There's been some talk lately about feedback (
here,
here, and
here), and I keep kicking this post around in my head, debating whether I really want to get into it again or not. Obviously I decided I did, mostly so I could stop thinking about it and go back to thinking about the stories I want to write
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Comments 29
Ah ha ha. I would love that ratio of comments to hits. I've never even cracked 2 pages of comments on a posted fic. It probably doesn't help that I wouldn't touch my main fandom's most popular pairing with a 10-foot pole.
I get a bit emo-y sometimes when I put a lot of thought and effort into a story and don't get a lot of feedback. But I use "emo-y" on purpose here, because I know it's bratty of me. Sometimes something that seems less worthy of comment to me will get a relatively high number of 'em. I decided it's a crapshoot what people will feel moved to comment on and what they won't. And like you, I would write what I do anyway. The fact that I have a place to share it at all is gravy, and so is any feedback it gets. I certainly don't feel like anyone owes me anything just 'cause I wrote something.
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Oh, man, it's such an awesome feeling. I hope you get to experience it. *G*
I decided it's a crapshoot what people will feel moved to comment on and what they won't. And like you, I would write what I do anyway. The fact that I have a place to share it at all is gravy, and so is any feedback it gets
Exactly. Icing. Feedback is icing on the tasty cake of your story. Even if you only get a thin layer of icing, you've still got tasty cake underneath.
Now I want cake.
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Aw, thanks!
I want cake too now. With lots of icing. ;-)
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Fandom is a voluntary activity. We may choose to take on some obligations, such as delivering a story for a fic exchange or following the rules of a community or an archive, but aside from that, I think people should be left to their own devices (and be willing to take the social consequences if acting according to their own devices pisses people off).Absolutely - but sadly, I think it's your last parenthetical statement that most people wish to eschew - they want to do whatever the hell they want and not deal with any consequences whatsoever ( ... )
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Hmm, I'd say that once I posted a story and somebody read it, the conversation is already over. Nothing further is owed to anyone. Readers don't owe feedback, writers don't owe responses to feedback. But the "be willing to take the social consequences" principle still applies. Readers who don't feedback have to accept the possibility that their favorite writers might get discouraged and stop writing. Authors who don't respond to feedback have to accept that many readers will consider it rude or alienating and stop commenting.
they want to do whatever the hell they want and not deal with any consequences whatsoever
Unfortunately, that's all too often true.
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In the general scheme of things, this is one reason why I do it. It's also why I thank people for giving me feedback.
I don't comment on everything, but if I finished it and enjoyed it, I will probably say something (I very often leave the same kind of "I liked this!" feedback).
but i comment. i gotta give something back, and that's it.
*nod nod*
I think it's an awesome contribution.
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I adore feedback, it makes me incredibly happy but I absolutely do not think anyone owes it to me, nor do I owe it to anyone else. Because if I did owe it, then we get to the next question, what kind of feedback do I owe? It could go on and on and on and...I'm stressed out enough as it is. I am going to try damn hard not to stress out over feedback. :P
I personally find 30 to be an awesome number of comments
Hee! Yes, the few times I've gotten enough comments that they all COLLAPSED I've experienced levels of glee I had not known existed. It is satisfying, but I try to keep it in perspective.
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Exactly! When it becomes a chore - this is a hobby and I don't want it to feel like work, not anymore than writing does sometimes - then it's not fun and that is not what I am here for. I am here to enjoy myself, and sometimes the obligations we pile onto ourselves (I must read everything! I must comment on everything! I must write the MOST COMMENTED ON STORY EVER and then I MUST ANSWER EVERY COMMENT) make it into a drudgery.
Hee! Yes, the few times I've gotten enough comments that they all COLLAPSED I've experienced levels of glee I had not known existed. It is satisfying, but I try to keep it in perspective.
I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!
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