[ SECRET POST #3175 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3175 ⌋

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

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 070 secrets from Secret Submission Post #454.
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

[fscom]

08. http://i59.tinypic.com/28v9cvc.jpg

[(Anonymous)]

"Free loader"

Um....It's not like you're living in someone's house. It's a hobby, an interest. People shouldn't need to "earn" their right to participate.

[(Anonymous)]

Think about it this way: if you watch the shows or movies or buy the books and stuff, you're contributing by giving viewership and/or money to the creators and helping support the canons for everyone IN fandom.

[(Anonymous)]

If you're leaving comments on things you like, especially comments detailed enough to be called reviews, you are not freeloading.

[(Anonymous)]

Even if they don't then honestly they're not freeloading either. Fandom isn't a thing where you need owe anything to be a part of. Like who are we trying to pay rent to? The hobby landlord?

There is no "freeloading" for fandom participation.

[(Anonymous)]

For reals! As a writer, the best gift to me is a well written comment. It means SO MUCH and it's the thing that keeps me writing.

[(Anonymous)]

Fandom isn't a potluck, OP. :) Reviews are super helpful and encouraging to creators, so you absolutely are contributing anyway -- but even if you weren't, I wouldn't worry about it a bit.

[annethecatdetective]

Commenting on the things you like is so important, though. Even if it's only once in a while, the people whose work you comment on appreciate that a lot, so you are giving back to the people who do create your favorite fanworks.

(and all you need to do is show up and enjoy things, anyway! There are no dues that need to be paid to be in fandom, so if you're not led to create or get into involved discussions, that's totally fine!)

So?

[philippos42]

I mean, isn't that how most people relate to the source material, in the first place? I think you're normal.

[caerbannog]

You don't have to contribute anon, it's fandom. There really is no obligation to create something if it's not something you enjoy doing. If you prefer reading over writing, that is perfectly fine.

[silverr]

but... you are contributing. Yuu sid you write reviews of things you like.

Maybe you're not creating dumptrucks worth of fanworks or meta, but you're not doing nothing.

And I can assure you -- if you're reviewing fanworks, that almost always spurs the creator to make more, so indirectly you're even contributing to fanworks.

[elaminator]

Yea, this.

Not that anyone in fandom is obligated to create or participate (lurking is fine, if that's what you enjoy and all you can or are willing to do), but reviewing is helping. Writers/artists/vidders love reviews and comments and it encourages them to keeping doing their thing.

On some level I do understand what OP feels because I wish I could give back to fandom in some bigger way as well, but what they're doing isn't 'nothing'.

I won't speak for anyone else...

[(Anonymous)]

...but as a writer of fanfiction, and an occasional fan music video contributor, I depend on "freeloaders" like you. I used to be obsessed with consuming others' works but after so many years, my interest in doing so has dwindled. If all contributors were at the place I am now, well, I can't say there wouldn't be a fandom, but it might just be limited to discussion and not so much fan-created works.

So yes, IMO you are fulfilling a valuable role in fandom.

[(Anonymous)]

You are the unsung hero of fandom. As long as you are leaving reviews, you are contributing so much more than you realize. So few people bother, but it means a lot to the writers.

If you think you would be a good beta, then you can always offer those services. As a bonus, you get to read fics early. :)

[(Anonymous)]

If you leave reviews on fanfic you liked, then I think that's worth a lot. As a writer, I always appreciate readers who take the time to do that and I'd never think of them as "freeloaders".

[cbrachyrhynchos]

Not another "truefan" "wrongfen" discussion, please.

[esteefee]

People who leave reviews are my heroes, so you're already a step beyond, OP. Fandom wouldn't exist without an audience, so don't put yourself down.

[(Anonymous)]

Leaving reviews and comments is a vital and valuable part of fandom, as is being just a silent reader. Don't worry so much!

[(Anonymous)]

Honestly? If anything, that means you're really helping out. In the tumblr era, the commenting culture has almost entirely died out. Many people don't get comments at all, so you're really contributing to helping keep up a dying culture.

[(Anonymous)]

As long as you're telling artists and writers how much you enjoy their stuff, there's no reason to feel like a freeloader. Feedback helps creators keep creating -- something most people forget.

[(Anonymous)]

OP, you don't have to earn your place in fandom. But you are the kind of fan who keeps me IN fandom. I write fanfic, and in my small fandom, you can usually count a fic's reviews on your thumbs. When reviews dry up, fandoms tend to, too. So THANK YOU for giving feedback on fanworks. You keep a lot of us going.

[(Anonymous)]

People create things to be consumed. If you're reading fiction, looking at fanart and appreciating it, that makes it worthwhile for the creator. You're their audience. They need you. You matter.

[rivulet027]

You're not. Reviews are amazing. I don't know how many fics I've written more for simply because of a review.

[(Anonymous)]

You've made this secret. It's nice. Looks good. You can do that for your fandom, if you like?

But I think you're ok.

[arcadiaego]

I know it's irrational, but I feel like this too. :/