Yo dawg, I herd you like comments
I hope you guys are ready for some PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE INTERNET DRAMA! Because I'm gonna lay it down, right here, right now. That's how I roll. And, uh, I should also say that this post isn't about anyone on my friendslist; the catalyst for actually happened about a month ago in a journal far, far away.
Okay, so. Let's talk about comments for a bit. Specifically, comments posted in response to fic, original or fan. Or, heck, why stop at fic? Any type of post where feedback is wanted.
First, I should say, I fully understand why feedback comments are awesome and desired. Especially the positive feedback! And I fully understand people who ask for comments, because if/when I actually ever post fic again, I am probably going to be begging for feedback myself. Feedback is wonderful! One liners are nice, because hey, someone read this and liked it well enough to take the time to comment! Long comments are wonderful, and I don't think I need to tell you why.
I try to leave feedback when I read things. I don't always manage, but I make an effort. And when I do leave feedback, I usually try to say something in addition to a simple "I liked this!" You know, point out the parts I especially liked. This usually means going back over what I just read so I can pull out my favorite quotes. It can take me quite awhile! Especially if your story is long. I'm not saying this to make anyone feel guilty or to compare the effort of fic writing to comment writing. Definitely not! I'm just saying it to show where I'm coming from.
My reasons for leaving feedback are usually threefold: 1) I want to encourage the author to write more, 2) I know writing takes a long time, usually, and I want the author to know that I really appreciated them taking that time to write it and then post it, and 3) I like making people feel good. It makes me happy to know that I made someone else happy. And so I really, really like it when authors reply to my feedback, even if all they say is, "Thanks! I really appreciate your comment."
If you reply to my feedback telling me how awesome it made you feel, I will write you the best damn comments. If you never reply to my feedback, I will probably stop giving you feedback, or start leaving the one liners, because I feel like you don't care.
NOW. I really, really need to point out that this isn't always the case. If the author doesn't really seem to expect feedback? I understand if they don't reply. I don't expect it. I mean, sure, I love it, but I won't be bitter if they don't. But if the author begs for feedback or complains about the number of comments they get and then doesn't repl, especially if I've poured my heart out telling them how awesome it was? I... probably won't leave another comment. Especially if they get quite a few comments, and the only one they reply to is the one that had something critical to say. And the author proceeds to be a jerk about it.
I mean, I know that the author probably still really likes the feedback, regardless of whether they say anything or not. It's just. I'm a selfish person, I'll admit it! I want gratification, too. And will feel like they didn't really want the feedback if they ask repeatedly for it and then ignore the stuff they get.
Thus ends this episode of Squeem is a Hypocritical Jerk!*
TL;DR: If someone leaves you feedback, especially long feedback, please take the time to tell them thanks.
* I am sure I have forgotten to tell someone thanks before. S-sorry, if that happened to you! I really appreciated it! I really did, in all seriousness.
And I know I am crap at replying to conversational comments. EXTRA HYPOCRISY. I love all comments! I am trying to be better about replying to those. >_>
Okay, so. Let's talk about comments for a bit. Specifically, comments posted in response to fic, original or fan. Or, heck, why stop at fic? Any type of post where feedback is wanted.
First, I should say, I fully understand why feedback comments are awesome and desired. Especially the positive feedback! And I fully understand people who ask for comments, because if/when I actually ever post fic again, I am probably going to be begging for feedback myself. Feedback is wonderful! One liners are nice, because hey, someone read this and liked it well enough to take the time to comment! Long comments are wonderful, and I don't think I need to tell you why.
I try to leave feedback when I read things. I don't always manage, but I make an effort. And when I do leave feedback, I usually try to say something in addition to a simple "I liked this!" You know, point out the parts I especially liked. This usually means going back over what I just read so I can pull out my favorite quotes. It can take me quite awhile! Especially if your story is long. I'm not saying this to make anyone feel guilty or to compare the effort of fic writing to comment writing. Definitely not! I'm just saying it to show where I'm coming from.
My reasons for leaving feedback are usually threefold: 1) I want to encourage the author to write more, 2) I know writing takes a long time, usually, and I want the author to know that I really appreciated them taking that time to write it and then post it, and 3) I like making people feel good. It makes me happy to know that I made someone else happy. And so I really, really like it when authors reply to my feedback, even if all they say is, "Thanks! I really appreciate your comment."
If you reply to my feedback telling me how awesome it made you feel, I will write you the best damn comments. If you never reply to my feedback, I will probably stop giving you feedback, or start leaving the one liners, because I feel like you don't care.
NOW. I really, really need to point out that this isn't always the case. If the author doesn't really seem to expect feedback? I understand if they don't reply. I don't expect it. I mean, sure, I love it, but I won't be bitter if they don't. But if the author begs for feedback or complains about the number of comments they get and then doesn't repl, especially if I've poured my heart out telling them how awesome it was? I... probably won't leave another comment. Especially if they get quite a few comments, and the only one they reply to is the one that had something critical to say. And the author proceeds to be a jerk about it.
I mean, I know that the author probably still really likes the feedback, regardless of whether they say anything or not. It's just. I'm a selfish person, I'll admit it! I want gratification, too. And will feel like they didn't really want the feedback if they ask repeatedly for it and then ignore the stuff they get.
Thus ends this episode of Squeem is a Hypocritical Jerk!*
TL;DR: If someone leaves you feedback, especially long feedback, please take the time to tell them thanks.
* I am sure I have forgotten to tell someone thanks before. S-sorry, if that happened to you! I really appreciated it! I really did, in all seriousness.
And I know I am crap at replying to conversational comments. EXTRA HYPOCRISY. I love all comments! I am trying to be better about replying to those. >_>