Should I Delete Everything? · 10:33pm Mar 25th, 2014
I mean really, should I? Now that I've left fanfiction (at least for the time being), I rarely come to the site anymore, and don't really like how it's structured now that I can't really find any of the group posts that used to keep me coming back here. I'm not writing anything at the moment, and, well, I'm kind of sick of having my stories up.
The more my stories it stays up, it seems, the more hate they seem to get. I mean really, when I'm in the process of posting them most of the comments seem to be fairly positive with some criticism along the way to keep me on my toes. Now that I've finished the stories, especially Reach and Transistance, the only feedback I get anymore is overwhelmingly negative, and I just get sick of it. I literally do not care an iota for their opinions and will probably just delete their comments because I am so sick of reading them that I don't even bother to reply anymore.
It really has gotten to the point where I feel I might as well leave the site if the only feedback I'll ever get again on my stories is some idiot ranting about it for four paragraphs, like I'll give a shit about it. I'm tired, people. So very tired. I write well, I know that, and I write to have fun. This is not fun. Hell, this whole community isn't fun. It's bitter and cynical and full of stupid people and hate.
So, I don't know, maybe it'd just be better if I delete everything and just leave.
EDIT: Due to a certain asshat named Magical Trevor, I feel like I have to inform you all to this fact: AUTHORS HAVE FEELINGS TOO. Reading and writing fanfiction for more than two years, I've gotten this sense that readers feel unnaturally entitled to stories and don't like the idea that an author may be affected by their opinions. I am here to tell you that not only are you an idiot, but that's what makes a lot of authors (including me) leave and never come back. I have feelings, I have problems, and I don't like them being made worse by fanfiction I write for fun. If it was once or twice it would be one thing, but since having ended almost 100% of feedback I've received on Reach and Transistance has been bitterly and scathingly negative, and I am tired of it. Call me selfish, but it's not fun to bend over and take relentless bashing from people over and over.
Your story's are going to get hate and critisicm, its how they are. So what I suggest you do is give any unfinished stories and notes that you have to authors who are willing to work on them. And then keep the stories that are done up. Ignore the criticism laugh it off, or just don't read the comments and do something else. I"ll gladly pick up some stories that you want to give up if you'd like also.
1955084
As mentioned, though, the comments are mostly coming on the stories that already are finished.
1955087 then leave them be and just ignore them Don't delete your excellent collection of works because some cunts don't like them. Your stories are good, some people just don't like them and they are entitled to their opinion.
I personally wouldn't recommend you quit and take everything with you. You've got plenty of good stories, and it'd be a shame to lose the opportunity to read them all.
You should leave them up for the people who do love them. Fuck those who don't like them, and besides, your stories have better like/dislike ratios than half of my shit.
Remember, there are people who enjoyed them, and will continue to enjoy them
Like Regideh is saying, if you take them down, you're letting the haters win. Leaving them up to spite them, and to let the few people who DO love them get to keep reading/re-reading them lets you/them win in the long run.
aka please don't take them down...
1955108
I guess my problem is that the people who like them rarely comment or like or even favorite while the people who don't like them are incredibly vocal, leading to, on one story, basically an entire page of multi-paragraph criticism.
Art, of any description, will always get hate and criticism. That's basically how it works. But, you shouldn't just delete them. I know of a few other authors who upped sticks and left the site, deleting everything they had, including some of the better fictions I've seen on here. Just ignore the bad comments, or just don't look at the comments sections anymore, especially on your completed fictions.
Hell, if you're really that bothered, start up a new account? Make it a clean break, but most certainly do not delete your fictions.
And as 1955084 said, I'm sure there will be fans and authors who would be willing to finish off your unfinished fictions, with your permission and probably under your guidance.
1955114
Honestly, though, I don't want anyone else to take up my stories.
1955113 Have you seen the League of Legends forums? more people bitch about how bad the game is than how good it is does Riot pack up and say FUCK IT I'M DONE DELETE EVERYTHING? nope. Just swallow your pride and flip off your nay sayers
1955119
Well then, don't. Just keep on, keeping on.
No ... please no .... I loved Transistence, and I'd hate to see it removed. I can respect your decisions for leaving, at the same time your work adds value to this site and community, despite what some say.
1955120
1955123
1955112
You know, if y'all don't want me to leave, you're going to have to give some reasons other than y'all will be sad.
Don't. If you delete them and leave you hurt people, you hurt writers like me who were sparked along the way of their own pitfalls only to walk into a person like you who brung them to their feet once more. If you wasn't for seeing you and alot of other writers, I would have drop writing along time ago.
