Random pondering about feedback

[ratherastory]

So I've been trying to catch up on comments to my fic, because I'm behind on everything fandom-related and feeling a bit guilt-ridden as a result. Anyway, that's moving along, so I thought I would indulge my curiosity and ask my ever-understanding flist for your opinions

Comments

[morganoconner]

OMG I've been thinking about posting THIS EXACT POLL on my journal. *blinks at you* With my wrist the way it's been, I haven't been able to comment well on other things, let alone reply to thirty comments on one of my own fics, and I always feel guilty about it until I realize that I personally don't really care one way or another if I get replies. But I always feel guilty because I love getting the feedback itself. It's a twisted cycle. I may just watch this poll for a while myself, LOL.

ETA - I cheated and linked to your poll at my journal. *shifty eyes* I hope you don't mind! It...seemed easier, haha.

*HUGS*

[ratherastory]

Hee! No problem. I'm always happy to be of help, and this way it'll give your wrist a break. :)

[ash48]

I gotta say, I do like hearing back from authors... or anyone really. I do think it's polite, but also the nature of fan works is (I think) about connecting with other fans. Saying "thanks for reading, watching, commenting etc." is part of that community. It's also nice to know that people care about what you have to say.

Having said that... people are human and when the choice comes to replying to comments or writing more, then time might dictate that writing more is the way to go - which I can understand.

Personally, I make a point to reply to every comment - mostly because I appreciate them. I'm not at all ashamed to say so.. :)

xx

[de_nugis]

I don't like to think of the whole fic thing in terms of contractual obligations, and if people in fandom are strapped for time I think I'd prefer it if they paid it forward and spent the time reading and commenting on more of the other fic out there rather than sending endless "Thank you" replies to comments on their own fic.

On the other hand, I get that for some people this is a gift economy, and replying is like sending a thank you note for wedding gifts. Plus, I often want to engage people who say things in comments that are cool and fascinating, and I do think that if one replies to some comments one should reply to all.

So I guess I'm divided in mind. Plus I have a to-read list which is like a notebook page long now, so I feel like the guilty non-commenter to begin with.

[asilia]

I don't feel offended when someone doesn't reply to my comments... sometimes RL just gets too busy and then I completely understand that people don't feel like replying to every single comment they get.

I appreciate it to hear back from people when I leave longer comments, mostly because I just enjoy discussing fics or whatever, but it's not really necessary. I'm usually just thankful that there are fics around that are worth commenting on ;) [Because in some of other fandoms that hardly ever happens]

[katwoman76]

I totally second everything you wrote.

[dragonlit]

I don't exactly keep a list of comments I've made and keep track if I get an answer but if I've left a particularly thought out response (you know, other than a short 'OMG! I love this') I appreciate a reply/acknowledgement. If I don't get one, it's not going to shatter my ego but I would hesitant to leave future comments for the author. I think we all appreciate feedback and it's a polite thing to do, to reply especially if we want future feedback. Having said all that, life sometimes gets in the way and a catch up is next to impossible.