danniperson

As a writer who is friends with other writers (and many other types of creators in general), I can tell you that I’ve yet to encounter a creator who is judging your kindness. No one scoffs or rolls their eyes. They are, as a whole, touched by every bit of love they receive. 

As a writer…I love comments! They make my world go round. I have so much love for this fandom and I put so much heart into my stories that it is very reassuring to know that other people enjoy them. And getting to hear people’s takeaways? What they thought, how they felt? There’s something so beautiful about that! (Also, I won’t lie, the comments where I’m getting screamed at for wrecking hearts are -chef’s kiss-.) 

Especially as fan creators, we’ll never be paid in any sort of currency for what we do. And no one is obligated to “pay” us in comments, but it sure helps keep the lights on (in a creative and wellbeing sense, rather than a literal sense.)

As a reader…I love comments! As in, reading them! It’s so fun to finish up a story you fell in love with and then check the comment section for what other people had to say. Other people who, more than likely, also enjoyed this story! Even better if the creator RESPONDS so you might just see more of what the creator has to say about their work! 

It makes me excited all over again, seeing how the work has impacted other people. And knowing that it isn’t just me. We’re not alone in loving fanfiction anymore than we’re alone in loving the fandom itself. 

As a commenter…I love comments! As in writing them! I LOVE commenting. 

The funny story is this…That once upon a time I was too scared to comment. I didn’t feel that anyone would value anything I had to say. I felt like I would be bothering the creator with my flailing incoherency. That I had too much to say, too much enthusiasm, blah blah blah. The idea of commenting was embarrassing. Of putting your love out there for someone you don’t know, and not knowing how it will be received. 

Then I fell so madly in love with a story I couldn’t not comment. I dipped my toes into the water at first and, when my more restrained comments were well-received I lost my goshdang mind. Began writing ESSAYS about my love for that work. 

It’s always a little scary for me. But what I realized is that it’s the same sort of fear I have when writing. Wishing I said things better. That I had more to say, or less. Worried about how it will be seen. Etc, etc. 

Creating means putting yourself out there. You put so much heart and soul into this work and then you share it and it’s such a vulnerable experience. And you hope and you hope and you hope that it’s okay. 

Commenting is similar, in a way. Exposing in a way. But it’s a GOOD thing. The act of sharing love is pure and joyous and infectious! Go scream at that creator that “OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD”, nice and simple and will put a smile on their face. Or write them a dissertation about how their work has wrecked your existence in the best of ways. They’ll eat it up, I promise! 

Rest assured, sharing your love is spreading goodness in a world that very much needs it.

But if you’re looking at what’s in it for you…Well. It’s just plain FUN. Chatting about things you like is FUN. Even a simple “OH MY GOD I LOVED IT” is fun to get off your chest! 

Not to mention I find that, especially in my more long-winded comments, the more I talk about what I love, the more I love it. Sitting there and thinking it out and really mulling over the more meaningful parts…ahh!! I thought I was excited before, but I’m really excited now!!!! 

Commenting gives you the opportunity to take an extra moment with the creation that touched you. Extra time to think about it. Extra time to enjoy it. And extra time to give back to it. 

You don’t have to comment, of course not. I hope no one ever feels obligated to do so. But it is an opportunity you have to interact more with the work and also bring joy to someone else while doing it. So if you ever feel like you want to, I hope you feel encouraged to do so! 

(Wow I really meant for this to be a short “commenting is fun!” piece but, much like my comments, it quickly got out of control. Oops!)