fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #6374 ]

[ SECRET POST #6374 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6374 ⌋

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Notes:

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey F!S. I've got a question about comment etiquette on AO3.

I like to try to respond to every comment that I receive on a fic, even if it's just a, "thank you!" Commenting can be an anxiety-ridden endeavor for many people, and I want those who take the time to leave one for me to know that their words have been seen and appreciated.

Well, I started a WIP back in the fall, and then life sort of...took off for me. I've been crazy busy since late December, and it's only recently that I've been able to devote time to it again. While posting a new chapter, I happened to notice that I'd missed all the comments on the last one! I would like to acknowledge them, but... it's been 6 months at this point.

My question is whether responding now would come across as weird, or as something of a faux pas (I guess I have my own anxieties about commenting!). What are your thoughts? Has the moment passed, or would it not be a big deal to leave responses now?

I think there's no real answer. I think some people would find it really nice that you acknowledge the older comments, and some would say the window has passed.

And just as an outlier, I actually don't like it when authors reply to my comment unless I've asked a question or they have something to say. I mean I don't generally get upset and authors can do what makes them happy, but getting a "thank you!" reply gives me anxiety. So you honestly will not ever make everyone happy lol Just do what pleases the anxiety in your own brain and makes you happy.

Sidenote, I'm pleased you have time and are able to get back to your WiP! That must be really fun for you and the readers.

AYRT

I hadn't considered that replying may add to anxiety rather than alleviate it, so thank you for that perspective! While you are right that it's not possible to make everyone happy, I do want to be mindful of how what I say or do might affect others, so I may reconsider my approach of always responding.

AYRT

Tbf I have never really seen anyone else talk about authors replying bothering them or causing anxiety. I do think I'm just a weirdo.

You sound like a very kind and thoughtful person.

also an author - as far as I can tell there's no statute of limitations on responding. a little "omg I only just saw this" disclaimer can be applied but isn't necessary since commenters really aren't looking for a back-and-forth with the author anyway. these aren't RP tags.

I get notifs right away as long as I'm logged into the email that I use for AO3 but I try not to actually respond for a few days to weeks just so commenters don't feel I'm literally breathing down their necks for their comments. idk if this is typical but given the usual discourse about fic writers and their fans, some sort of middle ground of acknowledgement and/or response seems to be the way to go. if you honestly think it's been so long that it would be weird, just saying you only just saw the comment (after logging in, getting email to that account, whatever) is enough to cover your ass.

AYRT

To be honest, I lost access to my AO3 email ages ago (a...precarious position to be in, to be sure. I hope I never I have to reset my password, because I'd be totally fucked), so I only know about comments if I pop into my account. I should probably get around to changing the email associated with my account!

In any case, it's helpful to know that a, "crap, didn't see this," isn't untoward, so thank you!

no prob, and that's ultimately the realest real when it comes to literally not seeing things until months later. your readers aren't entitled to the full story but tbh anyone who would get huffy because their favorite fic author said "sorry, I only just now saw this" is no one worth losing sleep over. they don't need to know that it's 100% honest, they'll accept it or not, get on with life or not, either way it's nothing to fret.

IMO it's never too late to leave a comment or reply to one. I've seen some WIP authors put an author's note to explain that they are prioritizing working on new chapters over replying to comments, but they do read and appreciate the comments that come in. I think most readers who are invested in the story would understand and appreciate that.

AYRT

Acknowledging comments in the author's note is a great idea, and now that I think about it, I've noticed some writers do that, myself. Given what another anon said above about direct responses giving them anxiety, I'm wondering if that might be a better way to go about acknowledging people when I don't have something specific to say.

Nah, that's cool. Especially if you're interacting with the fic by updating. I assume some people have separate accounts for their AO3 stuff so they aren't losing track of real-live emails in a flood of kudos notifications so getting a response a few months later makes sense.

(I also really like the "thank you" replies because it lets me know that you're still alive/reading comments.)

You can make general comment on a next update. "Thank you all for commenting and waiting, my life was crazy for the past year." etc etc. So you acknowledge comments but do not feel pressure to reply to every one

honestly, etiquette is quite fandom specific on A03 I've found, but usually prolific author responders tend to want to be active in the community. they respond when they can to every comment, even apologizing when they've not had time to do so. so for them time doesn't matter, especially if its mentioned at the start of a fic. there are also plenty of authors who only respond to really specific comments about how their writing translated to the audience or their friends. there are plenty who don't respond at all! i've seen no one complain about any approach.

i'd ere on the side of your mental health primarily, and then the type of connection you want with your fandom.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ SECRET POST #6374 ]

AO3 Comment Etiquette

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