Actually, I brought this issue up recently, except it was for my art. However the concept is the same.
Listen to everyone here Viper, what they say is true. I for example know that hundreds, perhaps thousands of people look at my artwork all the time. Now, the responses are no where near as balanced as the views. In some cases, I know people are intentionally ignoring me, but aside from those individuals I feel good because I at least know that people are watching me and do appriciate what I do, even if they don't always say it in so many words.
No one wants to look like a kiss-ass, but its also that perhaps they feel nothing need be said. Or maybe they are too lazy to talk to you. There are several excuses we could think of, but we musn't ponder on them for too long, even if they might be true.
Just be happy in knowing you are doing something that hopefully makes you happy. I almost had a burn out a year ago. Why? Because I was putting everyone before myself and was working out of a sense of obligation when in fact I've never owed this site anything and still don't. It was request after request after request and I allowed myself to become a doormat for the sake of attention. That was foolish of me. I was niave. I thought the more responses I got the more it would validate my being here and the more it would show me people liked me. Needless to say, its not like that anymore, and in my own way I get that respect and recognition by simply doing as I like while contributing with requests and such.
But I've been around long enough to know what works and what doesn't and what you can expect from this site and these members inparticular.
If you are looking for respect and recognition, you already have it. There is at least one person that respects you and appriciates what you are doing. The real number, I'd imagine, is far greater than that, just as it is for the people that like my art.
The truth is Viper, you will never know and will never be able to grasp just how many people DO like you and what you have to offer.
I know the silence can hurt, but it only hurts as much as you let it. Don't become discouraged, and do this because you WANT to do this, and because it makes you happy. The rest will follow. It did for me. 🙂
EDIT: Although I would be lying if I said not getting any responses from the people I usually do isn't curious or doesn't make me anxious sometimes. I don't know whether they are upset with me or they simply didn't like the picture enough to comment on it. I don't know whats going on in their heads because they aren't saying anything. Its really a jam to be in, since you don't know what to think when stuff like this happens. Ultimately though, you shouldn't care so much. Sure, it is a reward for a job well done to get such responses, but if they weren't genuine to begin with, it was probably better off that you didn't get them. This would apply to anyone, not just your friends.
I know I for one would want people to be honest with me and comment only if they really mean what they are saying. Empty words mean nothing to me, how can they? Thats why I push for critiques. Its a way of me knowing and for people whom I critique of knowing I care enough to say something beyond the "good work" or "keep it up".
I go out of my way, and hopefully people will start going out of their way for me and for you also. I'd like to think we could benefit from the same interaction and exchange. But thats art.
Stories are slightly different. But still, if your stories made an impression on people, they should say something sometimes, just to let you know how they feel. Theres no obligation involved, but it is a way of letting you know you are cared about. Everyone wants acceptance, to belong, and I hope whatever doubt you are going through is laid to rest in one way or another, Viper.
(Sorry for the long post, but its one of those subjects near and dear to me.)