If you guys leave the site, I become lonely even though I may not mention it. You have plenty of followers like me who wants to be like you one day with great skills at writing and have many followers and views and to be the best.
I never say this too many, but if wasn't for you, if wasn't for the people I've seen so far I wouldn't even be writing. So again please don't delete them or leave. I agree with you on alot of your points, but I don't want you to leave. I want to see more of your creativity.
1955127 here are some reasons
Your a good author
Your stories are thought provoking and have feeling witch most of the shit on this site doesn't.
You are a good fucking author
You are one of like 4 authors on this site that kept me on this site
You are a fucking amazing author
and you'll make fluttershy cry if you don't stay
img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140304002545/mlp/images/5/51/Fluttershy_crying_S4E16.png
No but in all seriousness Your story Transistance was one of the best Luna stories I've ever seen, and has cemented Luna as best pony. And your story out of touch while not my cup of tea was a good read as well.
1955127
Now come on, surely that's a good enough reason for a start? 1955134 here, was inspired by you.
You're a damn good writer, and people genuinely do enjoy your writings.
1955127 ... You know what? You're right. This is a site for writers, and you're clearly not one. Why? Because with that statement, you're saying that what you feel now is more important than what you felt before, and is more important than your readers. You're saying that getting is better than giving. You're saying that your feelings are the only thing that's important in this decision, and fuck the readers.
Real writers won't give a fuck what others think of their work. They might care SOME, but never to the point where it stops them cold in their tracks.
So maybe you're right. Maybe you should delete your stuff. I'm SURE that'll help you get over your butthurt of people not liking your stuff.
/sarcasm
1955127
Because it's more than just us; It's everyone who loves your stories and wish not to see them go like a whisper in the night.
You may not know it, but you are a damn great writer with plenty of awesome stories under your belt. To see them disappear would be a disservice to those who look upon you as a source of inspiration.
I personally love Adventure stories, and to see some of the best on the site disappear would be a great shame.
My two cents is not to delete everything. I mean, just from a personal standpoint I still want to read Transistance since I've heard so much good stuff about it. I'm also eagerly awaiting your return too, since you've spoken of doing an FOE fic and for me, you + FOE can only equal amazing.
That said, from previous posts you've made I know you already know that what this should really come down to is what's best for you. If there's a way to disable comments (or at least the notifications for them) then that might be a good compromise. But if there isn't then deleting it all may be the only way you'll get some peace.
I'd really, really hate to see you turn your hiatus into a permanent departure, but maybe it'd be for the best. I think only you can say either way for sure.
If you do decide to go, for real and for good? Then I have one request, as a fan: a goodbye post to let those of us who still like your work know, and a link to you account on the non-pony fiction site you've mentioned before so we can keep following you there. Pretty please?
1955151
You know, shockingly, writers have feelings too and getting stories that were previously praised shit on over and over isn't something that's exactly pleasant. When it's literally the only feedback I get anymore, it makes me wonder why the hell I even write in the first place.
Wow, way to be a dick.
But no, go ahead and be an asshole, that'll make me want to stay. I'm a good writer, but I'm sick of people that don't think a writer has feelings.
1955151 Don't be that guy.
1955177 What, he's allowed to be a selfish drama queen and I'm not? Hypocritical much?
1955169 Allow me to rephrase, as I know authors have feelings. Writers tell stories for a reason. The stories have messages, show beliefs, etc. While writers have feelings, and do care what people think, if the message is important, then why does it matter what others say? Either something is important to you, or it isn't.
While not directly related...
fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/354/b/9/b988fd0e5fba125354b966950a817423-d5ommzc.jpg
1955198
First of all, I'm a she. Second, I'm not being a drama queen but I am being selfish because, shockingly, sometimes I need to think about myself. Third, maybe if any of you would leave a comment once in a while it would be different, but instead all I get is negative bullshit all the time. Fourth, for saying those things and having a shitty attitude, get the fuck off my profile before I block you.
1955151
Wow. That's certainly going to get your point across. Antagonizing the person you're trying to help is clearly a good tactic. I can't believe how intelligent you are. In fact, you should write a book.
1955127
I don't think deleting your hard work is worth it. I understand what you're feeling about the criticism, but removing it all isn't going to make it feel better. This community is impossible to fix, and so the next best thing we can do is simply disconnect. If you're truly not enjoying what you're doing here, then yes, leaving is the best course of action. It will help you to feel happy again in the long run, but I still don't think you should delete everything you've put so much effort into.
