And now the news....

[bethmccombs]

Alright boys and girls, I know you are all anxiously awaiting more Torchwood stuff from me. Well, I have the proverbial types of news for you.

Good news... I have ideas. Lots and lots and lots of ideas.  Including an intriguing crossover with Criminal Minds.

Bad news... I'm on a long-term hiatus from writing any of my stories.

The reasons... repeated private messages from people both here and on Livejournal essentially telling me off for writing Torchwood AU, specifically those focused on Ianto, have pushed me to the brink of a major depressive episode. I won't name names, that's a bit petty, but the guilty parties know who they are. In an attempt to regain my mental equilibrium, I am taking a step or two back.

I have to step away from this... I have to let it go... or I'm going to lose it. The last time I felt like this I stopped writing for over five years. Completely and totally stopped writing. The Collective Dreaming series was the first things I'd written in years. I enjoyed it. I still do. I enjoy my friends and fans on my friends lists. I do not enjoy being bitched at, belittled, and bullied by other fans who are determined that I need to do and write things their way and supportive of their point of view in order to be a writer in the fandom we're both members of. Thus the step back for a while.

One side effect of this is that effective May 30, 2011, I will no longer be posting in any way to Livejournal. I no longer feel safe there and will not return to the site in any traceable way. I suppose that means I won't be a part of three of my favorite communities, but I need to feel comfortable and safe again.

One last thing, some of you will get private messages from me in the next few days. I would greatly appreciate it if the contents of those messages remain just that... private.

To those who have been sending me these messages, I have reported them to the appropriate people at both Dreamwidth and Livejournal. If this harassment continues, If I receive one more email I will publish it, name and all, as I consider them a form of intimidation

Since I know many of you will be offering good wishes, I give you my thanks in advance.

Comments

[midori-marmotte.livejournal.com]

I am really sorry to hear that, I hope you will feel better (soon) and will write again, because I really enjoyed both the Tsar-verse and the House of Torchwood-verse! And I do not know if there is an English equivalent, but in French we say "Laisse les ânes braire", 'let the donkeys bray', when people are stupid enough to bother someone instead of reading something else...

On a secondary note: does anyone have a Dreamwidth code/invite/whatever is required? Because login in with open id works less and less, and it annoys me not to be able to comment when one of my favourite/regular fanfic writers posts something new.

[milady_dragon]

I have one if you still need it.

[midori-marmotte.livejournal.com]

Yes, please! I am getting more and more annoyed at lj (because my openid is lj-based, and they are the one who made changes that make it unstable...)!

[milady_dragon]

I'm PM'ing you with it now. :)

[midori_marmotte]

Aaah, feeling sooo much better. Thank you again.

And Beth, if there is anything we can do for you, all you have to do is ask!

[blackrose_17]

*Hug.* I'm sorry to hear about this. I can't believe some people could do this just because you write Torchwood AU about Ianto. I hope these people learn to grow up and leave you alone, so we can all enjoy this fandom.

[milady_dragon]

Well, crap....

I can't believe the attitude, trying to tell you what to write. If they don't like it, they shouldn't read! You have a lot of people out there who do, and it's a shame that this sort of thing happens.

I do hope you can get back to writing again, because you're awesome at it. From someone who also writes Torchwood AU heavily featuring Ianto, there just can't be enough out there.

*hugs*

If you need anyone to bash heads, just let me know.

[twincityhacker]

*cuddles* People suck, and I hope you feel better about writing soon.

[sbs_01]

Well that just sucks big time! Where do people get off on telling others what to write and what to think. If you want to write AU and emphasize Ianto, that's your perogative. If they don't like what you're writing, who's forcing them to read it? And as to try and force their view of Torchwood fandom on anyone is horse hockey.

Anyway, don't let those (in my opinion) idiots, get to you. I eagerly await all of your stories and I'll be here to read your next round of fictions.

[wynkat]

Oh my frelling gods! That is.... just... wow. *Uber hugs hun* damn I'm sorry you got shit for writing what you like to write. that's ridiculous. Humans, cant live with them, cant eat'em.

I can totally understand how this would make it hard to write Anything! Ugh. I hope you can find the space and peace you need in all of this. Your AU's are lovely and so much fun, but more than that I know how important writing is to your soul.

*blessings and healing to you* I've got a shoulder if you need (another) one.

*More Hugs*

[rift_bound]

Oh Beth! I'm so sorry to hear this. It's such a shame that people have to be so nasty. It's like others have said, if they don't like the way you write, don't read it. They have no right to dictate your creativity! You are such am amazing writer and I hate that these stupid idiots have depressed you and led to a break in your writing. Keep strong, take care, and we're here if you need us! *Hugs*

[moonfirefic]

I am really sorry that you have to deal with this.

As someone who only started dipping their toe back into fandom last year after taking a two+ year hiatus after a similar harassment situation resulting from what the prepetrators deemed a "shipper war", I can relate a bit to what you are going through.

