A Gentle Reminder

A Gentle Reminder

I always try to keep things positive, but I saw something tonight which really upset me and felt the need to say this.

For most writers, interactive fiction stories are free passion projects. Hobbies which we engage in simply because we want to. Writers should never feel bad if they aren't finding the time to write or meeting deadlines that they've set for themselves. By the same token, people have no right to demand content or complain about how long it takes to produce something.

There are some people who write at a breakneck pace or who are able to make a living just writing IF, but readers can't hold all writers to the standards of outliers. Sometimes writers don't have time to write, no matter how much they may want to. Writers should never feel guilty for this and people shouldn't try to make them feel guilty either. Sending authors rude anonymous asks is not productive and I imagine they aren't particularly satisfying for the people who ask them. All they are is upsetting to those who receive them.

If the goal of an ask is to spur a writer to complete work faster, being negative and demanding is not an effective way to accomplish this.

If there is any way to help a writer produce content faster - and again, if - then it's by supporting them and cheering them on. Not anonymously making them feel bad for not creating something at a speed that's to your liking.

If you want to encourage a writer to write, then support them.

You can do that through nice asks, reblogging their posts, sharing their stories with friends, rating their games highly (if they've released them), or even tipping them on ko-fi/supporting their patreon (if they have one). Positive interaction - in general - works wonders. Let them know how excited you are, share your positive comments with them, or just gush about whatever thoughts you have on their game. That's how you help motivate people. Not by trying to make them feel bad. If you're uncomfortable with the social aspect of this, that's what anon is for.

But, if people are nice to an author, that doesn't mean they're owed anything. It might still be a while before readers see more content, but that's no reason to stop being supportive. Again, these are free projects that writers choose to share.

Writers don't owe anything to anyone but themselves.

Now there are times for criticism if it's constructive or warranted, but entitled complaints are neither of these things. Don't be negative if you don't have to be. It doesn't help anything and it's not a productive use of anyone's time.

Being kind and respectful doesn't cost anything. It's just a choice. You can either choose to upset someone or choose to make someone's day and, with that, help make our community a better place.

To the vast majority of readers who already support authors and respect the content that they create, thank you. We appreciate you so much. If you want, try challenging yourself to be even more vocal and outspoken with you support. It will only help.

And to any writers reading this who may be feeling bad about project timelines, you have no reason to be. Complete your work however you need to at whatever pace works for you and your life. You're wonderful and talented and valid no matter how fast you put out content, how much interaction you see, or what someone says. You are creating art and that is something to be immensely proud of. Keep doing whatever's best for you. The vast majority of us support you with no expectations. ❤️