What Can We Do?

I've seen the outcries of fellow authors who have been sharing their frustrations with silent readers. I also feel the same frustrations and I'm sad because it seems AFF is coming to an end. While reading everyone's blog posts, I kept having a question popping up in my head. 

A few authors mentioned quiting and giving up forever. Others mentioned taking a break due to their mental health and others are planning to solider on even if it hurts. My question that kept coming to mind is "What Can We Do?"

Are the silent readers reading these blogs? I'm not sure. I really question what's the point of subscribing to someone's story and not leaving feedback or even a simple upvote. It takes about a few seconds and it can provide an author with a lot of happiness when they are in doubt. I don't want to seem as though I'm bashing these silent readers but I have to ask, do you guys truly understand how much it hurts?

We authors on here are giving up free time to write these fanfics for YOU and for FREE! We are not professional authors with publishers so we can't sell these stories. I know there is crowdfunding but rarely anyone is signing up for it. It hurts a lot because we all came to this website for the same thing. Fanfics about our Asian loves (kpop, jpop, anime, etc.)

We came here to write or to read or even roleplay. I'm just asking what more can we authors do to get you guys to comment or leave an upvote? How much begging and crying do we have to do to get you guys to please just leave a comment or upvote?

What can we do to fix the silent reader situation? I thought if I turned my stories to subscribers only, I would get comments and upvotes but some of you are just subscribing so you can silently read the content for free and go onto the next story. It hurts. 

Hopefully 2021 will come with new things for aff. I hope some of you silent readers can just open up and give the authors youre subscribed to support. Give them support BEFORE they decide to throw in the towel. Please don't subscribe if you don't plan to support the author through a simple upvote or comment. 

I feel an upvote and comment on here is worth the same as buying a book from a professional author. You wouldn't just mooch off their books for free (and if you do, thats really low of you). Why can't you guys do the same for us writers on aff?

What can be done or what can we do to curve this problem? Do you guys truly want AFF to end? I know there's ao3 but it won't be the same. I am tired now so I will wrap this up with the same question as before. 

What can we do? 

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Sugasluv #1
We could start a group of authors that read and comment on each other's works. Maybe pick one book a week to read and comment on and the receiver returns the favor. It would be a great way to support each other and read some awesome books!

Reply to this comment if you would like to join.
Shinhye-ssi #2
I have comments lately on one fanfic, I give her my opinions and sometimes critisized the character, her story was really good but finally ended up with her blocking me from that particular fic. I was also disappointed with this accident, but what can I do? Before I reply, she’s blocked me off. I know the writers in AFF give their times to write and I always appreciate their efforts including you. So, I hope even some of readers stay silent it did not mean that they did not care with the story. Please, keep fighting!
Agent_K #3
it demotivates to the point that I no longer want to update my stories whatsoever. ;_;
If only they could understand this, if only.
minhoinator #4
Yeah, I agree it's so disheartening. I cross-post my fics to AO3 too and I also don't get many comments there either. I know some/most readers have anxiety about commenting (which I understand) but ㅠ_ㅠ pls
Minhospuppy #5
I have around 200 subscribes across stories and I get comments from either one or two readers it's just so sad like it really demotivates me to even write. Like even one comment or one up vote really makes my day and I'm excited to write more but when there's nothing in returns it's just like writing in your drafts and keeping it there. I wish silent readers could understand how much their comments can make the writers day or even motivate them to write and continue writing ugh
Shrysea #6
So, still thinking again about it ...
I came up with those posters/image/picture/avatar
You can use it if you want as a temporary avatar or for the begining of a chapter...
Some are teasing, funny or poetic.
If you want more with your favorite Idol ask me I ll do it.

https://www.asianfanfics.com/album/view_image/79287
https://www.asianfanfics.com/album/view_image/79285
https://www.asianfanfics.com/album/view_image/79279
https://www.asianfanfics.com/album/view_image/79277
https://www.asianfanfics.com/album/view_image/79273

Cheer up, be strong ,do what you love ;p
Fighting!!
Gingerdip #7
LOUDER!!!!!!!!!!! SAY!!!IT!!!LOUDER!!!!FOR THE SILENT READERS IN THE BACK GOOOO
Lost_Pharaoh #8
And even if it's not badly written, sometimes that fanfiction is just not your cup of tea. Another reason I think some don't drop a comment could be, depending on the website, they can't comment unless they make an account which they may not want to. Also, sometimes there are fanfics with a lot of comments already, but after getting to the fifteenth or so comment, the writer no longer responds. This could make the reader feel like it's pointless to comment because either the writer doesn't read the comments or they left the fandom a long time ago (if the fanfic is years old).

