Another Update about my retirement
So… it's been about… 2 weeks give or take since my rant I posted here about my moving to A03? I wanna take a moment to apologize for it... no, not for my decision to move on, because I do feel it's best for me; but because I usually don't make a long-winded rant like that unless I'm answering hyper specific comments like a lore question or something.
My dissatisfaction with this website has been growing for a long time, and I just had to finally get it out after bottling it up for a while, ya know? I try not to let my personal feelings get in the way of what l do, otherwise it subconsciously seeps into your work. I have a very business mindset. While it was great here in the beginning, transferring all my stuff from my old personal website that I couldn't afford to keep active anymore to this platform and just watched the engagements and fambase grow larger and larger, the last 2 years here really made me reach a boiling point that to my credit I did hold back and keep to myself, hoping it'll get better, but the top eventually just shot off the pot from the intense steam and heat from the boiling.
During these past 2 weeks, I have gotten public and private support for my announcement to move on, as well as thoughts and concerns (again both publicly and privately) from a few... so I'm gonna be 100% real this time. I'm holding nothing back now for I've got nothing to lose, and I thought about this response long and hard... definitely went back and forth in this little essay I wrote, and rewrote it quite a number of times until I felt it was as clear and as concise as I can possibly make it.
I'm putting everything on the table here right now, giving it straight to you all:
•I've gotten 2 comments that fanfiction is trying to start moving over to its app and they update regularly few few months to their credit... true or not, and while I will admit the app is a bit better (not perfect, but it's getting there), my initial criticism still stands. The website proper, which is what people mostly use anyway by default, is constantly crashing and/or has some kind of issue. Be it the view count not synced, no notifications being sent (most common), reviews from registered users not applying at all, Cloudflare looping 3 - 5 times before it'll decide to let you in (VERY common), the follow/fav count is way off, the URL won't work and you then HAVE to use the app to access the site, sometimes the website bugs and doesn't even let you through the first 3 times when you know for a fact you used the right combo of your name and password or the provided additional login methods from syncing with your google/yahoo/etc account... the list goes on and on, but those are the major ones.
The times when AO3, a crowd funded platform and no ads anywhere mind you, crashed recently or it needed an emergency patch, they have the site back up in 24 hours or 2 days max... so far in my time in it anyway. Only one time it was 3 days. Yet this website with more money in its cookie jar, with ads as far as the eye can see, could be off multiple days (once it was down for a week in recent memory) for simple maintenance, even BEFORE the app was ever made?... make it make sense. And if they don't have enough hands, then hire more.
Final point to this, If Fanfiction has account syncing with freaking Google of all places, which does cost them money for them to have rights to that data (OUR data by the way), then I think they can afford some extra cooks in the kitchen.
•Back to the trolls again, to those who said trolls can be blocked... yes, in and off of the app, but then they hide behind guest reviews which, and this is an important distinction... they cannot be disabled in fanfictions current form unlike YouTube/Rumble/Twitter/Etc comments. They can only be moderated, and will appear in the story they are left on in 2 days if the author (in this case me) does not physically check them periodically... it's an outdated system that was fine back in the day because of how little traffic the website and the internet at large had, and the trolls know this. Now it's gotten so much bigger and yet this has not been addressed or changed in any sort of way.
Basically, while the settings say you can turn anonymous reviews on and off with the slider in the settings... it's actually bullshit. It's a straight up lie because again, you still have to actually go in the backend and check them and decide to let them through or delete them, otherwise they still pop up in a 36 hour window automatically. The online desktop version says they can be moderated sure, but the online mobile version simply have the slider that says "Anonymous Reviews: on/off", giving you a false impression of what the function actually does. The app does not have this feature at all, only to turn off the alert notifications of them.
I have heard from some users on Fanfiction's twitter say that there used to be an ability to disable anonymous reviews, but for some stupid reason this was changed to be moderation. Why? I don't know. From what I understand and uncovered, it was around the early 2000's that this was implemented, but I have no concrete evidence of this since I was not on the website at that time (and Wayback Machine can only do so much), but this pretty much opened the floodgates once the trolls realized that their vitriol and hatred will still be seen by their target because of how the site's comments section is currently set up.
