SleepyWulf
Thinking about leaving Wattpad sometime this year. I feel like there's a lot of pressure by authors to post fake, adoring responses to the stories. I respond honestly and sincerely - if I have a question I ask, if I'm in love with a character I say. I'm also an author who submits to journals, competitions, workshops etc- I know it's not easy to get reactions and feedback but I'd rather a million times over have readers who engage honestly than an echo chamber. Second, the unfinished stories start to stress me out. Getting really into it and then having the stories one after one abandoned. I know this is a hobby and not a main job, and I'm grateful for all those who share their work with us, but writing is also a responsibility. All of that I could get over, but biggest issue of all is how many stories spread unhealthy ideas about relationships to their mostly kid/teen audience. Like literally, I read one about a guy who fell in love with the guy who violently raped (but he's a werewolf so it's ok! ). I have some authors in here I adore but the whole atmosphere otherwise has been making it less and less enjoyable to be here. Not in rush, but grateful for any suggestions of other platforms you enjoy
Omah_005_
@SleepyWulf I did not expect you to reply, I thought you had left already. Yeah, there is a lot of narcissism by authors, they feel like because people read their book they are better than others. What gets me the most is when an author rudely reprimands a newbie for advertising on their wall, they easily forget how hard it was starting gone they reach 1k followers, they forget what it took to get people to read your book, it wasn't just by them sitting and waiting for their books to get noticed because i know Wattpad's advertising system works with completed stories. At some point I know for a fact that everybody bent that rule. I once did until I found it wasn't supposed (don't blame me, I didn't read wattpad rules and regulations before starting, hehe) but don't get me wrong nobody attacked me when I did that because I watched where I advertised and avoided such at all cost. But people being all grumpy about it just because someone sees you have the followers and resources to help them grow is really annoying.
SleepyWulf
@Omah_005_ thanks for sharing! I hear you. The user interface is really good and I have read stories here that made so happy or moved me. But there is also a lot of narcissism by some authors and aggression and ignorance by some readers. And you’re right some of the kids are just babies omg i worry for them with some pf what they are reading and writing. But as you said it’s a mixed bag, the good, the bad and the ugly. Let’s see, I have to think about it
