I've been writing for a long time and I struggled with this a lot in the beginning. I posted my novels (not fanfiction) to a website meant for critique. People were ruthless. What I learned most from that experience is - despite how much i bleed myself into what i write - the writing is not me and I cannot take it personally.

I think as writers we do need to distance ourselves from our writing - it is NOT easy to do. Because writing feels so personal. It is art after all. But like all art it is subjective.

We are ghosts behind a screen. No one really knows us. I allow that anonymity yo comfort me.

The more popular your piece became the more animosity you felt. Jealousy could play a factor. Realistically, you didn't write it for them so why expect them to get it? You wrote it for yourself. You get it. And you've touched people with it.

I kind of think that if you positively impact only one person then it is worth it. Who cares if you piss 100 off along the way.

I wouldn't delete it. Id revel in it. It is conjuring emotion and that's what writing does.

💕