•I got a few concerns about AO3's racism allegations... not gonna lie, the word "racism" or any "ism" is thrown around so much, I have no idea if AO3 really is racist, or if it's just being used as a buzzword. The term wasn't just watered down for me, it has sunk to the bottom of the ocean, then it just digs itself under the ocean floor the more I hear it. Then again, I have not been on AO3 long or consistently long enough to know if either are true.
So far, my interactions over there have been nothing but kind and supportive for the most part, with genuine criticism being given to those that disagree with my Fics. The only blind hatred I've ever received online at any point has come from here specifically, and has bled to other places like my YouTube channel and AO3, but those can be disabled pretty easily.
Side rant, online hatred has gotten so bad for nothing but a difference of opinion or if you dare question/do anything that goes against a certain type of persons views; some streamers and big YouTubers are quitting or crying on streams. Look back at what happened with Hogwarts Legacy as an example, or as recently as Stellar Blade. I even got nearly doxed twice in my time here (don't worry. I'm fine).
•"Club Penguin"... if you know the coded language, you know. While I did my research and that was a thing AO3 dealt with back in 2012 and once in Germany a few years later (but the latter was later null and voided due to it being a mistake), I have not found anything else recently related to that topic. That was over 10 years ago, and even if it was still true, this website also has quite the number of "Club Penguin" type Fics on it, and with guests and registered users saying in reviews they sell or have links to websites like them... no thank you.
You wanna write a one-shot about a 100 year-old vampiric catgirl loli you picked up in a cardboard box on a rainy day in the middle of a lonely winter evening?... Sure. Have fun. I don't subscribe to that content or even write it when it was requested of me a few times, but knock yourself out. As long as your not harming anyone or have malicious intent, I see nothing wrong with it... But the moment you take that shit to the real world is when I (and any rational person I'd hope) personally have a problem.
•Apparently A03 also has a bloated fanfiction problem... okay, let me word that differently lol. What I mean by that is, AO3 does not have an easy way to sort out its categories so you can find what you want to read. While I don't disagree with that because it does hit you with allot of text and choices at once, the main reason I noticed is because some authors there don't use the tag system, which is basically how things are sorted and how the site filters things better for the consumer. Without the proper tags, you'll probably skip past the content you're looking for without realizing it; by that's the fault of the creator, unlike here which is more simple in its execution.
Though even once I figured out how to search in AO3 properly, yes it's still more work I will agree, so I'll give you that one. That's one thing this website does better.
•Some of you had voiced concern of fetish/degenerate content on A03... I honestly don't get this one, because that stuffs here too. Its anywhere you go basically, this is the Internet. Stepparents and stepsiblings, feet, roleplay, furry, catgirls, Milfs, etc... don't even get me started on YouTube's predatory Content Farms.
To those who left those thoughts and concerns, you have all raised valid and understandable points, and hopefully you can understand mine. Lots of authors from here have moved to A03 well and long before I have and still do (which could also attribute to its bloated state because everybody's jumping ship), and so far I hear nothing but positive things from them.
If you still wanna stay on this busted, cracked, wrinkled, held-together-by-scotch-tape-and-cheap-glue website; that's your call. But I'm leaving the swamp and going to take a hot shower. I have been considering Wattpad and it is also an alternative, but they also have their own issues... just picking a lesser of 2 evils, and A03 seems like a decent choice for now.
So with all that being said, and also after having these last 2 weeks to cool off and think more on my decision, I have decided I will not be deleting my account here. A03 at this time does not have a PM feature, so I'll keep this account active for that reason since replying to comments over there is only possible publicly in its current form… however, I am still going through with moving platforms. I've heard every one of you saying either it's a bad call or stay on both, but until fanfiction cleans itself up, I just don't feel this is the place to post or set up shop anymore.
I may decide to keep my Fics here, just let them gather dust but have a note to "read further on AO3" or something, but I'll have to think more on that. As of right now, while the account is staying, the stories may still get wiped.