It's really sad that some fans take their personal views too far and demoralise and eventually alienate people like you who help make fandom a fun place to play in.

**Hugs**

Please know that your writing is always a great read and I hope the break gives you a chance to find your muse and write again soon as I am sure I am not the only one who will miss it.

[rednwhiterose]

I do hope you come back. You're one of the few TW authors that I absolutely love and adore and can't get enough of. I'll still be here faithfully waiting for you to come back.

[ldycat1170]

Oh sweetie. I really dislike that people feel the need to attack great writers.

I think all of your fic is amazingly epic and you are a very prolific writer.

And I am sorry that shits are always the ones who feel the need to tell you to stop.

I hope that you will change your mind, but as always feel free to take these internet hugs.

[idamus]

WHAT? BASTARDS, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES

*Hugs* I'll miss your writing, so I hope you find your writing fu soon *hugs some more*

[a_lanart]

WTF??? People getting at you for WRITING WHAT YOU WANT ON YOUR OWN JOURNAL??? Fuck. That is SO out of order. If they don't like what you write then they DON'T HAVE TO FUCKING READ IT!!! That back key is a very useful thing.

I am astounded and horrified that you've been subjected to abuse from such small minded and petty people, to the extent where it has meant you need to get out of dodge for your sanity, especially for fanfic. Makes me oh so glad I've only ever tiptoed around the edges of the fandom fic wise and that I very much write for a 'niche market' as crossovers by their very nature are AU for both all shows.

I hope you don't stop writing, but get yourself feeling better first.

As for all those people who sent you pms? Tell them to go boil their heads!

[humantales]

You have my sympathy. (And the hope that, once things calm down, you go back to writing.)

[kiraclara]

You have to know you're one of the few writers I have complete respect for because I love your writing. I hope you find your way back to writing the stories we love and know the people who love your writing will be waitin.

[kendermaus]

::Offers hugs::

I'm SO sorry to hear about the issues you've been having. i LOVE your writing and your AUs and.... well... EVERYTHING.

This... This is the stuff that makes me avoid "Fandom" like the PLAGUE. It burns TOO many WONDERFUL people because some fanatical idiots decide that THEIR way is the ONLY way that ANYONE should write. ::sigh::

Know that this little maus will be eagerly awaiting ANY new fic you feel comfortable sharing and is more than willing to go bite ankles of arsehats who hassle one of my fav writers.

::HUGS more::
km

[socalrose]

Based on all the comments I've read for this posting, I'd say you have a strong following for your writing and for you as a person.

Do what you have to do to protect yourself sweetie, because your mental, emotional and physical health are more important.

Your writing is a joy to read and no one should try to take that away from you.

Love and Hugs from California

[iceshade]

Allow me to express myself in gif form:


ARE PEOPLE FUCKING SERIOUS? WHAT HAPPENED TO DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ? JFC... I will miss your writing, but feeling comfortable and not harassed is more important.

I'm pretty sure you can still follow lj comms on an rss feed, but I'm guessing that would be traceable. /thinks internet is magic

[akawho.livejournal.com]

As cynical as I am, this surprises me. What is wrong with those people? If they don't like what a writer writes then they should just read something else. GEEZ! Don't let this stop you from writing altogether. Those people are nothing but bullies, plain and simple. Please don't let a few rotten apples spoil the barrel. I love your writing and hope that it doesn't take another 5 years for you to start up again. *HUGS*

[penguin_house]

I just wanted to say that, personally, I think your work is wonderful.

It's just a sad fact that there are some prats around who will always try to do things like this if the world is not run exactly to their own specifications. Hopefully they will recover and leave the world of pratdom soon.

Very large hugs from an ardent reader.

[liannac]

I am so sorry to hear that you have been harrassed over yor AU stories, which are some of the best around, the detail you go into to make them historically accurate as well as a fantastic read is awesome.

I really hope the break does you good and that you feel in the future that you can get back to writing. I will be here to read them when you do.

Take care and will be thinking of you sending big *hug* xx

[xennie_b]

I'm so sorry to hear this has happened to you hun, *hugs*. You know I love your work, it's brilliant and I can't believe people have been messaging you about what you choose to write, it they don't like it they can bugger off and not comment. People like that need to be hung, drawn and quartered!
Step back find your bearing and when you're happy and comfortable again those of us who care will be here waiting for your return with hugs and cheers.

[loofly]

Beth, what can we say, some people are dickheads. Don't lose heart but I can understand you're need to protect yourself. stay safe and I hope to read more of your stories in the futre.

[reddevilpoes]

Sorry to hear that immature people with no understanding of creativity have hurt you!
I love your stories, couldn't care less if they were AU or not, they are great!
I hope you find your inner peace soon and will return to us with more lovely fics.
If anybody needs invite codes..I still have a couple!
With love and in awe of your beautiful creative brain! Jacqueline

[rox712]

I haven't commented in a long time, but this makes me so angry! Some people a plain stupid. You don't want to read AU? Don't do it! Why harass brilliant writers?
I am really sorry and really, really hope to see you back very soon!

