Comments | halfdutch: Thoughts on reccing and feedback

halfdutch

Thoughts on reccing and feedback

Oct 18, 2005 10:50

Chiming in on crazydiamondsue's post about the importance of reccing.

As someone who runs a rec comm (sawyerficrecs), did a month at crack_van and who regularly recs fics in my LJ, I just wanted to add something. The missing ingredient, if you will.

Feedback.

( feedback is love )

fic

Comments 19

foxygirl33 October 18 2005, 18:15:09 UTC

I agree! It really is a win, win deal. If a fic inspired me, surprised me, touched me in any way, I feel compelled to leave a comment. I struggle with finding the right words to say how much I enjoyed it, but in the end, it's the fact that I said something that matters.

I've had people comment on my fics sometimes months after the fact and it's such a bright, "OMGOSH! someone really liked it" moment that it often inspires me to keep writing.

And I love hearing back from the author. Oftentimes it's just as enlightening for me when they say, "Thanks for mentioning that line. I wasn't sure about it!" There are so many talented authors out there. I can't help but leave feedback. ;)

halfdutch October 19 2005, 01:06:29 UTC

Yaaay! LJ fic love fest. ;-D

It is always such a pleasant surprise to get someone commenting on an old fic.

And I always respond to comments. If someone took the trouble to read a fic and leave feedback, I figure the least I can do is thank them! No one is forcing anyone to read my fic! And sometimes it leads to some really wonderful conversations and friendships. Fic (and icons) led to me almost all my LJ friends.

If no one ever comments, they're missing out!

alliecat8 October 18 2005, 18:22:28 UTC

I was inspired by foxxcub and crazydiamondsue to write my own rant analysis, then I check my flist and find that you've already summed it up nicely! 'Course, that won't shut me up, LOL, but ITA with everything you said! You just said it better than I ever could.

halfdutch October 19 2005, 01:09:03 UTC

Read yours and seconded it! ;-D

Wondering about why we do or don't get feedback can drive a girl nuts! Sometimes it's just as simple as the timing being wrong and everyone being otherwise occupied.

themoononastick October 18 2005, 18:37:15 UTC

there's nothing that takes the steam out of your sails like leaving a glowing rave about someone's fic and then never hearing back from them.

Oh exactly! I have actually been put off reading fic by certain writers (outside of the Lost fandom) purely because of their continuing lack of response to reviews. I just find it horribly rude.

And whilst I'm in a ranting mood (sorry totally woke up in a temper today) can I add to your feedback commentary by saying..

If you feel the need to say that you "OMG love" someone's icon in a comment thread then try and remember to leave a comment for the author as well. If you have nothing nice to say about the fic then what the hcek were you doing reading thru others comments and if you have to have the icon so badly and want to credit the maker then thats what userpics is for.
(obviously the "you" in this little monologue is the universal "you" not you *loves halfdutch to pieces*)

Sorry! I completely agree with everything you said and have added you to my list of lj heroes. (eh, you were on it

halfdutch October 19 2005, 01:12:34 UTC

It's hard to carry on a one-way conversation! It's a shame because most of my LJ friendships started off as a mutual admiration society over fic. If there's no commenting back and forth, that can't ever happen!

And yes, the icon comments - if that's all someone is popping in to talk about - is very annoying. It's disheartening to see your counter go up and see it's a comment like that. So rude! I wonder what they came into the post for at all then. Did they read it and then forgot to comment? Or just didn't like it? The same people who don't know to use userpics are the same ones who don't know how to use an lj-cut or memories, probably!

Awwww. LJ hero? Wooo! *waves arms triumphantly*

arabella_hope October 18 2005, 18:44:15 UTC

Most of the time I end up feeling like a feedback whore...I have a compulsion to say something, anything, about damn near everything! you'd never know though, would you? Why not? Isn't the whole point to read and converse through comments with each other? though sometimes I feel like I'm being annoying...imagine that...intemidation on a computer. Who would have thunk it?

God, I need something good to ramble on about...I want to do a meta post about something! ;P much love!

halfdutch October 20 2005, 00:31:10 UTC

Ahh, can there be too much feedback? I guess maybe sometimes. But better than not enough!

inthekeyofd October 18 2005, 19:25:18 UTC

See that is why I always feel guilty, not because of the lack of feedback given, it's because I'm so far behind in my reading, I don't give feedback until I've read it..and with the backlog I have, it will take a very very long time.

halfdutch October 20 2005, 00:32:48 UTC

I still have a list of fics I need to read too, so don't feel bad. We all get backlogged and that's just life. It'll be a pleasant surprise for the author when/if you do find time to comment. ;-D Your comments are always greatly appreciated, esp. since I know you need to make the extra effort in managing your comp time.