when we write fanfiction, that is not a wide open call for critique. did you know that fanfic authors used to write in their notes if they were open to concrit (constructive criticism), because it was the normal rule of thumb that you didn't just offer unsolicited criticism of fanfiction? it was normalized that you didn't treat fanfic through the same lens as most forms of consumable media, subjected to our apparently desperate needs as humans to express personal judgment for every single fucking thing we come across.
listen to what im saying. fanic writers used to have to give express permission BEFORE fanfic readers would express opinions. or at least those that weren't positive, and even then, it was about constructive criticism—offering advice on how to possibly enrich a story etc, but not all fanfic authors want that. some of us—most of us—are just here for fun and to have a good time, and the fact that so many people willingly and carelessly find numerous ways to ruin that is so...like, it's genuinely so draining.
some of yall can truly be so fucking hateful, and miserable, and just downright annoying. like, im not asking you to read my fanfiction and turn around and critique the writing. the only time it should be offered is when it's asked for.
the general rule to be a decent human being is to assume that someone doesn't want criticism, constructive or otherwise, because some of us aren't writing and posting fanfiction to create a masterpiece or for the purpose of consumption with sure judgment following it; some of us are writing and posting just because we enjoy it! and with each scathing little review and each harsh comment and each unsolicited opinion and each dose of unwanted "constructive" criticism, the enjoyment grows smaller and smaller and gets dimmer and dimmer, until we don't even want to do it anymore. imagine that.
here, let me show you what i mean:
literally who asked? 🤨 no one's writing fanfic and hoping for this, just on the edge of their seat WAITING for reviews to come flooding in. and i don't care if it's true. IT IS, I KNOW THIS, I AM MY OWN WORST CRITIC. but the fics were never created for criticism. it doesn't matter if this is the harsh, blunt truth because this isn't a situation in which i should have to just...accept that honesty when i never asked for it, or wanted it. and, in the end, the one who looks like a fool is the person leaving these opinions and reviews for all to see, because if this is how you felt, then why the fuck did you read it?
and yes, there are good reviews! that's lovely, that's great, and that's...not the one ill remember.
these are are the ones im going to remember. every time i write, THIS is what im going to think about, along with every other criticism ive heard. and i hear all of it. the authors in this fandom hear you, because we are literally in the room with you. 😐 we can SEE you, do you realize that? because we are in the same fandom as you, in the same space as you, and no matter what platform we're on or how hard we try to avoid it, we all exist in this same circle, and so we all see what's being passed around. we're essentially in a room at a party, and you're stepping up on the podium to tap the microphone, announce your opinion on the dish someone has brought, along the lines of "it was good, but i have to say something rude because everyone liked it, and i can't be like everyone else" or "im purposefully looking for things wrong with this, because i enjoy tearing people down" or "i don't know how to consume anything without making sure every single person knows exactly how i feel about every little thing" or "i like being mean" when, nine times out of ten, you didn't even bring anything to the party anyway. you're just here, speaking into the microphone for your five seconds of attention, and that five seconds for you lasts a whole lot longer for the person it was about, because once you leave the stage and move on, that still sticks with them.
what im saying is, people who do shit like this with no regard for anyone else are ruining the party for everyone else.
baratheonpilled
prguitarman
areudirty
blakekathryn
stormborns
origamiaround
