rnmbingo

[rnmbingo]

Re the last couple reblogs: the thing about all of it isn't necessarily that having the private discord fic servers is bad. And maybe if commenting is something that makes you anxious, you want to be able to react there first and that's a great idea.

The problem becomes if you never then share that reaction with the creator, because even if we aren't writing for you/for the audiences and responses, we're only bothering to post it where you can see it for that.

I mean I'm not going to lie: often we do in fact write for the response. Writing is work; I write very fast, and a thousand words of the very raw-est first-draft story still takes at least an hour just to do the physical writing, let alone the dreaming up, the planning, the editing, the remembering, and everything else. Sometimes the existence of the art in and of itself at the end is enough reward for that work - but bluntly sometimes it really isn't.

But in addition, posting is also work in and of itself. It is effort; even when I had it moooore or less down to a cut-and-paste for YBEB it was several minutes for sorting it out, posting it and double-checking it per single-chapter fic (multi chapter fics, all the more so).

Fan-creators put their stuff up for free; fanwriters in particular create the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of novels a year which are then available for free to those who like them. (Other fan creators also make amazing efforts but as my thing is writing writing is the one I have equivalent-estimates for).

Some kind of response that the author can see and is made aware of - that is positive - is the only reward the author gets for going to the effort of, if not writing it, at least posting it where you can see it.

If you want that to keep happening, it's probably a good idea to give the authors you like some kind of reward. And I really am speaking just of the fics you actually like a lot!

An easy way is just to have a lot of standard Delighted Responses that you can use - that much itself is actively worth it to share with the author, because that's specifically the recognition/awareness that someone has loved it that counts. Others have suggested the also delightful idea that you just c/p the gushing you may or may not do in the private servers, and so on.

But frankly "this was delightful" or other simple handsfuls of words expressing happiness to read it is all you really need.

[rnmbingo]

i’m going to say something that might make me seem ungrateful, but i think it’s true of many fic writers:

we want you to leave comments ON ao3.

we’re not angry or disappointed or anything like that when you leave qrts or lots of tags on our fic posts, not at all. we don’t NOT want you to message us to tell us how a fic touched you. but in addition to that, please consider just copying those words and posting them on ao3 as a comment.

why?

the reason is simple: leaving commentary in other places is ephemeral. story posts get pushed down. chats get pushed down in the list of chats, or worse, pushed up in lists of messages as the conversation continues. but comments on ao3 are easily accessible. and this is important because writers read and reread these comments regularly.

writing, especially writing longfics, is exhausting and drains your confidence over time. having a collection of people who enjoyed your past work at your fingertips is an excellent way to build yourself up when you’re feeling down. fic writers need this a lot.

i know over the past few years there’s this trend to be very descriptive with what is an “acceptable” comment. that’s all nonsense, as long as you’re not being an asshole, just say what’s on your heart.

but post it on ao3. please.

[rnmbingo]

Comment Bingo: Old Fic Edition

Very simple rules: connect 5 squares in a line by commenting on fics that suit the task in each square

Very simple goals: encourage readers to comment on older fics; encourage fandom writers to KEEP WRITING

STEPS:

Download Bingo Card HERE (png) or HERE (jpg) or HERE (pdf)

Complete the tasks on the card, marking off each as you go, until you've completed 5 in a line (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal; NO double-dipping; center ♥️ is a free space)

POST your winning card (or list your filled squares) and tag @feedthefandomfest! Glory in your victory.

SEARCH TIPS:

This card requires some familiarity with AO3's search filters. Once you've narrowed your results according to fandom/ship/additional tags, certain squares require you to sort the results by Date Updated, which is the default. Other squares require you to search for fics posted within a certain range of years, which you can do by scrolling on the search menu to More Options:

Note that to enter a date range, you must format the date as shown.

REWARD:

✨ victory badges ✨

New badge for this card, but here are examples from previous cards:

Tag me when you earn a bingo (or double, triple, quadruple... FULL CARD bingo) and I'll reblog a shiny badge with your name on it to commemorate the win.

FAQ:

Can I comment on tumblr or only on AO3?

Either one is great! This card especially is more designed with AO3 in mind, but some can be adjusted to suit tumblr as well, so I say go for it. Tumblr fics deserve love, too.

