at the same time, even if you do ask for crit i find that it rarely happens. and it can be hard to find betas as well. i think most ppl these days don't read fic very seriously (at least not in my fandom), it's a form of entertainment and they don't rly think abt it and then it's not in their nature to leave long deep crit on a piece. i love all appreciative comments lol, even if it's just a keysmash, although i think most authors have a soft spot in their heart for these long, analyzing comments that aren't necessarily crit bec they don't point out bad things but they show you that your reader really read your piece and absorbed it and thought about it carefully. but those comments are kind of rare. maybe this is a recent thing or it depends on the nature of the fandom or it's always been more or less like this, idk. but idt many people are inclined to give real crit, even when it's asked for.