crollalanzaa:

How not to comment on someone’s fic … (an occasional series)

I see some excellent posts on tumblr and twitter which give guidance over how to write crit, or comment on people’s stories. Personally, I like the old keysmash as much as well thought out comments, and I’m not entirely averse to constructive criticism, although, tbh, fic is an outlet and my hobby so I don’t actively seek it out.

(Context: this happened two days ago. The reader/commenter is someone that’s left a lot of (usually) positive (ish) comments, although there have been some ‘please please please write person x person fic’ about a pairing I don’t think anyone would associate with me as I dont actually write either person very much.)

Lesson one: this is not constructive. I’m not entirely sure how you crit sex scenes, because unless something is anatomically incorrect, or impossible, then sex scenes are up to personal interpretation.

Lesson two: adding a ‘lol’ at the end of a comment like that DOES. NOT. HELP. In face it makes the whole thing worse. You’re now laughing because you think my scene sucks! If it’s supposed to take the sting out of the comment, then … don’t make the fricking comment in the first place.

Lesson three: if other authors have got ‘mad’ at your opinions, then look at the common denominator here … IT’S YOU!

Lesson four: telling me my fic is awesome compounds the insult (okay, I’m joking at that, but friends from mnff days will get it)

Here’s my reply

It took me a while to compose, but actually not as long as I thought it would. At the time I had the idea that the commenter was young and still at school, I’m not sure that’s the case, so I kept the reply as cool as I could, with a little bit of guidance as to why their comments might upset people.

And then they replied …

Lesson five: Saying ‘that’s the kind of person I am’ does not excuse the basic fact that you were fucking rude! I’m sick of this idea that a blunt person who doesn’t sugarcoat anything is somehow more valid than a nice person. No no, stop with this awfulness!

Lesson six: In the words of Kita-san (paraphrased) only apologise if you actually mean it. The person has in this reply put the onus right back on me for being silly at getting annoyed. This is not a good thing to do. It’s not a good thing to do in life, either.

They’ve since commented on other fics of mine (I think they’re going through my catalogue – lucky me!) and although I always respond to people who take the time to comment because I’m grateful and I also like engaging with people, I’m side-eyeing everything they write now and looking for the digs.

Lesson seven: it is very difficult/impossible to take back a shitty comment and make amends because no matter that someone might have left a shed load of other comments, the negative one is the one that will stick.

Lesson eight: you don’t like something, then click out of the story. I read a bunch of fics recently, left kudos on most and commented on a lot too. The two I didn’t like, I clicked out of because they weren’t my thing, but other people loved them.

Lesson nine: for the authors out there, including myself. It’s one person’s opinion and on an incredibly personal and subjective topic. Breathe deep, and don’t feel self-conscious when you next write.

Thank you.