An important reminder for all those who read!

[seawasp]

(This is not just for myself, but for all writers -- pro and especially amateur/fan writers. It does pertain to anyone who's read any of my non-commercially published stuff, though -- fanfics, gamefic, etc.)

Some writers, such as myself, autopope, and a number of others both on LJ and elsewhere, get what might be considered the ultimate reward for writing some stories: they get published. People pay actual, green money (or swipe real, honest plastic) to obtain our material.

However, this ISN'T true of most people who write. And it isn't even true of everything the "pro" writers write. Sometimes I write stuff that isn't published and probably won't be. The vast majority of people who write, though, are unpublished. Some of these, of course, are unpublished because, well, they're bad. Many others, though, are unpublished because their material is unpublishable for one reason or another.

This does NOT mean that they are UNREAD. Many of you are readers of fanfic, of "amusement" fics, and so on. The author, however, doesn't get one red cent from those who read such fics.

The reward you get for a non-commercially published article is only one thing: appreciation by the readers. Admittedly, some authors have a really NARROW definition of "appreciation" -- one that reduces to "fulsome, uncritical praise". A good author, though, should be able to appreciate even an honest critique because it shows INTEREST. It shows that someone was willing to spend time, effort, and thought in crafting even a negative response.

So if there's someone out there whose stuff you've read and you haven't told them what you thought of it -- RESPOND! Let the author know what you thought. Because for 90% of the writers out there, it's the only reward they'll get.

Comments

Responding to myself...

[seawasp]

... this doesn't mean that you shouldn't tell authors of published material what you thought of it either; just that for those in the "write for fun" category don't get any other real reward for it.

[xyzzysqrl]

Which reminds me. I reread Digital Knight a little bit ago, it's even more fun the second time through. You're a fun writer to read, and dangit, I've got to pick up some of your other stuff soon.

Yes. yes you should.

[seawasp]

Thanks! Boundary will be out in March, although it's quite different from DK and from "Diamonds Are Forever", which is the short novel I have in _Mountain Magic_.

[rugor.livejournal.com]

I know, speaking as one not currently published, that the responses I got from the piece I currently have in the slush did a fair bit to reward me and help me keep going. A novel's a hard and lonely row to hoe and a little honest praise can mean a lot.

PS: I did like both Digital Knight and Mountain Magic and have every intention of snapping up the eArc of Boundary once I can.

snerk

[shana.livejournal.com]

You won't regret it.

I've read it seven times. :)

Re: snerk

[seawasp]

Stop taunting them.
Well, okay, YOU can taunt them. A little. But remember to do so in moderation.

[meril.livejournal.com]

Once I actually get around to reading the fic you sent me, I'll send feedback.

I stopped feedbacking non-friends because of my experiences in Harry Potter fandom. People got snippy about feedback that wasn't to their standards, which made a lot of readers feel bad and worthless.

Yeah, that's the flipside of the coin.

[seawasp]

Commentary from people who are afraid to tell the truth isn't much good, and twittish authors who explode when the commentary isn't to their liking is what causes readers to be either silent or say only vague positive things.

Sure, I'd love it if people wrote nothing but long, involved, positive discussions of my work... but ONLY if I believed that this was actually, sincerely, what they meant. I don't at all mind negative comments if they're above the level of "Uhhuuhuh, you SUCK, dood.". Some things I know I WON'T be good at. Sometimes I'll agree with a negative, sometimes I won't, sometimes I'll agree but say "but I don't care", but I try NOT to discourage any kind of sincere commentary.

[nycshelly.livejournal.com]

Back when I was first being published in zines and publishing zines, LoCs were the norm. There were even letterzines that were sent out to the authors of all the stories so we could see what was being sent. I still have those letterzines and LoCs for my fanfic. Then, over the years, they got fewer and fewer and I do miss that feedback. My self-published stuff gets an occasional email and I print them out and put them in the LoC file folder. They are much appreciated.

[mike20.livejournal.com]

Wait a minute... you mean I'm not getting paid for this?

Re: snerk

[rugor.livejournal.com]

Sounds good, I'll look forwards to it.

It will give me something other to do than writing while I wait for a reply on the one Pam forwarded to Jim's inbox. (Yes, just knowing I got that far was another boost). Who knows, maybe I can talk someone into reading it six times?

Re: Yeah, that's the flipside of the coin.

[rugor.livejournal.com]

Some of the best comments I've had have been from someone who regularly sees things in a completely different way than I meant when I wrote them. I find it's really helpful, because it throws a wholly different light on things. I don't always make changes because of those comments, but it definitely helps me see where I'm actually going with a piece.

No.

[seawasp]

In fact, you'll be getting the bills soon. ;)