Fanfic Question

[dreiser]

When people email me about my fanfic, I generally reply to them but when it comes to Livejournal (and especially Fanfiction.net) comments I don't respond for the most part. I've just read a lengthy discussion on one of the forums I lurk at where some established and pretty well known fanfic writers were saying to not reply to each and every comment they get is ungrateful and downright rude.

Really? I don't think that. I'm not sure what I would reply with anyway. Thank you over and over? I reply when I have something to say back to the person or they ask a question I have an answer to otherwise I just leave it.

Just wondering what other fanfic writers/readers on my friendslist or who read this LJ think about it.

Comments

[corchen.livejournal.com]

I reply to all my comments - partly because I know that, as a reader, I don't like to comment on fic when I know that a writer doesn't respond, it makes me feel as if they don't appreciate comments. Then again, I hate the one-liners, but just reply with 'thanks' to those. Nothing wrong with a generic response to a generic comment.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

Maybe the appreciation part is where I'm confused. It's sort of like another level of the fanfic hostage move where writers claim they won't write another chapter of fic unless they get so many comments back. So if I don't reply to a comment the person who writes it won't write another one? It's very odd to me.

[corchen.livejournal.com]

Blecch, I hate that - I write for me, not for ego-stroking by readers. It comes across as a very teenage move, saying 'if I get enough comments I'll write more chappies omg !!11!eleventy!' But yeah, if a writer never seems to reply to comments I might not bother commenting. If they just reply when they have something to say, though, that's fine. I'm not one of the one-liner commenters, generally, so there's usually something there to reply to.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I understand. I was just really confused by the whole discussion because I never considered my lack of response to be a rude thing, you know? It's nice to get other perspectives.

[corchen.livejournal.com]

That's fair enough - personally, I do feel it's rude not to take a few seconds when someone's bothered to comment on a fic - besides, considering the ratio of readers to commenters, we should encourage anyone who does bother!

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

Maybe... but I rather respond when I have something genuine for a response rather than a generic thank you. It feels insincere to me but everyone is different.

[corchen.livejournal.com]

Ah, see, even when all I say is 'Thanks!' which I sometimes do, it's still sincere, Just nothing more than 'thanks'. Make sense? (Love that icon.)

[redbeargrl.livejournal.com]

Hi nic...
Yeah, put me in the "rude not to reply" column. Of course, I don't have as many readers as you do nor do I have anything on ff.net, but still, I will always reply. I reckon that if somebody took the time to read my stuff plus took a few minutes to comment, the least I can do is thank them and, with any luck, maybe mess with their minds a bit and maybe make a new friend. Erm, but only for those who actually, you know, write in English, instead of symbols and hearts and shit. I can't stand that crap. Guess I'm getting too damn old.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I don't think I have a lot of readers. I'm not that popular, really. I certainly don't feel overwhelmed with comments/reviews, it's just I never saw the point in replying if all I could really give was a generic "thanks for reading" response to people. Which to me is kind of like, I dunno, a form letter?

I do see why people might have the rude pov though which makes me feel a little guilty for never replying now though.

[ein-myria.livejournal.com]

This is why I appreciate the "kudos" button on AO3. I've used it more than I've actually commented on anything in the past couple of months. lol I usually don't have much to say when I'm writing comments in an LJ comment, so I don't mind if the author never replies. :) I try to curb my impulse to write, 'psst you have a typo here!' though. lol I hear some authors don't appreciate that. *sigh* (although I would!)

As a writer I'm with you, I don't respond to comments unless I can respond to them with something useful. :)

[wolfie.livejournal.com]

Word to AO3's Kudos. It makes things nicer without having a favorites list 5 miles long as what tends to happen at the Pit.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I was starting to think I was the only one who felt this way! lol. I hate to leave people feeling I'm rude but I dunno, it seems weird to me to just reply with the same generic response to people.

[wolfie.livejournal.com]

My take is somewhere in the middle. I will typically reply with a simple answer to a simple review. I don't really find it rude not to reply to those.

