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

[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.