• Questions
  • How do Student Authors keep a balance between school and writing?

Hello. I'm LifeInShadow, a new author that just started about four days ago. I have updated one chapter for every day so far, but school is starting on Monday. What is your suggested update schedule?

    During break, I used to do daily updates, but now, it’s simply doing an update every 1/2 days. Just leave a note for your readers on how much you are going to update every week, and they should understand the circumstances because school first, writing second.

      Love_XYZ
      I write a chapter with average length of around 2400 words every day. I'm also a full-time graduate student and work part-time. The biggest two reasons for keeping up:
      1. Proper outlining. Moving past a broad outline, which everyone should have, you should also know what you'll be writing for the next 5 or 6 chapters before you even start on a chapter. Sitting down while already knowing what you're going to write for the day will likely reduce your time spent writing and help prevent writers block.
      2. Scheduling. Write every day at a consistent start time. Allow no distractions during this time and just get it done.

      Other than that, practice I guess. Chapters took me five to six hours each when I started out. Now they usually only take me two to three hours.

        Personally mind you, I've found its best to write the story at least up till a few arcs/books or just plain finish it.

        This removes the pressure of HAVING to write everyday just to keep up with a schedule. Allows for much more time to re-write or edit as needed and results in a book that is polished.

        Your readers will have some great input and ideas which you can swap in as well. Or even hold fun little events for names of characters, items and scenarios.

          Gamblejay Ok. Thanks for the tip! I'll work hard on my days off, and I'll use the comments my readers leave me to make me an even better author!

            SnoozySloth Thanks. I have an outline of my chapters and what I'm going to write, so it should be fairly easy for me to type out chapters. Right now they're only about 1,470 ish words, but I hope to publish longer chapters as I gain more time. Thanks for the help!

            I have a question for all of you. What is Premium? I kept seeing other discussions mentioning it and its problems with locking chapters...?

              Love_XYZ
              When a novel goes premium, it’s chapters become locked and you can no longer watch ads/read them for free. They can be unlocked via spirit stones that you earn (which are considered free SS) or can be purchased (which are paid SS). Free SS does not make the translator/original novel author earn any money and it’s more for your enjoyment of reading the novel, while paid SS actually do pay whoever is posting the content, although idk how much tbh

              And that’s as much as I know, I’m sure there’s more since I started using this website not too long ago (I made an account, but didn’t start using it since a few months ago).

                Love_XYZ hey, so being a stressed out college student who barely has time to read a book, I suggest you stock up on chapters on weekends when you're on a break or not doing anything. It'll give u some breathing space to write freely for the week.

                Or, when you find yourself doing nothing in the middle of a school day, and you don't want to study, then alott some time for writing your chapters. When you finish a chapter, or at least a part of it, you'll see that you'll be more inclined to study as well (since your mind is already active and stuff).

                Hope it helps!

                  So_mi It does! I'll have to balance my Webnovel and the series I'm writing on my own, but it really is a useful strategy for a freshman trying to keep her grades. Thanks for the help!

                  silentscarlettt Ok. Thanks. I don't think I want my novel to go premium, then. The only reason I write is for the people who inspired me, the audience and my friends and family. If my works could not longer make everyone smile, then there would be no reason for me to write.

                    Love_XYZ
                    For an original novel to go premium, it would have to be contracted, meaning they also get the gift function added to their novel. Signing the contract (if you’re offered one) is completely the author’s choice, and I respect your decisions 😊

                      6 months later

                      Hey guys can I ask too? Hehehe I mean where I could find the 'downloading queue'?

                        2 months later

                        I recommend using the "Important vs Urgent Quadrant" which is a square chart you can easily find online.

                        Every author has a different flow and schedule to time and release their works, there is not a system that works for everyone. I'm also a uni student and have a full time job, as much as I like writing it's not feasible all the time.

                        TO prevent myself from going too far in one things I try to organize what I want/need to do in those 4 squares.

                        Quad1: Urgent and Important - (Do)
                        Quad2: Not urgent and important -(Plan)
                        Quad3: Urgent and not important -(Delegate)
                        Quad4: Not Urgent and Not Important -(Eliminate)

                        For writers we often feel that our work is urgent when it's not. It is important to us personally but often times not 'urgent' often then writing goes into Quad 2 and 3, sometimes even 4. When you have time and nothing else in Quad one of things that need to be done in your life/schedule then work on you novels (often Quad2 & 3. So you should PLAN and DELEGATE your writing/posting schedule).

                          3 months later

                          Love_XYZ I am a college student and I try to make at least one chapter per day. You do not need to force yourself if you can't make several chapters. If you think what you've written were already enough then stop for a break.

                          Just write happily not forcibly.

                            3 months later

                            How do the writing students maintain a balance between school and writing? College education and class schedules are very different. There are afternoon and evening visits. How about working as an author? There's no specific schedule either. I try to part-time on a website https://writix.co.uk/essay-help where students solve their study problems. This site provides professional help with essay for university students. It all depends on the number of orders and the topic that a person needs. I work as a free artist, so to speak. I choose the right number of assignments for me.

                              To be honest, I was far more productive as a writer when I was a student. Despite having an awfully hectic schedule, I could write way more than I do now. 😶

                              Web Novel Novel Ask