On "Reviewing" Fan Fiction
A gentle note, that fan fiction is written as a hobby, as stress relief, as a coping mechanism, as a creative outlet, as writing practice, and for fun. Fan fic writers do not have a team of professional editors behind them, they do not earn money. And therefore, "reviews" do not have a place in our discussions around fan fiction.
"Rating" fan fiction is akin to being given a handmade gift from a friend and then sending a "thank you" note filled with your critiques. It's a gift, something shared out of mutual passion for a fandom and its characters.
"But what about if it was a glowing 5â review?!!"
Recommending fan fic is appreciated and encouraged! My personal platform is almost entirely fan fic recommendations and I've made some of my best fandom friends through this space.
But "reviewing" them as we would traditionally published books, that are a commodity, is in conflict with the gift economy and community-ethos of Fandom. If you're giving star ratings (even glowing ones) it perpetuates the message that this is the way to approach fan fiction, and sets the stage for the 4 stars ...3 stars....and DNF "reviews."
Fandom is community, not commodity.
Writers are readers. Readers are writers. Your favorite writer is alongside you in these fandom spaces, looking for the same escape you are. Please always consider the frustration and hurt caused by seeing someone "review" their hobby.
Of course, as readers we want to critically engage with what we read. I encourage new fan fiction readers to connect with others and keep the negative or critical discussions to private spaces. Fan fiction serves many purposes, of which reader entertainment is only one. There's a reason the fan fic motto, across fandoms, is Don't Like; Don't Read.
[[Disclaimer: This conversation can go through 20 levels of nuance, but for brevity let it be known this post is not saying we turn a blind eye and stay silent about hate speech or uncritically examined depictions of harmful behaviors. Nor should we ever refrain from warning people about possible triggering content]]
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