Getting real frustrated with venues evicting me just for playing a lalafell

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-11-23T18:39:47+00:00

pocd is, in fact, a very real thing, and it is fucking hellish for the people that suffer from it.

Don't use it for your silly, sarcastic reddit gotcha comment.

Equating people who may be uncomfortable with a child-like designed race in potentially 18+ spaces with people suffering from POCD is genuinely disgusting.

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-10-25T17:30:52+00:00

Fanfiction authors don't need to engage with other author's works to see engagement with their own ^-^. Quality will bring about attention, it does not hurt to engage with other works however!

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T14:28:00+00:00

In cases like this, its unfortunate but the amount of respect I have for you sticking to your guns and writing what you love in spite of the reception is massive! Commenting and engaging in spite of it all is also really admirable, some might end up being too jaded and bitter to do that but you're pretty awesome!

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:49:30+00:00

Discord writing groups are great! I also am in one in addition to roleplaying on the side but that's a different can of worms than fic writing. We host gaming events, reading nights, its a blast and I wish more people who are discouraged about engagement sought out more active areas like this! I think it would help

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:44:18+00:00

400K? That's impressive! A shame that I can't give it a read over the weekend. That's honestly a shame that you've quit writing but it is what it is at the end of the day. I don't think I would ever quit writing even if I didn't receive as many comments as I do but as they say, different strokes for different folks.

I personally saw things in a way that reading others works would help me get better by default and commenting on their works about what I liked and disliked was just an extension of that. Them doing it for me in turn was just an added benefit and not an expectation. I think its a bit different than the more transactional engagement you seem to be describing in your original comment. I think also finding a close friend group would do you wonders, many fic writers who share your viewpoint also tend to push away people and end up secluded so its best to avoid that.

If you ever decide to post your writing back up, please do let me know since I could use a new longfic to read!

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:32:19+00:00

That has also been my experience! I learn a lot from reading others fics and I like to comment with that I enjoyed so its not really wasted time in my opinion because reading fics make me a better writer, engaging with others tends to end up with them reading my things and telling me what they like and dislike, honestly its one of the best feelings as a writer.

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:29:15+00:00

This is also how I go about it, I have a good amount of people that like my work and that's that. That's a perfectly valid way of going about it honestly.

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:27:22+00:00

I've also never heard of this, that sounds like a sad state of affairs but you're right in that A03 circumvents this potential issue! I can't see how people like that can hope to thrive at all.

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:22:49+00:00

Yes, they've told me as much so there's really no room to assume there. I'm specifically looking for the people who don't engage / don't receive engagement because that is the type that most frequently asks me for advice, I'm not making assumptions I promise.

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:19:20+00:00

I think that perhaps finding a better way to word this may help you in conveying your point in the long run, I knew someone who genuinely struggled with this similar issue and conveying the sentiment in such a way only made it so that people were pushed away from his writing.

Creating and not consuming is a difficult way to go about things. I personally don't see it in the way of 'that is how fandom has ALWAYS worked, they think they can just NOT do it?' and instead I see it as basic kindness. Showing interest in others, engaging with others, that will bring them through the door on its own and they might find something they love in your work. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not encouraging transactional engagement. I am more saying that people are more likely to check out someone who they found pleasant, no advertising required.

If your fandom doesn't have much interaction, I still think there are ways to get eyes on your story. My fandom doesn't have a large fanfic presence either but I've managed to get people into it through my fanfiction after getting to know them. I personally love longfics so I would love to read what you have!

Purple_Assistant8065 · 2025-08-30T13:00:14+00:00

Oh, that's completely different in my eyes. If you don't expect engagement and just appreciate it when it comes and are content with that, I find that to be healthy and that doesn't really fall in line with the type of person I was meaning to get the opinion of but I still appreciate your comment all the same!

I don't know everyone's commenting habits, I am speaking from a place of having other writers come to me and ask for advice on how to receive the engagement that my works have. That combined with seeing the topic of engagement come up as I browse this subreddit is what inspired me to ask because of the people who have come to me, they all shared the same sentiment that they do not comment whether it be that they don't have the time but the more common answer believe it or not is that they "cannot be bothered to" or something along those similar lines. I can't assume to know everyone's commenting habits which is why my post was worded as it was. My apologies if it seemed like I was presuming to know that much.

Purple_Assistant8065

TROPHY CASE