is it because these people DON'T review and are defensive?

[ivy_chan]

I don't understand why people are so quick to fly off the handle when anyone, no matter how politely, expresses the opinion that they might want some feedback on their fanfic. I mean, seriously. Saying: "I wish I had more reviews, not faves", or "It would be nice if you left a quick note," is not saying: "I DEMAND YOU WORSHIP ME, BITCH

Comments

[scdsam]

Personally, I think it might be partly just a bad aftertaste in people's mouths from people who DO tend to use comments like that for attention (usually more along the lines of, "Nobody's commented, I will never write again BAWWWWWW").

I read very little fanfiction (and post even less) so my outlook is narrow and skewed...but I think people also have a tendency to critique within their own knowledge, so there might be a lot of people who a) don't know if you did anything wrong or b) honestly just enjoy squealing in general over something.

I'm guilty of faving lots of art pieces with no comment or general things like "VERY PRETTY" because I have zero art skills and don't even know how such things are done, much less what would be wrong or how to fix anything. I'm close to the same with fanfiction, although I at least try to reference "Azula is awesome in this, her lines are so evil!" or something masquerading as critique.

I'm not sure if wording would help, but something super passive like, "Any suggestions would be appreciated" mebbe?

Either way, it's crap for people to fly off the handle. Overreaction like WOAH.

[redbrunja]

Personally, I think it might be partly just a bad aftertaste in people's mouths from people who DO tend to use comments like that for attention (usually more along the lines of, "Nobody's commented, I will never write again BAWWWWWW")

I think it's a combination of this and laziness. (Which I admit I have been guilty of.) However, since I've started to see how many people read my fic versus says something, I try to comment (even if it's one word!) on ever fic I favorite or put in memories.

[ivy_chan]

There are definitely bad authors who hold fics hostage for reviews, but I can tell when the person who's talking about reviews is one of those or not. There's a definite sense of entitlement about them, not: "I wish I had more reviews," but: "I should have reviews, and if I don't, I'm going to scream." People are jumping all over BOTH kinds of people, and it kind of makes my left eye twitch.

For me, it's not necessarily about critique so much as it's about...people reading my stuff and liking it. I view that they must have enjoyed my fic if they spent the time to put together a review.