[ SECRET POST #6107 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #6107 ⌋

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


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 32 secrets from Secret Submission Post #873.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 1 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[fscom]

06. https://i.imgur.com/Sz7P4NU.jpg

[(Anonymous)]

Then you need to make that clear in an author's note.

[(Anonymous)]

Not OP but that doesn't work, either. I always do that and people just don't. Even in a community where they had specific tags for "really truly honestly wants crit, be harsh if you want"

It boils down to the fact that reading a fic is fun, hitting a kudos button oh going "I like ur fic" is easy, but giving thoughtful constructive feedback is actual work

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, a lot of people make it clear that they EXPECT comments on their fic even if it's just a "Loved it!!" and sometimes that's all someone really has to say. The mixed messages about generalized "commenting etiquette" without each writer saying what they specifically want is what makes people reluctant to comment for fear of doing the opposite of what the specific writer wants. And then people get mad about not enough readers leaving comments. Well, that's why!!

[(Anonymous)]

Agreed. And be more detailed about it like "Please rip me to shreads if needed, I want to improve and change for the better" or something like that.

[(Anonymous)]

+1

I'm similar to you OP, I appreciate intense criticism, but it isn't something people are always comfortable giving without an invitation, because of how many people feel the opposite (such as writing fic just for fun, writing fic for catharsis, just not being interested in harsh feedback from strangers, etc). If it's not the typical etiquette in your fandom or group to leave indepth criticism on fics, you will likely have to ask very clearly and loudly for this. Unfortunately as others have said sometimes no matter how directly you ask, a certain fandom may just not be comfortable with even wanted criticism which is frustrating. Hope you can find readers who are willing to provide the type of feedback you're looking for.

[(Anonymous)]

Seconded that this won't always work. Soliciting concrit doesn't magically make people who are able to give it appear. And frankly as someone who's been in fandom a long time, anyone who IS capable of giving good concrit should be justifiably cautious even when writers claim they want it. I've personally experienced far too many writers who insisted they wanted a thorough beta job with brutal honesty... but they don't actually expect to get it, and they're very unpleasantly surprised when they do.

Now, I'm not undiplomatic. I do the praise/concrit/praise sandwich, and I'm never nasty because it's not about tearing someone down. But I've had "I swear, give it to me straight and rip this fic to shreds" adult authors go apeshit over me pointing out a small factual error that wasn't even about their writing/writing style. I no longer offer concrit to people I don't know well, who aren't going to lose their shit over something trivial.

[(Anonymous)]

Ngl, I read fics for fun and the last thing that I'd be doing is English literature homework on fanfiction. I'm sure there's people out there who have fun with analyzing fics, but I think the reason people are mostly 'too nice' is because it can be hard to come up with constructive criticism that's actually helpful.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I'm thinking this is the case for a lot of folks. I used to be one of those people who were more into concrit until I realized there are only certain people who are interested in it and it's a good idea to figure that part out first.

[(Anonymous)]

This. I love a good constructive writing discussion and all, but fic is for fun.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

I mean, I don't think a full-on English Lit analysis is the only way to leave critique? Even just hearing what didn't land for them or a scene that felt off could help me, they don't need to explain why.

[(Anonymous)]

ngl, fic hosting sites were never really a good place for that sort of feedback. Nitpicking over grammar and whining that the wrong guy topped? Sure. Actual, useful feedback? Not so much. There used to be some good lj comms for that sort of thing, back before The Fall. Nowadays, you've probably got to take it to Discord. bleh.

[(Anonymous)]

If you don't have a beta, get yourself a beta. If you have a beta, get yourself a better beta. Too many fic authors make a fuss about not getting comments praising them exactly the way they want, so you're going to be very few and far between for actual critique.

[(Anonymous)]

Yup, came here to suggest this.

And ask a beta who you know writes really well. I think I'm a better beta than I am a writer, but my work is at least solid if not literary genius.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

I do really want a beta, haha, but I don't really know anyone in fandom. I'm the type to scurry in, leave a fic on the ground, and scurry right out again, lol. IDK how I'd go about finding one that I work well with, or how I'd do having that sort of relationship with a stranger :S

[(Anonymous)]

tbh that's not really something fandom is going to provide. If you want your writing brutally ripped up for your own good, find or start a Milford method writing workshop circle - your local community college probably has at least one for original fiction, and some fandom friends and I did one on Slack a few years ago that was pretty easy to set up (no comment on what it did to the friendships.)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, I've participated in workshops using that method, for writing and short films. Never knew the name of it. I always really enjoyed it because it let me see how my work came across to others. The negative feedback was always surprising and interesting to think about, it made me more confident as an artist because I had to decide which feedback aligned with my vision and would take me in the right direction, as opposed to feedback that would distort my vision and was a potential negative reading I was willing to accept.

[(Anonymous)]

Given your comments elsewhere, I'm starting to think you just really like to be hit with negative feedback even if you don't actually need to improve.

[(Anonymous)]

OP here - What comments elsewhere? I just woke up!

[(Anonymous)]

People default to being nice because even when a writer asks for concrit in the notes 9/10 they don’t actually want genuine concrit, they want in-depth ass-kissing. Which isn’t the same thing at all.

[(Anonymous)]

It's only safe to ask for concrit if you write gen or uncontroversial content.

Couldn't be me, honestly.

[(Anonymous)]

Could you find an amateur writers circle? One where you read each other's stuff with the goal of self improvement? There have got to be fic writers discords for this.

Because yeah, I'm never going to tear a fic writer to shreds. You're providing me with a tasty morsel of fic. Unless there was something risky you didn't warn for I ain't saying shit but praise.

[goodbyebird]

You'd probably have more luck looking for a beta.

[(Anonymous)]

In my experience either the reader(s) will use the opportunity to troll and simply write hateful jargon ("u can't write" "this sucks" "why did you pair A with B, it's supposed to be A with C" "stop writing" "this is worse than twilight") or the writer underestimates the thickness of their skin.

I mean, I suggest leaving a comment in your Author's Note that you welcome and want constructive feedback and see if that garners anything.
If you don't ask, no one will know that's what you want.
But in my experience, YMMV.

[(Anonymous)]

So late to the party, but check out the Fan Author Workshop by betts / bettsfic on tumblr! May be close to what you're looking for!