We Need To Talk About Engagement

We Need to Talk About Engagement

No, I don’t mean that step you take in the pursuit of marrying someone.

I mean interaction. Messages and reblogs.

A couple months ago, there were posts circulating about how the like to ratio reblog was unfair because likes do not give writers the opportunity to be seen where reblogs do. Once enough people reblogged this or added to it, engagement went way up and the ratios were better and people were sending messages and replying to fics about how much they loved them!

Then, it seems, everyone went “I did my part” and gave up on it.

Engagement seems to be at an all-time-low; the like to reblog ratio seems to be gapped even wider now, people are hardly sending messages in, and heck people are even reading fics without even LIKING them.

I thought it was me at first and that everyone grew bored of my writing, but then my friends said they weren’t gaining much attention either or they were no longer receiving many asks. And then posts about it started popping up about how engagement was down 50%.

Why? What is so bad about reblogging a fic or replying to it? We write for ourselves, but the sweet comments and messages make it worth putting out there for people. Seeing people simply like it or pay no mind to it is very discouraging.

Here are some things you can do to help engagement go up that are barely any effort on your part and are very appreciated:

Reblog a fic if you like it. You don’t even have to say anything if you are allowing other people the chance to see it.

Send asks. Comment on your reblogs if there’s something for you to say. Reply to the post. Put things in the tags bc we go and read them!

Popular writers; if you see a fic and you enjoy it, you should reblog it. If you have a nice following, they should be seen just as much as your fics should be, especially if written by a smaller writer.

Even if all you want to do is DM someone to tell them how great their fic is, that’s wonderful!

I understand there’s some inferiority/superiority thing on here where bc someone’s writing is popular they seem intimidating, but we LOVE COMMENTS. WE LOVE ASKS. IF SOMEONE DOES NOT LIKE THESE THINGS THEN THEY ARE A JERK WHO YOU SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THE WRITING OF.

Please just tell us what you’re thinking even if it’s “sdfoisjdfaslk” bc we really appreciate it and it makes us WANT to keep writing and showing our work.

The lack of interaction from people and the amount of silent readers who do no more than like is so discouraging to us and I think that’s kind of obvious across the platform, so PLEASE, do not be afraid to tell us what you think of the fic and to reblog it.

Behind the Scenes of Fic Writing: 30 Questions for Authors

What was the first fandom and/or pairing that you wrote fic for?

Do you participate in any writing events or challenges throughout the year? If so, what do you like about them?

Do you write fics from start or finish, or jump around?

Do you outline before you start writing? If so, how far do you stray from that outline?

What is the perfect environment for you to write in?

If you’re really concentrating, how many words can you write in a day?

Which part of writing do you struggle with most?

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, share a song that’s been inspiring you lately.

Do you prefer to write AUs, canon divergence, or canon-compliant fic?

Do you enjoy writing dialogue, exposition, or plot the most?

If you could only write angst, fluff, or smut for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Is there a trope you haven’t written yet but really want to?

Is there a trope you wouldn’t write if it was the last trope on earth?

If you were stuck on a desert island with only two characters, which would you pick?

A Hollywood producer tells you that they want to film just one of your fics. Which fic would you want it to be?

What is your most underrated fic?

What fic are you most proud of?

What is a line/scene you’re really proud of? Give us the DVD commentary for that scene.

Who is the easiest/hardest character for you to write about? Why?

What’s your favorite minor character you’ve written?

What is the one fic that got away?

Have you cried while writing a fic?

If you had to remix one of your own fics, which would it be and how would you remix it?

How did you come up with title for [x fic]?

Which idea came to you first in [x fic]?

Which part of [x fic] was the hardest to write?

If you were ever to do a sequel to [x fic], what do you think might happen in it?

In [x fic], what is a happy, post-fic headcanon you have about [pairing]?

Send me a word. If it’s in your WIPs, include the sentence and a short summary of the fic.

Tell us an idea for a longfic you want to write in the future.

13K notes View Post

bluejohsai

4 years ago

HOW ARE YOU????

