Ten Brief Ways To Comment on Fic For People Who are Nervous To Comment on Fic

I’ve seen a few conversations lately about commenting on fic and how to do it if you get shy or anxious or don’t know what to say, or what to do if you’ve already kudosed a fic and wish you could kudos it a second time. 

 1) "Just read this for a second time!” 2) “I loved this!” 2) “<3″ 4) “This was great!” 5) “One of my favorites!” 6) “Extra kudos!” 7) Reply to another comment with “all of this!″ or “+1″ 8) “Will definitely recommend this!” 9) “This was my favorite part: [paste quote]” 10) “Thanks for writing this!” 

No one will be angry if you leave a short comment.  Your comment doesn’t have to be different or unique.  It will still bring a smile to people’s faces! 

Another great thing you can do is add a fic to your bookmarks with a “favorites” selection (the little heart).  You don’t have to say anything and the author will know you cared enough to let other people know you liked it, because bookmarks often function as reclists to others. 

You can also post a link to the fic on tumblr or another social media site!  Even if you’re too shy to tell the author how much you liked it, telling other people to read it will bring more readers, and maybe one of them will say just what you couldn’t say. 

Also: I get super nervous about commenting, so I usually only read through existing comments until *after* I’ve commented. It helps me a lot to not think about all the super smart things other people have said. :D And seriously, even incoherent comments like “GUHHHHHHH BUCKY T____T” is awesome.

“I just reread this” is one of my FAVORITE comments to get, because OMG not only did you like it, you liked it so muc you came back and read it AGAIN? :D :D :D :D You don’t have to say much, or anything new, or anything exciting to make an author very happy. A PERSON LIKED THE THING I MADE!!!!! is new and exciting all by itself. Even when it’s the tenth comment. Even when it’s the hundredth comment. (Another great thing, if you can’t think of anything to say, is to quote your favorite sentence or paragraph. I LOVE knowing what bits of the story resonated with people.)

For me personally, the interaction is what makes sharing my writing online worthwhile. I love hearing things like:

-what was the inspiration for ___ scene/character/line/setting? -would so-and-so really DO something like that? -i was so mad/happy/surprised when _____! -what would characterX think of characterY? -what was the most interesting part of writing this chapter? -oh! now i understand why ____ happened a few chapter back. -why did you choose to write ______ like ___? -i really hope we see _____ in the next chapter.

It’s not about flattery, it’s wanting to invite others in to this world you’re creating!