There was a comment left on my last update that I would like to address. Here's what was said, word for word, letter for letter:

"This...is appaling. As a reader, I am disgusted with your tact. How can you say such a thing? What does a comment do for you? Just a "I like your story" encourage you to update and improve your writing? And what if a reader doesn't comment? Are you going to stop updating your story? A follow or a favorite should be treasured; this means that another reader enjoys your story and will like to see more of it. You should be glad to have those. What's wrong with writer's these days? I know a review is important, but it shouldn't determine your push to write a story. At one point I wanted to review and add some comments but right now? I'm just disgusted. Thanks for ruining my night."

In my 10+ years of writing, I have come across people like you time and time again; always looking to bash writers or other creators for asking for the bare minimum because you in particular don't want to do that.

Let me start this off by saying that I hope you realize you're the only one who complained about this, and let me also mention to you that you're the only one who ruined your evening. It's illogical to somehow believe I am responsible for your negative feelings and your negative reactions.

I control neither you OR your reactions.

I refuse to take blame for something that has nothing to do with me, and I refuse to tolerate your attempt at manipulating me. Maybe that wasn't your intention, but from where I stand it seems that you were hoping that by placing the blame of your reaction and feelings on me that it would make me feel so ashamed or upset with myself for upsetting you that I would stop asking for comments on my work, on my creation. I'm sorry to inform you that things don't work like that around here, and I've dealt with enough toxic and manipulative bullshit to know how to stand my ground.

I have every right to ask for comments and will continue to do so; despite your comment I have received so many lovely comments that have made all of this seem worthwhile. That's what comments do; comments let me know people are actually reading my story and they genuinely enjoy it and would like to see more.

It's motivation.

I can tell you're not a writer, so honestly I don't expect you to understand, but a lack of understanding is not reason to avoid calling you out. A simple comment for a 2.5k+ chapter is a fair trade, hence why my readers have no problem commenting when I ask them to.

So I need you to understand that I owe you nothing, especially not for free work. I'm not sure who else you've tried this manipulative tactic on, but it's disgusting to stay the least. Mental illness has and is a thing, and people can get triggered horribly by things like that because of trauma they've experienced in the past. You have people who are also really easy to manipulate that would fall for this and end up hating themselves, their work, their craft, or even end up hurting themselves because they think they've made a mistake asking for something that readers so do anyway if they truly love the work of the writer.

Isn't that horrible that all that can happen simply because of a comment like yours?

All because of something horrible you said?

A comment like that could even be the tipping point for someone to stop writing all together, because sometimes a negative comment has more effect than a positive one. So honestly if you learn nothing else from this, you need to be more careful with how you interact with people.

Period.

I don't know who you are, and I would never want to know you, but what I do know is that you are not welcomed here.

Not now, and not ever.

BE KIND OR BE FUCKING QUIET.

That finally addressed, I'd like to thank everyone for the lovely comments you've all left me, I have been reading them and they make my heart swell with so much love! I haven't been able to update as much as I would have liked because I'd gotten a job, but due to some complications I had to quit and am now job hunting again.

While I job hunt, I'll be doing my best to update a bit more regularly. The next update should be sometime around next week, from the way things are looking it might be a Wednesday or a Friday, either way, thank you so much for your kind words and your patience with me. It means the world!

So drink some water, eat a snack, take your medicine if you haven't, get some sunshine, take a nap if you're tired, and just take good care of yourself lovelies~

With Love,

S.S.R