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[rodneyscat]

I'm suffering from 'feedback-angst'; I've had it before, but it's never been as bad as now. There are fics I'm dying to leave the author a raving and grateful message, but when I open the comment window I feel something very similar to performance anxiety building up in me and nothing comes out. Or something so lame that it feels like leaving a 10

Comments

[vensre]

Even if it isn't anything deep or unique, you've gotta know the author is going to be happy to get your feedback. I know how you feel, but I know even more how much I treasure comments to my stories. :)

[rodneyscat]

Today I was determined to start on my long backlog of fics I want to write feedback for, and just kept in mind that the main purpose was to let the author know I enjoyed their fic and thank them for it. I only got stuck once; because I was trying to express what exactly it was that I loved about a certain sentence, and failing horribly. Lately I had the tendency to give up entirely in such a case, but this time I only gave up on trying to explain, left it at saying I loved the fic and quoting that particular sentence and then posting the comment. It's better to give that than nothing at all.

I got quite some feedbacks done today :D

[samena]

That's exactly why I don't always leave feedback. I'm not proud of it, and I know that most authors always say they're very happy with a simple 'thank you, that was lovely,' but still, when I'm completely blown away and touched by a story, anything I could write feels, indeed, inadequate. I try anyway, but sometimes I just can't find the right words.

[rodneyscat]

when I'm completely blown away and touched by a story, anything I could write feels, indeed, inadequate.

Exactly! I want to keep trying though; it's the least I can do for all the joy these fics give me! So much effort goes into them, I want to let writers now how much this is appreciated. This entry was definitely a kick in my own butt to get me going again.

[rodneyscat]

Sometimes it even feels like I'm intruding a writer with feedback and in some journals there are such lively conversations going on, all writers among writers, and I feel completely out of place. I only have that feeling with people who haven't got me friended by the way. I figure, people who have me friended probably don't mind me talking to them ;)

The feeling gets worse for those writers who are very conscientious about replying to comments.

God I love your icon.

[paceus]

I sometimes write to a friend at first -- it's easier to describe how a story makes me feel and how I admire the writer and what especially is good in a fic to someone else. Then I usually realise that I could say the same things to the author. Or you could make a recs post and then just tell the author that you recced them and give the link. This has the added benefit that I'm always curious about what other people read and how they experience fics! (The added benefit, in other words, is to me. Still, a bonus!)

[rodneyscat]

I miss reccing! And I miss my own archive, because when I stopped with my recjournal & site, I also stopped writing down these little reviews, and now I find myself searching for fics I know I've read and unable to track them down, which has never been a problem. I also love using other people's recs, so I see the benefit all around.

...it's easier to describe how a story makes me feel and how I admire the writer and what especially is good in a fic to someone else.

That is so true! I used to write feedback with an upcoming rec in the back of my head, and that way worked pretty good for quite a while. Your comment inspired me into starting a rec-post. It could take a week or so to actually get it up, and most fics on that list will be familiar anyway to everyone who might be interested, but it's fun doing, it's a way of archiving fics for myself and I already found it easier to write feedback this way :)

[rubynye]

One: really, as a once and hopefully future writer, I can tell you that writers love any positive feedback, even one or two or three words.

Two: some of the best feedback I've ever gotten came from you. *huggles*

[rodneyscat]

It helps me to write feedback before reading other people's comments, because when I do it the other way around I feel like just repeating what others have already said, and it feels superfluous.

Huh, I find it baffling when people are particularly appreciative of my feedback. I don't think I'll ever be comfortable writing in English. I'm never quite sure how exactly what I write comes across, if it reads the way I meant it. It usually either feels clumsy or pompous. I'm always afraid of either over-simplifying, or using big words in the wrong place. I'll always be self-conscious about my English I'm afraid :)