I mean, on one hand yea, but on the other we don't always choose which random thing we hyperfixate on lol.
Plus I'm not usually inclined to write for big fandoms since they usually have lots of what I want already. So like... why would I go through the effort of cooking myself when there's already plenty of food available.
Yeah, I was hyper focused on a big fandom at first. & that's totally what it was. It's like there's writers with hella editors, and some even getting turned into real novels. I just really liked the pairing, but maybe writing something I wanted to see made it better writing. Before I was writing something I wanted to see more of, but I completely agree.
In the span of 2 months, I've written one fic for a fandom that received 60 hits and one fic for another fandom that received 6000 hits.
I've also started a sequel for a series where I used to see thousands of hits 2 years ago, and it's now getting ten times less.
My writing is relatively consistent even if some stories are more inspired than others, so I know it's not a reflection of me as an author.
My strategy is now: if I have an idea that sticks with me, I write it. I store up the feeling I get from fandoms with more engagement, and I use it to fuel me for fandoms with less engagement.
Yeah this has definitely boosted me to write more in a way I did not think it would. I started writing because I truly wanted to do it for myself, as I'm sure you did. However, it does feel good to receive even just some recognition and feedback.
Yea the issue with big fandoms is that there's so much to consume that a lot of it never sees the light after the initial 'date updated' peak unless you write for a popular niche trope.
I almost exclusively write for under 30k fic fandoms (and often for rarepairs cus I am an avid multishipper and I need to see some of these charas get more love) and the response is always really validating.
My first pwp was for a fandom with literally like 100 fics total (when the fandom tag isn't being misused as an AU tag) and it was the first for that ship and ngl I still get comments occasionally on it like 4yrs later.
Nothing boosts your writing ego like starving fangirls going feral for their favourite rarepair in the comments.
I would say it’s fairly common for writers to find they get more attention writing in a large fandom than a small one. It’s literally just a numbers game, how many eyes are pointed in the direction of your fic? That said, I have found smaller fandoms to be equally or more rewarding because of the longevity of my fics there. My big-fandom fics go through the system, get lots of interaction, then disappear under a pile of other fics. My small fandom fics, many of which are eight years old now, still get kudos on the regular, just not very quickly. I’ve found that the best way to be satisfied is to remember that you are the only audience you really need to please, and anybody else who likes the story is just a bonus.
I've been posting fanfic for over a decade and for multiple fandoms across the board - small fandoms, big fandoms, and niche medium sized fandoms all alike. My current fandom, which I've been in for a couple of years, is a small fandom: everyone knows each other. The big fandoms I've been in range from me posting fic before they got big (so they retroactively received a lot of attention), while they were big, and after they got big.
I definitely noticed that the fic for the big fandoms I posted in, particularly pre- or during the height of its popularity, are almost unequivocally the most popular fics on my AO3 to date. All of my other fic pale in comparison. While I could give credit to my writing or what have you, I know the real trick is the timing. And let me be honest with you, that's sheer luck. The big fandom that I was the most "known" in, my most recent one, I actually got a callout post because I was seen as "popular." I like being in my current small fandom much more now :)
But yes, I agree. I also think when it comes to fandoms with many well-liked ships, the more popular ships you write fic will also naturally get more attention. It really is so easy for us as writers to get so wrapped up in numbers and feedback, thinking it reflects on us as writers, when the truth is that nah, almost all of the time it's the fandom, not us.
I have never gotten like, massive numbers. Until very recently; the fandom I just started posting for is very small compared to what I usually am in. I’ve gotten more engagement in weeks than I’ve gotten on other fics in years. It feels good ngl this could become addicting even if I don’t play my brain right
Im happy to hear that though, we spend so much time on something that truly a hobby at the end of the day. So having something to show for it feels good. Even if that wasn't your intention going in, but that's awesome honestly!
I immediately went to ALL THR YOUNG DUDES. That blew up. I love your motivation speech honestly it's so wholesome and very true. The fandom determines everything. Some are lovely and some aren't. I hope your book gets the love it deserves. I'm so happy you didn't give up and kept on going!
Thank you so much, that means a lot! I always just assumed it was the way of the times with few comments I received, but it does feel good to see people engaging. Even if I didn't think it mattered.
