(no subject)

[pez]

Rethinking about the way I post my fanfiction :) Sometimes I have loads to say about a chapter (or about the whole fic), sometimes I don't, and I almost never write any of it in my posts to word_games. Now I'm thinking perhaps posting these thoughts can help start discussions and the readers may also find it easier to give feedback. So here's the poll...

[Poll #393117]

Comments also welcomed.

Comments

A bti of a ramble.

[kidboomerang.livejournal.com]

I would have to say on this that I generally prefer not to see author's notes. As a reader, I am usually there to read a fic, not an author's OMG SQUEE SO CUTE about her favorite pairing, or thank you *list of fifty names* for reviewing blah blah blah sorry the fic was late I broke up with my boyfriend/girlfriend/toaster-oven and HERE'S WHY blah blah blah look what I ate for dinner last Sunday blah blah blah. Author's notes, on the whole, tend to make what was formerly a perfectly competent-seeming ficwriter look like an attention-seeking idiot. When a fic's headers and A/N are longer than the fic itself, an author is in trouble. =p

That, of course, refers to the usual fangirly squee stupidity which runs rampant in most A/N. Now, if you're looking to append character discussion or plot theory, rather than the usual inanity -- which seems to be your intention, thank goodness -- then it's not a bad idea. Still not as professional as I prefer to see fic presented, but appending such notes to the end of the fic is probably best, if you do intend to attach them.

It may indeed make it easier for people to post comments if they have an idea of what you were aiming for in a fic, or what sort of thoughts you have concerning parts of a fic. I usually end up bringing those things up in comments myself, rather than posting any sort of notes into my fic.

I appreciate professionalism and conciseness in fic headers and notes, as opposed to the rambling which occurs in comments and discussion. Livejournal is a unique forum in that interaction and discussion with reviewers is easily available, and often expected; fanfiction.net, for example, is a place where longer A/N is more appropriate, in my opinion, since responding to reviews is not encouraged there.