ValKree but it's Wattpad all over again. I feel excited to write these books, yet when I do update them, I lose all motivation.

I know that feeling. I'm on there too (been there longer than WN), so I get how hard it is to keep motivation when read count is not moving.

Keep at it. Writing continues to be beautiful when it is honed.

My ex-school motto was "effort's bring success." At the time I thought the school founders where doping when they formed that. I think they meant that all effort is a success. Nothing is a waste if the effort is sincere towards a personal best.

Happiness is always around. But sometimes it likes to hide away and do a ninja attack from the shadows. Springing a pleasant "Surprise!" and gag to make you laugh when you least expect it. So it always pays to keep an eye out for happiness :grin:

Sometimes places like WN and WP can be distractions to the reasons why you wanted to write your story. At times like those where I feel I've lost my purpose for writing, I go off the grid and write into my script app (Celtx) to write completely focused on a chapter. I get into my story that I forget about those things. Before I know it, I have a few chapters knocked up. Maybe writing offline can be a way to reconnect too.

We're all here to boost each other when we need it. Your stories will reach an audience in good time. :smile_cat:

      ValKree If your story has any litrpg elements or just fantasy in general, I suggest Royal Road. I had a good stock of chapters by then when I posted my story, and I have many more ppl reading and commenting on there than here. (still not that many but much better on RR for me)

      It’s definitely demotivating as you said, though. So I try writing for the excitement of seeing my imagination come to life and being slowly built into completion as a story.

      Best of luck to you, you can do it!

          Veronica8 Somehow, I agree with everything you said.
          I love writing because it allows me to escape reality through creating different lives. Most of what I write are fantasies in my head or stories I create while battling insomnia. I also hope I provide a different world for my readers.
          I think that like reading, writing should never feel like a chore or a must. For some reason, I'm starting to feel this way about writing and getting chapters out. I usually follow what I want which is simply doing things my way without interference from society or what I perceive to be readers' expectations.
          I truly don't care about views and collections. I guess the higher the number, the cooler it seems? What I do care about is my readers and finding ways to improve.
          Improving is tough as I learn about writing through online articles from authors who have different styles. I seek constructive criticism and I don't care if my works are shredded by an amateur. As long as I learn from the feedback, it's all I need.
          I'm definitely not a quitter, but I am someone who takes breaks whenever I experience burnouts. These breaks tend to be long and the last time on WP led to the deletion of an account. That chapter was burned and the new chapter of WN is being held over a flame.
          The problem is not getting little views or not getting comments. I think for me, the biggest problem is my confidence. Motivation is also a factor. I'm always working on it while I write and I have a tendency to judge my work as if it's meant to be torn apart.
          For now, I plan to collect myself and try to go back to my energetic self when I just started writing on WN. I need a spark that may or may not come after taking a step back.
          💙 Thank you for your comment. I've never reflected so much on my writing until I made these posts.

            Chryiss Ah, I've been looking for different platforms and RR was one of them. I've already started making accounts on two platforms and I have considered RR.
            Readers and comments are bonuses for me.
            My words may sound odd or slightly contradictory to what I said before, but I write mainly for myself and my readers. I thought I would be happy just getting my words out. I'm not so sure anymore.
            I love writing and I need to find the root of the burnout to fix the problem. I may say some things don't really matter, but I don't know. I may be lying or delusional.

            I will consider taking a break and hopefully, I won't come back to say goodbye this time.
            💙Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

              Twenty-Sixth Thought: My Odd Music

              I listen to music from different genres and countries, however, I have gotten comments on how strange the songs in my playlists are. Every teenager around me loves listening to trap, drill or songs promoting nothing but egos and all things illegal.
              Me, I think I'm slightly different from them. I listen to songs I can relate to. Sometimes, I relate so much I tear up or my breathing rate increases. I listen to lyrics more than the music. If I like the lyrics, I would replay the song to listen to the beat and flow. Then, I'll look at music videos.
              People call me depressing, cheesy, lovesick and old. Nonono, I'd rather listen to music I understand than listen to what is popular or has a sexy music video.
              If others like that music, I'm fine with that until they're booming songs from speakers in school hallways. If they could get clean versions, we'll be hearing 60-70 percent of the songs at most. I wish I'm exaggerating.
              I don't know, I just thought of the time this song went around and everyone was recommending it. I was interested to see what was so great until I saw about 4 mentions of drugs before half the song was over.
              Of course, not all teens call my preference odd and not all blast loud music, but it's interesting to hear why someone likes the music that they like.
              Do you listen to music? Why would you like a song or artist?