However, if the reviewer put some obvious thought into it, rhetorical, questioning or otherwise, I do personally feel obligated to say something to them. Do I find it rude not to in this case...? I guess sometimes. But I'm not going to lose sleep over it, either.

But then, I am someone whose fanfiction is not nearly so wide-read or reviewed as your own, also. :)

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

Oh boy. lol. I don't think I'm really wide read or that popular. And I know I'm not overwhelmed with reviews/comments. It's just that a lot of the time I don't really have any sort of significant response to the comments I get so I don't respond because I rather not just respond with a generic "thanks for reading" to people.

[wolfie.livejournal.com]

Even if the review they've given me is detailed and thought out, I just personally feel obligated to give at least a simple "thanks"... but then they might be offended that my response was too simple.

Truthfully, you're under a Catch 22 either way. :3

And well, you're just more wide-read and popular than myself by a good deal. It was more of a comparison thing, I guess.

[harper-m.livejournal.com]

I reply to all of the comments that people leave - with the exception of the rash of spam I've been getting lately. I figure if they're nice enough to say something about my fic, it'd be nice for me to acknowledge that. It plays into the notion of this as a community that I have in my mind. I know not everyone does that. I figure it's up to the individual authors, but I am less likely to leave feedback if I know from past experience that I won't get a thanks. (And I'm completely okay with just that - a thanks. It doesn't have to be elaborate.) I suppose it's because it feels like my comments are just disappearing into a void otherwise. I realize this might be irrational, but it feels like I've initiated a conversation that someone else is ignoring.

I've never been a fan of responding to some feedback and not to others. Whether or not it's true, it can come across to me as playing favorites, and that's sort of alienating. It makes me feel like I'm intruding on someone's circle of friends, being the pesky outsider who just won't go away (whether or not my comment receives a response).

But, I also think that people should be able to do whatever they want on their own journal. It's their space, their rules.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to feel like a jerk for not replying to all my comments. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. lol.

[harper-m.livejournal.com]

Or, maybe people who reply to comments are more likely to leave comments when asked about comments. :)

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I am SO confused right now. lol.

ETA: But after reading that three times I finally understood. I swear, the sleet and snowpocalypse is making my brain die. That and too much Star Trek Next Generation exposure to Wesley Crusher.

[harper-m.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. Let me rephrase - I'm not sure how generalizable your findings are. You may have a biased sample. Results certainly seem skewed. :)

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I got it after rereading it. I'm just a bit slow today. Now I'm absorbed in the Penny Arcade controversy which is just bumming me out with the creators asshattery.

[aphrodite-mine.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the time/thought it takes to post a response, as opposed to just closing the window/saving to delicious/hitting kudo [my biggest pet peeve]/or say, reading it, but not liking it enough to comment.

So, for every comment someone takes the time to leave, I take the time to thank them for taking the time for reading/commenting.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

That seems to be the consensus. Here, at least.

[jailbaitjello.livejournal.com]

I leave comments reviewing fics (both at LJ and FF.net) because I want to indicate to authors that there are people who read and appreciate what they write. I generally don't expect any author response back unless I ask a specific question. Usually there's not even much that I can say except for "great chapter! Thanks for the read." So yeah, in those cases, I definitely don't think it's rude that authors don't reply back.

That being said, do authors prefer not to have one-liner comments? On FF.net, I also do so to get the review count up on a fic I think is worth reading, because I know that as a reader I definitely click on fics that have lots of reviews. And generally, having a large readership seems to motivate authors to write, so more reviews -> more interest from new readers -> more fic from good writers. Or at least that's my line of thinking... Am I just making stuff up?

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I can't speak for other writers but I don't mind one line reviews. I mean, whatever anyone wants to tell me, good, bad, long, short, intelligent or nonsensical is up to them and it's all good as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah, a lot of people are concerned with reviews. I'm not particularly fixated on them though but I'm a sporadic fanfic writers these days.

Hello

[(Anonymous)]

I couldn't help myself from responding.
I'm someone who loves to read and occasionally comment on what I've read. But I've learned over time not to expect a direct response unless what I gave was meant as constructive criticism.
... What I do expect is that the comments I send encourage the author to write more.

