I'm genuinely starting to think we as fandom elders have failed newer fans.
The more misuse of fandom terms and tags I see, the more I'm convinced of it.
People tagging x Reader and x OC on the same fic. - These are not the same thing. - xReader is for Reader-insert fic - xOC is for a fully fleshed out original character
Requesting things that...you can't request - ie. requesting a headcanon? That's not how that works. - Headcanons are things you believe about a character personally - ie. my headcanon for Owen Grady is that he's the Turkey Kid from the original Jurassic Park - You cannot request a headcanon. You can ask what someone's headcanon is for a character.
Not leaving kudos or comments. - These are important. No matter how many posts I see about it, it feels like we're screaming into the void on this one. - BUT if you want a fic to continue, if you want a writer to post new chapters, comment. - Just leave a nice, thoughtful comment. - Do not "update pls" or "When are you going to update?" or threaten the writer with using AI. This is entitled and disrespectful to someone who spends their free time writing fiction for you to enjoy for nothing.
Fanfic writers do not and cannot legally be paid for writing. Their payment is your kudo/like/emoji comment/keyboard smash/etc.
Not learning how to properly love a fandom and keep it close for years, even after the media for it has come and gone.
Feel free to add to this list and put in proper etiquette to help educate people newer to fandom.
Reblog and spread!
Please don't be rude or bitchy in your reblogs or the comments. The point of this is to educate with kindness and understanding.
All of this.
Also, please remember that you are responsible for curating your own experience. If you don't like a certain concept, character or interpretation, you can always find something else to read. Guilt-tripping a creator about something you personally don't enjoy helps no-one.
And don't forget that interacting with a creator whose works you like, asking about their OCs and WIP, can give them the boost to continue their work.
































