How do you get motivated to write when no one seems to like your story?

[Van]

Currently I don't have MikoMooMaa out yet, but I do write a few fanfics on AO3
It really sucks when I work hard for weeks only to have like, 20 clicks and no kudos, I usually get back into it anyway since I wanna see the story happen but

still
sucks

a comment always helps into getting back into it with high passion

[nostalgicroxas]

I ignore it as best I can.

Ao3 specifically unless you're writing a very current fandom with a fangroup that is voracious, no one will click on your stuff unless it's smut pwp.

Also keep in mind that while the internet runs super fast, it's also slow as molasses. A few weeks on anywhere especially for non-fandom writing is nothing; A few months of just 20 clicks total and no kudos is regular.

Also keep in mind that Ao3 relies on it's tags and you fall off that front page of your tags very fast. Getting noticed there is a lot like trying to be noticed on wattpad - "difficult."

Once I learned that this is just how those sites function, I shrug my shoulders and move on to a site that isn't so punishing. Like Tapas

((And a little note about Ao3 specifically. Any of my works that aren't the smut variety, and even the ones that aren't fanfic that are smut - range in 3 to 20 views and then stop cold. If there was a monthly or daily chart to look at I'd be able to show that "hey this work has 20 views!" but all twenty came in the first day or two it was published and it's been up for eight months. That site, in my mind, is largely a wasteland and dead. Has a lot of writers, not a lot of readers.))

[IntoTheTempest]

I write for my own enjoyment and amusement, whether or not people like it is just extra really.

[cherrystark]

I remind myself that I am writing the story for myself first and everyone else second. Writing is an art form that you get better at by practicing. If you write at all, it's okay just for practice. Eventually, you'll find your audience. There are going to be people out there who'll like your stuff and keep reading. Building an audience takes time. You've got to give yourself time to improve and your audience time to find you. It's not going to happen overnight.

[JoshRaid]

I posted on tapastic so I can see how many people read my story on any specific day. That says quite a bit.

[BreakingChalk]

Listening to music or other things that inspire me to keep on doing my comic.
Sometimes I do revisit my comics to enjoy them myself and perhaps check if something could be done better here and there and take it in consideration.

One thing that you could do is to promote your story whenever possible without spamming too much.
Here, at instagram, twitter (make sure to use hashtags for the latter two). It does help.

if you can edit the post to link to your works so we can have a look!

[AmazementComics]

It can suck real bad. What I do is just continue to create. The only person who's ever going to stop you from writing and constructing what you like is you. Mediums like these are essentially "trial and error" especially when it comes to getting attraction on any platform. Often times, I confine myself to insecurity if I see someone who has a little more success in viewership. it doesn't help that sometimes people say that they're not that good at what they're doing when clearly they have lots of views, comments, and likes based off of their work. Then they have the audacity to try to use that to make people who maybe aren't in their ideal place feel better.

What's important is that you run your own race, and persevere. You never know when a spike in popularity is coming your way because again, it's all trial and error. Good luck and take care.

[MeltingCORE]

I understand how you feel. When I began my "Red Shift" four years ago, I felt so lonely until I started getting a readerbase... What powered me through the loneliness and self-doubt was the readers I did have, my friends, and honestly - my true love for the world I'm writing about.

Please don't give up!

[GamerPrincessXI]

Listening to music , helpsssss.

[KoreanTacos]

Get out of the mindset that likes and comments are the only form of validation for success. Think of it this way, are you actually doing something and making something you want to make? Then wanting to see it through should be a motivator in itself. No one is obligated to give some form of validation, and sometimes you have a bigger audience than whats visible in the stats. Try not to seek out validation as a motivator, just find motivation through your own accomplishments.

Remember its easier to be frustrated and quit than it is to see something through.

[domisotto]

I usually set my legs wide apart, tilt my head low, glower from under the furrowed brow and growl, “How dare they not like my book! I will show them! I’ll write MORE books!”

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Read popular or widely-praised series that are absolutely shitty You will feel a bit better about yours

[AmysGames]

Do you have any friends or family you can share your story with? Usually what helps me in those sort of moods is knowing that at least I have friends who care about my stories.

Failing that, I echo what others have said in that you should focus on writing for yourself. As long as you enjoy what you're creating, it's worth it to keep writing.

[KiabIce]

Remember its easier to be frustrated and quit than it is to see something through.

Very wise words KoreanTacos.

As for me, I struggle with the same issues but then I just try to remind myself that I am doing this for me, to tell a story bigger than myself. A story with a world of lessons to learn and to just purely entertain myself and others. It's hard because you put a lot of work into the story and into the characters you want readers to like it and be immersed in the world. You want to share the joy you feel when you create this world and characters. Well I just tell myself to entertain myself first and ask people for feedback . That includes family and friends.

I'm not sure that helps but just my thoughts.

[SleepingPoppy]

Focus on attainable goals! I know it's hard to feel like you're shouting into the void, but it will help to focus on specific aspects you can improve, and your own enjoyment of the story. Do that long enough and you can get to a place where you'll get the comments and kudos- though you'll also have to think about marketing and the kinds of stories that attract people.

But it'll all cone together in time. Focus on what's within your control.

[rajillustration]

I just focus on my own learning. When you're comparing your growth to your older self, it's easier to see how far you've come. That's not to say you shouldn't like assess why maybe views aren't coming along--because there could be a lot of things to improve on (including like...the platform--some platforms just aren't very good for certain type of stories) but to seperate your worth from your story. When it becomes an experiment--a learning experience--it becomes easier to look at it objectively and not get so attached that it wears you down.

TBH, whenever I get too attached to a story and I get down and out about numbers, I usually have to step away for a bit to recenter.

[eochoa92]

It's kind of what I'm going through. My stories have paused since mid March.
Ever since, I thought that getting a head start on the scripts for what follows would be a good idea. Even getting started on the pair of Christmas stories I've been wanting to do for the past few years. But that's when my doubt creeps in. On here and on my social media, there's not a lot of attention paid to what I do. Sure, I can lay my stories out and stack them on top of the others I already have. But I know they'll be sitting there for a LONG time.
For me, it's seeing my writings brought to life. Just this morning, I got some sketches from an artist who is being a guest on one of my stores and that got me really happy.
So while there's always this lingering doubt over my head constantly, whenever I get those sketches and seeing the final product, it eases that for a while. That's what motivates me.

[Kiweevil]

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[Dysis]

You write.

You write, complete, then promote to the right audience. Even the most niche story has an audience, provided the story reaches them. That's why it's called a niche in the first place.

Also, I just read the comments above and so agree with @rajillustration here. Writing makes you learn. When you put down words on paper and re-read it, and then read other's works or see critiques, you understand the flaws. It broadens your perspective for the better, both writing wise and personality wise.

[Sadistic_Senpai]

Have you tried on wattapd? If you post frequently there, there's a good chance your story being noticed. It's a good place to build readership & get feedbacks, from my experience. As a writer, specially for a novice one, that really helps in building confidence and getting motivation. Then you can start posting on other sites too.