I almost named this About Writing but we as fanfiction authors are a part of a whole different world of writing so On Fanfiction seemed to make more sense idk.

So sometimes when I'm writing, my characters branch into personalities all of their own and other times, they seem reserved and as identical to the real embodiment as I can design them. I have so many new story ideas that pop up in my brain, it's almost a knife fight to figure out which ones I should take note of and write about.

When I write, I seclude myself away from the world and listen to music, often I listen to the same song until the end of my session. It helps to ignore time and keep myself on the same guidelines plot-wise. Gotta keep these babies from taking off on me or I'll be lost in this big wide universe that won't translate from mind to paper anymore. Hopefully I'm not the only one with this problem because sometimes, holy cow. What is one to do! 

Do you ever read an excerpt from which ever story, and think it's mildly vague or the sentences are chopped up in a nonflowy kind of way? This is an occasional problem I have. It isn't for lack of detail in my head, but when I don't feel that divine inspiration sometimes the words just don't like to sound pretty. Although, authors everywhere will tell you they are their own worst critics. I feel the same.

Ever looked at a sandwich and said, "Dang. That's a nice sandwich"? Well, during the moments after I make up a new story or add a chapter to a current work, I'll say, dang. What a nice sandwich I just made. And I'll be a little proud of myself for all that hard work because making words is hard, I don't care what people say. 

But then I come back to it later with more to write and I'll read over it again and just. Dang. This is one soggy sandwich. Maybe it's because I don't have a beta reader and I am exponentially terrified of apathetic criticism. That's the mean kind of feedback along the lines of, "Well I just didn't get it," or "This isn't a very good story." 

Readers hold a disturbing amount of power when it comes to things like that. Say a famous writer on here posts a new chapter in your absolute favorite story, and the entire thing just doesn't set well in your brain. So you comment whatever it is you'd like to say then move on with your life.

Now, I can't speak for other writers, but I'll be the first one to let you know that a single negative comment could make me want to do away with an entire story. Inspiration fades very, very quickly when the feedback is negative, or it isn't even happening. 

One light hearted comment, one or two sentences about something you earnestly appreciated in that particular work, will only take a few minutes out of your time and will boost the author's confidence in their ability by grueling proportions for weeks (until the sandwich goes soggy and we need more yeast to make some good bread again.)

Well, thank you much for reading my word vomit. Back to writing!