What rewards you as a writer?

[Streti]

So, what do you find rewarding in writing fiction and adult fanfiction? Is there something more you seek from making stories besides just getting the story done? And is there some "reward" you would hope to have more than now, whether personal or external?

For me, one of the rewards used to be that I liked reading my own stories afterwards. However, these days I rarely read my own stories anymore. So, that's one reward that used to be there but isn't anymore. However, I still enjoy the creation of the story, even if I don't go back to it like I used to.

[canterro]

well, the subject as old as writing itself...

readers.

feedback.

reviews.

yes, they all motivate me and makes writing thrilling. not that I wouldn't write without readers, but the more people tell me they like what I do, the more seriously I think of my writing.

[Guest Zyx]

I find it in itself rewarding that you're creating something. But lately I've been enjoying the medium that is text less and less. As true as it may be that writing is the most if not the only free medium, I find my story telling power limited to the readers point of view. This might be a lingual problem as well, seeing how often I look for words that simply aren't there. The point is that I miss that incredible feeling of satisfaction I'd get when I'd build a house.

So it comes down to the reviews, the appriciation. Which I don't really feel anymore because of a sudden antropofobia. I try to write from time to time when I think fanfiction needs to be written because the original fucked up... But that usually doesn't work either....

[shinigamiinochi]

I write stuff that I would like to see other people write or stuff that exists in my head like babble or nightmares and I just have to get it out. So, I love to read my work afterwards. I love the feeling of accomplishment, I love the reviews, the fact that someone has seen what lies inside of my head and enjoys it as well. When I write, I feel empowered, like nothing can hurt me. I feel at one with my characters, I can feel their pain, their love, their embition. So, even when I don't get reviews, I still feel really good about myself when I write.

[Guest darkinferno]

A reward for me is when a reader makes a request, it fills me with pride to think that someone liked my work enouth to ask me to write something for them...

[maidenhair]

A reward for me is when a reader makes a request, it fills me with pride to think that someone liked my work enouth to ask me to write something for them...

I agree completely!

I write because I enjoy it but moreso because I need to get it out. The stories, both original and fanfiction, take on a life inside of me. The characters...the storylines....they eat at me until I exorcise them through writing. I realize that sounds kinda crazy! lol But it's true. It's always been like that for me. I write because I love it but also because I have to. It's just a part of me.

I do enjoy reading my own work, when it's good. lol And I love reviews because I'm getting feedback from other fans. They know the original work and how good it is. To have another fan compliment my handling of a much beloved treasure is an amazing feeling. But even if I didn't get reviews, or worse...get bad ones, I'd still write. It's just like it's a part of my soul that I need to express. Some people use music...others art...for me, it's writing.

[NinjaGaijin]

Hmm... what rewards me?

First... perhaps the feeling of having 'filled' some aspect of the character/storyline not explored by canon.

Another would be being able to write down some of my own fantasies. (I get this high too in discussing stories with other people).

Just like Streti, I enjoy reading my own stories again in the future, although it can be frustrating to be reminded that I haven't finished this or that story >.<

One thing I enjoy in developing stories is the research. I like my stories keeping with canon, so I enjoyed checking whether facts in my stories agree with what the fans know.

[Sky_Pirate_Tat]

The accomplishment is a big reward to me. I like feeling like I did something big. XD I'm also one of those people who enjoy reading their stories after time has passed. It's great to see how far you've grown in writing.

[Harley Quinn hyenaholic]

Number of reviews means something to me. Oh, and not those awful review spammers, either.

It's just a wonderful feeling to write. And to have somebody write with me. Makes me so happy.

[radius]

Mine's pretty simple. My stories have several layers and extremely long chapters (most range between pages 30-40 per chapter, and I always make over 20 chapters, lol). Naturally, it turns most casual readers off so I don't get many reviews (maybe 5 at the most). However, the few that I do always come from readers who've read the story and saw the subtext I left there. So even if my stories doesn't attract a large audience like the other stories around, they manage to reach the audience I want and that, in itself, is a reward. I'd rather have one in-depth discussion about the story than a hundred "that was hot/awesome" comments.

my other reward comes from the readers loving the characters I've created. I got like three people telling me they won't read my story if I kill off this one character. That's definitely a reward.

Edited June 11, 2008 by radius

[PorcupineCuty]

I feel that the rewards I recieve from being a writer is being able to entertain someone. Even if I don't entertain an entire group. As long as someone is entertained, I feel accomplished. I also like being able to create something out of just a few ideas from my head and then being able to get it all down on paper or typed up on my computer. Really, I find almost anything that comes with writing rewarding. After years have passed from a fic that I have written, it's always nice to go back to them and read them just to see how my writing style has changed from then to now.

