One does not simply come up with a cool blog title

I saw this one comment on a post about ao3 comments, and I can't find it anymore (see, this is why you like things, Nisile), but it's stuck in my mind. It was something like, this person had commented on a fic, and then one author blocked them, and another author was posting about how "nobody liked their work." So as a result of being blocked, and being called "nobody," there are now far more hesitant to comment.

And I thought, maaaan, it's sucks that this sort of thing happens. I mean, blocking someone who legitimately makes you uncomfortable, fine. But saying "no one" likes your work is hella invalidating to the people who do like it. It's very understandable to wish more people liked your work, but pushing away the people who do doesn't help things.

I understand the barriers to commenting, and I'll be the first to admit I don't do it enough myself. (I usually just like or kudos or reblog silently because I am 1) busy 2) tired 3) shy and generally allergic to strong public shows of emotion 4) I think someone else has said what I want to say already, not necessarily in that order). But I'm also here to say that I appreciate every read, every like, every kudos, every reblog, every comment, and every private message, and I probably don't say it enough. I am not even particularly good at thanking people for commenting, but I do try. So, uh, thanks again, everyone, who follows and engages with what I make, in whatever way. Your words and even your quiet gestures mean the world, and are the fuel that keeps me going.

It is not easy to comment. Sometimes I do it and I am, like here, a bit of overflowing in my speech and then I think "Maybe the author will not like it? Maybe it is too much".

I am trying to do it, as often as I can because now that I write more often, I know how sweet it is to read a comment, to see a kuddos, like a breath of fresh air, like a sip of cold water in an hot afternoon.

Just want to say I appreciate all of your comments @annab99awritersdream @emmanuellececchi @from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras @sotwk (on AO3 and/or Tumblr). Seeing a notification on Tumblr or a number other than 0 in my AO3 inbox is more often than not the only good part of my day. So thank you.

No one reblogs on tumblr anymore.

No one leaves comments on Ao3 anymore.

Seriously people the lack of fandom interaction these days makes me genuinely depressed, it never used to be like this, makes me wonder what's the point of coming online to do anything anymore.

Reblog a post so other people can see it.

Leave a comment so the author doesn't feel like giving up.

Fandom cannot live on Likes or Kudos alone.

I have been on Tumblr since 2009 and on AO3 since 2012. The amount of engagement has gone down SO MUCH in recent years.

Fanfic writers may publish their fics only on AO3. Fanfic writers may only publish their fics on Tumblr. Fanfic writers may publish their fics on both. Fanfic writers may publish their fics on other sites (Wattpad, Fanfiction . net, LiveJournal, etc.).

I have seen both writers and readers comment that they only post/read fics on Tumblr because AO3 is confusing. Listen, AO3 really is not as scary as it seems. There is a FAQ that explains how to use the html codes. There is a FAQ that explains how to leave kudos or post a comment on a fic. There is a FAQ that explains how to tag a fic. There is a FAQ that explains how to insert images/gifs into your story. Don't let AO3 intimidate you. There are resources that help make it user-friendly (or ask someone who has been using it for a long time if you need help - we promise you are not bothering us).

Here are a few things that readers should know about AO3:

AO3 does not have a direct messaging feature. The only way that readers can interact with fics on AO3 is by reading, leaving kudos, leaving comments, bookmarking, or subscribing.

AO3 only allows you to leave kudos on a fic ONE TIME. It is not like Tumblr where you can like each individual chapter that a writer posts. Once you leave kudos on a story once, THAT'S IT.

You DO NOT have to make an account to leave comments on AO3. You can create a username and leave comments as a guest. I have had many readers in the past leave comments who did not have an AO3 account, and I could still reply to their comments like I could for people who do have accounts. The only time not having an account might be an issue is if you want to read a fic that is restricted (there will be a blue padlock next to the title), which only allows you to read if you have an account.

Another thing I see frequently on Tumblr posts is "I never leave comments because the fic is 7 years old" or "I never leave comments because I'm shy"

Listen

An author won't get mad if you leave a comment on their fic that they finished years ago. People still read Austen. People still read Tolkien. People still read The Iliad. There's no expiration date for commenting on completed fics.

An author won't get mad if you leave a comment on their WIP that they haven't updated in months (unless you're demanding an update which is rude).

And for the shy people - I get it. I'm shy, too. I have panic attacks when I call my own relatives, because I'm nervous that I'm bothering them when they're busy, despite knowing that voicemail is a thing. I get anxiety when I'm out with my mom and she decides to drop by a close friend's house "since we're in the neighborhood" for the same reason, because I think I'm bothering them.

Let me tell you something - I PROMISE you are not bothering writers or artists when you leave comments on their work. Getting a notification that someone commented on or reblogged our work is often the highlight of a creator's day. Whether it's a multi-paragraph comment with excerpts from the fic or something as simple as "Beautiful" or "Amazing." As I said earlier, you can leave comments as a guest on AO3, and there's this handy little feature on Tumblr called "anonymous asks". I'd say most people allow anonymous asks, but if they don't, it's probably because they've been harassed by anons in the past.

You might think a writer is unapproachable because of how eloquent their style is, or that if they only write angst that they won't take kindly to humor. Trust me, we're all weirdos. I put memes or funny gifs in my replies to comments. I will rant about my favorite blorbos all day and half of it is keyboard smashing. I will show you pictures of my cats for no reason except CATS.

(We interrupt this broadcast to bring you blep)

TLDR; writers and artists are begging for more engagement on their creations. Likes/kudos are nice, but they do not have as much impact as reblogs/comments/messages. If creators are no longer seeing engagement on their work, that WIP fic that you love is going to be abandoned or deleted and that artist whose style makes you feel things is going to stop sharing their art.