When I started Wattpad in 2013 I had no expectations. None at all. I thought maybe I would start a few stories, never finish any of them, and not really have any readers.
Little by little Fire and Ice would get more reads.. It hit a hundred reads and I about had a stroke! I thought about how amazing it was to have people from all over the world reading my story and actually liking it!
It has come to 20 thousand reads now and that's great... but it has given me expectations that I'd rather not have at all.
I personally think Gone Rogue is written better and is more interesting than Fire and Ice, but it only has 530 reads. It confuses me and tears me down, thinking it's not as good as Fire and Ice when I know it is.
Expectations are ok to have, but they shouldn't make you feel like you have to live up to something else.
I write because I love to write. I have to get the words out of my head or they will overpower me and I'll be miserable. I write to create people, stories, worlds, etc.. I don't write for numbers. My work is not judged from how many reads and votes I have. If I like the story, then whatever! I could be the only one reading the thing, but it would make me happy.
It's a hard lesson to learn and it's still something I struggle with day to day.
Just remember, write for yourself. There is nothing wrong with wanting other people to enjoy the stories that you know are great, but don't let numbers define how you feel about your writing. <3
Here is your writing prompt! I would love to write a short story about someone born with the Midas Touch. You know, everything you touch turns to gold? I can just imagine the possibilities. It could be seriously fun!
Much love to you all <3
You are absolutely right Marissa. Thank you for this. FH is inching coser and closer to the 1000 mark- about 20 or so more reads!
ReplyDeleteAnd Gone Rogue is doing well, it deserves lots of reads and Fire and Ice deserves all the reads it has gotten! ❤
I'm so excited for you to hit 1K!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much <3