#fic writer advice

[karizard-ao3]

If someone’s first comment on a fic, multiple chapters in, is a complaint, how would you feel about that? I feel like I’m overreacting being upset because the person wasn’t really mean, but idk. Might I have a piece of experienced fic writer wisdom?

That has happened to me before and it is kind of upsetting because you see that you have a comment and obviously you think that it's going to be a nice comment from a reader that is enjoying your fic and you're looking forward to it and then you read it and it's just someone with shit to say. It is really disappointing. I think that it's okay to be upset about it and it's okay to take some time before addressing the comment however you decide to do that. When this happens to me usually I will message a friend to tell them about the comment and be a sad sack about it for a bit, and also to make fun of the commenter. I guess maybe that's mean but I also think that it's wildly audacious for them to think that their opinion is so important that they need to announce it before they see themselves out. That's like being at the grocery store minding your own business and then some random person walks up, says "I don't like the selection of food that you have in your cart!" And then leaves. It's utterly ridiculous. These people are truly something else.

Anyway, as far as advice goes I don't really have much beyond it's totally okay to be upset about those kinds of comments even if they're not necessarily mean, because they are disappointing. Take some time to address your feelings about the comment before you reply back (or delete or whatever). If you have a friend that you can talk to, do that. And also just keep in mind that the things you write are not going to be to everyone's tastes, so them not liking it does not say anything about the quality of your writing or your story. It just means that it was not for them. And that is okay. They didn't need to announce it but they did and that's not a reflection on your or your talent. Try not to take it too much to heart although I know that's easier said than done

Sorry that was so long!

[babydotcom]

looking for genuine advice on how to write a slow burn please and thank you

[bangtanfancamp]

I’ve noticed that despite being added to multiple writers networks this summer, my fics this year have had less and less views and very few if any comments or interaction. When this trend started in the spring, I almost gave up my blog and writing entirely. It’s quite a disheartening phenomenon. But a small handful of people reached out and encouraged me so I kept at it.

Now, a good five months later, I can honestly say that I’ve seen my writing improve in ways I never thought it could and I am proud of it. I no longer worry that no one reads my work because it’s not worth reading. I do however, really want to know any helpful tips to circulate my writing better.

These past few months, I’ve learned how to make graphics for my stories, utilized pinned posts, joined networks and yet still my most recently uploaded story has less than 10 hits.

I’ve realized my upbringing has ingrained a “bare minimum is more than enough—you should be grateful and not ask for more” mindset in me, and I’d really like to grow past it. So if anyone has suggestions please tell me. I feel like, practically speaking , there must be something I can do. I’ve seen small blogs jump to thousands of notes in less than a year, so I am quite baffled how mine went from a meager 100-150 (which seemed glorious at the time ) when I started a year ago to less than 20 now when I post more consistently with better quality work.

Is traction really is the result of a fluke of an algorithm? Does fic blog growth only come with smuttier writing? Or this just an example of giving a f*ck being the reason you can’t get what you want— you can’t have it cuz you want it TOO bad. Mayhaps, I need to let that go. I know if somethings not for me, it’s best not to push and claw where there’s no point. But if there is anything i can do, I’d just like to know what that is.

I’ll keep putting out things I love and hope one day someone finds them. It’s the only part I seem to be able to control.