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mind-dropping · 2 years

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absolute life saver tysm don’t have to scroll over other’s comments ever again to steal their words because the thought-to-text function in my brain is broken

how to comment on fics

okay hi everyone! so i asked if anyone wanted a guide on fic commenting and a few people gave the idea a big thumbs up (thank you to them!) so here i am about to deep delve into fic commenting.

some disclaimers before we start (because this is the internet):

1. this is not a scientific articles, extensive research based post. this is me, an avid fic reader and consistent commenter explaining my how, what, and why of commenting.

2. i will try to make this as detailed and simple as possible however i am always open to questions, additions, and revisions.

3. the basis is just enjoy fic, it's there for you to love!

breakdown:

A. why/when i leave comments

B. how/what i comment

C. general things

A. why/when i leave comments

okay so commenting is not a necessity. it should never be a task that you dread or something you feel you must do if, and when, you reach the end of a fic. that being said, commenting does become easier the more you do it.

now i leave comments on almost every single fic i read. for two reasons:

1. i have gotten very very good at using filters and tags. ao3 is amazing with this; they really give you the full range of options to cater to your wants. so when i use their filters i'm only getting things i'm in the mood to read, which already makes the experience that much more enjoyable and that much less stressful.

2. if im not vibing with a fic i generally stop reading before i get to the end. i have learnt how to stop. not to sound like marie kondo, but if it didn't bring me joy i don't keep it. as you read fic you will pick up on what is a no-go, what is a maybe, and what is a hell yes, for you. which makes it easier to tap out or keep going.

keeping these two things in mind, when i do read a fic it is genuinely and generally because i enjoyed it. which means when i do decide to comment it's with complete excitement for the fic.

and the reason i comment: i want to let the author know that i enjoyed their fic, and what elements i loved specifically. simple as that: i want to let the author know they made me happy.

commenting is a more intimate and highly appreciated way to let an author know their work was read and loved. additionally, and i think this is even more important, it gives the writer an opportunity to interact with you as a reader. which in my opinion, is the true and wanted end result for most fic writers. because fic is often written for the author (self-indulgently) or to explore topics/ headcanons/ scenarios/ etc. but it is shared for the sole purpose of the reader. writers want your interaction. they love your thoughts and opinions and i know some, myself included, have literally gotten ideas for fic directions and other potential plots, from comments.

so if you feel you're bothering the author by commenting, please know (and i say this on behalf of every single fic writer) we love your comments and you will never bother us with your thoughts.

mini TL:DR-- i leave comments because i only read things i enjoy and am therefore excited to leave comments.// comments are much loved by authors because it lets them know just how much their work is appreciated and gives them an opportunity to interact with you.

B. how/what i comment

okay now to get into the nitty gritty of actually commenting. the first question was important because it's the basis for any comment.

so, please ask yourself when you set out to write a comment: did i enjoy this fic?

that question is gonna start a flow chart that looks something like this (the examples i use are from comments i have left on various fics. they will all be linked below under the "keep reading")

did i enjoy the fic?

no >> leave fic

yes (comment suggestion: i really enjoyed/liked/loved this) [eg. Fuck this was perfect]

if yes: why did i enjoy this fic?

no particular reason (comment suggestion, in addition to the one above, or as a stand alone: thank you for writing this)

if there is a particular reason: what did i enjoy about this fic?

i liked these lines (quote lines) [e.g. *cabled, slate blue skullcap softer than a summer breeze,* Okay this feels like one of those things where it SHOULDN'T make sense but it DOES because that is the true beauty and power of amazing writers!!! basically you're the coolest ever and I can understand this so well]

i liked that plot point/scene (briefly explain it/ quote the lines) [e.g. Oh Gods okay they were so so cute and then I read "husband" and I just PASSED away like what the fuck that's the fucking cutest thing ughhhhhhh thank you for this]

i liked your writing style [e.g. holy fuck this was haunting and poetic thank you!!!!!]

i liked your use of (insert writing device; i.e. poetry, descriptions, humour) [e.g. I'm obsessed with this with your writing style with the way they interact with the poetry sprinkled in you dear are killing the game]

i liked the way you wrote the characters [e.g. Also Sukunas pet names🥺🥺🥺🥺and yuuji being so so gentle with megumi🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺stopppp im gonna scream// love the dynamic of these four. But I love the way YOU write them specifically]

i liked your regard/disregard of canon [e.g. Your characterizations are immaculate. And I appreciate that although you bring in elements of canon (for the characters) you still keep them far enough away that they feel completely yours.]