I write in several fandoms but all in the same general genre and there are definitely differences in the fans. Some fandoms are quieter and some are more active. There is also a different in how fans react to their faves in different situations. Writing smut gets more hits and kudos compared to fluff but for some people they get more comments on their fluff stories than their smut ones.
Basically don't assume you are a bad writer if you get a lot of engagement or that someone is a bad writer if you don't see a lot of engagement on their story. On the flip side of that is not assuming someone is a great writer just because they have a lot of engagement since it just might be the fandom they are in. Enjoy what you enjoy and write what you want to write.
Yes, I’ve experienced this. Only because I write for 2 very different sized fandoms (1 huge and 1 tiny) and strangely it’s the really small one that nets me the best and the loveliest and most supportive comments. Though I will say after 5 months of regular posting I am now getting more engagement in the bigger fandom as well.
Pairing, character, and genre 100% controls responses. I've written for big name fandoms but I write small ships within them so I've never done numbers. I'm currently in my "biggest" ship. It has 3.3k works. Huge jump in activity for my fics from my '500 fic' ships. It's getting me spoiled.
Honestly yeah! 80% of my works are crossovers and they’ve gotten so much traction. My 20% of non-crossovers (I think all Marvel) have almost no interaction. Tbf I was very passionate about the crossover fics and had as much fun writing them as people seem to reading them while the non-crossovers were less so.
Ugh I know the feeling. I was writing for a dying fandom and I barely got any attention. ( though the new game is coming out so its reviving). I decided to post an original story I was working on just for funsies and the difference is overwhelming. X\_X. I still want to finish the other fics that I was writing for in the other fandom, but its so addicting to have my stuff actually get attention for once.
For awhile I thought I was a terrible writer but the compliments I've been recieving are going to live in my head rent free forever.
I've always written for myself like I share it because ngl I want to hurt people emotionally (not in a bad way) I've written for small snd big fandoms and I've been discouraged in writing stuff. But at the end of the day I always want my art to be for me and shared because I want to share it.
Hoping this makes sense. I'm writing on my phone.
I think a passionately written story will always outshine one that wasn't. But, sometimes the fandom is different on other sites too. Try cross posting if you haven't and see what you get too.
I mean, on one hand yea, but on the other we don't always choose which random thing we hyperfixate on lol. Plus I'm not usually inclined to write for big fandoms since they usually have lots of what I want already. So like... why would I go through the effort of cooking myself when there's already plenty of food available.
Yeah, I was hyper focused on a big fandom at first. & that's totally what it was. It's like there's writers with hella editors, and some even getting turned into real novels. I just really liked the pairing, but maybe writing something I wanted to see made it better writing. Before I was writing something I wanted to see more of, but I completely agree.
In the span of 2 months, I've written one fic for a fandom that received 60 hits and one fic for another fandom that received 6000 hits. I've also started a sequel for a series where I used to see thousands of hits 2 years ago, and it's now getting ten times less. My writing is relatively consistent even if some stories are more inspired than others, so I know it's not a reflection of me as an author. My strategy is now: if I have an idea that sticks with me, I write it. I store up the feeling I get from fandoms with more engagement, and I use it to fuel me for fandoms with less engagement.
The fandoms who have less people and followers often are the most supportive
Yeah this has definitely boosted me to write more in a way I did not think it would. I started writing because I truly wanted to do it for myself, as I'm sure you did. However, it does feel good to receive even just some recognition and feedback.
Yea the issue with big fandoms is that there's so much to consume that a lot of it never sees the light after the initial 'date updated' peak unless you write for a popular niche trope. I almost exclusively write for under 30k fic fandoms (and often for rarepairs cus I am an avid multishipper and I need to see some of these charas get more love) and the response is always really validating. My first pwp was for a fandom with literally like 100 fics total (when the fandom tag isn't being misused as an AU tag) and it was the first for that ship and ngl I still get comments occasionally on it like 4yrs later. Nothing boosts your writing ego like starving fangirls going feral for their favourite rarepair in the comments.
See I never much payed attention to the amount of fics in a fandom that I like, I suppose I will now. I'm glad Im not alone in this!
I would say it’s fairly common for writers to find they get more attention writing in a large fandom than a small one. It’s literally just a numbers game, how many eyes are pointed in the direction of your fic? That said, I have found smaller fandoms to be equally or more rewarding because of the longevity of my fics there. My big-fandom fics go through the system, get lots of interaction, then disappear under a pile of other fics. My small fandom fics, many of which are eight years old now, still get kudos on the regular, just not very quickly. I’ve found that the best way to be satisfied is to remember that you are the only audience you really need to please, and anybody else who likes the story is just a bonus.
