Even though I put a lot of passion into my fanfiction, sometimes I read back what I just wrote and it just feels empty to me. I'm always excited when reading others fanfictions though, even when I see that there's going to be a lot of grammatical errors or the writing will be sub par. But I can always see that that person put a lot of effort and love into their fanfics. I'm just scared others will read what I've written and also feel the same emptiness that I feel.
Oh, nonny. I know exactly how that feels. I have...I think...3 or 4 unfinished fanfictions because I keep writing chapters, but they feel so empty to me too. A few months ago I managed to update one of my fanfictions with the same fears that you have--maybe there’s errors I didn’t catch, or the feelings I want to portray won’t shine through compared to other fanfics I’ve read--but I got positive feedback.
Sometimes it’s as small as a “I like what you’ve done. Hope to see you on the next update” or a favorite/kudos/etc. Lately, I’ve been writing up oneshots because at least the ideas I have for my primary fics are still saved in some way and just putting out one of those ideas for someone to see gave me a bit of my motivation back.
Do you have any fellow fanfic authors that you’re friends with? Maybe have one of them proof read some of your work. Or if you’re just feeling empty, then write up something based on that feeling. The most I can suggest is write based on how you’re feeling whenever you’re feeling it. You can apply that feeling to a character or a situation that you hadn’t yet considered for your plot line.
Do what you can to keep writing even if it doesn’t feel worthwhile. Don’t lose your passion; if you can still feel it within you, then you’re still capable of expressing it through the words you write and share with others.
Wishing you the best of luck,M. Dearest
