Ah yes, I totally feel you there. I'm still trying to gain traction on Wattpad, myself, but as was just discussed in a thread there: many people in the audience expect an absolute focus on romance or coming-outs or the like as soon as you tag your story "lgbt", and... while I do have a romance, it's not like that's the whole story...
Sigh.
And I think maybe you misunderstood a bit or I didn't word that in the best way. xD I do think that encouragement is more important for people who struggle and I tend to latch on to those, as well. But there's a difference between struggling and telling everyone that your work is shitty anyway, and no one will read it, and why would one even... etc. I mean why even post it when one is so convinced that it's crap? And why would I, as a reader, seek out that work when not even the creator thinks it's of any worth? You know what I mean?
I guess that doesn't really apply to you, though, since you explained what exactly you meant; but I have a hard time feeling interested in a work when it's already destroyed by the creator and they tell me what I should think about it, thus shaping my experience from the get-go—even if I don't want to, even if I want to give that particular piece of work a chance. I will automatically search for the flaws rather than the strengths because I've been told to do exactly that (it's pretty basic psychology even, I think, we can't really escape what we have been shaped/prepared to think). And I think most people are wired like that, so it's dangerous to be too vulnerable. Worst case, we chase away exactly the audience who would just LOVE what we're doing.
So just... mhm, try to throw your work into everyone's faces like there's nothing better in the world? I believe that there will be at least some sparks of interest, regardless of what the most people tend to seek out. I can't help it, I'm a born optimist, despite my depression (ha! sucker xD).
Thanks.
Honestly, I think the fact that we are all here and write for NOTHING but the chance of bringing joy (or broken hearts, ehem) to a couple of readers is a whole different level of value in itself. Not to say that published authors don't have that motivation; I mean, I would jump if thousands of people found joy in what I do. But knowing that there may never be any financial compensation for all the hard work? Wow. I think we kinda rock.