Does writing your story make you feel better or worse?

[velwoven]

Random thought that hit me today after finishing a chapter.

Before I started seriously writing, I was stuck in a pretty unfulfilling cycle: mindless gaming binges, staying up way too late for no reason, general resentment about how the skills I’d developed (English in a country where almost nobody speaks it) felt wasted in my day job. Life felt…purposeless, I guess?

After committing to actually drafting, polishing, and sticking to a writing schedule after work, things shifted. I sleep better now. I’m more confident when people ask about hobbies. Instead of mumbling “I just game a lot,” I can say “I write and serialize stories.” It’s a small thing, but it makes me feel like I have direction and identity, even though my story isn’t making me a single cent yet.

The trade-off being, I’ve probably swapped one type of anxiety for another. Instead of “WTF am I doing with my life?” it’s now “Will I get more followers/favorites/ratings tomorrow?” I keep reminding myself not to let external validation ruin the fun of writing, but… yeah, the mood’s still there.

Overall, picking up fiction writing has made my life better, though I’m still working on the validation anxiety part. What about you? Has writing improved your life, or just given you new things to stress about?

 

[LightHikari]

Writing makes me feel much better about myself. This was the singular best thing I've ever decided to do.

 

[Rhyanmehler]

I've always enjoyed writing, like creating stories with elements you like, I think it's really cool. But I have a problem with external validation, but I'm trying my best to keep writing, even though I've given up thousands of times before.

 

[OCQueen96]

I enjoy writing very much. It improves my life. I enjoy it because I become very invested in the characters that I'm creating. There is a part of myself inside of each character, and it helps me to process whatever it is I have experienced (pain, joy, loss, relationship struggles, etc.). I also enjoy going back and re-reading it. If I post it and get positive feedback, that's even better! However, if I don't, it doesn't bother me. If I get a bad review, 1) A story will never please everyone. Each story is an acquired taste based on plot, genre, character development, etc. Stories won't sit well with everyone, and that's okay. 2) There are so many stories posted on Scribble Hub and on similar websites that mine may get overlooked, and that's alright. I will try to improve it so that it will hopefully get noticed the next time. It's not about a story being bad vs good. For a story to get noticed, it's about good vs great.

 

[CinnaSloth]

I keep reminding myself not to let external validation ruin the fun of writing, but… yeah, the mood’s still there.

I get it.
It's not that you're seeking validation to say, "hey, good job,", "you're doing great. Keep it up.", "Nice one, bro."
Like nah. it's not about that. BUT- It's still feels nice.. it's still something engrained within you like some sense of relief telling you, you aren't just wasting your time being a screw up, or a failure for liking the thing you're having fun with, or being passionate about. It's not important, but it's a bonus to help push you along when it does happen. Maybe I'm reading to far into your words, but assuming this to be the case, I feel the same. And I'm still not looking for the validation, though on bad days, a bit of confirmation would be nice to fall back on..

Sometimes I just have to step away, and read a book, or fall back into videogames, but even then, I still feel guilty- like I could be writing, but I literally updated an hour ago, I should calm down and relax, and take a moment for myself, but I'm always anxious about: Am I doing enough? Did I even earn the chill time to play videogames? I already know videogames are a waste of time, do I really want to waste time like that?? Or reading instead of writing feels like a trade off. But burning out on writing isn't good either. we all need a second to breathe. Where's the balance? I don't honestly have one. For me, no matter what I do, I feel like I'm wasting my time. Having the tiniest bit of a thumbs up solidifies that I'm not failing 100%. I could survive with 1% of a good job. At least then, I know I did something right.
With writing, I feel as though I'm partially participating in something bigger. Is it worth it? I don't know. I hope that it is. I like doing it, but it's all I got. Then again, I'm just an anxious kind of person.

 

[Akkizakura]

Writing make me feel good because I can make someone suffer and call it character development.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Both. The time spent writing could be used to do other stuff, but it is a needed outlet as well. And I often have mixed feelings about what I write (and frustration that I just can't keep up the needed pace). But it is still, overall, a positive thing.

 

[HarryGarland]

Writing helped me process come to terms with my own trauma and emotions and gave me some kind of catharsis. But it does get me down when I don't get views or comments as validation anxiety kicks in.

Bottom line, t'was an enjoyable journey.

 

[JayMark]

single cent yet.

Our writing costs us oppurtunity, time, networking, and enjoyment of other things. Plus whatever actual costs if you dare to promote. if you want to make it big, buy a lottery ticket.

“Will I get more followers/favorites/ratings tomorrow?” I keep reminding myself not to let external validation ruin the fun of writing, but… yeah, the mood’s still there.

The answer is always no. The further you roll the boulder up the hill, the heavier it gets. There are probably easier ways to get validation.

Overall, picking up fiction writing has made my life better, though I’m still working on the validation anxiety part. What about you? Has writing improved your life, or just given you new things to stress about?

I've always been a writer. But I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth or a great mind. So I'll make due with the little I can achieve and keep working. I can't keep stressing about validation that never comes. If web noveling wasn't a thing, I wouldn't ever have even a single reader. So I'll be grateful for that and just keep fighting for a bit of existence in the space until the bots crowd it out. That's what bulls do, persist until they can't anymore.

 

[Our_Lady_in_Twilight]

Oh, I originally thought you were asking about the writing itself rather than the meta-level. As you frame it, yeah, it's overwhelmingly positive. I feel like I get to do an activity that develops and expresses myself, and I get to share some joy with the world. Even if only a few people read, it's still a few people who I've given a bit of pleasure to their afternoon.

