me as a writer: obsessed with being original, constantly worried that ill copy another artist by accident, i can’t use that phrase i saw someone use it on may 12th, 2014 and
me as a reader: happily reads 2349460283 different versions of the exact same plot
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.
I think a big part of why I read way more fanfiction than books is that there’s just a hell of a lot less exposition
the first 10 pages of most books are always “these are the main characters and here’s some background on each of them and this is the setting etc etc” and it’s such a fucking hassle getting to the plot sometimes
fanfic is just like “fuck it you know all of this already let’s go”
That’s a really good point.
Same here but there’s actually a point here of well written exposition. Take AUs for example. Even in the most complicated, as-far-removed-from-canon settings we get at most a single paragraph before the actual fic where the author gives us a quick rundown of the rules for that universe. The rest we are left to figure out on our own and it works.
We’re not spoon fed every trivial detail when all we want is to get to the plot. Everything that’s important is said at the moment it is important, not sooner not later. Especially in long fics characters often take on such a unique characterisation that you get to know them all over again but the readers do so organically, in the situations that define those characters as they happen. Same with looks. The fic author generally assumes the readers know what the characters look like and don’t spend paragraphs describing them, and only bring it up when it fits the plot.
I’ve read a few fanfics from fandoms I’ve never been in and surprisingly it still worked out. I had generally a good idea of who these people were, what they did where and why and how they worked together.
Point is, if you’re a writer writing original fiction, pretend it’s fanfic and everyone knows your setting and characters already. That way you’ll only have to add a few details if and when your beta readers mention needing more information and chances are they won’t need a lot.
Point is, if you’re a writer writing original fiction, pretend it’s fanfic and everyone knows your setting and characters already. That way you’ll only have to add a few details if and when your beta readers mention needing more information and chances are they won’t need a lot.
Bolding this fantastic advice.
Y’all ever read one of those stories where the characters have like a 2 minute conversation but in that time they walked 10 miles, the sun set, and winter came and went
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