thoughts on people rating fics in their bookmarks + adding their “reviews”?
personally I dont appreciate it.
idc if its the internet🥺 and we cant stop people🥺 from doing it🥺 cuz yeah but come on.
What happened to ettiquette and honestly being courteous? 😒
i think that people place way too much on the shoulders of fic writers. if you have never participated in fic writing and publishing your works consistently, i dont think you have any say in going out of your way to comment criticism or negativity of anothers work. there is nothing that you gain from fic writing besides community, practice, and enjoyment. why would you go out of your way to directly take that away from a writer. unless someone asks for feedback, do not give it. ao3 isnt the same as posting a review on goodreads like fic writing and professional publications are not on the same level. i have been extremely lucky (and knocking on wood that this will never change) to have an audience who doesnt do this. wattpad scares me though, ive gotten some borderline hate on there and im just like. i dont get it. as a person outside of the internet, i would never go up to someone and tell them everything i dont like about them and what i think they could do better, it isnt warranted, it isnt helpful, its only discouraging and contributes to the downfall of fandom spaces. be kind! whatever happened to being kind! even if youre not necessarily saying what you like and dont like, even leaving a review as you said can affect someone negatively. imagine putting your heart and soul into something and someone giving it a 7/10 like bruh. didnt need to know that. i can think mayybeee they dont know that their bookmarks are public but im pretty sure ao3 makes it pretty clear whether you want it to be or not so idk, at the end of the day people are going to keep doing what they want to do and its nothing on your end that is wrong, there is just a lack of understanding and respect which can definitely be mended.
but yeah. fic writers give so much and no one is forcing you to read something. i think the internet creates a huge separation in peoples heads when it comes to understanding profiles belong to actual living, feeling, humans on the other side. its very easy to be mean on the internet with no guilt and no repercussions. morrissey, you're stupid, but you did eat down with "it takes strength to be gentle and kind". empathy is a dying attribute, so tend to it and wear it proudly
