Firstly, let me apologise – this is not a Castle story but an open letter to all Fanfic readers (and writers).

Hi All,

I am not a Fanfic Writer. You can see from my profile that I have tried a couple of times, but have not been overly successfully. That is okay I have other talents and while I would love to be able to write (and sing and dance and ….) I know I am missing the essential writing ingredient: I don't have a story to tell.

I am, however, an avid Fanfic reader. My profile may not reflect it, but I am. I probably have 100 stories on my iPad at any one time. I think Castle fans are incredibly lucky. The level of talent the writers have is amazing, no other fandom I have read even comes close. The number of writers I follow is long. The number of multi-chapter Fanfics I am reading at one hit is many.

I am eternally grateful to them for sharing their stories. They write out of love and they share out of kindness. I have a number of stories that, like my favourite books, I return to again and again. They make me smile and help pick me up if I am having a bad day.

Fanfic writers take the characters we love and take them places we could never imagine. Their stories make us laugh and they make us cry, they make us feel. The writers share their stories to entertain, not for profit and they share them because they have created something they think others may enjoy. All they ask for in return is a word of thanks or praise if you enjoyed the story. They also will happily listen to any constructive criticism.

And this is why I am writing this: Constructive Criticism – Constructive criticism is useful. Constructive criticism is beneficial. Constructive criticism helps writers grow. Commenting, politely, on how the story structure could be improved is helpful. Commenting, rudely, on how the content of the story is not to your liking, is not helpful. A number of writers in this fandom seem to have been unfortunate enough to attract readers whose sole purpose is to leave nasty, uncalled for, rude, demeaning and bullying comments. These aptly named 'Trolls', criticise everything and anything. They tear down writers for no good reason.

And while I doubt any of these trolls will read this – to them I say STOP. GO AWAY. Leave our writers alone. Next time you write a nasty comment, before posting, read it back and ask yourself – could I say this to my grandmother? If you can't – hit delete. I don't know what your issues are but tearing down someone else's work will not change your situation. The internet is a wonderful thing, but hiding behind anonymous reviews and spouting bile no one wants to read does not make you brave or clever. It makes you a coward. If you truly believe what you are writing – own up to it. Log in so the writers have the ability to reply. Then exercise your ultimate right as a consumer – switch off. Don't read stories you don't like. Don't continually go back to authors whose work you don't enjoy. You have a right to you opinion. But the writer (and other readers) also have rights including the right to not hear it.

I know trolls won't be reading but I am still going to say it again – STOP. GO AWAY. STOP BEING A BULLY. Leave the writers alone. Let those who enjoy the work, continue to do so.

To all the readers out there like me who enjoy the Fanfic we currently are enjoying – take a moment to let the writers know. Don't let writers of stories you love and enjoy be harassed by Trolls – speak up, let the writers know they have done a good job. Let them know you appreciate they have taken a leap of faith and posted something for others to enjoy.

And to all the writers out there – keep writing. Ignore the trolls, know there are thousands like me that truly appreciate your efforts and love reading what you write.

Thank you.