Why don’t writers get as much attention as artists?

ao3commentoftheday:

I hate to say it, but, because fic writers aren’t allowed to charge for their work and artists often sell their work, there may be some devaluation going on. Most people consider things they can get for free to be expendable and/or not of much value. After all, if it were worth something, you’d charge for it, right? 

That’s sarcasm, btw.

Unfortunately, that’s not legal for writers of fanworks as the characters we choose to write about are not of our own creation and are actually owned and licensed by their parent media companies.

It’s pretty unfair but I don’t see it changing in the near future.

Another factor may be that artists network with other artists to get their work seen by more eyes. I’ve seen the rate of fanwork reblogs go up over the last couple of years but it’s still not to the same level as fanart reblogs. 

I suggest networking with other writers and reblogging other people’s work. Post information on your blog saying that you’l like other people to repost your writing or do writer’s asks or solicit prompts from your followers with a request to reblog your prompt fills. Those are a few things that come to mind, anyway.

Followers, are there any other ways to promote your writing that you’ve used successfully?

–Mod M

I used to really bust my ass trying to promote my stories. I really can’t see much difference when I do little or nothing to promote it. 

egyptiansoapbox:

Cultures that endorse modesty and cultures that endorse hypersexualization are the *same* thing. Both define female sexuality by how it relates to the male gaze. In both cases the female body exists as an ornament either to be kept carefully hidden or put on display. Neither is an empowering feminist achievement. 

figure-skating-confessions:

“I don’t really like
Hanyu. The way he moves isn’t very enjoyable to watch for me. I dunno if other
people feel the same but yeah I’d like to not be alone because everyone seems
to love him and I’m not a hater but I want other people who understand where I
come from.“

I adore him–I am absolutely convinced he is the G.O.A.T., with no close second. I forced my daughter and my grandson to watch him during the Olympics. They split evenly. Laura only had eyes for Javier Fernandez. (She has good taste too–Javi certainly shares some mad skating skills with Yuzu, but their styles are totally different.) 

Her assessment of Yuzu’s short program: “Bloodless! He doesn’t even look human! Sure, I admit he is really good, but not for me.” She liked his long program better because he made a couple of mistakes! I told her I could show lots and lots of mistakes he’s made over the years. She said, “No thanks. Don’t bother. But I wouldn’t mind watching some videos of the hot Spanish guy.” 

Meanwhile, my grandson sided with me. “Awesome! He’s a wizard, grandma. Wow! I can really understand why you are obsessed with him.” Of course, I had to explain that the character he skates in Seimei is based on a wizard of sorts, etc., etc., etc., and on and on and on. While my daughter is rolling her eyes hard enough to cause her a migraine. We’re geeking out on her again!

My point is that figure skating contains a huge artistic element. What appeals to one fan is boring for another. One can argue about skills, but there is no arguing with taste. I expect when I am head over heels for someone that naturally guarantees there will be plenty of people who don’t enjoy them at all–otherwise my preference would not be as strong. I have no problem with people who do not appreciate my passion for his style (although I generally have to interject that his skills are still unmatched at the moment–I have the statistics to prove it). I could live forever without seeing certain very hyped and popular skaters ever set foot on the ice again. (I’m gonna keep who they are to myself here.)

Several months ago I finished a long fic (90K) words. While I was posting it, it got tons of comments and kudos. Now that’s it’s off the front page, it’s still getting hits, but no more kudos. It’s been stuck at around 150 for weeks! I shouldn’t be complaining, but damn, I wish there was something I could do besides whining here. I wish more readers in those thousands of hits could leave kudos.

ao3commentoftheday:

I’m afraid that sort of the nature of long fics, anon. Once the posting is done, it seems that interest wanes as it moves down the page. Also, I think people believe that giving kudos or comments is no longer valid. I wish we could dispel that myth. 

We always want kudos and comments, readers. Anytime is a good time for them—years later is not too late. We still love them and we’ll still love you for sending them.

I feel you, anon.

–Mod M