[badly_knitted]

*hugs tight* I'm so sorry a bunch of small-minded morons with their heads up their arses are making you feel so low.

People are free to write Torchwood any way they want, that's the beauty of fanfic - anything goes and there are pleny of stories to satisfy all tastes. I will never understand people who think it should be written their way or not at all. And that goes for ALL fandoms, not just Torchwood.

I just hope you can continue writing despite their ridiculous behaviour. Other people cannot be allowed to dictate someone's creativity. If anyone did that to me, I wouldn't be nearly as polite about it in public as you are. I salute you.

[thraceadams]

I wish I could say this surprises me, but alas it does not. I've seen so much hate in different fandoms lately that I honestly wonder about people. I'm horribly sorry that you seem to have been targeted for writing about Ianto. I'll be quite honest, the hate toward Ianto and Jack/Ianto fans is one of the reasons my TW muse went into hiding prob never to be seen or heard from again. I just got tired of ppl referring to us as crazy and delusional. *sigh*

Good for you for taking a stand and for coming out publicly about this. That takes a lot of courage. And tbh good for you for not making them public even though by rights you totally should. And yes, please by all means, if it continues you SHOULD publicly shame them because there is NO ROOM FOR BULLIES PERIOD.

*HUGS YOU HARD*

[caz251]

*hugs*

I'm sorry that people are like this to you and that you are having to step back. If they have a problem with the way you write or the content of your stories they shouldn't read them. Despite studying psychology and sociology I don't think I will ever really understand people.

I hope that you won't let them get to you though, just know that there are so many of us on the net that love your stories and that you like them, and that those who don't really don't matter in the long run.

I just hope that this does not send your creative talents into hibernation once more because I absolutely love your work. I will be waiting patiently and hopefully for whatever you choose to write next, whether it be fanfiction or original.

You know how to contact me if you wish to chat or anything.

[ravenja1170.livejournal.com]

via "merucha" ...

*hugs* What is wrong with people? If they don't like a story or concept, they shouldn't read it instead of stalking/mobbing the writers! I hope you feel better and safe again soon! *hugs*

[faithharkness]

Also here via the fabulous merucha. I love your writing; I love the twists and turns and the relationships--all of them. Hell, you got me into another fandom through your Torchwood stories. I have no time for bullies and no patience and no mercy. I hope you are able to take the time and headspace you need to create what you want and need to create. I, for one, will still be here waiting when you return.

[hab318princess]

*hugs* - so sorry you have to endure this and hope you're back soon, I love reading your writing and AUs and your input (e-mail sent before I read this)
I'm sorry they robbed you of something special and so hope you get it back soon!
*HUGS*

[minimumstitch.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be writing for a while as I thoroughly enjoy your work. The wonderful thing about your work is that it is AU. There are only so many stories surrounding the episodes that can be done and when I read the majority of them the sense of deja vu is so strong as they have been done to death. You take established characters and put them into completely foreign situations yet remain true to their general characters. I hope the harrassment stops and that you can feel comfortable posting again.

[choccy_grl]

I'm really sorry to hear that. There are people out there that really have nothing better to do. I bet the people sending these messages either don't or can't write. They don't appreciate how much time and how much of ourselves we put into our work.

If they don't like how you write Ianto (or Jack for that matter) then Don't Bloody Read It.

[cjharknessgirl]

Wow, the nerve of some people. Do they have nothing better to do with their time? It should be as simple as if you don't like it then don't read it. You should out them if it continues, no one should be bullying or telling others what to write on their journal, that's just ridiculous. I'm sorry that they're harassing you and it's awful that it's gotten so bad you've been put off writing. *hugs* I really like your stories and I hope taking a break helps you and that you find the fun in it again in the future. Take care! :)

[candy_apple_red]

Here. FabKitty will cheer you up and gladly eat anyone who bothers you.
(Because FabKitty is FIERCE.)

Bullies are bullies - cyber or otherwise - cowards.
I'm glad you've reported them, and I hope you can bring yourself to ignore the creeps and continue writing. Idiots. *sigh*

[yanto]

sends hugs and virtual flowers and godiva.
i have just found some of my favorite writers who gone to dreamwidth and i am trying to catch when i say this post at emma's site. i am sorry to hear that you are being harassed
i hope you start writing again soon(bit selfish of me) because i have enjoyed all of your works.
looking forward to the criminal minds crossover.
don't let the bastards get you down.

[alliegator.livejournal.com]

I just re-read the Tsar of Torchwood again and came looking to see if you'd written anything new when I found your note about going on writing hiatus due to harassment. I for one love your AUs and enjoy how you write Ianto. I'm glad to see you've started writing Criminal Minds fic and the haters haven't completely ruined the joy of writing for you.