"I really don't like the way this story is going...." "Your Ciel is so whiny." "How is that a pairing? Seriously?" No one can argue the fact that fan fiction writers live for their reviews, comments, and feedback from their readers. I've always been a firm believer in writing for the sake of writing, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't care about reviews. There's a certain level of excitement and fulfillment when you get a notification that you have received kudos or someone was kind enough to take the time to react to your work. It drives us writers to want to do more, to elevate the plot and add more depth to our characters. No one truly understands how much writers love reader feedback. But on the flip side, nothing can be more debilitating to the progress of a fan fic than negative feedback. I've received my fair share and trust me, it sucks. From the Grammar Nazi to the Career Cannon, there are plenty of naySayers out there chomping at the bit to put down, criticize, shame, strip away, break down, and destroy your work. I would say it is comparable to a stranger calling your child, or pet, "Ugly As Fuck". The amount of blind murderous rage a writer may feel when this happens is pretty damn near criminal. So what to do? I've been at the point where my bruised ego has had a sit down with the writer in me and tried to goad her into changing the pace, the characters, the plot, the language of my story. My ego is pretty powerful and it took so much for me to just get up and walk away from the idea of shifting my work to suit the acidic comments gracing the wall of my AO3 account. I felt like I was back in middle school when I wanted everyone to like me....ugh The truth is, people don't have to like you, your story, not even your work in general. For the amount of negative responses you may receive, imagine the amount of readers out there, silent in the dark, who are loving your work and hoping that you will update ASAP. Just like you may feel that your work surmounts to nothing, readers tend to think that their comments mean nothing as well. Sometimes they withhold their comments because they figure it doesn't matter. Here's a side note for all you fanfic lovers: If you are taking the time to read a story, then you should take the time to applaud the writer by dropping a note of appreciation,. The power of kind and generous words is invaluable and immeasurable. Writers of all forms have the ability to heal, to boost sagging spirits, to motivate and inspire others to do their best. And if you must leave a less than savory review, then be helpful not hurtful. Fan fiction writers work for free, they're not getting paid to sit around and write these sometimes highly elaborate and epic stories so readers. Please show your respect and your appreciation! Back to the writer: Never should you treat yourselves like clay and be molded by the readers' whims. You, the writer, must pen your feelings and beliefs with the same integrity and honest spirit that you live your life with. The fandom you adore is being expressed through your own words and that is simply amazing. Realize the amount of creativity and courage you need to possess in order to take upon such an endeavor. You're putting your heart wide open to a faceless audience infinitely packed with critics. You've come this far in posting your written art, don't be swayed by negativity or silence, instead keep writing, keep going, don't stop until you've finished having your say. There's someone out there in this big beautiful world reading and thinking “Wow, this is incredible.” "To thine own self, be true" -Hamlet
