The Tumblr writing community is dying.

It’s something I’ve noticed over the past two years of using this site. It was gradual, imperceptible at first, something that most would brush off as a silly concern, or fault Tumblr algorithm for. While it’s true that Tumblr’s engine leaves a lot to be desired, I’ve noticed that even popular blogs have started to dwindle in terms of interaction or motivation. There could be a lot of reasons for this, but the biggest two I’ve noticed, experienced myself, and asked fellow writers about is this: (1) content being stolen, and (2) lack of feedback or interaction. I’ve never seen any logical person defend content being stolen, so I want to address point 2 instead.

Lack of feedback and interaction. I’m not saying this on my behalf so much as I’m saying this for friends and smaller blogs who have lost motivation to write. I was looking at my yandere writing blogs list the other day and noticed that a good majority of them no longer write. I usually update the list every few months, and by that point, more and more writers have stopped writing entirely. This isn’t a problem confined solely to the yandere fandom; in fact, there’s less writing blogs in general these days, especially ones that are active. I used to run a very popular BNHA blog with some friends, but that dissolved after our content was stolen and our followers stopped interacting as much. Out of our 8,500 followers, we hardly got 0.015% notes (~128 notes) on an average post. Tumblr is to blame for the lack of eyes seeing our posts, for sure, but that also means that at least 128 people saw one post and didn’t leave a comment or ask. We were considered a big blog; imagine what it’s like on a small blog.

My friend recently made a post that summed this up perfectly: 

Me personally? I’ve heard the argument that AO3 is a better place to post fanfics, and while that might be true, I’ve had friends experience firsthand the lack of interaction there too. I’ve heard the argument that interacting with some writers is intimidating (me included). I’ve heard that argument that followers might be too shy to interact. I’ve heard the argument that writers should write for themselves and not for views / likes / reblogs / etc, and while that’s ideal, it’s not sustainable for everyone. What works for one writer won’t work for another, but you know what will? Interaction.

That comment or ask that took you 2 seconds to write? We remember it. That reblog with the compliments in the tags? We remember it. Every single ‘named’ anon we get (heart anon, sunflower anon, etc)? We remember them. And the best part is? It’s actually easier to do these things on Tumblr since you have the option to send anonymous asks or make a sideblog specifically for reblogs! Trust me, whether the lack of interaction is the cause of a lack of motivation or what have you, every writer appreciates feedback (don’t be shy to offer some critique or compliments) or even a simple keyboard smash with some emojis. Even sitting down for 5 min a day per week to comment on your favorite writers’ new pieces makes a huge difference. Personally, since Tumblr’s activity feed is beyond terrible and I have over 1,500 posts, I don’t always see new reblogs or comments on my content; asks though? Always see those, can never go wrong with those. If you don’t want to reblog or leave a comment, then you can never go wrong with an anonymous ask. 

As my wise friend says: writing is an art, and in order to improve that art, we need other people’s eyes to see what we don’t.

For the sake of every writer (past, present, and future) on this platform, please share this post.

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I’m not famous here but it’s awesome that people have given me some recognition.

far from famous, but i love the support everyone here gives me 

Not even the ‘f’ in famous but the love and support I get??? Unbelievable!!

I appreciate everyone of you

everyone pause your scrolling to see this incredibly aesthetically pleasing and beautifully made mood board 😤✋🏼😍🥰💞💘💓

hello!!!!! thank you!! i love your username too it’s so cute 🥺💓💘💞

🐝 save the bees

🌳 save the trees

🌊 save the seas

this took me by surprise, thank you mollie and anon:(

I want so many writers to see this

@barnesbabee @mirror-juliet @luvteez @atinybrew @timextoxhajima @peachyunjinnie @smallfrye @jongpleasure @chanbinns @seongghwaa @toffee-hwa @talkbykhalid @yeocult @yeo-baby @ateezmakemeweep @a-tiny-8iny and every single writer I’m forgetting rn or don’t know of.

@lilyunhowrites @oh-my-vocal-unit @ncitythoughts @moonlightjeno @closer-stars @s1ardusk @yongiefilms @grassywoozi @yunhowhoitiss @lovely-kpop-writer and i’m blanking there’s definitely more

to my fav writers and tct homies:

i love you all @shionwrites @m4ng0mang0 @starlightshua @vannitey @shoshishua @angelmingyu @dinolovebot @kwanisms @yslmingyux @cervix-crusader @memesolvernonchwe @viastro @shuasvteen @lcveletter @ismycapsloudenoughforyou @thepixelelf @moonboozi @woozisnoots @svt13roses @gostickywombat @sanababy

ik this tag thing might be a nuisance but i just want u guys to know that i love all very much and im not lying when i say u all changed my life for the better 🥺 (yes including u vivi, but u were the one who tagged me so ehehehe) i love you guys alot and i hope u all known that

grace, if i had a star for every time you brightened my day, i would be holding the entire universe 🥺 i love you so much 🤧💛

giving love to these amazing writers! some of you i’ve only spoken to just recently but i want all of you, as well as other people, to know how incredibly talented you all are ♥️ :

@babiemingoo @brbkpop @sebongology @fluffysoonyoungs @haotheheckk @dayflyyy @hansolmates @smthingabtlove @mayamochi @mikwrites @mingtiddies @cupidhaos @leftandright @chocosvt @jos-hua @thetypingpup @johnysuh @secndlife @dalgonachan @strawberryhime @thekidultlife @vernosaur @dinoshaur @kesmonsterwrites @tearsofsyrup @merakiiverse @muchomango @hannie-dul-set @lunatens @foreverthesickestkidz @xummie + so many more that i’m probably missing

this is so cute 🥺 ily alex 💓💞

just wanted to tell you all you’re talented💓

@kpop---scenarios @lordseochangbin @gotskzafterdark @shuasvteen @jenomark + many many more