And I know it can be disheartening. You yourself may be ready to respond at a moment's notice and would love some feedback. The fact that there is none may make you feel like you did a bad job, but assuming you have decent to great grammar and a great plot line, tags could also have something to do with it. Maybe you need to add more so people can find it more easily. Even if people skim past it the first few times, the fact that they've even seen it ups your chance of having another reader and potential comment.

Lastly, you may find that although no one is commenting, you're getting a lot of likes and follows. If that's the case, just try to learn to be happy with that. It could simply mean that your work speaks for itself and your audience is silently satisfied. I find that happens a lot with me where people just like my stories and keep it moving. I do the same thing sometimes and it's totally fine. Just don't doubt yourself. If you really feel like you want some feedback, maybe try reaching out to a couple people that liked your story and ask them privately why they liked it, but don't do it too much or else you might put some people off. Hope this helped or gave you some insight :)
Lost_Pharaoh #9
I can agree with this but we all got to remember that we are not writing to get the appreciation of other. We write because of the messages we want to send, conversations we want to hear and worlds we want want to explore. It's nice to get readers and better if they comment but we cannot let this makes us feels down.

Writing is what we love to do for fun.

But don't worry about it; no comments doesn't mean it's bad. There are great fanfics with no comments and awful fanfics with hundreds. It's not a good measurement of quality.
Owenwoofwoof #10
I'm sorry I haven't commented on your story. I feel as though I am someone who comments often. I just have been busy though, so I hadn't caught up with the one I subscribed to. I did finally get to sit and read through it and got my comment in. I initially just read the forward and first chapter. Perhaps some people save the story for later? Not too sure.
I definitely appreciate the creativity you shared for your readers and whatever you decide to do, I hope it makes you happy.
baekyhoney #11
it's really sad. i watched this site go from bustling to a ghost town. i don't blame readers. i used to not give commentary myself, but i do find myself checking my stats every day. i don't think any of us writers are selfish or hungry for feedback. it's part of what gives us will and motivation to write. but no matter what, i never want to force readers to do anything. i don't make money out of writing nor do i want to capitalize my work. i just try to have faith and someday, maybe things will work out.
BangtanM8 #12
As someone with multiple AFF accounts I definitely agree with this... I know not everyone feels confident in leaving comments and stuff, but reading the comments helps keep me motivated when I'm wondering if anyone is even enjoying the story. I have been a writer on AFF for quite a few years now, and the amount of comments I have gotten is not what I wish it were. I really appreciate those that do comment and show support! I'm not super creative so I don't know how to fix it other than making it a requirement to subscribe, but that would just kill the number of subscribers rather than help so...
Shrysea #13
The only other way I can think of is really extrem ... only allowing readers with friends status to read our stories. 2 solutions :

- Create a story with only one or two chapters as a teaser readable for everyone and then put a link for the following chapters on another page which means create another story but with the same title and only the following chapters to readers with friend status so basic readers would have to ask to be friend and you can put a condition to it like they have to present themselves or/and comment regularly when you update to maintain their friend status and in consequence their access to your stories...

The Other solution is the more extreme because you will not create two pages for the same story so readers have to request you as friend from the start but it will reduce even more the access since they wont be enough patient for example.
heclgehog #14
Preach. I get a ton of subs and votes on anything I post so I always get at least a few comments, but that’s bc I built up my reader base and I cater to what’s popular. Those who write what they truly enjoy may not always cater to what’s popular and therefore only get a few of any subs and maybe not even a vote. I wish everyone who read a story left a comment, even if it’s just “I liked this, thank you for posting it”. Tbh I don’t read on here that often anymore but when I do I comment on every chapter of every story I read. Even if it’s just “oh wow that’s crazy I wonder what’s gonna happen next.” Bc I know I love hearing ppl thoughts as they read my stories so I want to provide that to the authors I’m reading.
PenguinLOvers772 #15
It's sad. I feel the same way too. But i just keep going. Hopefully things will get better. I guess that's all we (authors) can do
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