I try and read everything on here, canon or not. There are certain writers I always comment on, because I love their work, and I am so very rarely disappointed in anything they write. If the writer is new, particularly to fanfic in general, I also try and make some comment, because the best way of learning is for someone to encourage you to keep going. Other stuff I see how it takes me, although I know exactly how you feel - good comments make my day, and send me on my way with a smile that I might not have had before. I don't have the opportunity to write as much as I want anymore, so seeing someone has taken the time and trouble to put together a well-considered comment is like water to a thirsty man. Or woman, in this case.

As for ratings - maybe it's my browser, but I can be informed that someone has commented on my fic, but there's nothing new, so I am assuming they have rated it, although I can't see what their rating was. It would be good to get a notification of rating seperately, with what the rating was, otherwise it just seems to get swallowed up. And I admit, if I agree with the current rating on a story, I don't add my own!

I look at the creative work that it took to write a fic first. I want it to make me feel, but I'd rather it made me think. If it's something I can imagine appearing as an episode of Firefly, I love it. If it's something that was written as an emotional dump (like write a mean male character because you're mad at the male in your own life) not so much. When someone has gone through the effort of plot, adventure, character development and growth, etc. I love it. When the more they write the better they get at honing their craft, I love to see their creative process unfold. If I can't predict where they're going with the story, I love it. I'd rather read Firefly, not Dear Abbey on difficult relationships. And if I don't think the story deserves high ratings for effort, I don't judge their effort as inferior with a rating, I just don't judge it at all. I'm not trying to be critical of their work, that should be up to the author. But I do think that people deserve some kudos for doing the work of posting here and having the courage to share their thoughts, and not be flamed.

I know what you're saying byte. But remember where the word 'fan' comes from - 'fanatic', isn't it? And that brings with it a measure of intolerance. (Which is why I wouldn't call myself a Firefly fan.) What really bothers me is poor writing, even within a pairing that I like; but it's different for other people.

I agree with you about the compliments. It's awesome to get positive feedback; but I know that not everyone likes my fics. Where are they?!

You have some good points there. I tend to read a lot of the fic, comment on some, don't on others.

And I'm attracted by the pairing too, but if the piece is well written I can usually overlook it. But it does make me irritated when some claim that their pairing is the best and won't read anything else, even if it's a canon pairing. Right now some of the Sookie/Eric people-(True Blood)- are making me sick even though it 's a canon pairing but it's not the only one that involves Sookie Stackhouse. *rant over*

With a few very, very notable exceptions. Like if someone is obviously and intentionally trolling.

Like this example from the Harry Potter fandom:

http://myimmortalrehost.webs.com/chapters122.htm

Warning: part of your brain may want to kill itself if you read this. Others of you may die laughing.