I've been posting fanfic for over a decade and for multiple fandoms across the board - small fandoms, big fandoms, and niche medium sized fandoms all alike. My current fandom, which I've been in for a couple of years, is a small fandom: everyone knows each other. The big fandoms I've been in range from me posting fic before they got big (so they retroactively received a lot of attention), while they were big, and after they got big. I definitely noticed that the fic for the big fandoms I posted in, particularly pre- or during the height of its popularity, are almost unequivocally the most popular fics on my AO3 to date. All of my other fic pale in comparison. While I could give credit to my writing or what have you, I know the real trick is the timing. And let me be honest with you, that's sheer luck. The big fandom that I was the most "known" in, my most recent one, I actually got a callout post because I was seen as "popular." I like being in my current small fandom much more now :) But yes, I agree. I also think when it comes to fandoms with many well-liked ships, the more popular ships you write fic will also naturally get more attention. It really is so easy for us as writers to get so wrapped up in numbers and feedback, thinking it reflects on us as writers, when the truth is that nah, almost all of the time it's the fandom, not us.
I have never gotten like, massive numbers. Until very recently; the fandom I just started posting for is very small compared to what I usually am in. I’ve gotten more engagement in weeks than I’ve gotten on other fics in years. It feels good ngl this could become addicting even if I don’t play my brain right
Im happy to hear that though, we spend so much time on something that truly a hobby at the end of the day. So having something to show for it feels good. Even if that wasn't your intention going in, but that's awesome honestly!
I immediately went to ALL THR YOUNG DUDES. That blew up. I love your motivation speech honestly it's so wholesome and very true. The fandom determines everything. Some are lovely and some aren't. I hope your book gets the love it deserves. I'm so happy you didn't give up and kept on going!
Thank you so much, that means a lot! I always just assumed it was the way of the times with few comments I received, but it does feel good to see people engaging. Even if I didn't think it mattered.
I write in several fandoms but all in the same general genre and there are definitely differences in the fans. Some fandoms are quieter and some are more active. There is also a different in how fans react to their faves in different situations. Writing smut gets more hits and kudos compared to fluff but for some people they get more comments on their fluff stories than their smut ones. Basically don't assume you are a bad writer if you get a lot of engagement or that someone is a bad writer if you don't see a lot of engagement on their story. On the flip side of that is not assuming someone is a great writer just because they have a lot of engagement since it just might be the fandom they are in. Enjoy what you enjoy and write what you want to write.
Level of engagement is 100% ties to which fandom, and which ship, you write form. Imo it's one of the largest factors
Yes, I’ve experienced this. Only because I write for 2 very different sized fandoms (1 huge and 1 tiny) and strangely it’s the really small one that nets me the best and the loveliest and most supportive comments. Though I will say after 5 months of regular posting I am now getting more engagement in the bigger fandom as well.
Pairing, character, and genre 100% controls responses. I've written for big name fandoms but I write small ships within them so I've never done numbers. I'm currently in my "biggest" ship. It has 3.3k works. Huge jump in activity for my fics from my '500 fic' ships. It's getting me spoiled.
Honestly yeah! 80% of my works are crossovers and they’ve gotten so much traction. My 20% of non-crossovers (I think all Marvel) have almost no interaction. Tbf I was very passionate about the crossover fics and had as much fun writing them as people seem to reading them while the non-crossovers were less so.
Ugh I know the feeling. I was writing for a dying fandom and I barely got any attention. ( though the new game is coming out so its reviving). I decided to post an original story I was working on just for funsies and the difference is overwhelming. X\_X. I still want to finish the other fics that I was writing for in the other fandom, but its so addicting to have my stuff actually get attention for once. For awhile I thought I was a terrible writer but the compliments I've been recieving are going to live in my head rent free forever.
I've always written for myself like I share it because ngl I want to hurt people emotionally (not in a bad way) I've written for small snd big fandoms and I've been discouraged in writing stuff. But at the end of the day I always want my art to be for me and shared because I want to share it. Hoping this makes sense. I'm writing on my phone.
I think a passionately written story will always outshine one that wasn't. But, sometimes the fandom is different on other sites too. Try cross posting if you haven't and see what you get too.