[ SECRET POST #4133 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #4133 ⌋

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

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 45 secrets from Secret Submission Post #592.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Wow. I know people who will not comment to stories if the author hasn't replied to at least some of the already existing comments. I've never heard of the opposite--judging authors for actually replying? That is weird.

(And we're all thirsty, whether we want to admit it or not, tbh.)

[(Anonymous)]

I'm one of those. If I've left a couple comments and gotten no response, maybe they just missed it... but when I look and see NO replies whatsoever, and no blanket thank yous in notes, even... I feel like obviously they don't care to hear from us. Thinking of one writer in particular, who is just BRILLIANT, and I've never seen a bad comment... it feels like SHE thinks it's beneath her to reply to us little folk who are simply basking in her brilliance.

On my stories, I feel that if someone actually takes the time to comment, a "thank you" reply is in order, at the very least. Never thought it might look to others that I'm thirsty! Begging for comments on every chapter is a little more desperate, methinks (and annoying).

[(Anonymous)]

I do find that I will think twice about taking the time to leave a long comment if there are no replies to other comments. I might still say something short and I'll definitely kudos given the option, but it does make me pause.

[(Anonymous)]

Agreed. If they don't reply, you don't even know if they're reading it, so why waste the time crafting a thoughtful comment?

[(Anonymous)]

What an uncharitable assumption to make.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I suppose it is. I could just choose not to comment based on her not replying and leave it at that. But what does it look like to you if person after person leaves long comments praising everything about the story, with not one single response, ever -- for more than a year? I don't see how an author who actually appreciates receiving comments on their work could be that way. And AO3 doesn't have a PM system so it's not like they're getting thanked in private.

[(Anonymous)]

ut what does it look like to you if person after person leaves long comments praising everything about the story, with not one single response, ever -- for more than a year?

Like they don't know what to say. Like they're anxious about replying, maybe even a little embarrassed. Like they're afraid they'll say the wrong thing or not show enough appreciation. Like maybe they don't enjoy talking about their work. Like they feel more comfortable writing fic than replying to comments. You know - basically all the same reasons people don't leave feedback to begin with.

There could be plenty of other reasons besides them not appreciating comments or thinking they're too good to reply to them.

[(Anonymous)]

I've left long comments on OLD fics where the author has never replied to any of them....If it's one of those classic fics that you just adore and end up re-reading once a month or so.. I figure, eh, they'll be back someday and they should know how many times I've re-read this story.

But if it's not a fave...nope, read, kudos, move on.

[(Anonymous)]

I LOVE getting comments on old fics! I wish more people would do that! I get that they don't know if the author's even still checking, but they could leave a short "test" comment to find out?

[(Anonymous)]

If you want people to feel appreciated, you have to take action to show your appreciation within the milieux in which you interact with them.

[(Anonymous)]

Me too. I don't leave comments for people who don't reply to them.

[(Anonymous)]

I get Cassie Claire flashbacks if I see that kind of author...

[(Anonymous)]

I was curious and had to go google her. WOW. Wonder how I could've never heard about her before.

[(Anonymous)]

God, she's the very definition of clique-y author with sycophantic friends...

[(Anonymous)]

I remember people saying that authors who reply are inflating their comment numbers.

[(Anonymous)]

That worry about inflation only works if you think the only point of a comment is to keep score. Like another kind of kudos or like. If a comment's only value is for points, then I guess doubling down would come across as thirsty.

But the majority of people who comment, and reply to comments, see them as moments of human connection, or opportunities to talk meta, or chances to say just how much they liked a particular phrase, or thanks I structured the whole story around that phrase I'm glad you noticed, or simply to make friends.

Someone who worries about 'cheating' their 'points'... Well, they're probably sincere in this belief. Fandom has some anxious people (see that other secret today). But they're missing out on the use and beauty of the AO3 comment. So, with love, I suggest they give comment-replying a try.

(And also... have a go at ascribing the best possible motivation for an action, not just the worst. They might cheer up some.)

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I've never understood that argument. I mean, if that's the case...then what the hell do they think that "reply" button that exists underneath someone's review they leave on a fic on AO3 is for, then?

[(Anonymous)]

I don't think this way either.

Authors that "reply" to every old comment to mention that they've posted a new chapter, on the other hand....

(and I have seen this: literally 10 "replies," one after the other, to every comment, each saying "Hey, I've posted Chapter 2!" "Hey, I've posted Chapter 3!" "Hey, I've posted Chapter 4!"

Sheesh.