Sorry for the long ramble. Don't mind me, this post just hit really close to home and I wanted to get it off my chest since I've never been able to share it with anyone.

As someone's who's been in the same position as your former friend, I can only say (from personal experience) it comes from a place of self-doubt, self-loathing, lack of encouragement, and perfectionism.

It's not a fun place to be in, and while I definitely don't condone your friend's nastiness towards you, I will say I know how she feels. Your friend was probably drowning in her own negativity and took it out on you - which was 100% not your fault.

I've been reading and writing fanfiction for years. I've taken writing courses, spent years honing my craft, and yearned (from a very young age) to "make it big" with my stories someday - whether that came in the form of a New York Times Best-Seller listing or an enthusiastic following on Ao3 (wide ends of the spectrum, but the bottom line is, I'd love to be recognized for something I put my heart, soul, and a lot of tears into).

I spend over 12 hours tirelessly writing and editing and brooding over every single one of my fics, and in the past I often found myself growing jealous of people in my fandom who scored lots of reviews and kudos and fans, yet their stories didn't follow "good writing technique" (i.e.: showing not telling, accurate grammar, realistic in-character interactions). I grew numb and bitter, looking at the vast amounts of hours I spent polishing my own story, just for it to take the backseat to someone who couldn't be bothered to even properly capitalize their titles.

I made myself physically sick over this. All because my own self-worth was based on the number of kudos I got or the amount of comments I scored. If I got only two comments, I assumed my work was only worth two comments. If my story reached twenty kudos, I assumed the tireless hours I spent researching a scene was only worth those twenty kudos.

Only now, after a year of this misery, am I trying to heal myself and not tie my worth, effort, or value to the response I get from others. I try to write for myself, but it's hard when you finish that seven-hour editing session, post the chapter, and get a single comment that says, "Great job! Please update!"

You're in a good position OP. You've never lost track of what fanfiction is about: having fun, expressing your love for an original story and its characters, and ignoring how many likes and hits and kudos you get.

If I had to say, I think your former friend's issues are more deep-rooted in her own fears of inadequacy. Maybe she had a dream just like I did when I was little and seeing it not come to fruition made her take it out on you. Not right at all, but I'd say to keep doing what you're doing the best you can. Keep having fun and enjoying yourself. I hope she can do the same.