              Twenty-Seventh Thought: Drawing

              I am a wishy-washy person who strives to refine as many skills as possible. I have tons of hobbies, but the most important to me are drawing and writing. They are both expressive art forms that I have loved ever since I could pick up a pencil. I love being able to feel confident in both my art and writing.
              With drawing, I can draw what is in my mind while relaxing. I usually draw for my novels although not many people will see them. I use scrap paper to draw characters, landscapes, buildings and important items. When I draw, I am always focused to the point someone can fall off their chair and I don't care. That has happened before if you're wondering.
              People have told me drawing is a skill and it really is. I don't have to ask people to draw for me and as a wannabe artist, being asked to draw is annoying. I don't consider myself an artist mainly because I am a little selfish. I don't draw for others even if they offer money. I know they will have expectations and my ego is too small to be broken. I want to do things my way, no clear limitations. Drawing for myself lets me keep a tiny ego and I am allowed to add or remove whatever I want.
              I draw more often these days because I'm so stressed about writing and reality. I have taken a break from writing to practice drawing and I think I will start doing this again. Writing helps me relax, but I have to think about everything when I write. Drawing is like creating a new world. I don't have to think to create what I see first in my mind.

                Twenty-Eight Thought: I'm the One by BLOO is Dangerous to Me

                This song...whenever I hear it, it would be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. It doesn't have a lot of lyrics and it's in Korean (for the most part), but I happened to stumble upon it on a rainy day. I fell in love and if you haven't guessed, this is one of the songs others say is an odd choice.
                On another note, I just got vaccinated and my left arm might fall off soon. XD

                  Twenty-Ninth Thought: I can't eat Fat

                  I know a lot of people in my life love fat and oils, but it would gag when a chunk of fat is put into my mouth. What I do love that is not healthy is chicken skin.

                    ValKree

                    I think a fair about of people also would not enjoy consuming a chunk of fat.

                    Fat is flavor ye but it has to be marbled into the meat? Or on another thing. No one just eats a plain avacado or a stick of butter- it accentuates food, it is not to be eaten alone? (Though i did see ppl try to eat a stick of butter so hey idk).

                    Chicken wings are so good yo. Fried chicken is so yummy T_T

                        CCmei oh, I was mainly talking about fat in general, but I do see the wording was off. Stuck on or between meat, alone, I always remove fat from my food. Usually, I find them bigger than one centemetre cubed which is not cool. I could spend a minute cutting pieces of fat off my meat. Just the taste of fat makes me want to throw up, but I am a weird person if my previous posts didn't tell you so.

                        On another note, I eat plain avocados and I did eat a slice of butter alone. A whole stick would be too much though. I guess to each their own.

                        I won't judge anyone for eating chunks of fat, but I wouldn't appreciate others telling me I should eat the fat while I can. I really won't.

                            Thirtieth Thought: Whenever Someone asks to see my Works (Art + Writings)

                            My reaction for novels: sweats profusely No, I am fine not showing you my atrocious writing style.
                            A minute later...Remembers 18+ scenes in a few of them HELL TO ZE NO!

