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

[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.