fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2749 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2749 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 073 secrets from Secret Submission Post #393.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 1 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

People seem to think that being bad at something (or thinking that they're bad at something) means they don't have to do it. That's kind of weird, to be honest. If someone gave me a present and I just snatched it and walked away, everyone would think I was an asshat. Saying, "Oh, I'm bad at saying 'thank you'" wouldn't cut it, because I'm (allegedly) an adult.

Writing fanfic is not like giving somebody a gift.* If you give somebody a gift you get them something that they like. When you write fan fic, you write what you like. You're doing it to please yourself, not to please randomreader5783 on AO3

*This, of course, does not count actual gift fanfiction, in which case it would be appropriate for the recipient to say 'Thanks'

The problem with your analogy is fanfic is not a gift given specifically to you. (Unless it is and then you should totally say thanks even if it sucks).

On the other hand, if someone was standing on the street performing for everyone, it would be nice of you to give some sort of response but you aren't inherently terrible for not doing so. Which is a much better analogy.

That's a better analogy. In those situations, I clap when they're finished, regardless of whether or not they were great because I figure it took guts to stand up in public and juggle/play music/do magic tricks or whatever. If they were good, I clap more enthusiastically. If I have money, I'll leave some.

But I'm not going to be that asshole who complains about the horrible burden of being expected to clap, haha.

Clapping in a situation like that feels a lot different to me than leaving a review on a fic. Clapping is low-effort and... not personal, I guess. Unobtrusive. Leaving a review is saying something publicly about something. I don't think the two reactions are necessarily comparable.

Clapping is hitting the kudos button. Leaving a review would be more akin to going up to the guy between sets and teeming him he did great.

And that's why I will clap and hit kudos, but I'm only going to comment of it was so amazing I have something to say.

And yet a lot of people insist for some reason that kudos are worthless and that you must comment

IDK

I like this analogy. (Also favoriting the fic/author is like quickly dropping a $1 bill in their case.)

For some reason, I get a LOT of anxiety when internet talk becomes one-on-one. Like, I can make a general post on tumblr or facebook, or join in a comment thread discussion or something, but when it comes time to answer emails or pms, or just write to one specific person...I dunno...I freeze. It can get really bad (cost me a really nice gig at least once). I don't know why it is, but I'm all tense and ooky just thinking of it now.

I feel the same way. Even anonymous, which comments aren't exactly, it feels really high-pressure to let someone into my mind by sharing my thoughts.

People are different and do not all behave the same way in the same situations and it isn't about being rude or thoughtless or lazy. Somethings are more difficult for some people.

I prefer to send PMs so that I am at least only talking to one person instead of comments which are for everyone who reads the story. I do not talk in groups and I don't like to write for them either.

Posting here has made me more comfortable, though. I'm coming out of my shell a bit. I'm still not ready for talking to strangers about things they created in an open forum. I feel stressed and panicky even contemplating it.

Me too. I'm getting better, mainly because I've been in some smaller fandoms lately and it's harder to just leave someone else to encourage writers but eeeesh.

Of course nobody is required to leave a comment, but don't underestimate the positive impact your comments can have on a writer. I am absolutely thrilled and very grateful for any compliments or kudos at all, on my fic.

If your reaction to a fic was "meh" and you truly have nothing to say, fair enough, but if you claim to have such extreme social anxiety that typing "good work" in the anonymity of the Internet is too taxing for you...uh, I dunno.

Same. I often get very down about life in general as well as my writing, and even a short comment is much needed encouragement. It reminds me that yes, people DO care and I should keep trying! Many of the writers I know feel the same way, which is why I'm a little weirded out by the comments saying how awful we are for valuing feedback.

I don't want anyone to stress themselves out over commenting, but... even a "Well done!" or a "Good story!" is too much? But... *sigh* Okay. :(

"Same. I often get very down about life in general as well as my writing, and even a short comment is much needed encouragement. It reminds me that yes, people DO care and I should keep trying!"

This, exactly.

I think people probably think that fandom is not a social obligation where they 'have' to do anything. I don't write a review for every single book I read either. Fan fic writers don't get paid, but I wasn't aware that they were doing it to be paid in comments.

[ SECRET POST #2749 ]

I don't really get it, either.

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