"Whatever floats your boat," I say, smiling as I happily scroll past hundreds of fics I'll never touch, but am so glad to know exist.
Seriously, keep writing that obscure, niche little fic about a pairing that has never interacted, or a storyline that will never come to pass, or an oddly specific type of smut that most people will call "weird". There will be someone out there who wants to read it. And even if there isn't, you do, and that's reason enough.
And to those of you out there who don't go by the same sentiment that I do? Who, instead of scrolling past those fics you have no interest in, pause and take the time to ruin someone's day by leaving a hateful comment? I have very little to say to you. Since you seem to forget that fanfiction authors are real people, I don't care to consider you as such either.
Fanfiction is a gift. AO3 is a gift. Remember to treat it like one.
Too much effort has gone into criticizing something that real, talented people have chosen to spend their precious time to create, FOR FREE, and share with the world. I, for one, count myself incredibly lucky every time I open a new fic — honestly, every time I simply scroll through tags I like, and find thousands of works. All those people have given their best to people like me, and I couldn't be more grateful.
And to all the writers whose fics are only getting two or three kudos? Who check in on their stats every day, hoping for one more? I adore you. I'm proud of you. I'm cheering you on. And I promise you, someone out there will read your fic and it will change their life, and that is why you should keep writing. And not only for them, but for yourself. Do what brings you joy. That is plenty.
What you create matters. It's worth it. It's beautiful. And it deserves to exist. Keep creating it.
A proud reader, writer, and lover of fanfiction <3