i like the way you write angst/fluff/smut [e.g. Oh my gods I adored this thank you it was so gentle and soft and sweet and ughhhhhhhhhhh my babies// Holy hell this is so sad?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! But Ughh I love it]

i like the pairings you came up with [e.g. It's them >>>>>>>>>> everything else for me]

other things to consider in a comment:

what you were doing/where you were at the time you read the fic (t's amusing and a gateway conversation opener for you, the author, and anyone else who might read the comment) [e.g. okay before I start let me set the scene (because you're used to my over excessive sharing nonsense by now): it's like 9:20 pm, I'm in bed and I've just put on my "Greek deities? no baby we're Greek tragedies" playlist.]

if you are listening to music: what song/playlist you're listening to [e.g. right now "anti-romantic" by TOGETHERXTOGETHER is playing (adore this song)// (also in the time I read that the song moved to "Genghis Khan" by Miike Snow which, side note: I think is defs something Percy would listen to and possibly also Jason, maybe even he introduces Pers to it)// Now to the next scene (song is "Slow Down" by Chase Atlantic)]

what time you're reading (it's hilarious to realise how many readers are doing a late night fic read) [e.g. Okay friend I just— it's 10:05 pm I'm in bed (I have to be up early tomorrow) and I usually read some fanfiction before I sleep]

emojis are always a good way to express your love without using words. hearts (<3 or emoji hearts); pleading/soft face; shocked faces; angry faces [e.g. This was so sad🥺]

exclamation points and question marks are easy and convey a lot [e.g. 😭Why???????]

key smashes are also well received. (the idea that the fic made you incoherent is diamond-appealing and very satisfying) [e.g. cdaaqrgbkoiutrewtikmbcsaqg YOU CAN'T JUST WRITE POETRY AND THEN EXPECT ME TO BE OKAY??????gods this was amazing// Shkoyeaxbnlotewaaasfcbmlograshh yess]

stating your emotion(s)/actions as you read the fic [e.g. "or how he never pushes him away, never far enough." never *sobs* far *sobs* enough *sobs* why are they sooo perfect????// And this fic, this specific chapter, actually made me cry. Tears pouring down my cheeks, sniffling into my pillow kind of crying.]

explaining what you think may happen or what you hope doesn't (work's best with multi-chapters but if you're like me and like to write comments as you're reading it also works then) [e.g. Oh gods I hope this fic doesn't rip my heart out because I adore these two so much!??!!!]

C. general things

1. You don't need to have extremely long comments, but also don't be afraid to blabber on into mini essays. some of my comments are legit two words and some of them are like five hundred words. there is no such thing as a too short comment or a too long comment.

2. don't be discouraged if the author didn't reply to your comment. some writers do and some don't. that doesn't mean they don't appreciate it. trust me they probably did a little dance in their room with happiness when they read what you had to say

3. your comments could never get boring. if you comment "im in love with this" every single chapter of a 30 chap fic it is still appreciated. you took the time to say something and the writer is probably extremely happy and excited that they consistently gave you the happy chemicals with something they wrote

4. if you're really stuck for commenting a simple "thank you for this" always goes a long way

5. don't comment if it feels forced. comment on what you enjoy. if you see commenting as a chore you're going to make yourself miserable and make reading fic a task rather than an escape or a dose of serotonin (or whatever reason you may enjoy fic for)

6. if you're a re-reader it's always a wonderful thing for an author to hear "I've read this before but I love it so much I'm back". it's like: wow you like this enough to always read it?? I heart you. It's like getting an extra squeeze in a hug.

7. the main rule is: be kind, have fun, say good thoughts out loud, and if you can make someone smile do it.

thank you for reading and i wish you all the happiest bubbles during your fic reads <3

fics i used in examples:

(all links go to ao3)

Here in Our Bed Until the Morning Comes. by pythia (melancholic_piegon) @stillneedsmorekissing

our year by halpsur

warm leatherette by LowerEastSide

focus by ceinno

make a mess of me by auravere

our good boy by ohmytheon

tree by jeanjacketlesbian

hokkaido by rooted

my hot blood's been burning for so many summers by brightlyburning

this thing between us by chiuwurita

the space between by ohmytheon

night encounters by akamurasaki (cxlmberry)

why did you leave? by firerose17

knb kinktober 2020 by rhapsie

you promised by firerose17

we should have each other with cream by pythia (melancholic_pigeon)

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