Oh man. I don't know about the whole world, but in my country artists usually have bad times :( specially writers. People just don't appreciate culture anymore, i mean real culture.
I wish i could help, my upvote is 3c and my english comprehension with long texts is poor :/ also I don't even read stories in spanish x.x I just don't have time. That is a problem :s we should take the time at least once a week to use our imagination and cultivate, right?
Hmm what I can do is recommend you something.. Add drawings to your stories no matther how bad u think they are, I mean, look at the drawing I made for this post xD but it gets the point :) people likes illustrated stories and a little fan-service is not bad :)
Also, Steem is going to gain value, it will go up like a rocket when this stuff gets viral... So 3cents can become 30USD :D
And finally...yup.. Steemit campaigns says we can earn money BUT no one says EASY! O.o
... Cheer up!
(I hope my comment doesn't go to cyberlimbo when I hit post button)