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.)
Welp. I got another one, on a different fic this time.
Here's the thing, though: After reading the comments, tags, and reblog additions to the original post, I feel more protective than ever.
So, I'm going to keep shutting these down, and I'm going to keep doing it publicly. Because I want other writers to know that you never have to feel bad when someone comments like this.
As others have mentioned in threads, you also have alternatives to living in fear of negative comments. You can block anonymous commenting, use comment moderation, or block comments altogether. You can also delete comments that have been posted.
Happy writing! I'll be out here fighting off negs for you whenever they show their faces.
The above focused on comments, but hey, you know what? It's even more broadly applicable.
There is no shame in writing your fanfic the way you want it. And there's no shame in sharing it.
I'll keep sayin' it: As a fic writer, you don’t have to cater, you don’t have to placate, and you don’t have to justify yourself.
Don't like, don't read, don't shame.