If you leave, I'll be sad to see you go, but I understand that when it comes to life, everything has to come to an end at some point. If this is your time to leave behind Fimfiction, or the Pony community entirely, then it's as simple as that, and the opinions of others don't matter. It's good to be concerned for others, but ultimately, if YOU are not happy and surviving well, how can you bother to care about someone else? Do what will make you feel the happiest, and I hope to see you again sometime down the road.
NO NO NO NO NO NO!
YOU HAVE SOME OF THE BEST STORIES ON SITE AND I LOVE THEM.
Seriously! Don't be that author! Don't be that person who creates these fantastic pieces of art and then takes them away... Please?
If you feel like you need to leave, do so. But leave a legacy. Leave the stories.
...If you do happen to leave, though... Do me one favor.
Don't stop writing. You're too good to stop.
Also, don't listen to Trevor. He's just angry he ain't got your talent.
~Skeeter The Lurker
Well in these few comments alone, there's 9 people (one of whom deserves a slap) who like your work. But in the end, it's your decision. Just please don't delete them.
I've got a few of your fics on my read-later list, and I'd really like the chance to actually read them.
The negative comments are a fact of life. I get them on my fics - I had one chap who spent almost a week trying to tell me that I should write what he wanted instead of what I wanted, because apparently it's not nice to have characters grow and learn. It happens. People can be shits.
There will be others who enjoy your fics. You're obvious talented and you're dealing with ideas that are more creative than most. Please keep your fics around. Even if you never finish them, they deserve to live on.
...Hi...first off: never read your stories, but I think I can see what happened, and it happens with a few stories I've seen.
People have it set in their mind how stories should go, and that it's the author's prerogative to take it there. But this doesn't always happen, a lot of the time stories will take a turn, for better or for worse, it happens. And people react negatively when the reality of a story contradicts their own. I caught flack because I wrote a man who was continually made excuses and did irrational things most people couldn't relate to. People didn't like it, but I carried on, and even if you're quitting you should leave your mark, you've earned it.
The people that comment are there because they care, and if you've made them care you've won. If they didn't care, they'd leave.
I'll give the story a read when I have some free time and leave my thoughts on the matter if you're sill around. But I don't think taking the stories down in spite is the proper reaction. Neither is holding them hostage for pleasant reviews.
And on the topic of gathering negative reviews: It's older, the older it is the more viewed it is, the more viewed the more inherent comments, the more comments, the more likely that some will be negative.
Good luck wander, but always remember.
Stand with your brothers, for they are your greatest allies.
-Sorry if this didn't help. I might be talking out of my ass a little bit but I'll try to keep it to a minimum
1955292
As I have to repeat again, what I gain from taking them down is not having comments that tear at my heart every time I log on. I'm in a bad state of mind lately, and it has become that I fear logging onto Fimfic because there will be yet another person ripping into a story I hold dear to my heart. So yes, I have plenty to gain from taking them down, and so far the only thing it seems that is good about leaving them up is so that other people will enjoy it, even if it is my soul that takes the beating from the negative comments. Where, pray tell, is the advantage in that?
Let me think about this for two secNO.
Honestly, if people here are giving you grief and you feel you've moved on from fanfic, it may be best to just pull up roots and not return. :/ Though I would miss having you around, you're cool and I dig your writing.
1955354
Because it is those people that you should be concerned for. The people that legitimately care about your stories, and want to see them continue and grow. The people who love what you've created, and wish to see more of it. The people that respect you as an author and as a person.
If the negative comments really do bother you, you can always delete them. That's partially why the option to delete them exists.
1955365
Honestly, one of the problems is I don't feel that I've moved on from fanfic, but I'm afraid to write any more because of all the crap I've been getting, where before it was praise.
1955370
Bizarre. I can't imagine why you're suddenly getting hate. :/
1955204
Part of the problem, I think, is people are way more likely to complain than praise. Anyone who's worked retail can attest to that.
Another problem is that the more successful you become, the higher the expectations are (and the more trolls you'll attract who will be jerks no matter how good you are).
After reviewing some of the most recent comments you're referring to, I don't think any of them were that overly harsh, honestly, but perhaps a bit negative and needless, so I definitely see where you're coming from. They looked like they were just saying they were expecting one thing and got another and that was why they were upset. Well, fair enough, but it didn't need a negative post, either, guys. When I get something unexpected like that, I just quietly stop reading. It's not a quality issue there.
