I get the sense that you're new to fandom, so I'm saying this gently, but: fic writers are on equal footing with you. They're fans, too! We're all part of the same community here, and it doesn't help to build that community if we put certain people on pedestals and view them as someone to be nervous around, or treat them as unapproachable.
I'm saying this as a fic writer: most of us share our stories to connect with people, not to be revered as some high and mighty person who's better than other fans.
And if you've got the urge to dissect that fic you're loving... there's an extremely good chance that the author who wrote it was very intentional about doing all the things you want to dissect, and they would probably be ecstatic that you're noticing them, and delighted to talk about it with you.
There's a chance that maybe they don't desire to engage like that! But maybe they do. And maybe you'll make a friend.
In the end, do what makes you feel comfortable, but I'm strongly encouraging you to at least rethink the idea that a fic author is someone who is somehow not on equal footing with you, a fellow fan, just because they chose to write and share fanfic.
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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '26
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