yaoyueyi I agree that we should be more understanding to the Author/Translators.
However there are also several translators that update once a week when the raw is already 2 or 3 hundred chapters ahead or even complete.
I am following one of those books here on Webnovel the book is complete on mtl site (meaning the author completely wrapped up the story and it is done) Yet we are getting 1 or maybe 2 chapters a week.
Grandson_of_Yama That's because translators have their own full-time job and real life to deal with. Or are you saying they shouldn't take the job if they know they are going to be busy and can only update once a week?
Having worked in translation before, I can tell you for sure that I had to spend 3-4 hours to translate just one chapter. And most people who work don't have 3-4 hours to spare everyday.
Grandson_of_Yama like tomoyuki said, just b/c there are complete in the original doesn't mean that the translator could translate all at once. everyone has their own writing/translating/editing speed. stable updates once a week are already pretty good-- at least there's a patterned schedule! :)
Translation/ editing/ and writing has it's own variables to deal with. Just because an author is done on his end doesn't mean the editing is complete or translation is seconds behind.
Although different each has it's own concerns. Where I might take minutes writing I could take hours editing. And translating ooooh that is even more intense at least for me.
Elise_Elleneth keep up the good work and good thought. how we wish that all people were given a perfect brain
Provided that those who participate in the discussion discuss the work itself and do not throw poop at the interlocutor. When an opponent ceases to comply with the network ethics of conducting a conversation, the author can delete the correspondence, block the reviewer. This is normal. If, however, a normal ethical discussion of the novel itself with an evidence-based and reasoned basis is just going on. Then such a discussion can clarify the position, enrich the conversation and lead to constructive criticism. This is ideal. In reality, this requires two people - the author and the reviewer, the reader, there are people who understand what cultural behavior is, what network ethics are for, and why they communicate. Otherwise, all this will grow into a curse.
This is my subjective opinion.
Esther_kim Know this, when a reader posts ‘more chapters please’ he/she probably moves on to other activities and you and your novel are forgotten until the next time they see a blue dot next to it. Asking for more chapters is their way of saying ‘l love your book.’ So don’t fret when you see such comments and do what you can and want to do. I have many books in my library which update regularly but I don’t bother reading cause they’re not worth my time or ss.
It’s really disappointing to hear ‘authors’ referring to readers as ‘insensitive’ simply because they request more chapters of a book they’re writing. Would you prefer us to not make any comments on your book?
Look, you guys (authors) can stop overthinking things okay. I mean, it’s not like readers are pacing and hyperventilating because you’re not updating your books; it’s more likely that we’ve moved on to other books and by the time you finally update we’d have to go back a few chapters to remind ourselves what the heck your books are about; or we’ve dropped the books.
Oh yeah, you guys don’t like the ‘dropping the book’ part either. Sorry but, if I need to reduce the number of books in my library I’m naturally going to drop the ones that haven’t updated for at least 6 months.
Bottom line, chill, relax and go on HIATUS for as long as you like - it’s your prerogative, just as it’s the readers’ prerogative to either wait for you or drop your books.
40fantasy I think the point is that it adds unnecessary stress to the author. A simple "I love this chapter" or "I can't wait for the next update!" might be a lot more positive and less stressful than "more chapters!" and "mass releases!" Gratitude/appreciation is a lot more palatable than demands/requests.
DarkRay You guys (authors) can over rationalize and overthink all you want. Bottom line, without readers, who needs authors? You’re as good an author as the number of readers who demand for your book. But I guess that doesn’t apply to the authors on Webnovel since you’re not professional authors and, probably, don’t aspire to be so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t start a whole thread whining about and dissing the very people you want to appreciate work for appreciating your work!
40fantasy Without authors, there wouldn't be readers either. What kind of circular logic is this?
Whining and dissing? yaoyueyi was raising a valid concern. 4 chapters a day? Don't you think that's too much? I'm sure she's happy to have such a passionate reader, but there's a difference between "I love your book!" and "Update 4 chapters a day!" There's a difference between "I really appreciate what you've written!" and "when will you do a mass release?!"
One comes across as thankful and appreciative, the other comes across as...quite entitled, actually.
You are right in that authors need readers, and authors should treasure the readers who love their books. But that doesn't equate to readers having the right to make demands of authors. You may accuse authors of overrationalizing and overthinking, but in the same manner, the readers altering their comments to make them sound more appreciative and less entitled will go a long way in helping both parties.
40fantasy Oh, I see we have a contender. I just can't wait for others to roast you. Either way, to address what you actually wrote. I somehow don't see myself whining on this forum... I find it weird you do? But alright.
