Yep. Me like what I see here.

This is representative of one aspect that's mostly missing on Webnovel -- writing advice, including as in this case, critique.

OK, going against my self-esteem I would love to hear (read) what you would have to say about my novel, especially since English is not my first language. I just started posting it and there are only 6 chapters for now.

The story is about a world where game-like systems are the norm, Everyone has a level, status and even skills are a common thing.

If your stats are good you can even become an explorer, someone that ventures inside a place called MAZE, a dungeon of sorts filled with monsters creatures and things that the regular world is missing such as magic.

The story follows Hera, a woman who wanted to be an explorer but her status were too low to become one. One day she wins a raffle that allows her to level up for the first time giving her the chance to achieve her childhood dream.

I love the system setting and my idea was to make something easy to read and fun. It's more about how things work and what you can do with them than about power or revenge.

The rhythm might be a bit slow for some but that is the idea. I want to give sort of a slice of life feeling to most of it.

The name is MAZE- the Endless quest and here is the link
https://www.webnovel.com/book/15767689506007905/MAZE--The-endless-Quest

Even if you don't have the time to review this one I want to thank you for the help you are giving so many authors. Your analysis are amazing and I'm sure it's helping a lot of us!

    Chitawulf Your profile pic is ridiculously cool! I am in awe of anyone capable of visual arts. I used to teach high school, and the absolute best part of my job was all the original works and the fan art kids would draw for my walls. I have kept every piece, and it's now split between my office and my writing space at home. I'm sorry it drives you insane (ah, the wonders of art), but you def have talent! :)

        Azzack I'm super happy to read both of these and answer all your questions, no problem!

        Also, I'm sorry your mom wasn't supportive of an arts degree; that's unfortunately all too common. It incenses me! Not that I have anything against statistics or bio or business or what have you, but how anyone could believe the arts are not just--if not more so--important for the cultivation and continuation and EVOLUTION of the human race and society freaking baffles me! The power of storytelling is literally the most important aspect of human history that has led humanity to its current state. Every horrible era in human history is marked by periods of anti-arts, anti-creative thought sentiment and laws, and every era in history in which humankind made leaps and bounds into the future and into a more cohesive, caring race is marked by society placing an emphasis on creativity and the arts. HOW DO PEOPLE NOT SEE THIS!?

        Ugh. Sorry. Rant over. Moral of the story, I am so proud of you for sticking to your passions even in the face of adversity and others doubting you! Keep it up!!!

            Arkinslize
            Can I just say that the English skills of the non-native speakers on this site are so impressive to me? To be fair, I'm American, and therefore used to people who barely speak one language and manage to mangle that even after a lifetime of learning. I would be happy to read the first and last couple chapters and let you know what progress I feel you've made!

            And thank you thank you SO MUCH for your kind words regarding my novel! I actually have a problem with using words people don't know and thinking they're perfectly ordinary words, lol. My students tease me for this all the time, so it keeps me on my toes. ;)

                SrtaA You are so very welcome!

                First, take all my words as light advice and not gospel! I haven't read the whole story (or in your case, chapter 2), so my advice is purely for that first chapter in isolation. The fact that you talk about what happened two nights ago in the very next chapter is perfect! That's all I wanted, just to know that we'll get to the bottom of that mystery early on. I'm completely pro starting mid-action--great instinct on that!

                Also, I have a very similar problem with vocabulary, which is the only reason I pointed it out. I get called out all the time for words I think are completely standard vocab terms that everyone knows...only to find out that apparently no one knows them, and I'm a lit freak, haha. Always be true to yourself as much as possible, but try to temper that with being true to the specific readership you're trying to engage. You don't want to alienate your readers by making them confused or making them feel like your story is out of their league, simply because they don't have the background to understand the language. (Again, I'm telling you this, but it's definitely something I need to keep in mind myself, and I often struggle with it!)

                And as for the "avoid saying things directly" cultural norm, it's definitely very prevalent throughout the world, but yes, it doesn't translate well in English. The English vocabulary is vast and colorful, and we sure love our adjectives and adverbs and modifying phrases, but plot is driven by movement. When we talk around that movement, we lose our focus and the plot becomes muddled. It's a difficult writing style to overcome, but you're on the right path, and I know you're talented enough to write impactful, engaging stories!