[Saitochan]

Hmm... rewards from writing? Well, as almost everybody said, I love the feeling of being able to create something, wether it's a character, a situation or whatever. Reviews are also important, but seeing as I don't get that many, I've learned to get by without them (up to the point where I got a writer's block when some people sent me reviews... how strange is that? )

Another aspect of writing I enjoy is being able to see myself in the characters I write about. You know, finally being able to write those words I couldn't say, or have the characters do or feel what I couldn't kind of lets out some steam...

Finally, as NinjaGaijin said, I do enjoy being able to fill blank spaces left by the canon and doing the appropriate research to make it believable.

But as of reading my own stories... I don't know how you guys can do that! If I begin reading one of my stories, I'll probably find a thousand details I don't like, so that'll lead me either to rewrite the chapter I'm reading (which can't be so bad) or rewriting the whole story. That's why I seldom check my own fics, and I only do so when I need to see some detail from a previous chapter.

[Iggy_lovechild]

Since I write yaoi sans bullshit stereotyping or femenization, I'm always pleased to get positive feedback. It's nice to know that not everyone who likes m/m erotica buys into that uke/seme garbage.

Being able to read one of my own stories from an outsider's standpoint and pick out really good lines or imagery is also very rewarding. I'm very picky and hypercritical of my own writing so when I can say something good it's pretty much a fucking miracle.

I's alive!

[Avarion]

Personally, the rewards of writing are entirely self-absorbed. Anything I write is a transcript of a fantasy playing itself out in my imagination, and ultimately my goal is to do justice to that fantasy. During the process of transcribing my thoughts and ideas I'm not at all concerned about what other people will think of my work. All that matters to me at that time is my own enjoyment. If I disciplined myself to sit down and write something for others to enjoy, it wouldn't feel half as exciting or as personal as it does when I aim to please only myself. It's just an added bonus if other people enjoy my work. Of course, getting a good review is the icing on the cake, even if it's just one.

Additionally, I would say the ultimate reward of transcribing my fantasies is adopting a character to experience all the things I would never, ever get a chance to do in the real world. I relish all opportunities to escape and I don't think there's anything better than escaping through an absorbing story, or writing your own.

Naturally, finishing something is a reward but feeling satisfied means more.

[Zero Falcon]

Well the prospect of finishing a chapter (It's a battle with only wet Noddle as weapon I tells ya) and a fic is damn rewarding, makes you feel like you did something.

Also Reviews. God I love reading reviews, even on other stories. Its fun to see what people think of the thing you just read.

But one thing, is getting inside the characters mind. Doing correctly and comming out with a good plot by doing that makes me feel special down there. ; D

[Guest CanadianGinger]

I'm supposed to be getting something out of writing? Well shit, I must have missed that memo.

[Kettle]

I write Transformer porn where the TFs have "human-like" genitalia but are still robots, ie their vehicle parts don't "come off" to reveal a more android-like robot underneath like in most fics where they have penises. So when I get a review telling me that a fic was sexy and hot and yay for me for remembering that they're robots and have engines and sensors etc., that's rewarding. Because then I know that I nailed it!

[Guest pontaloon]

the thing i find the most rewarding is... idk!

the only reason i write is becuase there are some things i want to read about and can't find out there so i write it. either that or i just get so inspired by something, i start narrating in my head. like if i see two people fighting on the street i'm like:

*punch* he drew his fist back once more but put all of his hatred into it...

its weird i know.

the thing i'm striving for right now is just writing exactly what i think up. i always have these ideas that turn out different when i put them on paper and never end up like i intended. i just want my vision put into words and when i do there is such a feeling of pride and satisfaction! i love that feeling!

[Guest Majjic Mouse]

What I find rewarding is the creativity and diving into the minds of the characters, whether they're existing or original. As a newbie I don't get too many reviews but it's so rewarding to see that other people enjoy and appreciate the minds I've created (or interpreted).

And I do really enjoy being able to really let rip and explore and do things that I (probably) wouldn't do in real life. With a lot of emphasis on the probably.

[hanyou-elf]

the biggest reward i get from writing is that i get to explore different writing styles and i get to find something that fits me best. i found that i prefer to explore emotional aspects of life. i think it allows me the opportunity to grow as a writer, to explore my own creativity and learn more about myself as a writer. i like the way it feels to read through older work and my newest stuff, to see how much i've grown.

although, i have to say that reviews are a wonderful reward as well.