Can one comment count toward multiple squares if the fic fits more than one category?

Since the goal is for as many fics to receive comments as possible, try to comment on a different fic for each square.

Is there a time limit?

Nope! Take your time or set your own deadline, whatever works for you. This blog is still in its early experimental stage, so feedback welcome. Play around and let me know what you like and what might be added/changed—including ideas for squares on future cards!

Do I have to record progress on the actual card?

Nope! If it’s easier to keep track in a different way, that’s fine. This is all very honor system, so if you say you earned a Bingo, we’ll call it a win 🎉

Some people have been tracking not just completed tasks, but the fics they read along the way, so that when they post a bingo, they can also promote the fics/authors in a little rec list. Not required, but definitely cool to see!

Can I adjust the task in a particular square to suit my comfort level?

Of course! If you deliver something in the spirit of the task, then it’s all good. Use your best judgement in constructing a comment that will make the author smile, and you can consider it a job well done.

In general, so long as each square has produced at least one comment, you’re golden and I salute you 🫡

Happy commenting!!

[rnmbingo]

Are you ready to read fic this summer? We sure are! Stay tuned - the challenge will begin this year on June 20th.

[rnmbingo]

I'm just putting this out there because I'm thinking about it and because I want people to know it's not just them.

I don't really read fic anymore. It's not because I stopped liking it, though. It's because I made a rule for myself that I'm not able to follow.

I told myself that if I read a fic, I should comment on it. And not just "I loved it!" but a detailed comment. A live reaction or at least quoting favourite lines. Maybe talk about symbolism or about references I caught or about characterization etc.

I did that because I loved the authors I was reading and because I'd received so many lovely comments like that and I wanted to be able to pass that joy onto others. But then I found it hard to actually comment like that.

I could manage it sometimes? Oneshots weren't too hard, for example, but multichaps? My rule was that I had to comment every chapter. And the kinds of comments I wanted to write, well that meant reading on my laptop because I hate typing on my phone.

Eventually, I felt so guilty when I read fic without commenting on it that I stopped reading fic altogether. Better to just not read if I wasn't able to hold up my end of the bargain.

I shifted out of my fandom not long after that, and I haven't found a new one that's sparked the same interest (ie obsession), so I don't know if I might be able to fix this habit if I ever get into a new fandom in the future. All I know is, don't be like me.

Comment as you can and when you can, but don't set up strict rules like I did. I can't speak for all authors of course, but I know that personally, I'd rather you enjoy my work without commenting at all rather than make yourself feel so guilty you stop reading it altogether.

[rnmbingo]

if you ever wonder whether your ao3 comments make a difference know that i frequently go back and read old comments on my fics to get a dose of happy rainbow sunshine

[rnmbingo]

There’s a fic on fanfiction(.)net that I’ve kept tabs on for years to see if it’s been updated or not. While I’m no longer even in the fandom it’s written for, it just has one of the greatest storylines I’ve ever read. Last time it was updated was 2011.

The other day, I decided to reread the entire thing and leave a very in-depth review of what I thought of each chapter. I also mentioned how I started reading it when I was 13 and am now 21, but always came back to see if it was ever finished because I loved it so dearly.

Today, said author sent me a private message saying that her analytics showed that the story was still getting views even after all these years, but no one ever bothered to leave reviews other than “update soon!!!”, so she never felt motivated enough to finish it. She said that me reviewing every single chapter with lengthy paragraphs made her cry and meant the world to her. She also mentioned that she felt encouraged to write the two remaining chapters needed to complete the story and that she would send me a message the night before she updates the fic.

I’m literally sobbing. I’m so excited :’)

Please always remember to leave a review when reading fanfiction!!! It means a lot to a writer.

[rnmbingo]

If you ever feel like you don't contribute to fandom because you "only" comment—

A regular serial commenter just joined a fandom Discord server I'm on and people are coming out of the woodwork to thank her for her service to the fandom, expressing how much joy her comments on their works bring them.

Remember—they're never only comments.

