Have you ever thought, “What if my story never gets popular?”

[DoodTheMan]

I personally write for my own satisfaction, but I don't think I'd ever purposefully stop writing a story even if it had 0 readers, just in case someone unearthed it and enjoyed it. I wouldn't want to disappoint this hypothetical person by not providing a conclusion.

 

[Ge.Dune]

Have you ever thought, “What if my story never gets popular?”
Genuine question.
If your story doesn’t get many readers, no traction, no spotlight—
would you:
1.stop writing it?
2.put it on hold?
3.or keep writing anyway?
At what point does motivation shift from “I want readers” to “I’m writing because I need to”?
I’m curious how other writers deal with:
1.low engagement
2.slow growth
3.or feeling invisible despite effort
No judgement here—just honest answers.

Hi! Such an interesting topic, I just couldn't pass it by.
I’ve only just started posting here, but here is my take: I’m writing and illustrating a story right now, and I am head over heels in love with the characters, the plot, and the art. Naturally, I want to share that love with the world. But... even if no one ever sees my little world, would I love my characters any less because of it? Of course not.
I started writing because it's just bursting out of me. I need to pour it all out through words and visuals because there are so many ideas, and they’re getting crowded in my head. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing because I love every second of it. Thanks for the topic, it’s really interesting to read everyone’s thoughts here!

 

[L1aei]

Hi! Such an interesting topic, I just couldn't pass it by.
I’ve only just started posting here, but here is my take: I’m writing and illustrating a story right now, and I am head over heels in love with the characters, the plot, and the art. Naturally, I want to share that love with the world. But... even if no one ever sees my little world, would I love my characters any less because of it? Of course not.
I started writing because it's just bursting out of me. I need to pour it all out through words and visuals because there are so many ideas, and they’re getting crowded in my head. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing because I love every second of it. Thanks for the topic, it’s really interesting to read everyone’s thoughts here!

Take whatever is said with caution because they came out of somebody else's head, not yours; including what I just said.

 

[autumnsugar]

I wanna be cool like everyone else and say that I don’t care, but tbh I really do want ppl to see my writing and form a connection to it… if my current novel never get popular though, I’ll try and write something else!

 

[L1aei]

I wanna be cool like everyone else and say that I don’t care, but tbh I really do want ppl to see my writing and form a connection to it… if my current novel never get popular though, I’ll try and write something else!

Believe me when I say I ain't saying anything cool. Even a toddler would enjoy having fun all alone, so my motivation is immature at best.

 

[DionysusWriter]

I really only write for myself. I would never do what others do, like conduct polls to see how they want the plot to progress, for example.

 

[OniKaniki]

I'm gonna feel worthless, depressed, sad, and sleep.

 

[Callarel_04]

I kinda got used to it :v. When I first started writing fanfiction over a decade ago, I lucked into the popular 'meta' of Harry Potter crossover with OP edgy 'independant' Harry, and that fic got good number of favs and comments. If I reread that fic now I'd die of cringe.

The subsequence fics that I wrote years later got nowhere near the traction that first one had, so it was kinda frustrating, but then I realized that it was the norm and got used to it.

Not embarrassed to say that I like watching numbers go up, and I got happier if it goes up faster. Whatever I write for myself, I keep for myself, and those don't need a number attached to them.

 

[tiaf]

I cared about in the beginning. Now I'm 4th year hiatus post burnout.

I got nothing to lose. I will be happy, (probs?), if there is engagement, but if not, it will be the same as the past 4 years I breathed in hiatus.

 

[Omarfaruq]

Not anymore! Keep on writing, building up that skill and you end up with good stories. Popular? Everyone wants their story to be popular. Does it mean you stop writing if you haven't hit it yet?

That's the spirit ?

 

[Deleted member 34529]

Nope, never cared.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Maybe an equally interesting question would be "What would you do if your story became insanely popular?"

 

[Omarfaruq]

Nope, never cared.

I get you ?

Maybe an equally interesting question would be "What would you do if your story became insanely popular?"

I will do it the next time

 

[Emotica]

Honestly, if it exists, and I can print out a couple copies for friends, families, kids, and read it myself, that’s a win.