Re: Hello

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear this. I hate to make people feel rejected due to lack of response from the comments I get because it's not like I don't appreciate them.

[sulkygeek.livejournal.com]

hey you :)

I don't think you're obliged or anything to respond. But I think people appreciate the reciprocity. It's kind of like sending a thank-you card after you've already thanked the give in-person.

I HATE the people who say "Feedback makes me write faster" though. You know what makes me write faster? Crystal meth. (kidding). Mostly insomnia and occasionally boredom and I think it's fucked up to hold updates/stories for ransom which you've never done. Overall, I've always felt you were way more sincere as a writer with your audience than 90% of others who are like "thanks so much for the kind reviews! Keep them coming so I stay motivated!"

I, however, do reply to everyone who comments because it's part of my compulsiveness. Also? I'm one of those people who excessively expresses gratitude. Like, when my coworkers threw me a baby shower last year (after I explicitly indicated I didn't need one and didn't register anymore), I thanked everyone in person, thanked everyone by email after the shower and then a week later, gave eveyone a thank-you card+ little tiny candy basket. I dunno. It just makes me feel good to be like "thanks!" but I don't think I'm obliged and I don't even think it's out of etiquette. By now, people have been writing fanfic in the communities long enough to know there is diversity between writers as it relates to feedback so it doesn't seem rude/unappreciative, it just seems like a preference.

[sulkygeek.livejournal.com]

P.S. Also, I'm an asshole and kind of indifferent to being perceived as rude/insensitive/unappreciative so I guess I'm the wrong person to ask about this. Cos I think "to each her own" and I don't think anyone is obliged to comment, so why are you obliged to respond? Also, I think writing fanfic solely with the expectation of comments/feedback is lame, but I also think it's lame to comment solely with the expectation of hearing back from the writer.

Often I'll comment anonymously on stuff (stuff I like, if I don't like it, I don't bother commenting or trashing it, because who has the time? shit), that way, the person doesn't have to feel obliged to comment back because a lot of people don't reply to the anon comments since it doesn't generate a reply to the email. And if they do reply, I'll often not see it because..well, I've already moved on, lol

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

I never saw my lack of response as a rude thing so the discussion which pretty much condemned me (and other fanfic writers) who don't reply to all their LJ comments was a bit disconcerting for me. Certainly I'm not an overly polite person but I'd like to think I'm a nice/polite person and I hate to put anyone off unintentionally.

This discussion has been fairly enlightening. I'm not sure if I'll start replying to all my fanfic comments on LJ or not though. If I do I'm sure I'll end up giving a lot of generic "thanks for reading" replies which seems a tad insincere to me. Ah well.

Helena looking hot in her pimp bikini icon to cheer me up. lol.

[sulkygeek.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's rude. I think SOME people might perceive it as rude and you know those are the people who are most vocal/prone to having such discussions. The squeaky wheel gets the oil changes.

I would venture there are many of your readership who read this, felt it was NOT rude and then were too apathetic to weigh in cos those are the people (who may be a majority) who don't care enough to weigh in...

Also, I think you are super nice and polite. That's kind of how we started talking, remember? Over on that abysmal L-Word board

For me personally, I feel if someone took the time to comment, I'll at least say thank you. But I don't think YOU should have to feel obliged just because a few vocal people voiced that opinion. I bet lots of people were lurking (the way you were, creeper, lol) and just kind of rolled their eyes and moved onto the next topic.

One thing I always admired about you is that you've always seemed largely impervious to feedback. Like, you know your stuff is good and you stand by what you write. I don't think we as fanfic writers should EXPECT people to comment nor should people leaving feedback EXPECT replies back. I think you're awesome.

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

Haha, impervious to feedback, noooo. lol. I like comments and criticism. I just think I'm not as sensistive as the average fanfic writer about stuff people say. Maybe I'm not as super attached to my work? I dunno.

You know I think you're awesome as well. You need to get on G-Talk or something so we can chat again since AIM kills your computer.

