Devilsire, at the end of the day, always write for you. It should never matter how large or small the audience is, and in any case there will always be readers for your stories.

Today, I finally began your latest story and I love it  and I plan on making my way through your Rumors of War and Ashes of Fate trilogies.

I'm going to read it! I don't read stories until they're complete, though, so hurry up!

Devilsire, at the end of the day, always write for you. It should never matter how large or small the audience is, and in any case there will always be readers for your stories.

 

Today, I finally began your latest story and I love it  and I plan on making my way through your Rumors of War and Ashes of Fate trilogies.

Drew, I wish I had access to you IRL so I could call you up whenever I'm feeling down. Your enthusiasm is always infectious.

I hope, however, that you didn't feel my aim was to guilt people into reading the story. That wasn't my intention at all, and I apologize to anyone who gained that impression. I think what I'm doing here is asking what I'm doing wrong. My identity as a writer is in question here, and I'm trying to understand where my craft fits into the world. Am I really going to be stuck as a niche writer for the rest of my life? This is what's been getting at me.

One other thing to clear up... I did write this story for me. I almost always do(Every time I haven't, it's hurt me). I wasn't trying to say I didn't, even though I can see how that could be derived from what I did say. I just thought this story would resonate with people, and I got my hopes up.

But I do appreciate you taking the time to read the story. Thanks for everything, spawnling.

I'm going to read it! I don't read stories until they're complete, though, so hurry up!

Thank you. Like I said to Drew, however, I really wasn't trying to make other people read it. I was just having a bit of existential crisis.

The story is complete, it's just not posted in entirety, but will post one chapter a week until done. You're going to have a few months to wait, I'm afraid. Thanks for your support, though!

Aw Cynus, I actually began reading it after my last class of the day ended (yeah yeah, I shoulda been studying but I can't stay away from GA) and I didn't see this blog entry until hours later.

Love ya bunches Devilsire!

Aw Cynus, I actually began reading it after my last class of the day ended (yeah yeah, I shoulda been studying but I can't stay away from GA) and I didn't see this blog entry until hours later.

 

Love ya bunches Devilsire!

Drew... you rock. I love you, too, son.

I've read you long before I found GA. As a matter of fact I still read you at another site. The reason I still go there is that that site is a lot friendlier to my eyes.

That site has no other way to react to a story than send an e-mail, which for me as a reader is a big step.

So don't assume that just because there's not the expected amount of "likes" or reviews, your work is not appreciated or not read. I suppose you would be surprised. Even as a member on this site I had to be pointed out by an author that "likes" were appreciated. I just didn't think it could mean a lot to an author.

You can't please all people. Some time ago I mentioned that with your earlier work you drew me out of my comfort zone,because fantasy stories would not be my first choice to read. However I had given myself the task to read everything on the other site, even if I had to adjust myself. I am so glad I did, for I developed a real liking for your writing.

The Navigator was a good story that has characters in it that we could encounter every day and is set in the present. That was part of it's success, I think, because the readers could easily identify with the heroes.

Return with Honor I personally found fascinating, because I am interested in religion as a phenomenon and didn't know much about the mormon beliefs. But some people not even want to read a story that deals with religion at all. Whatever their reasons, that doesn't mean that just because less people read it, it is a bad story.

The story you are posting at the moment is full of promise and I know I will read it till the very last chapter. I like the interaction between the Russian and Korean/Japanese men and the sense of fear the brother and father are causing.

And again, the fact that I don't give it "likes" is because most of the time I forget and lack of reviews is mainly because alas I can only spend a limited time online, for there is a job in normal life as well.

Long story to tell you basically: have faith in yourself, write what you think is worthwhile, be proud of what you accomplish ... then a lot of nothing ... and only then notice (but not worry too much or become elated too much) about likes and reviews.

I've read you long before I found GA. As a matter of fact I still read you at another site. The reason I still go there is that that site is a lot friendlier to my eyes.

That site has no other way to react to a story than send an e-mail, which for me as a reader is a big step.

So don't assume that just because there's not the expected amount of "likes" or reviews, your work is not appreciated or not read. I suppose you would be surprised. Even as a member on this site I had to be pointed out by an author that "likes" were appreciated. I just didn't think it could mean a lot to an author.

 

You can't please all people. Some time ago I mentioned that with your earlier work you drew me out of my comfort zone,because fantasy stories would not be my first choice to read. However I had given myself the task to read everything on the other site, even if I had to adjust myself. I am so glad I did, for I developed a real liking for your writing.

 

The Navigator was a good story that has characters in it that we could encounter every day and is set in the present. That was part of it's success, I think, because the readers could easily identify with the heroes.

 

Return with Honor I personally found fascinating, because I am interested in religion as a phenomenon and didn't know much about the mormon beliefs. But some people not even want to read a story that deals with religion at all. Whatever their reasons, that doesn't mean that just because less people read it, it is a bad story.

 

The story you are posting at the moment is full of promise and I know I will read it till the very last chapter. I like the interaction between the Russian and Korean/Japanese men and the sense of fear the brother and father are causing.

And again, the fact that I don't give it "likes" is because most of the time I forget and lack of reviews is mainly because alas I can only spend a limited time online, for there is a job in normal life as well.