Also, AO3 recently did something that this website would never do… disable all comments from non-registered users because of a massive influx of harassment, spam, and bot comments. I cannot think of another site or company that has done that on the top of my head. Did it help? Idk, but at least AO3 gave the gesture and tried something rather than just brush it off. They have also made this to be the default setting rather than letting everyone flood the comments unless the author wants guest comments, something this website has yet to, and at this point, will never do.
AO3 even has a "How to prevent spam on your works" section, saying word for word that a majority of spam is left by guest users and have tips on how to try and reduce it, as well as offer a hand from the policy and abuse team to help you deal with the spamming and/or if you need to remove them in bulk if spam constantly comes in... if you can find fanfictions version for this anywhere, let me know.
Honestly, the only way I see this website ever changing, is if they get involved in some DEI allegations or get accused of discrimination towards a certain group of people; which will hurt their bottom line, and then and only then they'll be forced to actually do actual coding work and run extreme Damage Control. I am confident in stating that.
Since 2016 when I started here, with the 8 years I've been using this website, I have seen the majority of the userbase begging Fanfiction's twitter to implement changes while yelling from the mountaintops... yet nothing has happened or changed; and any changes that are added break down sooner or later, with the same issues repeating and coming back over and over again.
It only seems to get worse and worse little by little with every passing day, Before and after it's app was created. In fact, after you all read all of this (don't worry; we're almost done here), go check their Twitter right now. I can pretty much guarantee you people are there, yelling or screaming in the replies of how broken the website still is and begging for change or parroting everything I just said.
I'm saying it here... fanfiction dot net doesn't seem to really care, or at the very least, they don't have the incentive to change anything. They seem just like all the other massive corporations that simply play the game or tow the line; but when it comes to action, that lack of action speaks much louder. They have a small team while making big money but only doing the bare minimum... typical silicon valley practices. And if they do care, they have a funny fucked up way of showing it.
I'll say it again: if they can pay Google and other companies like them to sync our accounts with, then they can afford more people to hire if they need the extra help or add the changes people have asked for. Simple as that. You cannot convince me otherwise.
This website used to be the to-go place in the world of fanfiction... those days are long gone and becoming a distant memory, now it's starting to fall apart at the seams. Not saying it's gonna die tomorrow or this year, and the website domain was extended to 2028 last year if I recall... but I'd be surprised if they last another 10 years after that if nothing meaningful changes.
If you disagree with me or my views... sorry, not sorry. It's my opinion and my experience using this platform, and while I accept and respect your opinions if they differ from mine, I just can't mentally deal with this place anymore... I already transferred once. I can do it again.
I don't need my e-mail, when the alerts aren't busted for the 100th time that year, being flooded by some plastic nobodies (talking about trolls here btw) whose father left for the milk and whose mom is disappointed of their existence; so when their aunt denied taking them in, the uncle was more than happy to take them down into the basement for "family time". And they'd rather type incoherent rambles with the worst grammar that my eyes needed cleansing after reading, it's literally a DTD (Digitally Transmitted Disease).
Sure, you can argue maybe I should have used a different e-mail, but that's still no justification to be constantly harassed and have no way of countering it, being forced to see and hear it on a near daily basis. All this combined with fanfictions own issues it needs to sort out in its kitchen... It's exhausting; and is usually severely undercooked... edible, but not exactly the best tasting dish. I've put up with this website well beyond my limits, fond memories or not.
Now believe me, this was not an easy decision for me to make. I've put it off for so long until now I've reached my limit. Plus, as I've shown on Discord to some of you, I'm about to start a new life on the beach. I've worked a very hard life and deserve what I've gotten, because pretty soon I'm gonna start a family and probably be off the Internet for a good while when that happens... my time as a writer and creator is reaching its end soon, and I want to actually enjoy my time left on this planet. Because the minute I go, at least a thousand more people will be salivating to take my place.
Changing platforms also effectively means I'm starting from scratch again, and I can understand it's hard or even scary for most people... you may feel comfy here and it's unknown territory, and the format of a new platform may be different from what you've gotten accustomed too... I get it. Nobody really wants to leave their comfort zone, especially nowadays. It's just convenience.
But what other option do I have? Wait 2 more years on this nearly busted blog posting site turned into a money generator (I sense similarities and ironies to Facebook here) and mentally burn myself out till I don't want to write or post anything at all? I don't want that, and I know for a fact you all don't want that either, be it from me or your other favorite authors or creators.
