[ 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

[(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)]

No, it boils down to the fact that many of us have been burned before by giving concrit and then being flamed and harassed.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, nah. I would bet real money that the # of fans who simply can't be bothered to leave concrit faaaar outnumber the ones that have earnestly tried and been harassed.

I also don't believe you genuinely think that the latter outnumber the former.

[(Anonymous)]

I'd say you haven't been around in fandom too long then. And honestly? It only takes it happening once or seeing it happen for you to go "nah, not worth it."

[(Anonymous)]

+1, I left not particularly harsh concrit on a fic that said "Concrit welcome" and the author flamed me, then her friends harassed me and left rude comments on several of my fics. It was only once but I'm certainly not trying that again.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, most fic authors just want fellating. Not that lots of people really wanted criticism (constructive or otherwise) in earlier fandom eras, but the days of happily sporking badfic, shitty self-inserts and Mary-Sues, the promotion of using beta-readers, and generally anything other than babying fanwork creators and handing out figurative participation prizes are far behind us.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh no, what a tragedy, someone sharing their work for free doesn't want to be torn apart for it! Someone doesn't want to treat their hobby like a job!

You sound extremely unpleasant.

[(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.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah good point. I guess I feel bad about asking for things from readers - I always say "critique much appreciated" or something like that, but I still never get any. Begging for it feels like I'm demanding comments, though :(

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

ayrt

Hmm, I don't think you need to beg, maybe spelling it out like "I would love to hear what worked for you and what didn't" or that type of thing as well as saying you welcome critique could invite more critical comments? You might need to join or start a group for sharing critiques if it's really not common in your fandom.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah true!! Thanks for the advice hey

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

It takes work, but look for a proper beta if you want constructive criticism on a regular basis. Not just someone to go over your spelling/grammar errors, make it clear exactly what you're looking for and be specific about what you believe your weak spots are and what you want to improve. NGL, a good beta is really hard to find because it's a rarer skillset than people think.

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe putting a poll of what you think works and what doesn't, and asking for votes? If people can comment very anonymously, they might be less worried about doing so. I've been burned for not knowing by magic exactly what a writer (and someone I thought of as a friend, too) wants.

[(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.