(no subject)

[nny]

Confession: One of the reasons I don't write anything any more (or show anyone what little there's time for) is that I used to think I was a better writer than my comments/kudos would attest.

That's kind of awful, isn't it?

Comments

[skygiants]

I am sorry there is a 'used to' in there! Fandom reaction is a really unbalanced way to measure amazingness of writing, and you are an amazing writer. I think it is perfectly reasonable, when a story you are really proud of doesn't get as much attention as you want, to think "hmph! well, genius always goes unappreciated in its own time." I mean, I totally do . . .

[campkilkare]

Since we generally frown on people who go around bashing other people's fics, and there is a bit of a perceived social contract to respond to each other's work, if you have a lot of friends you will likely get a lot of positive, if maybe lukewarm, comments on ANYTHING. Ditto if you're writing an underserved fandom, or a crowded fandom. That's not to resort to "meh, it's all a popularity contest," but counting comments is not a way to measure quality at all.

Having confidence enough in your writing and ability to not let that false equivalence rent space in your head doesn't sound awful to me. And honestly, how awful can any thought that just lives in your head and doesn't affect anyone else be? Even if you are convinced now, in retrospect, that you had an inflated sense of your own talent, that doesn't make you awful. We always think our past self had no clue.

Or, yknow, what Becca said.

[batyatoon]

Comments/kudos: not a good gauge of quality.

I have never read anything of yours that wasn't completely excellent. You are a damn good writer, lady.