[rnmbingo]

someone I follow on the bird app just announced they're starting a very exclusive private fic server because they and a bunch of other people want to talk about how much they love the fics they're reading, and as an author can I just say that a really great place to talk about a fic you love is in the comments for that fic

I understand that people are trying to create safe spaces, but as the number of comments that I get on my fics dwindles with each passing year, knowing these spaces exist where my fics are being discussed, places that I am excluded from, makes me want to write fic LESS

I mean I guess who cares, right, because if I stop writing, there's 10,000 other people that will continue...but if you participate in a fic "book club" server and you say nice things there about a fic you loved, maybe copy and paste that into a comment on AO3?

the only thing fanfic writers are asking for in return for hours of hard work is attention. please don't rob us of the one thing that we hope for when we hit "post"

[rnmbingo]

You should know that every time you leave a comment on a fic you’re giving the fic writer a little treat.

[rnmbingo]

Roswell, New Mexico may be over, but fandoms are forever. You can now play RNM Bingo any time of the year, at your own pace!

Looking for the 2023 Rules? Click here!

How To Keep Playing Comment Bingo in 3 Easy Steps

Choose a bingo card: Your format options are Google Doc or PNG. Within those, you have 3 layout options that all have the same squares, just arranged differently (and each of those have three cute backgrounds, so pick your favorite!) (“there has to be three,” as Max says).

Fill out your card: use your bingo card to track what RNM works you’ve read and commented on, including author and title. As you go, keep a list of the links to share as a rec post on Tumblr.

Post or submit on Tumblr: Use the tag #rnmbingo and mention @rnmbingo on your own Tumblr, or Submit a bingo card to us directly. Instant and cute Fic Rec board!

How to Play: The Detailed Version

We’ve got Bingo cards in Google Doc and PNG formats. Thank you to @bean-me-up for the amazing designs and the whole mod team for the fun prompts. [Link to all bingo boards]

How to fill in the bingo card:

Google Docs version (screen reader accessible):

Copy one of the nine card options out of the “format: doc” folder in this Google Drive [Link to all bingo boards] into your preferred text editing software.

Fill in the author/title of the works as you comment. Feel free to redesign the cards to make it your own, as long as the info is the same

Link the works on your Bingo card (how to).

Share your final card by posting it to Tumblr as a screenshot or as a viewable link to your Google Doc, with links to each work provided either under a Read More or as hyperlinks (as in this example). More instructions for non-tumblr users under Posting the Bingo Card.

PNG version:

Download one of the nine card options in the “format: png” folder here: [Link to all bingo boards].

Fill in the author/title of your works as you comment using an image editor (Canva, Photoshop, MS Paint, etc.). Feel free to redesign the cards or make your own, as long as the info is the same. We’d love to see and share them!

Include a link to each work you comment on under a Read More. A direct link to the comment must be provided if you commented somewhere other than archiveofourown.org.

Share your final card by posting it to Tumblr with links to each work under a Read More. More instructions for non-tumblr users under Posting the Bingo Card.

Posting the Bingo Card:

Tumblr users: Share your completed bingo card on your own Tumblr and mention us at @rnmbingo. Use the hashtag #rnmbingo so others can find your posts.

Non-Tumblr users: If you don’t have a Tumblr, we still want you to participate. Just submit your bingo card as a Submission to https://rnmbingo.tumblr.com/submit.

Questions?

Check our answered asks, some of our how to bingo posts, or message @rnmbingo on Tumblr.

As always, this concept and these rules are fair game for you to take and re-use for any fandom or event. If you want to take over running the RNM Comment Bingo as an actual event, please message this blog or @maeglinthebold

[rnmbingo]

ao3 comments will be like “i like this line of your fic” and my reply will be like “fantastic thank you here’s my entire thought process about how i ended up with that particular line and also an outline for another fic i have and fifteen resources i used to research 1980s politics” and nobody asked for that chill

[rnmbingo]

A COMINT !!

