If you weren’t aware, January is @faficowrimo --a month where you, as a reader, are supposed to leave a comment on every fic that you read. I’ve seen a lot of posts about why you should comment on fics, but they all read like guilt trips and are all about how creators benefit from kudos and comments.
So, I thought I’d come up with a list of benefits that the READER receives by commenting on fics because, let’s face it, humans aren’t all that altruistic. Here’s a few reasons to comment on that fic you just read:
1. You get to interact with an author! How many of you would like to have a conversation with Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, or Brandon Sanderson? Okay, so fanfic authors aren’t as famous as those authors. So? You still get a chance to have a conversation with a creator of content that you enjoyed, which can be just as fulfilling--and less likely to result in you spontaneously combusting, if your’e like me and have anxiety.
2. You make friends! Sure, a single comment isn’t likely to land you on someone’s holiday greeting card list, but if you regularly comment, you share a sense of who you are. The author will pick up on that, and if they’re open to it, you may end up having an entire conversation in the comments, which can lead to a deeper friendship.
3. YOU get more hits on YOUR writing. No, seriously. Chances are good that someone who comments favorably on a fic likes that ship/trope/etc. and will have written it themselves, so if I see people regularly commenting on my fics, I go check their work out. And, since I’m a writer and know the importance of comments and kudos, I almost always leave feedback. Win-win!
4. You can ask for sequels, timestamps, etc.--meaning you get more of the content YOU want. Sure, sometimes an author is going to say they can’t or won’t write something, but I know I’m a total sucker for a well-timed comment of, ‘I’d really love to see a sequel where X happens!’--and I’m not the only one.
5. Ultimately, you get more content. Comments and kudos are like crack to writers--they fuel our unhealthy writing habits. Remember that most writers have horrible insecurity and believe that their writing sucks. Comments and kudos can go a long way toward convincing them that it doesn’t, which leads to them producing more--which means more awesome stuff for you to read!
Finally, kids, just remember the Golden Rule: Comment upon others’ fics the way you want your own fics commented upon.
