About the giving of Good Feedback - a reader's point of view

[betzz]

 In my first post I wrote that I got this account to give feedback and how bad I felt that I hadn’t done that earlier. Well, about two hours later, I stumbled over several posts about the topic, written by some of my idols (

Comments

Response Part 1 (this got long!)

[weggsley]

First of all, thanks so much for making this post. I appreciate being linked to it - it's great to see more discussion around this topic :-)

So! On to the points you raise.

Do you have any idea how intimidating you guys can be? How funny and smart and just generally admirable? I know I’m pretty much crawling right now, but hey! That’s how it is… And the poor reader sits in front of the “Leave a comment” box and despairs, because they want to express their undying love for something you created and how can you express undying love without sounding like a complete idiot?Personally, I'm pretty forgiving if people don't send feedback, and this is one big reason why. I totally, totally get how intimidating it can be to write to a complete stranger in that way. One reason I get it is that before I posted any fanfic online I was an avid reader (well, I still am when I get time, but back when I first discovered TS I read obsessively and the only writing I did was a closely guarded secret for my eyes only *g*), and I never sent feedback for

Response Part 2

[weggsley]

how can you express undying love without sounding like a complete idiot? “Squee”??? I am convinced that many readers don't give feedback because they have troubles finding the right words. There's also this fangirl language with all the squees and "yummy goodness" and if you're new to fanfiction that can easily scare you away.

No matter what people may say, I do not believe there is any secret language you need to speak or understand to send feedback, or even just to enter into discussion. Speaking for myself, I tend to use 'fangirl' terminology in a kind of semi-ironic kind of way; it's a bit of an in-joke for most of us, I think :-). Be yourself, and say things in the manner that you feel most comfortable. Most writers are happy with whatever feedback they get, whether it is one-line 'squee' or a detailed piece of concrit! Respond however you are moved to respond, that would be my advice.

I want to leave feedback, and I want to leave good feedback. Literature appreciation class all the years in school has definitely left its mark

Re: Response Part 2

[betzz]

Thank you so much for the quick and very extensive/informative reply.

My point really was that I felt guilty for not feedbacking as if the simple act of it was a vital factor for the fandom community and I had a duty to contribute, not matter how small the contribution itself would be.

I'll keep your wise words in mind...

Re: Response Part 2

[weggsley]

I always get twitchy when words like 'duty' get mentioned, and perhaps that's why feedback as currency (the topic of my post which you referenced above) doesn't work for me as a concept. I personally don't feel that readers have a duty to send feedback, just as writers don't have a duty to deliver certain types of story.

What I'm trying to say, in a long-winded way, is please don't feel guilty for not sending feedback ! But any contribution in terms of feedback you might feel able to make - no matter how small - would be very gratefully received by any writer, I think. I don't personally know any writer who would not welcome *any* feedback, be it a one-liner or a page of detailed comments. It's all good! And my personal view is that not sending feedback is fine too, if you don't feel comfortable with doing so :-).

I agree that fandom is a community, and there are many ways to contribute. Writing is one way, feedback is another. Posts like this are a great contribution - thanks for sharing your perspective!

Thanks for your input!

[betzz]

I'll have to think about what you and fluterbev wrote, because I think I'm a one for the long and detailed stuff...

>>It's very nice to know I'm on the list of authors you enjoy!>>

My love for "Between Idea and Reality" is beyond the human possible! (Oh, that's going to be a long long review...)

Thanks soo much for your reply!

[mab_browne]

I came wandering over because I saw you're driving Crack Van for TS this month, and I saw your post.

I remember being totally 'whoa! author worship' when I started out reading in Sentinel fandom, and not really knowing how to give feedback or whether people would want it or not.

In the end I think that writers just like to know that something worked. Deep and meaningful is nice, but so is a basic 'I enjoyed what you did here'. Feedback is always nice, but lurking is not a sin. We all have our reticent days.

Welcome to LJ. I hope that you find plenty to squee about. :-)

[betzz]

Thank you for your input! I so know that "whoa! author worship" feeling, but I think I'm getting better.... ^^

[laurie_ky]

::waves hello

[betzz]

Thanks so much! LJ makes commenting so much easier than many of the old school archives (or my favorite haunting ground: 852 prospect)... now that I'm looking I find so many authors from these sites at LJ... it's really fascinating.

Anyway... thanks again for your kind words. I hope you enjoy my recs at the Crack Van!