                Keep up the awesome work, and good luck!

                  Her_Shadow Hahahaha honestly, I'm excited to read your story even more given this hilarious response. "hack away at any words that seem too clunky" is my new favorite expression. :)

                  And ooh yes, good luck with Clinical Psych! Those PhD programs are notorious for low acceptance rates. It's a pain the ass, tbh.

                  Also...OXFORD COMMAS FOR LIFE, MOTHAFUCKAAAAAS. I have intensely strong feelings about the vital importance of the Oxford Comma, and I will carry my stance to the GRAVE.

                    GoodHunter Wow, thank you! I appreciate this candid and thoughtful feedback. Being "info-dumpy" is actually one of my greatest concerns with writing via WebNovel. Normally when I write novels, I start off super info-dumpy just so I know all the important stuff and can find it again later. Then, once I get further along in the story or when I finish a full draft, I edit out probably 90% of the exposition, and the other 10%, I move to include in small doses here and there throughout areas where it really matters or fits better.

                    I've never written by the seat of my pants like this before, and it's rather terrifying. It's good for me, I think, to have to be so mindful about "what is TRULY important right this second" at all times, and it's definitely good for me not to have the chance to edit all the time and spend weeks on a single chapter making it as perfect as possible.
                    Buuuuut I am learning as I go, so it's good to hear from readers what aspects I'm over-writing and over-thinking.

                    Thank you very much!

                        Perizou I'm pumped to read this! I love the synopsis; it's like a mix between Only I Level Up and Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Chicks in a Dungeon, but with a female protag and that hard-come-by slice of life feel. It'll be a hot minute before I have time to review it, but I definitely will. I wanna read it in general! :)

                            Seshata
                            Haha, yeah I read it and it totally has Danmachi vibes. I absolutely love it. You should check it out >:3

                                Seshata

                                On the contrary, reading some proper english is a good thing.

                                If i had to criticize one thing that would be maybe the run on sentences. They are well constructed and it is not a problem for me and i have a similar tendency but on Webnovel not everyone will be able to enjoy your writing.

                                Here is one the first thing they taught me in my communication lessons in college and that one editor told me again to warn me about long sentences:

                                -The average people/non cultivated people have a short term memory span of 7 to 10 words. Those that study or read regularly above twenty. And very fews in fact have a memory span above 35-40 words.
                                - The average reader on webnovel is not necessarily cultivated or smart.

                                Basically, most of them have short memory span. Long sentences are uncomfortable, because they will have to read them again to grasp their meaning if they're not well-focused. And if you have sentences with more than 30-40 words, whoever is reading you will probably find them too long.

                                    Seshata

                                    Thanks! I have 3 little sisters. One went into business. lol. but she likes it so kudos to her.
                                    My mum thinks it's imperative to get a university degree.
                                    she says, 'you guys can do or be whatever you want. but first, get a university degree!'
                                    hahaha. well very contradicting now isn't it. whats the use if your filled with debt.
                                    another little sis, I thought didn't need university and was well on her way a different route. I tried advising my mum on letting her too, said that its a new time now. people dont really need university unless its what you want.
                                    but no. didn't win. haha. well she is paying for her child's future so it's her decision.

                                        Seshata thanks for the support! I absolutely do agree with you. It’s not just the people that make history that’s important, it’s those that WRITE history that even makes it last.

                                        Btw, i still took language for my degree 😂
                                        Japanese language and literature

                                            Seshata
                                            You are most welcome.
                                            I usually into the same trap. The 10% rule works, but I find it hard to follow in Webnovels. When you have to upload at least one chapter a day, not to mention edit and rewrite, one hour's work easily stretches to two or three.
                                            All in all, your individual style in the book makes it easy to read. You're doing great so far.

                                                Seshata
                                                You are most welcome.
                                                I usually into the same trap. The 10% rule works, but I find it hard to follow in Webnovels. When you have to upload at least one chapter a day, not to mention edit and rewrite, one hour's work easily stretches to two or three.
                                                All in all, your individual style in the book makes it easy to read. You're doing great so far.

                                                    Web Novel Novel Ask