What do you guys think about me uploading my fanfic from ao3 to other sites ? (Warning: Started typing too much randomly without care about structure or logic below .)
I have a fanfic on AO3 I've been working on since April, I also started writing I'm April so I'm a amateur writer who's honestly terrible at a lot of things and still figuring things out now for Writing.
I have nothing better to do so I've been working on this fic a lot and constantly trying to fix it. I went through three rewrites and am on my final version and at chapter 4. I've mostly worked out my style of writing and formatting, while learning what's necessary for the most part of the series I have another character from another one crossover with, doing the usual writing something you basically never watched or played or read. I am feeling like expanding my fic to other sites which I honestly already have, but I haven't uploaded everything. I'm still on chapter 1, though on Webnovel I have half of chapter 1 there. They're not getting much attention but it's expected. Should I upload all the chapters and just go on to work on chapter 5 ? Or should I just upload them on specific days apart while I see if anyone actually comments and being specific about why they dislike it or like it and see if they want more. (Also uploaded by fic on Webnovel, Wattpad and Quotev.)
I value comments over any form of likes and views , I mean views essentially just means people saw it but it could have been a quick glance and nothing more , usually the views are a lot but the firm of likes or comments could be few to none. The likes as well can say someone liked your fic but it's not specific or true feedback.
While on AO3 I have a lot of comments not all are very specific and I realised on my own the mistakes my chapters had and inaccuracies, but people said it was peak or great despite how clear the mistakes are. Doesn't help I have absolutely no one to talk to about anything so I'm just left with myself and my overthinking and ADHD to try to figure things out when I'm not even a sliver of competent at even basic thing's....
It's a miracle the fic got to this point of being actually okay to ignore certain things and leave it as is. But I'm not getting any comments on suggestions or critics or anything that might motivate me to continue, sure hits and kudos along with bookmarks go up, but it's not a clear opinion that pushes me.
I'm sorry if it feels like I don't value the who like and bookmark, it's just I'm not really someone who can move on with just that...
No matter which platform you publish on, it's a good idea to keep some sort of schedule. As WordNerd mentioned, people get used to it, and it builds rapport. Also makes things easier for yourself since you can also more-or-less-schedule related things like answering to comments or reviews (reminder: AO3 allows you to moderate your comments!).
As for if you want to upload to other places, that's absolutely fine if you want; however as an amateur writer it'd be good that you are informed beforehand that 1.- the reader cultures in other sites are different (Watpad for example is considered to be the trash place compared to AO3's ethnic cuisine) and 2.- different sites also give you different tools to manage your experience as a writer. AO3 gives you the most tools, including the ability to moderate, report and delete comments; FFN gives you the least (be glad if your fic even uploads correctly there).
Still, each site you add to your repertoire means you have chances of reaching more different, or a different audience. I'd say, if you feel you can afford it in terms of schedule and effort, give it a try!
If there are a lot of chapters I would upload to AO3 on a regular schedule, then people get to expect it. I don't know those other sites but if you want comments I would upload onto every site you like. And make sure to reply to each comment, you could also write a note: 'comments and advice welcome, I love getting comments' or something like that.
But remember it's about what you like to do, not what other people think. If you like writing, just write and let people comment or not. Sometimes people comment weeks/months/years later as once the fics are out there, they're out there for good.
I've been writing fanfic for about 15 years, comments have definitely declined over the years, it's not that our fics have got worse.
Hope this helps.
I have no idea what AO3 is but this is definitely a forum for fan-fiction. So if it's that and it fits the sub rules I'd say it should be fine.
Not the mod though