On the subject of professional authors. ??? I have no idea what you are actually on about? What does author's struggle, health and such, have to do with professional authors... No idea what you are on about there. By the way, how do you know who aspires to be what? Mind reading? Looking through a mystical orb? Tarot cards? Please share, I'd like to know lottery numbers for this week.
As a last thing, in more seriousness, I would like to address that bottom line of yours. It's true, we need readers. What we don't need, is people who think they are privileged to do anything they want. Trolls (such as you? or are you serious with that?), people who spam, who constantly harass authors whether with one 1 star reviews, or comments or whatever. We don't need such people. But let me also add this, if there were no writers (authors), what would you read?
Both authors and readers are needed. And what the OP wrote, was an open piece to all, to respect their authors, and the work they put out. Because, I haven't heard of authors abusing readers. Readers don't experience stress, health issues and so on, just because they get one less chapter. We are stuck with what we write, while you as a reader, can chose 10, 20 or 30 other novels to read. Of course, you are entitled to think and act however you like. I'm not your parent, to tell you what you can and can't do. But at least, a lot of other readers understand authors, and that is already a success.
XD
40fantasy Of course we are not professional writers. If by professional you mean we get paid for our work, then the vast majority of writers here are not professionals. We write for free! We get absolutely nothing in exchange for writing! What use is it to us if people demand for our books when none of them actually pay us anything? Furthermore, many of these readers are making demands, knowing that they are reading for free. If you get what you asked for, you get to read 4 extra chapters a day, maybe under an hour. That's about 12-15 extra hours of unpaid labor on our part. Why do you think we're so riled up for? Because these readers under the pretense of "appreciating our work" is essentially demanding extra stuff for free. You don't go to a bakery and then ask for an extra free bread under the pretense of "you should be flattered because if I want to eat more of your bread it means I really love it and appreciate the skill you put into baking it!" Never mind that you're asking for an extra loaf of bread for free.
Is it so difficult to say something as simple as "thanks for the chapter" or "I look forward to the next update!" as opposed to "mass release when?!" Keep in mind, there's nothing wrong with saying "I want more!" (or "I want moar!" as most readers affectionately type). What yaoyueyi is talking about is the entitled demands like "release 4 chapters a day!" or "mass release when?" as if we're obligated to give a mass release. You might claim that it's a show of appreciation, but if that's so, why can't they simply type, "thanks!" or "appreciate it!" instead of demanding for more chapters?
Also, I notice some kind of double standards here. You tell writers not to whine because it's annoying. Yet, it is writers who have to put up with the most whining. "Why so slow?" "Characters so retarded." "Story is garbage."
"Writer is trash/an idiot." "Nothing but useless filler!" So readers are allowed to whine, but authors aren't because it's "annoying" and you don't want to read it? You think we want to read about readers complaining, insulting and whining about our stories too? But no, readers should be allowed to whine, writers should not be allowed to delete their absusive comments or reviews, and should not be allowed to whine either. How very fair.
Tomoyuki And what is your logic? That authors only have to consider their feelings and their efforts while totally disregarding readers? I’ve been following the thread here and I’m yet to see an author who’s spoken for readers. All of you have consistently used the word ‘readers’ in general. I’m a reader, I don’t make unnecessary demands of authors (and there are many like me) but somehow I’m lumped into that. But it’s okay.
Back to point - demand for more updates, big deal! So readers want more chapters it’s either you can or you can’t. I’ve seen many cases where authors explained why they couldn’t release more than 2 chapters daily or weekly and it was well received by readers. Most readers don’t mean to put pressure on authors by asking for more chapters - it’s just a reflex reaction to good book.
While it doesn’t take a lot of effort for readers read, it does take effort for them to buy spirit stones since they cost money. Now, I’ve seen several cases where authors commented that readers only use free ss to read; while that may be the case for some readers, it’s not the case for all. So I don’t appreciate authors looking down on readers as if you’re doing us a favor by writing your books.
I’ve said it before, if you publish a novel on this platform it means you want people to read it; if it’s an interesting one, they’ll want more (sucks but that’s the reality) so if you can’t handle the pressure, don’t publish!
Reading on a platform like WN isn’t like reading on Kindle in that it’s designed to make you addicted to reading - this is what fuels the demand for more chapters.
And yes, readers need authors too which is why we support you guys by reading and voting for your novels. The highest appreciation I can give you as an author is to READ your book. So frankly, I don’t need this tirade of complaints for wanting to do that.
I hope you can be more objective about this.
