Public Transport, Writing Fic & AO3

[impulsereader]

Just a couple quick thoughts which I'd like to exorcise.

Dear CTA,
Please raise your one-way fare from $2.25 to $2.50.  This way, you still get my entire $5 bill, but I don't feel ripped off for that $0.50 every single time.  Please see my latest fic for reference.
Cordially yours,
an occasional rider

Readers seem to prefer the fic that mugged me and stole my brain's wallet, which I proceeded to write in the space of a day and a half, to the one which I wrote over the course of a few weeks, crafted very carefully, and for which I spent two entire days agonizing over individual plot points.  Seriously, that last bit about the British Library and the book excerpts I nearly drove myself crazy over.

The problem with AO3 telling my how many 'hits' and how many 'kudos' have been left is that it leaves me with the distinct impression that the delta between the two didn't actually enjoy the story.

Right, not thinking about any of that anymore - exorcised.

Comments

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Readers seem to prefer the fic that mugged me and stole my brain's wallet, which I proceeded to write in the space of a day and a half, to the one which I wrote over the course of a few weeks, crafted very carefully, and for which I spent two entire days agonizing over individual plot points.

Welcome to fanfic writing.

It's really hard to gauge what happens after we post. I've gotten twice the feedback for 100 word drabbles, mostly, than I have for long multi-chapter posts. And the "kudos" feature on AO3 drives me crazy. About a tenth of readers seem to hit the button - why? We just don't know. It's hard to deny that comments are motivating, and a lot of the fun of putting in the effort to write is sharing your interest with others, discussing things in comments.

IJDK. Keep writing, though! I'm catching up ♥

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Apparently I am now unable to stop writing.

I really like the story that appeared fully formed, leaping from my brain much as Athena did Zeus's, and am trying not to hold against it the fact that I didn't have to research, plot, or come up with any insane twists worthy of Sherlock in order to birth it.

Yeah, that stupid kudos button is my new least favorite thing. I like that it tells you when someone bookmarks a story. I'm logiccing out that this means someone wants to read it again eventually so they must have actually enjoyed it.