reading fanfics

[insaneneko]

I've taken the plunge and have started posting feedback to some of the SGA fics I've loved. I will never be one of the truly insightful, critical readers (esp with the meta type issues), but I can be very specific as to what worked for me (and I suppose I'd do the same for anything that really didn't work). I'm very happy that the several authors I've left feedback for have responded very warmly. Nothing kills the impulse to give feedback faster than to see lots and lots of comments, none of which are responded to...not even the really good, insightful ones. Or when the author seems to only respond to people they know in blatantly insider ways (I think this might be worse). I've been rereading some fics, but when I'm excited and prepared to actually leave a response I've stopped dead at seeing the dreaded pages and pages of comments and no response. Not even one. It makes me want to leave one of those kind of lame comments, something to the effect of "Great fic! Loved it! Thanks!," when I really wanted to do something more. I know it's silly, but I can't help but feel like I'm shouting into a void in those situations.

On a not really related note, one funny thing that just popped into my head is that I mentioned in one comment that I've reread the fic and I was thanked and told that it was a gift to find out I reread it...That really threw me off because I reread virtually everything I remotely like. Anything I adore? If it's not, say novel-length, I can easily reread a favorite 10-20 times. And when I say reread, I mean reread. I devour the fic, looking for details I missed, a word, a scene, something. The really good ones get better with each reading, because I find new meanings, new shadings, new things to make me sigh or squeal. Every so often I'll find something jarring, lacking, or false-ringing. But I usually find those on first reads, not rereads.

Comments

[leviosa8.livejournal.com]

I also love re-reading my favorite stories. I don't read much fanfiction these days, for lack of a printer (hate reading on the screen), but I am like you with those few favorite that I have had there for YEARS.

As for reviews, I only have one story, but I love replying to every single review I receive. It doesn't show in ffnet, but I usually do it by mail or by the new "reply to" feature. I feel happy whenever I get one. It's the least I could do.

But I understand your feelings.

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I used to print fics out, but I always lost bits of them and gave up and read on the screen.

[svz-insanity.livejournal.com]

;) Last night (or early this morning, to be more correct) I was rereading one of my favorite Gundam Wing fics and one of the reasons why I love it so much is not only because it's written wonderfully, the author was very nice when I emailed her.

I don't think what you feel is unusual because I feel the same way sometimes. Although, I think LJ has helped a lot in terms of feedback and such-- it's quick and easy. :D

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I definitely have very warm and fuzzy feelings towards fics over which I had great correspondence with the author.

I do like how easy LJ is, but conversely the extremely public nature of it can be offputting.

[mirichan.livejournal.com]

Agree.

If I see that there is NO replies from a writer to comments? I see that person has ego issues and I stay away. If it's the inside shit (where the replies make no sense as they're all "insiders code-talking"? Same thing).

I must say I don't leave much feedback these days. Unless it's something major, I don't see the point when there's already pages of comments...

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I try not to let the number of comments affect my desire to comment. I want to comment because the fic was great for me, regardless of whether everyone in the fandom (and some not in the fandom) loved it or whether the author's friends are the only ones who actually liked it.