Within the text its more mixed. I feel like with the process of writing compelling characters and scenes, reward goes hand-in-hand with mental fatigue and interesting conflict creates emotional exhaustion. Essentially its great to get the ideas flowing, but it can take it out of you.

 

[Eldoria]

Overall, picking up fiction writing has made my life better, though I’m still working on the validation anxiety part. What about you? Has writing improved your life, or just given you new things to stress about?

Both. Fiction has both good and bad effects. What's good? I can express my conscience without any masks. I can freely explore the dark side of humanity, expose it, and then criticise it as a narrative (read: through dark fantasy). This helps channel the negative emotions and thoughts that plague my life.

You know... in real life, we see many social problems, such as crime, corruption, racism, injustice both structural, cultural and gender, and emotional ones like depression and suicide. However, we can't solve them all. Honestly, these social problems have weighed on me for years. Through fiction, I want to channel my anxiety and address these social problems, even if it's only fiction (at least the moral message will be understood by readers).

However, this isn't always a good thing; often, I also dive too deep into human history, touching on sensitive, dark, and traumatic areas. I even experience depression for days after writing a dark chapter. I don't like it... But I have to write it. Only by looking at the dark side, wounds, and trauma of humanity, we learn to be human.

As for external validation like engagement, I don't think too much about it (which doesn't mean I don't care). Because I realise my work will not be popular at least for now (even in the future, it is not guaranteed).

 

[AnEmberOfSundown]

Better, for the most part. The light chapters make me laugh but even the darker parts feel good when I get to tell my MC the things I wish had been said to me (through other characters, of course).

Posting online and the reality of engagement metrics (or lack thereof) has been a real kick in the teeth though, not gonna lie.

 

[MajorKerina]

It depends. Writing is always a sense of positivity but the emotions after a chapter or during a very heavy chapter can carry residual feelings that move me one way or another.

 

[Zagaroth]

I am an electronics/avionics technician who has worked on everything from military ships and air frames to high-tech manufacturing for military equipment to medical equipment maintenance to automatic gates (install and maintenance). I also did some game testing for about a year.

Writing is by far the most fulfilling work I have ever had, even if it's taken quite a while to approach positive income. And it's not just fulfilling, it actively makes me happy and satisfied.

Edit: Except for the editing process. I could do without that. ?

 

[Wenlock]

I was literally shaking with excitement while writing the latest chapter cuz I was daydreaming about it for MONTHS. But because the chapter was gruesome I had a bit trouble because I was making myself sick? Pushed through it and we are back to loving the process. It's because it feels like I am watching a show I really wanted to watch.

 

[MFontana]

Honestly, I enjoy writing, and I write because I enjoy it.
For me, it's not work, so much as trying to tell the stories bouncing around in my head, and trying to make sense of the dreams that have haunted my nights since my early youth.

If my stories draw attention, or garner a following, all the better but that isn't why I write or what I hope for. I just hope those who do read what I've written find some semblance of enjoyment while they're reading. That's part of why I'm sharing my work after all.

 

[Hairelessmat]

It makes me feel better ig but in the moment I just want to get the ideas out of my head and share them, whats depressing for me is that I have to edit them and make it into a story, which is a lot of work, but I want to inspire others out there

 

[Hush25]

The trade-off being, I’ve probably swapped one type of anxiety for another. Instead of “WTF am I doing with my life?” it’s now “Will I get more followers/favorites/ratings tomorrow?” I keep reminding myself not to let external validation ruin the fun of writing, but… yeah, the mood’s still there.

Hey there! First of all, I just want to repeat something we were often reminded of in the professional writing body I belonged to: You have actually completed a story (and then more). This is a huge milestone and should truly be celebrated. Many people start to write, most don't finish. You've already achieved something marvellous.

As for the validation...over time I think the need reduces significantly. I've been writing and putting my work out publicly for almost seventeen years. You get to the point where you write for you (and often because I can't find stories that tickle my brain) and the pleasure it brings (making money is nice though).

I'd like to finish by giving a little unsolicited, boring and yet realistic advice (you already know I'm sure, but it helps to have it repeated):
Writing commercially can be harsh and developing a thick skin and a lot of self-confidence (without ego) is essential.
Work on having faith and believing in yourself — no amount of external validation is going to fill that place inside you.

---

Yes, I write smut. BL cultivation smut.
My Master is Too Dramatic
Secretly, I'm a Cultivation Genius

 

[WhimsicalLantern]

The trade-off being, I’ve probably swapped one type of anxiety for another. Instead of “WTF am I doing with my life?” it’s now “Will I get more followers/favorites/ratings tomorrow?” I keep reminding myself not to let external validation ruin the fun of writing, but… yeah, the mood’s still there.

I think that's important to remember. We are all posting our scribblings here online, which means we're seeking external validation at least a little. But if we're honest about it, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Just don't let it become all-consuming.

At the same time, does the act of writing (and then reading what you wrote) bring joy? If it does, that's good enough - at least for me.

Am I going to get millions of readers? No. But if I write a story, and then read it back, and at the end I feel happy? That's an awesome feeling. And yeah, every time I see a new follower, or a new comment, or ratings? That feels great, too. But even on days when nobody comments, I can re-read the chapter(s) I've published and smile. Because I created something.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

I hate myself no matter what I do.