Do you ever suffer from the ‘Fanfic Blues’ when you post an update or a one shot but the reactions from readers is minimal? And then you ask yourself, ‘What’s the point of writing when no one cares?’
Yes, writing fanfiction is fun but so is getting kudos/comments and motivational feedback. We do it for ourselves as much as for the readers.
Ok. So yeah. This happens so fucking much. I’m very proud of some fics that I’ve written over the years; some with 20 followers, some with 3k – I’m proud of them all.
HOWEVER, whenever I write a story; whether it’s a popular fic or not, I need validation. Every author… every person needs validation for the shit they do. Bro I don’t even care if that validation is just a small emoji or even just a like or a reblog; ANY kind of positive signal from ANYONE motivates so fucking much.
The phenomenon you’re describing (‘fanfic blues’) I feel generally comes after several hours of posting the fic or new chapter. You sit and wonder why no one’s reblogged the fic. Or you check your phone and discover that you haven’t received an email from ao3 or ff . Net, and you start to wonder: was this fic really worth it? Should I continue writing this? Am I just wasting my time?
And precisely because of this, authors are more afraid of playing around with original ideas and plots. They stick to cliches because they know that people will like them more; more people will pay attention to that. And then of course, you have the dreaded ‘author’s blocks’, which I find generally come once you start asking yourself the questions stated above.
Obviously no writer should write FOR the comments and likes; but remember, much like you, every writer needs confirmation or a pat-on-the-back to tell them ‘hey, you know what? You’re awesome. Thanks for writing that’. Fyi, that last sentence took me less than a few seconds to type.
@tardisdementor Thank you for perfectly describing how I feel right now. It’s rather frustrating to feel this way. But I’m glad I’m not alone.
*tips hat*
I’m sorry you have to go through shit like that rn…. but we writers are a tough bunch; even if people don’t read our fics as much as we wish they would, we still continue writing.
I’m always a bitch for good writing so… don’t…. hesitate… to tag me… if you ever… post…. anything. xD
As a sort of writer, I know how much it means to me to have someone say ‘your work is good, please keep going!’ I don’t do it for those comments obviously, but it’s nice. Just like if you dress nice to school or college or work, and someone comments saying you look good, it makes your day a little brighter. You didn’t dress for them, but it’s nice to know someone’s noticed.
And yes, when you don’t get any response to your work, it’s disheartening, and it can lead to you not wanting to push yourself to try new things. I have an unfinished screenplay sitting on my desktop I keep toying with and then deleting because I keep second guessing myself.
You don’t write for the kudos, you write for the love of it! But it wouldn’t hurt to have some encouragement once in a while.
@tardisdementor @ohmygoshwirt Thanks so much for your encouragement and wise words. You guys are lovely. Good luck on your writing and may you always be inspired and motivated. Much love to the both of you 😊❤️ And here’s the link to my ao3 fanfics: http://archiveofourown.org/users/Kairat11/works
@destiel-is-cockles-fault anytime my love! @tardisdementor is literally the greatest motivator on the planet, she’s the reason I keep writing! And actually I was inspired by your kind words (and my feelings about 12×09) and I wrote a little fic this morning whilst putting off doing some university work!!!! So thank you!!!!!! And yaaaaaaasss, I can’t wait to read it all!
Love always, C xx
@ohmygoshwirt Yay for writing that little fic and I’m glad my words helped in any way. Thanks for your kindness, keep being lovely. @tardisdementor she sure has a way with words.
Anyhow, I have a long weekend so…. I’m gonna go read a few of your fics 😈
I apologize for hijacking this post, but I really appreciate the pep talk going on here. I experience ‘fanfic blues’ all the time. It’s nice knowing I’m not alone.
And this is why I sooooo admire the insanely talented authors in this fandom and why I strive to ALWAYS comment, kudos, and reblog! Thank you to all my writer friends for continuing to write even when the likes, kudos, and reblogs are few and far between!
@kmomof4 , you’re always a cure for a case of fanfic blues. You’re flailing commentary is the best.
It All Starts With a Dance 