~What does the word FICTION mean to you?~

Perhaps this blog post is a small rant or maybe it can be an informative post for some, but I felt compelled to write it so please tell me, what does the word fiction mean to you?

The word FICTION is defined in several ways.  Here they are according to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fiction

1.  the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, especially in prose form.

2.  works of this class, as novels or short stories: detective fiction. 

3.  something feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story: We've all heard the fiction of her being in delicate health. 

4.  the act of feigning, inventing, or imagining.

5.  an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation

Sadly, I feel, this is often forgotten when people are reading or writing reviews.  I only point out the obvious because well I read a lot of books (not as many as others but enough), as well as reviews of them and more often than not I come across comments such as these....

There are so many completely made-up details in this story that would never, ever happen in real life

Really? well maybe they wouldn't but isn't that what fiction is? a made up story?

Nobody would act that way

okay, probably not, BUT once again you are reading something that is made up and characters that are made up

This story was totally unrealistic

again I say Really?  Maybe these particular readers should try Non Fiction I dunno.

I won't give anything away, but the ending was contrived and unrealistic

I found some of the plot unrealistic.

Dumb and unrealistic

see a pattern here? lol

ok this makes me want to scream it's fiction fiction fiction LOL

I like to keep an open mind so maybe I don't fully understand, or some people prefer their fictional stories and characters to be on the realistic side.  They may also want it to just be, believable.  It's just not really a big deal for me because I read a lot of fiction to escape reality!  I want to live/be in or experience someone else's made up story :D

I'm not trying to be frumpy about it.  It just bothers me and yes, I will get over it.  We all have pet peeves, right?  I guess I just wish and hope that people think about what they are going to say(type) before they actually do it or perhaps proofread/go over what they have typed out. 

I suppose some of this could relate to immaturity (as we grow we change) or not knowing how to express one's thoughts properly.  Basically some of us speak before we think.  I am sure I have been guilty of this at one time or another.  I am not perfect and I certainly don't expect anyone else to be.  I just tend to see so many harsh reviews that don't make any sense to me with some of the verbiage that is used.

So.....

Talk to me/enlighten me.  I love to hear other peoples thoughts on the matter.  It's how I learn and maybe someone else will too.

Next topic will probably be on short stories!