Corvusdraconis

*adding un-asked for 2 cents to @shadu-kiam‘s post*

Expressing resentment to a fanfic author is, to me, wrong because it represents two very serious problems.

1. The reviewer is unacquainted with the concept of personal accountability…

OR

2. The reviewer is unwilling to accept personal accountability.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to have strong negative reactions to a fic, just as it is perfectly fine to have strong positive reactions to a fic. The problem lies in blaming the author for your reaction.

I’ve actually recently stopped reading a fanfic dozens of chapters in because I can no longer deal with the pace, characterizations, relationship progress, etc. I get that. It does happen. There are plenty of people who have stopped reading my long fic (if I can believe ffnet’s numbers) because of, I can only assume, similar issues.

Fair enough. No harm done. My fic is not your fic and my ideas are not your ideas. No problem.

But to express resentment…? Why?

Why waste more of your precious time to tell a fanfic author whom you do not pay or support in any way that they are unworthy of your precious time?

Doesn’t that completely miss the point?

You are the one who decided, of your own free will, to seek out a fanfiction. You used your precious time to search through millions of postings to find something you decided to take a chance on. You clicked on it and began reading. You continued reading until you decided (for whatever perfectly valid reason) to not read anymore.

All these things you did yourself. The author had absolutely nothing to do with it. The author is simply unfortunate enough to be the target of your frustration at yourself for spending so much time reading fanfic.

Why?

Because you feel you are owed something. The author owes you for your time and trouble. They owe you for allowing yourself to become emotionally involved.

And here’s where the money argument comes in.

I’ve read really terrible books that I would like to get my money back for. I’ve walked out of movies that were just awful and wished I could get my money back. And I would have no problem leaving a review on that book/movie stating the fact that I thought it was not worth my time.

Why?

Because I paid for it. I didn’t just invest my time and trouble and emotions - I spent money on it. The writer of the book and the movie makers profited from my reading/watching experience.

The fanfic author does not profit from anyone. Our payment comes in the form of comments left on our stories. We do not put ads in the paper asking for reviews. We do not charge for reading. We. Do. Not. Profit.

There is no way to convert anger, tears, laughter, screaming, excitement, etc. into monetary compensation that I can put into my bank account and buy food with. It doesn’t work that way and, therefore, I owe you nothing.

And you know what? You owe me nothing, too.

You are not required to review my fic. You are not required to like, follow, kudo, comment or even tell me that you’ve read it. You do not owe me your loyalty, your emotional stability, your time, your money, your patience, your love, your tears…

You owe me nothing. That is the beauty of fanfic. We come together from all walks of life to share a fandom in a safe, sane and consensual (I’m winking at those of you who get the reference) environment where everything is free and beautiful…

And people who bring negativity and shaming into it are a problem. There is no justification for taking out your frustration on an innocent person and it is bad etiquette and childish behaviour.

Such a shit.

Drawing absurd pictures for @corvusdraconis