About the giving of Good Feedback - a reader's point of view
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 (
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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 pretty much the same reason. I couldn't imagine why any writer would want to hear what I - a non-writer - would have to say. Plus the writers I loved the most seemed so cool and confident and already had all these cool confident people commenting on their stories, with whom they seemed to have an existing rapport... so, yeah, been there, worn the tee-shirt :-).
Since I started to post my writing, I discovered that it really doesn't matter who sends feedback or in what manner - when you get feedback of any kind, it can be such a great feeling just to know that someone was moved to comment. I can honestly say that, in the early days of posting my stories, getting feedback was a huge reason that I carried on writing fanfic. Because for the first time in my life other people were seeing worth in what had been, for me, a lifelong and intensely private hobby.
Not all feedback I've received in the years since has been complimentary - you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth. But it is still a buzz to know that something you have written has moved someone to communicate, whether they loved or hated it. That sense of two way communication - you write your story, and someone reads and comments - is the fundamental reason that I post my stories online. I'd still write no matter what - after years of doing so in splendid isolation, I can't even imagine *not* doing it. I *share* because people tell me they are reading. If that didn't appear to be the case, then what reason would I have to carry on posting online? So in that sense, yes, feedback keeps the stories coming.
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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. I want to tell you how much I loved the flow, the characterisations, tone, mood, plot … and the “feel”. A quick "thank you, loved it" just doesn't feel right... What makes really really good feedback? Length? Giving details or favourite lines? Do you mind if it sounds like written by a hyper 5-year old?
If you read stories on LJ, have a browse through some of the feedback left by others - that should give you a flavour of the kind of things that people say. On my stories, I tend to get the whole gamut - very brief comments, as well as detailed breakdowns of likes and dislikes. It's all good - there's no type that I prefer over any other. If a person was moved to comment in whatever terms, I really value whatever they feel moved to say.
That probably doesn't help you much, telling you to do whatever you like, but there truly is no 'right' way to send feedback. To conclude, if you want to tip your toe in the water, I wholeheartedly invite you to critique anything I've written, in whatever terms you feel comfortable doing so. I promise to accept anything you have to say in the spirit it was meant, as long as you don't call me a big poopyhead! And I would be quite happy to feedback your feedback, if you like :-)
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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...
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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!
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