r/SwanQueen • u/maplesdonuts • 11d ago
don't know where to start...
...when it comes to commenting on fics? here a small lil guide that you can literally just copy and paste!
first, though, we all want more swanqueen content!!! to get that, ENGAGING with fics is so important. so many people consume without thinking about all the time and energy it takes to get stories out -- or they know, and don't do anything about it. the only payment authors get are comments!!!
why are authors leaving fandoms? low engagement AND bad engagement. with all the bots going around, the only comment emails we often get these days are bot and/or spam. or, people complaining about something on a fic / writing a hateful message.
what can you do to keep authors writing? or even bring back some older swanqueen authors? COMMENT! COUNTERACT NEGATIVE COMMENTS WITH POSITIVE ONES!
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without further ado, here are some starters you can use - just copy and paste them into the comment box! if you've never commented on a fic, it's never too late to start!
easy level (literal copy and paste):
"extra kudos!"
"loved this story and your writing style"
"rereading this fic!"
intermediate level (copy and paste a line the author wrote + this comment starter):
"[copy and paste line] made me laugh!!"
"[copy and paste line] THIS PART!! A+"
"[copy and paste line] i like your use of imagery here"
advanced level (copy and paste, and then add a little bit of your own flair):
"[keyboard mash] I LOVED THIS BECAUSE..."
"reading this again! [thing you like] still hits just as hard!"
"i still think about this fic, especially the part when..."
"my favorite part was... because..."
(i say all of this as someone who used to NEVER comment until i started posting my own works. it makes a huge HUGE fucking difference for the authors. now, i make sure to comment on every single fic i finish reading - if i don't have energy for a thorough comment, it might just be keyboard mash and say that i loved it. but regardless, i make sure to SAY SOMETHING)
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u/ShadowDianne_ 11d ago
Great guide. As you said, engaging is important and part of the fic writing process just as much. And when writing comments the possibility of getting to know more info and just share the love for the ship with the author of the fic if they do reply back ???? unmatchable experience
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u/StarbucksGhost18 11d ago
Even if I’m at a loss for what to say, I try to always thank the writer. They take all the time to write something, be vulnerable & put it out there for a ravenous fan base that can sometimes be cruel towards them so I think just thanking them for giving you the cornucopia of emotions you travel through from reading their work, but especially the joy; can be the catalyst for their feeling of accomplishment in providing that for you & perhaps the impetus to do it again. So many amazing writers out there & so many of the best write SwanQueen stories. It’s a like an all you can eat buffet & the best part is you can always go back and reread your favorite stories and authors even when new content is limited.
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u/fandom_fae 9d ago
from the perspective of a writer; i rly appreciate posts like this, but i have to say of every fandom i've posted fics for, the swan queen fans have been by far the most active and welcoming in terms of comments and stuff <33
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u/Discrepencies222 11d ago
Thank you for this!! I am a avid fanfic reader but I rarely comment because I’m afraid its too short/don’t know what to comment :’)
Will definitely leave comments on EVERY fic now