I mean, for instance, I don't like horror stories. Not into them at all. If I read a story that looks like slice of life and makes a left turn into horror, I'm going to put it down before it messes with my head. Does that necessarily mean it's going to get a down vote or a comment from me? Nope. (Unless it's blatant false advertising. As in something like: "Come read this cheerful slice of life story with Fluttershy..." Then when you read the whole story the rest of the sentence is "... where she gets trapped in the Everfree with the Slenderman out to get her.")
If I understand what happened correctly, at least with some of them, they were complaining about the story not being something else and you were clearly not going in that direction. If that's the case, I definitely understand your feelings. It hurts to be misinterpreted like that. But, this isn't that harsh compared to some comments I've seen on this site, so really, I wouldn't be discouraged. This type of stuff, I'd advise to let it roll off your back.
Also, I should point out that IF you want to be a pro author (I don't know if you do or not), learning to have a thick skin is definitely a requirement. Either your reader base stays small enough to avoid the nasty comments, or you become successful and... well... success itself is going to attract negative attention. It's lose-lose like that, I'm afraid. I mean, good lord, have you seen some of the hate going to popular authors these days? If reading was a lost art, people wouldn't care so much as to do crap like that.
One last note. In case you do go on to write original works and books and such, I'd still keep these stories up. It helps sometimes to go back and see where you came from. Where you've been. I wish I had the old stories I wrote back in HS...
Also, listen to Perry. He knows his stuff.
1955393
Well, one of the most negative bits on Reach was actually messaged to me, and the majority of the hate came on Transistance, where I have literally an entire page of comments that is almost all hate and how I did poorly in every area.
I wish did write for other people, but after a while it gets very difficult to, especially the way I write and subjects I write about.
I'll be the first to admit that compared to the likes of you, I'm a shabby writer. I have a few hits of my own, but you have a star power that few can match. I've gotten my fair share of criticism, both hateful and helpful, and though sometimes, they do pain me, I can soldier on.
You are one of the authors I feel I can idolize, not only for having the bravery and courage that you do, but for being a legitimately wonderful role model. Though I still have yet to pour time into truly understanding your work, I would honestly hate to loose the chance to see the wondrous stories you've made.
I just went and had a look, but it seems like these guys (1955393 and 1955394) already beat me to it. The bit about the PM threw me for a bit though; of course that wouldn't be on a story. Personally, I prefer getting negative PMs than having it left on the story. The problem with people who read comments before stories is that they're likely to form an opinion on it before giving it a go themselves.
Do as you will, really. You're a great author. Freeze Frame was one of my first fanfics, and I was so damn hooked I read the whole thing in a night. I've yet to read Transistence or Reach, but you could only surely have improved since FF, so I'm confident you can continue to impress me.
Do whatever you feel like, Princess Toix. It is your call. That was my thoughts, which you are welcome to. Thank you for your time here, even if it does draw to a close.
I know this feel.
Don't ever take down your work. Ever. Even if it's utter garbage. Keep it up. Learn from it. Do better by it. But never put it away and try to forget about it.
Bad stories are battle scars. Wear them proudly, knowing you survived the experience and came out stronger for it.
I have to disagree with you on the amount of hate you're getting. Using the past week and three days since you announced that you are no longer writing any of them as an example, you have received about an equal amount of positive and negative comments, not including your posts and responses. The thing that makes it seem off-kilter is the fact that the negative comments you have received are solely and uniquely multi-paragraph posts. Now, I admit I only skimmed them, as I'm short on time, and I haven't read the relevant stories, but they seemed more like constructive critiques than hate mail. Personally, I'd have been happy to have them, because it would give me something to think about and improve on. On the other hand, you have plenty of nice comments since the blog post saying that people enjoy your stories. Sure they're not multi-paragraph posts, but that doesn't make them any less nice. So I don't think you're getting any more hate than usual. This includes downvotes - exactly two of your stories has received a downvote since the blog post, one each.
So in conclusion? If you want to remove them because you're getting excessive amounts of hate, I don't think that's the right decision. You'll be disappointing hundreds of interested and enthusiastic viewers for almost no reason. I can guarantee that if you leave them up long enough, you'll get some more good feedback, although both good and bad will be slow for obvious reasons. However, if you want to remove them because you're no longer proud of your own work, or some similar reason, then that's an entirely different thing. You'll still be disappointing hundreds of interested and enthusiastic viewers, but at least there's a decent reason behind it.
Personally, I hope you don't, because I enjoyed reading them and might like to do so again. And I do so hate to see good art die. Still, it's your decision.
