Fic Writers: You Need No Justification
I've had a few noteworthy incidents recently with the way readers have chosen to engage with my fic.
First, an early TLDR: Fic writers, you are under no obligation to justify either yourself or your writing choices to your readers. Ever.
There may come a day when a commenter thinks they can say whatever they like, without any care as to how that might affect you. They might, possibly, even be hoping to get a reaction. When that happens, I want you to remember that this commenter Is not your audience.
And you don’t have to let them walk all over you.
Recently, a commenter chose to disagree with my characterization and relationship dynamic choices, starting with a dismissive “Naah” and saying “I don’t like this idea that…” and “I don’t like this {character}...” and “I am sad now…” and “I can’t continue.”
And I chose to tell them to back off. Firmly. Then I got a response that really concerns me.
Name is hidden for no reason in particular. Because it’s a throwaway name anyway.
First of all, this commenter folded as soon as I showed I wouldn’t cater to them. Second, the fact that this person comments anonymously with “random names” is a dead giveaway that they know their behavior isn’t above board, and that having it traced back to them would be less than fun for them.
I also had another commenter recently who willfully chose to ignore tags, triggered themself, and left a comment about how upset they were. Similarly, I reminded this person that they chose to read the fic and recommended they make healthier choices for their own sake.
So once again: As a fic writer, you don’t have to cater, you don’t have to placate, and you don’t have to justify yourself.
(Note: The threads are frozen already, no need to go searching or get involved.)
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