This work is part of a series, starting at FanFiction 101: Where to Read & Post. Is there something that fanfic writers love is comments, we would literally sell you our first-born for a lengthy juicy in depth analysis for what we consider trash, or in a good day, passable stuff. However readers, and fanfic readers at that, are very often shy, don’t know if expressing their love for the work directly to the author is appropriate, and/or just don’t know what to say. I know it, I’m one of them. There are several “how to comment” posts in tumblr and probably one in fanlore too, but I thought an article like does 40s etiquette books couldn’t hurt.
The most complex rule of all and I suggest you read “So Your Fic is Required Reading: Hahaha nope”. But as short as I can, fanfiction is leisure writing, is a hobby, it involves people of all walks of life doing it. A lot of writers are just interested in having fun and sharing their work, they don’t want to wake up with an email about how the 40k fic they put their soul on has plot-holes. (Unless of course the writer is looking to better their craft, in that case you will see an author’s note saying “constructive criticism welcome!”). However, fanfiction isn’t free of racism, queerphobia, ableism, classism etc. Fanfic writers are human, and as humans we have been infected with harmful stereotypes that - if we aren’t aware of - will show in our writing. Therefore if a work (or full on genre of fanfic) is harming people or spreading misinformation it is necessary to speak up about it. Especially with the biggest fanfiction archive, AO3, lackluster response to racism and other forms of discrimination. Read: “Over A Year After the OTW/AO3’s Statement of Solidarity: Where Are We With That Anti Racism?”
For some reason this fear is a thing? Though someone’s writing definitely evolves over time, it is always nice when old works get love.
Short or long, fanfic writers will appreciate you taking time out of your busy life to comment and share some love to their work.
What I personally do most of the time is comment “I love the fic!”. In ao3 there is a function to give likes called “Kudos” but you can only give kudos once; readers lament the fact that they can’t give kudos per chapter but you can comment per chapter, so why not just write “kudos”. Lastly, if you still don’t know what to say I will leave you with this post: “If you can’t think of anything to say about a fic, writers also like to know…” for more inspiration. Before I go, fanfiction writers, please do not send your work to the creator of the story you draw yours from. It creates all sorts of legal troubles, read: A Deep Dive Into the Anne Rice Fanfiction Debacle, to learn more. Ari Ochoa Petzo is a Mexican-Venezuelan bi genderfluid writer. They like dancing to old music and history. In their free time you can find xem trying to coerce their friends to participate in another of their crazy projects.
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May 2023
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