I never thought I'd ever need to say this, but... I guess it really is true that it's easy for people to forget that behind these usernames, there is a human just like you. Even as big as AI is getting, there's still a majority of actual people behind most accounts out there.
I've done everything I can... literally everything, but nothing else has worked. Therefore, the only solution I see is to pack up and check out how much greener the grass is on the other side, and if it's not or the garden decays... oh well. At least I tried.
Once again, I always appreciate all of you, your thoughts and concerns and criticisms... when it's not over 100 times of a blanket statement, which has been continuing still by the same person, leaving multiple reviews usually 5 minutes apart on almost all my stuff. In fact I've stopped caring and I've been letting them through, just to show you a taste of the constant slander I've been dealing with, the brainrot I was forced to see because of this websites outdated system; from the exact same person, leaving the exact same MO in his reviews, over and over like clockwork for 2 years straight.
Does it say "stupid" on my forehead, because just changing the commenter name does nothing. If the person actually wanted to convince me multiple people left these comments and not the same person, they should have done them a month or 2 apart rather than less than a week... or when making a new account, don't leave a review within an hour of creating it with nothing else on the new account when that account says "joined 1 hour ago". The website itself gives you away, no IP address checking necessary.
If you decide to read these reviews to understand what I've been going through, go in at your own risk with a helmet or heavy-fortified mental shield... maybe throw in a tinfoil football helmet and an oxygen tank, cuz you will lose IQ points reading them. Even then, Don't bother giving this person anymore attention. I'm [probably] deleting the fics anyway, so the slander campaign against me won't be around much longer. I won't be forced to see it anymore.
And if you came to this update note late... oh, don't worry. The guy [most likely] left more Skibidi Toilet levels of cringe-inducing, less than-room-temperature IQ statements for me about how I'm a cuck or "Bakutard"; or how it's NTR or trash, because I don't write his male waifu into a single story; so I've become the target of cult-like parentless behavior... I have a few male waifus myself, so this is not an issue really. Have you SEEN Hisoka from Hunter X Hunter?!
The word cuck isn't even being used properly, and childishly twisting my words to match a personal head-canon about me are 2 more reasons why you will lose brain cells if you bother reading them. And since I know your out there, angrily typing at your keyboard again like you have been for 2 years straight to get a dopamine shot because that makes you hard/wet... the following is my only and final response to you...
Buzz Lightyear: "You are a sad, strange little man... and you have my pity. Farewell."
I already transferred all of my works to A03, along with one other platform that I have never disclosed publicly to anybody with a completely different username and changed story titles, so I honestly couldn't give 2 diarrheas anymore. Even if the admins delete me from either site (which I highly doubt but better to be 10 steps ahead), I'll still be writing... and you'll never find me...
Willy Wonka: "It's ALL there, black and white, clear as crystal! You get; NOTHING! You LOSE!... GOOD DAY, SIR!"
While this is a goodbye from this website as the main source of my content, it's not farewell as I'll still be here, but mostly active on A03 for the time being until FanFiction decides it actually wants to come up with meaningful changes and improvements to its ecosystem. And until that day comes, I'm not coming back to being a permanent resident here.
Your of course more than welcome to take my hand and follow me, or stay here, your choice. My username is exactly the same as my current one here, just Google search it and it should be one the first results, if not the first. My discord name is also in my profile, and so is my twitter if there is still an issue in finding me, but I will only answer people I trust from here.
If I don't recognize your username from my fans or PM receipts, then I'm not giving it to you or bothering to answer. I'm not gonna check the IP address of every single person cuz that's gonna make me paranoid, and a general rule I have is it's a last resort for me. I wanna try and have some faith in humanity while I'm still living.
If I am removed or you cannot find me here or my stuff before my originally posted deadline, which is June 20, then I was forcefully removed most likely because of a mass flagging campaign to shut me down.
I'll be seeing ya on AO3 hopefully, where I plan to continue my fanfiction writing journey until the very end. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm heading back in the kitchen to prepare and serve you more 5-star meals to eat. My restaurant is always open.
It's been real. 👍