EMMMM I JUST SAW THIS BC I TOOK A BREAK FROM WRITING ESSAYS AND TO ANSWER THAT,,, IM COMPLETELY FINE AS OF NOW :"))) IF THESE ESSAYS DON'T FINISH ME BEFORE I FINISH THEM,,, COLLEGE IS A BITCH 😔😔 N E WAYS,, I HOPE U HAD A WONDERFUL DAY, EMMM 😚😚😚

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bluejohsai

4 years ago

GERE, CONGRATS ON 3K !!! YOU REALLY DESERVE IT !! 🤩🧡 i absolutely love and adore your writing, your blog's aesthetic, and definitely you 🥺 keep on inspiring other writers and just being the softest angel there is 😘🧡

some of my favorite blogs worth following!!

@jojosmilktea , @plusultrawritings , @miyuswriting , @daiseukis , @haikyuu-ink , @atsumubabie , @kaidasen , @alaromero , @seijhoes , @wakaitoshi , @gulfwanq , @lookslikeleese , @sushij1ma , @starboybokuto , @sakurashortstack , @skiyoosmi , @tobios-queen , @oyasenpai , @oktamaki , @letshaikyuu , @wackatoshi , @yakuyakult , @briswriting, @abbacchiosbelt, @agaassi, @ushissugarcube, @bluejohsai, @dorkyama, @kiyasuno, @bambisfuneral, @vventure, @aishiinoya, @bleedinqhearts, @hqprotectionsquad, @noya-senpai-imagines, @dateko, @mikwrites, @kashika, @boomboomjaz, @caxsthetic, @iwaixiumi, @milkyhaikyuu, @occasional-haikyuu, @cosmic-goddess-leo, @ahegaoapril, @shiggi-trash, @uacrack, @rintarous, @katskidon

honestly, these blogs give me the content that i need and they are doing God's work ✨ they deserve all the love and appreciation they get. if someone tries to be mean to them, i'm barking 😠😤 thank you guys for inspiring me to write 🥺 i love you all so much <33

part (2) out of (2) two.

147 notes View Post

bluejohsai

4 years ago

hey drei!!! rmb to drink water and take care of yourself MWAH

emmmm 🥺🥺🥺 stay hydrated and please stay safe and healthyyyy ILYSM 🧡🧡🧡

ACOTAR x Reader

Rhysand

Easy Like Sunday Morning*

Against Your Brother's Wishes* | Part 2* | Part 3*

Welcome Distraction*

Shape of You*

Little Reminders

Azriel

A Call in the Night

Annual Visit | Part 2* | Part 3 | Part 4*

Bad Idea, Right?*

Forced Revelations

A Simple Crush*

Never the One | Part 2

Cassian

What Are Friend’s For?

Magical Hands

Blood Rite Celebrations*

Just Friends*

Second Shadow

How Kindness Lingers | Part 2

Never Considered

I'll Show You

What Happens in the Summer Court

Halley’s Comet*

Helion

Warm Love

NSFW Mating Ceremony blurb*

A High Lord's Scholar

Isn’t She Lovely

Before It’s Too Late

Eris

Destiny’s Battleground | Part 2* | Part 3 | Part 4*

My Lonely Throne*

Great Rite*

The Prince of Blood (Vampire!Eris drabble) | Part 2* | Part 3*

Poly

Always Ours - Nessian x Azriel x Reader

Payback* - batboys x reader

Headcanons

Social Anxiety HCs

Nessian x Azriel x Reader HCs

ACTOR Ships

Azris

Marital Privilege*

I'll Be Yours (Even If I Can't Tell Anyone)*

1K notes View Post

bluejohsai

4 years ago

Fanfiction Club: The Rules

This idea came to me when I woke up first thing this morning.

237K notes View Post

bluejohsai

4 years ago

If you get this, answer with 3 random facts about yourself and send it to the last 7 blogs in your notifications, anonymously or not! Let's get to know the person behind the blog! Thanks for liking "Art Hoe"

fact no. 1

i am allergic to any fur ,,, even tho we have two dogs here

fact no. 2

i adore the color orange but i don't like the fruit or any orange flavor hhhhh

fact no. 3

every week (before this quarantine started) since last year, i tried buying books but now i have to sufffer looking at them in my tbr pile

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bluejohsai

4 years ago

why do i have the feeling that kuroo is married to someone in the post-time-skip arc

35 notes View Post

bluejohsai

4 years ago

i’m not someone with a huge following or anything, and it’s been a while since i’ve been here, but i’m sure everyone has heard about the state of the world right now. i wanted to use this platform to use my voice.

i also wanted to take the time ask everyone to be respectful and use your voice during this time. there are two particular events i want to highlight:

Keep reading

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