Re: OT-Tonight's episode, "As YouWere"; an invitation for discussion

[Kris <krismpy@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- danspector@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

> 
> On your entirely-excusable absence: yes, one
> thing I have noticed is
> that we've lost all our compulsive fbers. I
> don't fb everything, but
> there was a small group that always had a word
> or two for any author,
> and they were greatly appreciated. I know
> Sammy Koala is still a
> prisoner of the evil adults, but I would love
> it if you could return to
> your former role, if it ever becomes possible.
> 
> Along those lines, Panda Mel, we miss your
> little bursts of fb. And
> where is Nathan Campbell (also much missed)
> these days, anyhow?
> 
> Actually, now that I think of it, I and others
> may actually BE fbing
> every fic that comes along these days, it's
> just that the ficcing has
> slowed to a trickle. Which is a subject for
> another post.
> 


I can't speak for anyone else on this list as to
why there isn't much feedback, and I'll admit I
haven't been very forthcoming with it recently
myself. Part of the reason I haven't given fb
lately is RL (plus working on the new archive),
part of it is that I don't read every fic that
crosses the list. I try to read most, but some
just don't interest me, which in no way means the
writing is bad or the story terrible--it just
doesn't put me in a position to say anything
about the piece. 

However, a lot of my recent apathy toward
providing fb for the fics I do read is the lack
of acknowledgement I get from the authors
themselves. I don't care if the author emails me
back and says they think my comments were a load
of shit, or if all they write is an extremely
miniscule sentence of thanks (heck, just writing
the word 'Thanks' in the body of an email is
sufficient to me)--I don't think it's too much to
ask for a reply. 

There was a lot of discussion a while back about
providing feedback or constructive criticism to
authors, and I think that should be a two-way
street. Granted, it doesn't take near as much
effort to read and respond to a fic as it does to
write it, but it does take a little work to put
thoughts, feelings and reactions into words
sometimes. There's been many a fic I've liked,
but had to seriously ponder and reread it before
I could put my finger on why and respond to the
author. Some authors have said they're "feedback
junkies" or will write faster the more feedback
they get, so is it any wonder a FBer would also
crave a little acknowledgement that their
comments were received? What do the rest of you
who provide fb on at least a semi-regular basis
say - am I the only one who thinks this way? 

To be fair, I know there's plenty of writers out
there who've replied either on or off-list to my
feedback, as well as other people's feedback. 
Thank you to all who have, and please continue to
do so. I apologize for letting those few who
don't acknowledge my feedback ruin my desire to
provide any at all, and I'll endeavor to fb or
c&c once again. At the very least I'll return to
commenting on fics written by authors who do
acknowledge fb.

Kris


=====
"People who don't read cheat themselves. By not reading, they limit what they can achieve, make mistakes they could avoid, and miss opportunities that could improve their lives. Finally, as the gaps in their knowledge become apparent, they must reconcile themselves to not being taken seriously."

~Morton Blackwell

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