A Note To My Fellow Writers--and my wonderful reviewers [personal entry]

[kidsnurse]

I've  recently had the opportunity to have a variation of the same conversation with three different people, all of whom contribute in some way to either the House fandom, or another fandom.  One of these people hates House, but we're friends  anyway ;).  And hey--there's no accounting for tastes, right?

Anyway, our discussions have centered around

Comments

[poorfrances]

This is completely random, but is connected to fanfic: to my utter surprise, I wrote a short, fluffy H/W fic this morning (it's gen). As you are the only Housefic author I "know," would you be willing to look it over for me and tell me if posting it to house_wilson would result in my utter embarrasment?

[kidsnurse]

sweetie, i can't. and i mean that quite literally; i've got real thought-process-problems due to my meds, and i've found out the hard way that i cannot read any fics when i'm writing. it screws me up completely. that's the bad news.

the good news is, i've forwarded your request to my wonderful friend--and writer extraordinaire--blackmare_9, and she's graciously agreed to read it in my stead! so, if you're comfortable with that, reply back, or send her a pm via lj, and we'll get it worked out!

[poorfrances]

Oh yaay! Wonderful, as I love her work too. I'll PM her my e-mail address and if she can reply with an e-mail addy of her I'll shoot it off (can't do attachments on this LJ inbox thingamyjig).

[fyre_rayne]

*huggles* but there is no way someone could read your work and not comment on it. Your just too good!

Lmao, Pit of Voles. Where was I when we changed the name?

-ANimal

[kidsnurse]

there is no way someone could read your work and not comment on it

yeah, they do--in large numbers, every day at the pit. that's the joy of stats. but that isn't the point; the point is that we're all guilty of not commenting when we should, and that in my opinion, it's important for writers and artists and vidists and iconists and all the other 'ists' to support one another with praise, critique, encouragement. because it means something special, coming from your peers. it does to me, at least.

Pit of Voles. Where was I when

dunno; about a year ago, i read a post wherein ff.net was referred to as the pit, and i've been calling it that ever since. i believe the term is quite popular on LJ. and it's certainly appropriate, no? ;)

[fyre_rayne]

I admit that I don't comment everything I read. But really, who does? I remember I used to, but now... my reviews are reserved for the most well written fics. That's a bit pointless though, isn't it? Reviewing/critiquing stories that aren't in grave need of it and abandoning the ones who are.

Very. Though half the reviews I get are less intelligent than one from an illiterate lobotomized chimp.

You have made me see the error of my ways. Now I must go read the first fic I find and review the crap out of it. XD

-ANimal

[dragonwrangler]

That's one of the habits I have that I'm trying to get better at. I tend to read a lot of fics offline, then get distracted when I get back on and end up not leaving a comment. (Or I read just before leaving for work and have to shut down before I can leave a comment.) Sometimes I do feel guilty for only being able to leave "I enjoyed this- thanks for sharing" but I figure the least I can do is to let them know someone did read the piece and enjoyed it. I tend not to get many reviews myself so I know what it's like to wonder if anyone has even looked (or listened) to a piece I've done, so I'm trying my best to be a better fan-- cause it can only help to help bringing about more of what I enjoy!

[kidsnurse]

I'm trying my best to be a better fan-- cause it can only help to help bringing about more of what I enjoy

i'd not even considered that angle--but it's so true! another wonderful reason to support each other--we all wind up benefiting!

[hansolo5]

You know, I never considered the whole "leave a comment" thing by the author's angle.
I never thought writers did need our comments. I really thought that they were sure about their skills and didn't need feedback. I love leaving comments because I love being moved, or surprised, or finding stories that makes me think. In those cases, I leave a comment because I need to say thanks to the person who made me feel that way, and never considered the contrary! It turns out I am a little egotistic... watching all this only by my side! :-)
Besides, I have to admit I should take some more time to leave a comment instead of thinking "That's good, but I'll reply later" (which in general barely happens).
In the end, I am kind of MIA in these times just because Christmas time is the busiest period for my job, so I am not commenting only because I am not reading!

[kidsnurse]

I really thought that they were sure about their skills and didn't need feedback.

i'm so sorry... as soon as i can quit gasping with hysterical laughter i'll be right back with ya.....

okay. better now. *smothers one last giggle* speaking only for myself--no. no. that feedback tells me i'm doing something worthwhile, something that you're enjoying, and not just killing a few hours on a keyboard. perhaps there are those who are so confident in their skills that the feedback's just gravy--nice, but not necessary. and if such writers exist, i envy them. and i know that many people, for whatever reason, don't comment. and that's okay; it's just a fact of life as a fanfic writer. but that knowledge makes the comments we do receive all the more valuable!! :)

[mystcphoenxcafe]

Greetings!

Following your advice. :-D

This is wonderfully stated, as ever. You have a no-nonsense way of getting to the heart of a matter w/o falling over the line into preachy that I really like.

Thank you for reminding me of why we need to do this. As someone who is a newish writer to this fandom, I know how it feels to be comment-starved. So, yes, the best way to get is to give.

And thank you, in general, for making me think. From your fiction to your personal essays, you've really helped me along my Journey this six-month, and for that I most humbly thank you. :-)

*hugs!*
-Katrina