                            My reaction for art: Nono, nonono, I do not wish to pay for glasses or damage to the eyes. Here, have a roughly drawn heart instead! Hehehehe

                            Thirty-First Thought: I'm a Chilly Person

                            • I like winter and I am a December baby
                            • I'm an icy person if people don't know me well enough. My nickname used to be Ice Queen or IQ. hehe the irony
                            • Is it evil to feel nothing for people who got themselves into ridiculous situations? Or for people in general?
                            • If I don't like someone, I would subtly give them hints until I have had enough
                            • I am very calm. When most people freak out, I am sitting with my legs crossed and lazy eyes
                            • My hands can get very cold and someone once used them as an icepack for his sore arm. Cold hands may not be healthy, but I haven't checked them yet
                            • I like eating cold things during the winter. Looks like I'm dying young because of the dumb stuff I do
                            • If I am thrown into a fight I do not need to win, I would walk away after flashing a cold glare. Some of my peers cried because my body language and eyes hurt them?
                            • I dominated at freeze tag. Years ago...

                            Thirty-Second Thought: Finding Folded Corners in Books

                            Whether it is a novel, textbook, encyclopedia or anything with multiple pages, I feel bad whenever I see a folded corner. I have never folded pages for bookmarks and I have tried a few times, but it feels like a sin. I once cried because I had a book in my schoolbag and by the end of the day, another book was wedged between it pages. I destroyed the book's smooth pages and I felt terrible for a night.
                            I think I feel bad when I see creases or folded paper because in most cases, the lines will remain forever. Well, not forever, but for as long as the book is still going around.

                              ValKree

                              Saaaame. I'm also awfully careful about book spines and don't dare crack them too wide. I get terribly guilt if I make any damage to books.

                              But on the other hand I don't mind finding folded pages in used books. (not cracked spines- that's a no no for me). If I borrow or but a used book with folded pages I find it interesting. It's kinda charming. As if:

                              "Ah there is something special to this page" "this is where someone left off" "this is the page they want to go back to".

                                  CCmei Cracked spines make me sad, for they don't look pretty on a bookshelf. :< Also, it feels like I've broken the book or something. xD That's why even with books I read repeatedly, I read carefully in order to keep them like new!

                                      Yeah care for paperbacks are important. I try to use heavy grade matte finishes for my books. As I noticed glossy covers will crease easier and show the creases even more than matte or semi gloss finishes. I pretty much stress test my proof copies to see if I need to revise material selections for longevity. As I aim for my paperbacks to be a premium lasting experience.

                                      My favorite book babies are treated with care and delicacy on my shelves. Especially my BL manga. 😆

                                        CCmei Oh, book spines are another thing I treat like glass. School textbooks rarely have intact spines and it feels so odd holding one. I always try to fix broken or peeled spines but apparently, putting tape on it is not allowed.
                                        The way you think about folded pages is interesting because more often than not, I find folded page corners to serve one purpose: book marking. If others fold things for looking back, alright. For me, I do a few things when I read. I have a document on my PC and a notebook that I keep beside me for taking notes on certain books. I put the name, favourite characters and best quotes. This way, I won't have to damage the books and I can have the things I like even when I've returned the book to the library. It takes more work, but I enjoy having personal summaries of books I read.

                                        Chryiss true, I like aesthetic sights and seeing torn items make my hands itch. I have the urge to tape or sew things back, but I know it won't look the best. It's so sad.

                                        Veronica8 Hehehe BL mangas. Besides that, you did mention good ideas. If I ever buy books, I would hope to have hardcovers or ones with nice protection. I am a clumsy person...not with books though.

                                              Thirty-Second Thought: I can't Differentiate Between Black, Blue and Purple Pencil Crayons (Sometimes)

                                              I like to draw, but I rarely use pencil crayons or markers. Currently, I have about 750+ pencil crayons and 50+ markers. Anyway, whenever I do colour, I pick up the pencil crayons of colours I need without reading which colour they are. If I need an orange-red I will take it without checking if it is orange-red or another red. The same goes for markers.
                                              So, I sometimes use purple thinking it is black because I only judge the color of the wood and lead. I use black thinking it is purple. I use blue thinking it is purple...so on. Somehow, I'm always shocked when the wrong colour comes out and I keep making the same mistakes. I always laugh at purple water and black blueberries.

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