It's been over a year since I made this post. In it, I talk about how much it means to writers to have people comment on fics and reblog them.
What I didn't go into at the time is how since Tumblr doesn't really have an algorithm, but a network of users who all follow one another, reblogging is more important than ever to writers and readers.
Let's say you want to read more stories about a fandom ship or a certain character... how do you find them? Either through the author's post or through another user reblogging it. If you aren't in the habit of searching tags, you'll end up reading new fics mostly because someone you followed either searched tags, followed the writer, or got it from a reblog that someone you followed reblogged it from.
It's a cycle guys! If ten people reblog a fic,and ten different people who follow even one of those people then reblog the fic again... the reach is so much farther than if only one person reblogs it.
I get why people don't want to comment. I don't agree, but I get social anxieties and while I don't suffer from it in that way and appreciate comments, that's fine. Reblog the fic if you like it! Then... someone who does comment can leave a comment or an ask and help inspire the writer to continue their work! This site used to be entirely of reblogs and likes, back before the comment/reply feature was available. I hate the comment/reply feature, because it doesn't require a reblog like it used to here on Tumblr. It has meant so much less interaction and spread of stories and it's killing writing because writers don't think anyone wants to keep reading their fics. Because nobody else sees it except those who follow them or read the tags, so there is no reach unless the writer has followers who reblog.
You wanna keep requesting fics but you don't comment or reblog, or your blog is blank? I'm not writing it. I notice who reblogs my stories and who just spam likes and doesn't share them. I don't think you care about my work if you only ever like them and don't bother to comment or even empty reblog. It's upsetting, because why are you following me and liking my writing if you don't want anyone else to see it? I can't tell you how many demands I get for fics or oneshots and then get no interaction on it when I do post it. I'm sick and tired of it, and the hate I get when I inevitably get writer's block because I've gotten no interaction on my stories... so why even continue? I do this for free, and you READ FOR FREE... the absolute least you can do when you consume content that took me hours to write after a 60 hour work week and taking care of myself is to show some gratitude.
Have a side blog you only reblog to, that's fine. Reblog with or without comments, or even tags. Inevitably someone will follow you and see your posts. Use your main blog for your aesthetic or shit posting, whatever, but REBLOG FICS. Other people will see them, they'll get more notes and followers, and it'll only help a writer to continue their work.
I'm so over having this argument. You want more things to read? Support writers and their content. It's as simple as that.
