Seeing comments on my fics makes me so so so happy - just hearing what people liked about it, the parts they found funny or interesting, and just generally expressing their enjoyment of my work? That’s what means the world to me. It’s not vain to say that you want approval from others, I think everyone does - I write because I like to write, but part of why I like to write is because I like when others enjoy what I write.
I don’t write, but as a reader I wondered what authors thought when there weren’t many reactions to their stories. So I try to kudo and comment as much as I can. So glad to know authors enjoy it! Don’t be discouraged though because I know a lot of people who read stories and forget to drop a kudo or reaction