 

Long story to tell you basically: have faith in yourself, write what you think is worthwhile, be proud of what you accomplish ... then a lot of nothing ... and only then notice (but not worry too much or become elated too much) about likes and reviews.

Thank you for the in depth response.

You're right, of course. I'm afraid posts like this are a result of the same mechanism which causes me to write at all. I allow myself to feel deeply, because it helps me get into my characters' minds, but it also means when I get a little grain of doubt nestled in there, it starts to grow and change under the pressure until it becomes a large pearl of existential crisis.

I don't know how that translates to me making these grandiose statements about my worth as a writer, but for some reason it does. I let the pressure get to me and it eventually becomes something I need to vent about. No one in my personal life would understand, and so I do so here, hoping people will.

Of course, hours later I reread what I wrote and realize I sound like a petulant child, but I figure the damage is already done. So, here I sit, wondering if I've alienated more people by writing this than not, but what can I do now?

I'm grateful that my stories have had an impact on you, and greatly appreciate that you took the time to write these paragraphs detailing how. It means a lot to me. Many people here have done the same in the past, and I'm grateful to all of them as well.

I just go through phases where I doubt myself and my ability, and this was one of those. Thank you for helping me break through the funk.

Peace and love.

I've read a lot of your stories and I hope you know I appreciate them greatly. I try to review these days since I, when I started to write myself, realised just how much only a few words mean. We all seek validation and want to be seen, noticed. In my opinion, that hoes double for anyone seeking to share any kind of artistic work with the world. I've done a bit of acting, sing in a choir and now I write. Mostly, it's for me but at the same time I wouldn't do it to an audience if I didn't care for or want a reaction. We pour our souls into these manifestations of ourselves and it hurts if no one sees us.

Deep down, I think we have to decide to try and ignore the numbers as much as possible, in order to not lose our artistic uniqueness. Still, it is evolving as an artist to figure out what the audience (in reality our fellow man) wants or perhap needs. I guess for me the trick is to try and combine these two. To reach others you have to speak to them in a way that makes them listen. Otherwise, what's the point?

So, what do I want to say here? I don't know... Perhaps that you should listen to yourself most of all, or your work will become hollow. And maybe just keep one eye/ear on your public.

Personally, I think you're doing great!

I've read a lot of your stories and I hope you know I appreciate them greatly. I try to review these days since I, when I started to write myself, realised just how much only a few words mean. We all seek validation and want to be seen, noticed. In my opinion, that hoes double for anyone seeking to share any kind of artistic work with the world. I've done a bit of acting, sing in a choir and now I write. Mostly, it's for me but at the same time I wouldn't do it to an audience if I didn't care for or want a reaction. We pour our souls into these manifestations of ourselves and it hurts if no one sees us. Deep down, I think we have to decide to try and ignore the numbers as much as possible, in order to not lose our artistic uniqueness. Still, it is evolving as an artist to figure out what the audience (in reality our fellow man) wants or perhap needs. I guess for me the trick is to try and combine these two. To reach others you have to speak to them in a way that makes them listen. Otherwise, what's the point? So, what do I want to say here? I don't know... Perhaps that you should listen to yourself most of all, or your work will become hollow. And maybe just keep one eye/ear on your public. Personally, I think you're doing great!

I am grateful for your understanding, as well as the many reviews you've left on my work. When I was at my low (In case anyone reading this cares, I have bipolar tendencies, and that's the true root of this post) on Wednesday, you were the shining light in the middle of it, because you were the only one who'd reviewed chapter 3 at the time, and I want you to know how much I appreciated that review in particular. It was exactly what I needed at the time to keep me from throwing in the towel entirely.

You make some excellent points about listening to myself and trusting my ability as an artist, as well. I guess eomtimes I simply get carried away seeking that validation. Maybe I should simply address me ego? If I could take ego out of it, I think keeping an eye on the public would probably be easier all around, heh. 

Thank you so much, my friend. And everyone who took the time to read this or any of my work. I'm grateful just to be read, though I do appreciate hearing from you even more. 

I was thinking just the other day that I think I'd rather have 100 reviews of people who had issues with my work than 1000 views I hear nothing from. At least I know the 100 read it! Unless I hear from someone, I pretty much have to assume they read a line and gave up on it. But I guess I have to be content with that, as I can't change whether or not people talk to me.

Each and everyone who does review/comment/email/send criticism, I am so eternally grateful to you, you have no idea... Thanks for everything. 

I've enjoyed all your stories very much. In every story you surprise us with a different collection of people in different situations.

Those doubts you describe are really a strength, not a weakness. It is because you are so critical of your writing that you write so well, so please don't be discouraged, and certainly don't stop writing; you are one of our stars !!

I've enjoyed all your stories very much. In every story you surprise us with a different collection of people in different situations.

 

Those doubts you describe are really a strength, not a weakness. It is because you are so critical of your writing that you write so well, so please don't be discouraged, and certainly don't stop writing; you are one of our stars !!

I'm sorry I didn't get to this before. I must have missed the original notification of the comment, as I noticed it for the first time today when I saw my "recent comments" section. Thank you for your compliments. I've recently entered a new writing crisis, so It's good to have this support here. Thank you so much!