience said thing yourself and make up your own mind and give creators feedback in constructive manner. Saying "SJW Star Trek is trash" is dumb without giving concrete reason.

[ed2962]

Quoted for truth.

I've seen some people literally say "i've not read this thing but i heard that...".

This is completely crazy. You can't be attacking something you haven't read, watched or listened to. That's flat out trolling.

Take time to experience said thing yourself and make up your own mind and give creators feedback in constructive manner. Saying "SJW Star Trek is trash" is dumb without giving concrete reason.

I see this all the time.

[MajorHoy]

Quoted for truth.

I've seen some people literally say "i've not read this thing but i heard that...".

Actually, that's not a bad way to start a discussion as long as you're asking for clarification / explanation about what the truth really is.
But if you're attacking / complaining about something that way, and don't give a person an opening to explain if what you've heard is correct or not, that's unfair.