YES! I’m actually very guilty of doing that. I just went through a one-shot fic spree yesterday :p Once a week, I go through the update page and find new authors with one-shots between 1k-5k words.
I pick out ten, or less depending on the length, and then read them through and leave a fairly large review. I pick out the good things they did. Since I hate hurting people’s feelings, especially since it’s easy for someone to misinterpret criticism, or even just be embarrassed by it, I PM them the other half of the criticism and offer any advice if they ask. I implore for everyone else to do something like this too.
You get so many happy PM’s back, and if it makes someone’s day, why not take the extra minute to review? There are real people behind those screens – it’s never a pleasant feeling to be ignored.
I wouldn’t have continued writing had I not gotten any responses. I was a real crappy writer when I first started, but once I got reactions from others, it motivated me to keep writing, to practice, and to eventually become somewhat good at it.
I don’t think people realize this, but once the fanfiction community goes, the fandom loses its whole foundation. That’s why it’s so crucial to go and start reading stories again, especially long-length multi-chapters.
As for reblogging and commenting on art, I totally agree with that too 🙂 I’m hella busy, but I do plan to make a side blog and comment on people’s art/ reblog. I’m not well versed in art (and am biased as a fic writer), but it’s pretty easy to say that you like something 😀
This made perfect sense, so no worries, friend. I’m glad you took the time to write this 🙂
Ellawritesficssometimes 