I read a lot of things without commenting because I don’t want to be the idiot that is just over here going “This is cute” when I don’t really have any other thoughts on it. Even though I realize that the author probably appreciates even small comments like that, I still feel like a dumbass for not having anything better to say.

ao3commentoftheday:

tidalrace:

purplesocrates:

ao3commentoftheday:

You really don’t have to write an entire essay back. I appreciate even getting a “<3″ on a fic, believe it or not. Don’t think saying “this is cute” is a dumb comment or you’re an idiot for writing that. If the author was aiming for cute, you saying “this is cute” lets them know that they did a good job. 🙂

That said, if you want to know a secret way to blow a writer’s mind and not have to think of words to write yourself? Reaction images. 

If the fic is on tumblr, it’s easy enough to reblog with a gif attached. In AO3, you need to know a little bit of html:

You can do that without any words at all and it’ll make the author’s day 🙂

(at least, it always works for me!)

Oh my god I didn’t know you could do this!!!!!

“This is cute!” is a perfectly fine comment. Like, I’m just glad you got through something I wrote and thought that, instead of thinking, “why did I waste the last 2 minutes of my life reading that?”

something to keep in mind