[ SECRET POST #2749 ]

[case]

⌈ 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.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

There's the rub. Unless it's specifically a gift fanfic, the writer is not writing for the reader.

[(Anonymous)]

Not specifically, but the reader benefits, no? None of my favorite authors have ever written a book specifically for me, but they still did a nice thing that I appreciate them doing.

[(Anonymous)]

So do you write fanmail to all of them?

[(Anonymous)]

When I can find actual contact info, yes, I do. Otherwise, I'll support them by buying their books, recommending them to others and with positive reviews that other readers see even if the authors themselves don't. And you know what? I do this even though 1) all of those things take more effort than leaving a review on AO3 or FFnet or any number of online archives with built-in reviews that go directly to the author and 2) there's only a slim chance that the author will ever read my message.

But for fanfiction, where there is no product to buy? I leave a review. The reasons why I do so are exactly the same: Because I like their work and want to encourage them to write more. I also know that with fanfiction, my message is far more likely to reach the author, and there's a good chance the fanfic author is even more appreciative that I took the time to do this. So why wouldn't I review? Seems silly not to.

[(Anonymous)]

But most writers don't appreciate the feeling of writing into an empty void. If I felt like people didn't think about my writing beyond the time it took them to read it, I'd feel like I was doing something wrong and/or wasting my time.

[diet_poison]

If you aren't writing for yourself, what are you writing for? In most cases, people aren't asking for your fic, and they're not obligated to give you something in return for posting it.

It's only a waste of time if you don't get a reward for it that you feel is worth it. Many writers think the writing itself is its own reward. If your reward is feedback and only feedback, why do you keep doing it? (Honest question.)

[(Anonymous)]

My question would be, if your reward is feedback and only feedback, then why don't you write for popular pairings/fandoms where you would get more attention?

I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone complaining because one of their fics didn't get a lot of attention, when it's 100% clear from the fandom/pairing/subject matter why they aren't getting a lot of feedback...

[(Anonymous)]

da

I don't think it's an either/or situation. I enjoy writing. I write things for myself that I don't show to anyone, but I also write things I post because I enjoy sharing them with others and knowing that there are other people out there who like what I like. They're not obligated to give me anything in return, but you know, it's really, really nice when they do. I'm far more likely to write more and share more, so both me and the people who read my stuff have the mutual pleasure of sharing that story. It's a win-win situation!

If I didn't get any positive feedback, then yes, I might still write it for myself but I wouldn't share it if I thought nobody wanted it. So I still get the pleasure of writing it, but anyone who might've enjoyed reading doesn't. So why not review? I take the same approach as a reader. It's in my own interests to encourage the writers I like. I would never dream of telling writers they should write and be content with no feedback because the act should be rewarding in itself.

[diet_poison]

This is really reasonable imo.

re: your last line: doesn't that vary according to the writer?

I'm just a bit annoyed at people acting like they're entitled to feedback. It's almost as annoying as readers acting like they're entitled to writers writing a specific pairing or something just for them.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm not sure what your question is. I don't think I'd say that to any writer, no. If they were horrible and holding chapters hostage for reviews, then I'd point out that this is a stupid, douchey thing to do, but it's still 100% their choice to keep writing. Nobody has to write anyone anything out of sheer love of writing. That to me seems as entitled as demanding reviews.

[diet_poison]

I just meant that different writers write for different reasons.

I wasn't trying to imply that someone *had* to write out of love for writing, I was just kind of confused as to why it seems some people put so much effort into writing when they're constantly disappointed by lack of feedback and not getting satisfaction any other way.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, yeah. I get that writers have different motivations for why they write, I just wouldn't try to dictate to them what their motivations ought to be, if that makes sense. Unfortunately, I see that happening a lot in discussions like this. (I hasten to clarify: Not from you.)

"... I was just kind of confused as to why it seems some people put so much effort into writing when they're constantly disappointed by lack of feedback and not getting satisfaction any other way."

Living in hope, is my guess. I don't know of any writers who are an instant success from their very first attempt. If nobody kept trying in hopes of improving and maybe finding an audience who appreciated their work, we'd have no books at all. You could say that of just about any endeavor, really.

[diet_poison]

I just wouldn't try to dictate to them what their motivations ought to be, if that makes sense.

I'm glad you think I'm not doing that, but I apologize if I came off that way at all. Wasn't intending to be rude. ^^;

And your second point is a good point, yeah.

[arcadiaego]

I'd understand this if everyone felt the same way about commenting, but they don't. So it's not a void so much as 'not as many comments as I want'.