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This showed up on my facebook feed today.

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my favorite thing about dungeons and dragons is that you can study for it alone, wherever you are, and also the fact that i found an entire database of free resources about 5.0  that are basically all you need to play except for an actual campaign lol

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i’m pretty sure “cats and humans can never have a bond as strong as a dog and a human” is just code for “i’ve never even tried to treat a cat correctly in my life”

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do you think god stays in heaven b

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Your Guide To Reviews

The Problem

Fic writers wonder why people don’t review. They honestly can’t understand the silence. Writers assume that readers:

usually have something to add/criticize/say

know how to articulate their own thoughts/feelings

withhold feedback because they’re lazy or apathetic

don’t appreciate how much time/effort/energy goes into writing

On the flip-side, readers assume that:

the writer already knows how ‘good’ their work is

someone else will review because this fic is ‘obviously’ awesome

if a fic is already ‘popular,’ their feedback won’t matter

if they comment, they ‘must’ leave an awesome, insightful, detailed comment that 100% reflects their love for a fic

since words aren’t adequate, it’s better to stfu and just click the kudos button/favotite/bookmark

None of these assumptions are accurate.

The reality is that:

there is no reason for a writer to post their work except to get feedback that validates their vision, helps them improve and/or gives them an outsider perspective/interpretation of their work (which can be absolutely mind-blowing)

like, you can and should write for yourself, but if that’s 100% the case, every good fic would be wasting away in a private word document

‘readers’ are not always ‘writers’

‘writers’ can naturally put their ideas and emotions into words

‘readers’ usually don’t know what to say, which words to use to express themselves, and belittle the importance of their perspective

many ‘readers’ don’t write, so they can’t empathize with the struggle of writing a fic for a silent but attentive audience

Basically, readers don’t understand writers and vice-versa. Both parties are wired differently. Readers who also write are more likely to review because they empathize with both sides of the equation.

The Solution

Writers

Be patient, understanding, and persistent

Appreciate those who do review

Don’t get bitter, discontinue a beloved story, or assume the worst of your readers

Realize that everyone is really trying their best

Readers

Be patient, supportive, honest, and empathetic

Realize that there’s no minimum! Even two words (like ‘good work!’) can have a huge impact

Review Templates

Things to say when you’re tongue-tied:

Verbs

I liked the part where/when…

I wonder why…

I smiled/laughed when…

I was confused when…

I think that…

I predict…

I was sad/happy/angry/[other emotion] when…

Nouns

[character] did/said/felt/will do [this thing]

because… (if applicable)

[insert plot point/event]

Example: I think that [this guy] ran away from [his friend] because he was trying to protect him.

And that’s it. You don’t have to say anything else. One sentence is more than enough, but you’ll notice that once you get started, you’ll have a lot to say- so say it!

Author’s style

Your writing is:

Detailed/descriptive

Vivid

Concise (to the point)

Funny

Serious

Surreal

Unique

Compelling

Provocative

Leaves me wondering about a lot of things, and I’m curious about what happens next

Confused me a little at times (talk about what confused you! The author will be more than happy to clear things up!)

Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t

Worry about grammar/typos in your review

Suggest a direction for the story (most writers know what they’re doing and you just gotta trust them)

Think that clicking the kudos button is all you can do! Your opinion is important!

Tell the author to do more of [this] and less of [that]

Ask them to update without leaving any other feedback

Do

Leave short comments if you can’t think of anything else to say (“I like this” is more than acceptable, seriously)

Inform the author of typos (be specific)- many fics are un-beta’d. The writer will appreciate your attention to detail.

Express your own perspective even if it isn’t ‘correct-’ I think [character] did this because she was jealous, which explains why…

Understand that your unique interpretation of motives/symbolism/foreshadowing/anything is extremely valuable

Be honest, but diplomatic 

Bookmark/rec works if you enjoy them, esp to help lesser-known writers 

You can copy/paste from this post into your reviews. It’s hard to find the right words sometimes, but for writers, anything is better than silence.

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THE GREATEST SAGA OF OUR TIME

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let 👏 bisexual 👏 girls 👏 love 👏 boys

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Leshy, Poland

/ via.  SlavicPoland/Slowianska Polska (facebook)

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Whoever did this @Apple need a raise😂😂😂😂😂

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CutiePie Sensei as Wonder Woman

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REBLOG THIS IF you love your DnD character, are making a DnD character OR you have eaten approximately 12 D20s

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How I Teach Men Not To Talk Over Me: from one feminist to another, when basic respect is lagging and conversations are impossible

I’ve done this to several men, and they catch on rather quickly. You’ll be able to have a conversation right then and there, and it works long term too - they might’ve forgot their manners by the time you talk to them again, but by repeating this, they’ll eventually learn to let you talk without you having to do this at the start of every convo. Source: I have a very stubborn older brother, who eventually learned too.

1. When they interrupt you, stop talking. Don’t try to raise your voice or battle them. Be completely quiet and wait.

2. Ignore everything they’re saying. Do not actually listen - just wait until they shut up. Don’t make a point of anything they say, do not answer to anything they say, do not refer to anything they say here. Literally do not listen a single word. Let them rant as long as they want.

3. When they finally shut up and wait for your reaction, say: ”I wasn’t done talking.”

4. Start over whatever you were saying when they interrupted you. I don’t care if it was a 10-minute explanation of rocket science. Start. Over. Repeat you original thought, but do not add anything related to what they just said while talking over you. That gives them the idea that it’s okay to interrupt you, you’ll still listen and pay attention and they’ll get their point clear without having to listen to yours. (It’s especially funny when you get done and they expect you to keep going talking about whatever they talked over you. The face when it sinks in that you didn’t listen a single word is glorious.)

5. If they interrupt you again, return to step 1. If you find yourself repeating the cycle over 3 times, tell them: ”you’re not letting me speak. Either you listen and wait for your turn, or our conversation ends here.” If they try to make excuses, laugh it off or keep interrupting, end the conversation. Prove them that if they wont let you speak, they’re not worth your time.

Why does this work? First, because sometimes talking over is internalized and men don’t actually notice they’re doing it. Being vocally called out makes them realize it and pay attention to it - especially if it happens more than once. Secondly, by refusing to aknowledge anything they say when they interrupt you, they’ll soon realize they will not get their own point across if they keep doing that. Peoole and especially men have the need to be heard and paid attention to when they talk - when you make it clear that by talking over you, they will not have your attention, they’ll learn to wait until you’re done, because they know that’s when you will be paying attention and actually listening.

Go my darlings. Have some actual conversations where your point of view is just as valid as his. Demand the basic respect of being heard. You can actually have some interesting conversations with men when they’re forced to listen too, when being louder is not going to make them feel like they’re dominating the conversation or winning the argument.