Onwards and Upwards · 8:03pm Dec 30th, 2017
Hello everyone,
I can't believe that I've been on this site for 5 years. It's crazy. My time on this site has been pretty good for the most part, but I must confess that this site's overall mentality on writing has been wearing on me more than usual over the last several months. I've seen it in groups and comment sections, a sort of "elitism" if you will. Fimfiction has always had a pretty high standard when it came to what it considered "good" fiction. However, in the past, it wasn't too bad. Or at least, it didn't seem that way to me, anyway. Nowadays, it feels like if your fiction doesn't fit a narrow definition of what is "good" then it fails. Stories that are written well are nitpicked into oblivion and personal opinion clouds perceptions on a story.
Writing is an art and as an art it is subjected to opinion. One person's amazing is another person's mediocre. That's just the way it is. Some people will like your style, some won't. Some will say you need more detail, others will say that they loved your simplicity. Yet I feel like some take opinion as gospel and that a story "fails" if it doesn't meet specific criteria. The way this site can nitpick has a way of eating at you mentally. I've had my issues over the years, but I've muddled through. To be honest, I'm a little tired having to muddle through anything.
I've never been a particularly confident writer. I know that I'm pretty good, but I've always had confidence issues and issues with thinking that I'm a hack at writing. Recently, I've been getting some help for my issues, and because of that, I've been slowly but surely improving my mental health. However, this has also led to me looking at this site more critically. Since I've been getting help, Fimfiction has looked different to me. What feels like an overly critical nature to me has come to the forefront.
And I've realized something. Fimfiction has not helped my mental health or my writing. In fact, I'd say it's probably thrown a few more hurdles for me to get over than anything. Don't get me wrong. I've definitely learned a thing or two on the site, and I have met some lovely people too. But I need a break, a new start. This site hasn't helped my mental health, so I'm going to attempt a new fanfiction life on another site. I don't plan on leaving Fimfiction completely. I still love the show and movies and reading the stories that people create. However, I'm not sure when or if I'll post another story here.
Before I take my leave though, I want to thank all of my readers and followers for enjoying my work. Some of your comments have quite literally made my day and made my writing feel worthwhile. So for that I thank all of you! I'm going to try to start a new chapter in my writing life, hopefully one more productive and less mentally exhausting. It'll be an interesting road. And who knows? Maybe I'll have another story in the future to post here, but for now, I need to leave this site alone when it comes to posting stories. Thank you all again for the support! Your words and follows have meant a lot to me over the years!
I wish you all success in your writing endeavours. Just remember that one person's opinion on your writing--no matter how important this person may or may not be--has no bearing on you as a writer. It's better to be a full version of yourself than someone you are not. Me, I doubt I'll ever be a writer that uses a lot of details. I like a simple style and probably a little too much dialogue at times, but that is who I am. And you know what? I'm okay with that now. There are no rules when it comes to writing, only guidelines. It's up to each of us to determine what path is right for us. Don't let anyone discourage you.
Your stories have always been some of my favorites, they always seem to be able to get an emotional reaction out of me and I easily connect to the characters you portray. While I am sad to see you go I wish you well on finding someplace you feel more at home!
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Thank you! Your words mean a lot to me. The future is a mysterious thing, and nothing is ever set in stone. I'm sure given some distance, I'll be in a better headspace than before. When that time rolls in, I have little doubt that I'll have have that itch to create here again. For now though, I'm going to try my hand at some different fandoms. Thanks for reading my stories!
please dont leave your stories are great and id love to keep reading them all of your stories are well loved by me and many others as long as a few people enjoy your work thats allt hat matters
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Thank you for the kind words. Just consider this an indeterminate break rather than a full-on leave. I just need some time to continue getting my head in the right place. Thanks for being a reader!
just wanted to say for me you are one of the best writers i have read.you put in so much passion and emotions into you writing, it was simply outstanding!hope to readmore from you in the future.until than please take care and have a happy and safe new year!
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Thank you! I am touched by what you had to say. I've always tried to put as much feeling into my writing as I can. A happy and safe new year to you too!
If you decide to never write pony again, drop a link to the other site, yeah? Your writing is good stuff. Don't want to miss out on anything you make.
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Pardon the lateness to this response. I'll see about dropping a link in a blog post should I make a pony fic on another site.