[rnmbingo]

Welcome to Feedback Fest 2024

February 15th's International Fanworks Day is almost here, and OTW is launching another event today. Come leave 10 fandom recs at Feedback Fest or post here and tag your posts with #IFD2024. Read more at https://otw.news/nya

Bahasa Indonesia • Български • বাংলা • català • Čeština • dansk • Deutsch • eesti keel • Ελληνικά • English • español • français • 한국어 • hrvatski • italiano • lietuvių kalba • 日本語 • norsk • polski • português brasileiro • português europeu • Русский • Српски • 中文

[rnmbingo]

👽 Submit your RNM Fic Recs to RNM Comment Bingo! 👽

Now every day is Roswell, New Mexico Comment Bingo!

Choose a board, comment on some fics, get a bingo (or not! lol), and share it with us! We'll reblog it so new and old fans see your fanwork recommendations.

You can rec podfics, art, and non-AO3 fics, too! More info here.

🎉Thanks to all those who played Comment Bingo in 2021, 2022, and 2023! 🥳Thanks to those who created prizes for our winners! 🎉Thanks to the mods and the gif makers for the event! 🥳Thanks to all those who reblogged our posts and provided fics for us to read and comment on!

Please keep the game circulating!

Questions? Ask @rnmbingo

Never got your prize? Message @maeglinthebold

Want to host RNM Comment Bingo as a proper Event, again? Ask @rnmbingo or @maeglinthebold.

Want to join a RNM Discord? Hang out with most of the mods of this event here: https://discord.gg/fQSk94j79J

[rnmbingo]

deadass should i comment on like YEARS old fics i get nervous to i dont wanna be annoying

Yes! Comment!

The author will likely really appreciate it! And if they don’t nothing will come of it!

It’s a win/win!

[rnmbingo]

Roswell, New Mexico may be over, but fandoms are forever. You can now play RNM Bingo any time of the year, at your own pace!

Looking for the 2023 Rules? Click here!

How To Keep Playing Comment Bingo in 3 Easy Steps

Choose a bingo card: Your format options are Google Doc or PNG. Within those, you have 3 layout options that all have the same squares, just arranged differently (and each of those have three cute backgrounds, so pick your favorite!) (“there has to be three,” as Max says).

Fill out your card: use your bingo card to track what RNM works you’ve read and commented on, including author and title. As you go, keep a list of the links to share as a rec post on Tumblr.

Post or submit on Tumblr: Use the tag #rnmbingo and mention @rnmbingo on your own Tumblr, or Submit a bingo card to us directly. Instant and cute Fic Rec board!

How to Play: The Detailed Version

We’ve got Bingo cards in Google Doc and PNG formats. Thank you to @bean-me-up for the amazing designs and the whole mod team for the fun prompts. [Link to all bingo boards]

How to fill in the bingo card:

Google Docs version (screen reader accessible):

Copy one of the nine card options out of the “format: doc” folder in this Google Drive [Link to all bingo boards] into your preferred text editing software.

Fill in the author/title of the works as you comment. Feel free to redesign the cards to make it your own, as long as the info is the same

Link the works on your Bingo card (how to).

Share your final card by posting it to Tumblr as a screenshot or as a viewable link to your Google Doc, with links to each work provided either under a Read More or as hyperlinks (as in this example). More instructions for non-tumblr users under Posting the Bingo Card.

PNG version:

Download one of the nine card options in the “format: png” folder here: [Link to all bingo boards].

Fill in the author/title of your works as you comment using an image editor (Canva, Photoshop, MS Paint, etc.). Feel free to redesign the cards or make your own, as long as the info is the same. We’d love to see and share them!

Include a link to each work you comment on under a Read More. A direct link to the comment must be provided if you commented somewhere other than archiveofourown.org.

Share your final card by posting it to Tumblr with links to each work under a Read More. More instructions for non-tumblr users under Posting the Bingo Card.

Posting the Bingo Card:

Tumblr users: Share your completed bingo card on your own Tumblr and mention us at @rnmbingo. Use the hashtag #rnmbingo so others can find your posts.

Non-Tumblr users: If you don’t have a Tumblr, we still want you to participate. Just submit your bingo card as a Submission to https://rnmbingo.tumblr.com/submit.

Questions?

Check our answered asks, some of our how to bingo posts, or message @rnmbingo on Tumblr.

As always, this concept and these rules are fair game for you to take and re-use for any fandom or event. If you want to take over running the RNM Comment Bingo as an actual event, please message this blog or @maeglinthebold