I'm scrapping Awakening the Sleeping Giant

I’ve spent a long time thinking about this, and I’ve finally concluded that it just isn’t worth continuing anymore. I’ve decided to officially scrap Awakening the Sleeping Giant.

Over time, I’ve realized that I receive far more negative feedback about this fanfic than genuine praise, and that imbalance has slowly worn down my confidence—not just in this story, but in my ability to write a proper remake at all. I know that I originally wrote ASG when I was around 15–16 years old, and I understand that younger writing will naturally have flaws. But even now, years later, I still get criticized and mocked for choices I made back in 2022 and 2023. It’s hard to move forward when the past keeps getting dragged back up, and it’s even harder to stay motivated when it feels like so many people actively dislike something I poured so much of myself into.

On top of that, I was already struggling with motivation due to personal disengagement from current U.S. politics. I won’t go into further detail because I don’t want to invite harassment or arguments from any side of the American political spectrum. I’m Filipino anyway, and while I understand why these topics matter deeply to others, it became exhausting to constantly see my work dragged into political debates I don’t even feel connected to anymore. That disconnect made it even harder to justify continuing a story that kept being judged through a political lens.

Yes, ASG did well on Wattpad, and I’m grateful for that. But seeing how it’s discussed outside of Wattpad—especially on this subreddit—has made me feel like my work is dismissed simply because of where it was posted. I know Wattpad has a reputation for amateur fanfics, and while I understand that criticism, it still hurts. Despite everything, I hold Wattpad and that story close to my heart because they represent a time when I was brave enough to create and share something publicly.

I have improved as a writer. I’m 18 now and nearing the end of my senior high school years, and I know I’m not the same person I was back then—creatively or emotionally. But improvement doesn’t magically erase the sting of constant negativity. I’ve come to accept that I just can’t handle the emotional weight of people hating on something I made when I was in 9th and 10th grade. No matter how much I try to rationalize it, the comments still hurt.

This fanfic meant more to me than just a writing project. As an introverted guy with very few connections outside my family, this fandom and its community gave me a sense of belonging at a time when I really needed one. In many ways, it helped hold me together, and I’ll always be grateful for that. That’s why it hurts so much when members of that same fandom harass me or send me DMs asking why I “wrote such a terrible fanfic.” I’m a very emotionally sensitive person, and I’m aware of my limits—both mentally and emotionally. Reaching those limits over and over again has taken a real toll on me.

Because of all this, I think it’s best to let ASG rest. Maybe permanently. Maybe not. I don’t know if I’ll write another fanfic someday—but for now, I need to step away and put the keyboard down.

I want to say sorry for some of the choices I made.

I’m sorry I portrayed Russia as a good guy—I honestly just liked the look of their equipment.

I’m sorry I rushed the romance.

And I’m sorry for the stupid politics.

GATE: Awakening the Sleeping Giant will always be something I cared deeply about, but right now, letting it go feels like the healthiest thing I can do.

But if you liked my fanfic, tell me what you liked about it.