Curate, connect, and discover
More general advice this time. Writers, don’t forget that when you read other people’s work on Tumblr or Archive of Our Own or Fanfiction.net that you aren’t just another reader. You can help other writers, give advice, or even just general encouragement.
Remember that you want people to comment on your own work as well, this means you have to practice what you preach. I get so frustrated when I read comments on Fanfiction.net or Archive of Our Own (not for my own work, but yeah that gets frustrating as well) and there are just favorites or “Nice work” “I loved it” “Please continue”. This is like giving a quarter to a homeless person or a charity.
You might be giving, and over time it all will accumulate, but it doesn’t do much for the writer. Spend time on your replies and quit simply adding a story to your watches or favorites. Tell the author what you like, tell them what they did wrong (politely of course), tell you found that scene hilarious and it was a nice comedy break in the story, but say something!
If you don’t start doing it then no one else will either. As a community of writers, we can help each other stay optimistic and help each other grow. But we have to stop being passive observers and readers.