hellahartwin:

Look, I love when people take the time to write an advice posts about a field in which they work in order to inform fic writers on things they get wrong a lot. That’s super appreciated and helpful. Thank you. 

But listen: fic writers are not paid writers. They aren’t getting some commission. They don’t have a publisher. They only even get a healthy number of comments if they’re lucky. So can we stop with the condescending attitude. We get it. You work in that field, and it can be annoying to hear someone get it wrong. 

However, a) just bc you work in that field doesn’t mean that the information you have, as an insider, is widely available. Most of the time, the stuff I see in posts like this–usually followed by the poster making some rude comment about fic writers–are just…how was anyone meant to know that? Just bc you know, doesn’t mean everyone else is an idiot for not knowing it. 

And b) some embellishments are just fun. Look I know that most florists don’t know flower meanings, okay? I know. But sometimes it’s fun to fluff it up a little. Sometimes it’s just a fun story mechanic. Relax. 

Fanfiction writers vary widely in their styles as much as everyone wants to act like they’re all the same. Some want to make something realistic. Something you could see happening in real life. Those writers are usually trying they’re absolute best. They’re probably spending hours looking for confirmation on some little detail that no one is ever going to notice. Disdainful remarks on your informative posts are not helpful with that. 

Other fanfic writers are just looking to make a little piece of self indulgence. Be that fluff or angst or hurt/comfort. It’s a slice of cake. No, it’s not good for you. No, it has no real nutritional value. But people don’t eat cake for either of those reasons anyway. 

Good advice: “Here’s some info that I’ve noticed fic writers don’t seem to know!”

Bad advice: “Here’s some info so you guys can stop looking like fucking idiots. God, do your damn research on your free fanfiction that you took time out of your schedule to type up without any real incentive except comments that you might not even get, you lazy fucker.”