EDIT: I just caught that time frame you gave at the end of this blog post, so I went through the comments on Reach and Transistance. And I have to say, I disagree with that as well. There has been a good mix of positive, negative, and thoughtful comments since the end of both stories. The negative ones were more concentrated, but only because the authors weren't commenting as they went through. They just wrote out one big comment whenever they stopped. The positive and thoughtful comments, however, were all over the place. I'm rather surprised you didn't count them.
1955464
Honestly, it'd hurt less if I knew they were bad stories, but both these stories got on EQD and were praised when I was updating them, but after being completed for a while the bad criticism rolled in.
If you delete everything then I won't be able to re-read out of touch and that would make me sad. But what makes me the saddest is that now I'll never hear the end of Bullet with Alicorn Wings, which was one of the stories that I, with my 1,400+ unread chapters, would read as soon as it updated regardless of anything else.
I'll be honest: I looked at each of your stories, and the comments really don't seem that bad. I mean, even the worst of it is more disagreement with where you went than flaming you for your stories' existence. Heck, that people care enough about your stories to write small essays about them is, in a way, a compliment. You captured their imaginations to the point where they felt the outcome of the story truly mattered. They could've just written "lol sux yolo" and hit the down thumb. Instead, they were captivated. They thought the work was good, and they wanted it to be even better.
Referring to the prayer in your self-description, you cannot how people react to your stories. What you can change is how you react to those reactions. Ask yourself, why should you care what strangers on the Internet think is wrong with your ponyfiction? If you don't care what a comment says and you don't want to read it, why not just ignore it?
If you find you can't distance yourself from your readers' opinions, and if you are well and truly done with horsewords, then leave, but please don't take everything down with you. Judging by both the comments and the thumb ratios, your stories are more loved than hated. It's just that your critics form a vocal minority.
Let your stories stand as a testament of greatness through contentiousness, of daring to write not what others wanted to read, but what you wanted to write. "I am ToixStory, king of kings! Gaze upon my words, ye mighty, and despair!"
Okay, maybe not like that, but you get the idea.
(Or, if nothing convinces you to spare your work, please let us know your decision and the date of deletion ahead of time so we can download backups.)
Don't remove your stories!
There's this wonderful thing called the snowball effect. Let it run its course.
Please don't delete your stories. It would be a waste and a tragedy, and make all the time and effort you put into them meaningless.
Even if you never write again, please, just let us have this.
I can understand I you'd want to leave, even why you'd want to delete your stuff. I've found that the longer this fandom is continuing the more elitist jerks and overall awful people join it. I can't speak for you but I have found that while there are awful people out there everyone I've met in this fandom who isn't has come to feel like a close friend.
I can't pretend I know how it feels as a writer as I've yet had the guts to put up anything, but its people like you which makes me feel like writing in the first place and gives me fresh new thoughts on what I've written.
No matter what i say in the end it all depends on you and what you feel is needed, but if you do decide to delete your work please let us know. I for one would download it so I can continue rereading it for inspiration and fresh ideas. Thank you for writing what you have and I wish you the best of luck in your future, though from what I've read in your stories I doubt you'll need it :)
Nah mang, u a kewl mo fo, keep it up there to piss off the h8ers.
But in all seriousness, nooooooo, don't! What if I want to, god forbid, introduce someone new to this site? I need good stories to point them out to before they see the truly shitty side of fimfic. And your stories are crucial to that!
please don't! I haven't read Reach yet ;^;
TS, first, don't delete everything. Unpleasant comments will happen, but one thing all writers (or hell, everyone on the internet) must learn to do is to let the nastier stuff pass us by. Negative comments will always outweigh the positive ones, largely because humans as a whole are more motivated by anger than by satisfaction. It's an unfortunate thing, but one that we all must manage.
Second, and this may sound unpleasant, and for that I'm very sorry - but after having been following your blog for quite some time, and reading what you have to say... please do yourself a huge favor and go see a professional therapist. This isn't me trying to be nasty - I'm going to school to become a therapist myself, but this is speaking as someone who genuinely worried. I'm not gonna sit here and analyze you, but I am going to say that it's obvious you have a lot you're struggling with, and seeking actual help is no shame. There's a reason therapists exist - and it's not just to help "crazy people"
It is your prerogative but...my 2 cents is that you should leave your stories up. I haven't gotten around to reading Reach or the sequel to Freeze Frame (which I really do want to read), and it would honestly break my heart to see your stories gone.
But if you feel that you have to delete them, please give us a forewarning so we can download what we can.
You're awesome Toix, please don't let all the negativity you seem to be feeling get you down.
1955495 A-fuckin'-men, mi amigo.