[sulkygeek.livejournal.com]

I went on AIM on my laptop whilst in bed last night, but you weren't on AND I WAS SO FILLED WITH SAD. Will's back is better, so I'm on the desktop again but I may just lounge with my laptop after my shower.. hope you're around soon!

[dreiser.livejournal.com]

Aww. I'm around now. I was reading Star Trek Voyager fanfic on my iPod touch. lol. I'm sad like that.

[tempest819.livejournal.com]

I'm getting to the party a little bit late, but, this is such a good topic, I just have to chime in! Personally I reply comments, but, I really don't think its rude if you don't. I totally get the whole, 'thanks for reading' feels as though it would sound insincere. It can be annoying to have to come up with a way to say 'thank you' a bunch of different ways because you don't want to say the same thing to each comment and look insincere.

The way my mind works is this, I write a story because I feel compelled to. When the process happens, it's a very wonderful schizophrenic mix of emotions. Throughout the time it takes to write a story I experience, elation, frustation, realization...a whole lot of 'tions. And when it's done I put it on FF.net and LJ to share with others. I don't rely on comments to dicate whether I write more or faster. I put it on there, because even those stories are based on characters that I didn't create, that I poached from TV or a movie, there is still a piece of me in them. A part of my voice is in them. When someone comments on my story, for me, it's as if they've heard that voice and are responding it. So I reply to the comment, because even though we don't know each other, we've shared something. It's a little moment and it doesn't even occur in real time. They could be in California or the UK and writing the comment while I'm catching some zzzz, but, regardless of the time delay, there's a moment, a human connection.

When I read someone else's story, and I enjoy it, for either touching my heart or tickling my funny bone, or both, I'll leave a comment because I want the author to know that it touched me, in some way and that I'm grateful for it. When I respond to a comment left one of my own stories, it's kind of for the same reason. Gratitude for letting me in for a moment, for letting me know that these crazy thoughts that bounce around in my head and these feelings that pinball through my heart are in them too.

That's why I do it. But, I don't think you should do anything if it doesn't feel sincere. So maybe a good compromise would be to just put a note at the end of your stories saying thanks for reading, and that even if you don't respond to comments you are still appreciative of them.

P.S. Yes, Jake Ryan is dreamy. See, connection!

[(Anonymous)]

Also a bit late to the discussion...as a reader only and occasional comment leaver I don't expect any reply. It sometimes just ends up being a circular thanks for commenting/thanks for saying thanks and on and on and on...group hug time. If something resonates or amuses me I'll comment. Otherwise, no.

Definitely the hostage taking/comment seeking authors are tedious.


k

[jt4702.livejournal.com]

Definitely late to the discussion, but it's a fascinating subject, so here are my thoughts.

Feedback in any form is very tricky. I've only recently started to write (less than a year) but I've been an avid fanfic reader for years on end. I see questions about feedback in different forums and it all boils down to what every one expects when a story is written. As a reader, when I send FB to a writer about a story I like, I normally don't expect a reply, especially if it's left through LJ or through ff.net. It's nice when it happens, but I certainly don't expect it nor do I find it rude when it doesn't happen.

As a would-be writer, I also don't expect FB. It's nice when it happens, but the reason I write isn't necessarily for the acknowledgement of others. Does it help when I get a bunch of 'nice, love it.' Sure, it's a nice stroke to my ego. Does it help when I get con-crit? Definitely. I have always thought myself incapable of writing fiction so when I see suggestions I jump at them.

Do I reply to all the comments I get? I do my best. But that is a personal choice. Whether you do or don't, it should be because you feel the need to do so, and not because it's something you're supposed to do. Not sure if that made any sense, but it did in my mind. I say don't let others dictate how you feel and how you respond to FB from others. Most of my FB tends to be of the 'nice work, loved it' variety so really, there is only so much 'thank you. glad you like it' replies a person can make.

I say follow your instincts and reply to those you feel warrant a response. We all lead a life outside the world of fanfic and the fact that we make the effort to weave tales for our own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others should be more than enough in my eyes. Anything else in my eyes at least, should be seen as icing on the cake.

JT