Webnovel.Forum

Janettejustynne sure..

HotRedFlaming True...
You have put every newbie writers feelings in a nice way.
I used to think that cliche stories are no good but the thing is I still get attracted to them. The same goes for all the readers.
Disappointment is inevitable when you realise you have a few readers but.. I have realized one thing.
Even though the readers are less they are still reading your novel. If you drop it you will lose your credibility.
I did so for my first novel. Because of some personal reasons I dropped it which I regret. So I suggest to keep your feelings in check.
True that there will be few readers...
Maybe it's not because your story ain't good but bcoz your novel is not overwhelming... We tend to read something that affects our emotions either positively or negatively or because you don't have enough promotion ( in my case it's the problem) or in some cases your synopsis or the first few chapters are not good enough to hook your readers... And etc...

So I suggest you consider to retrospect your novel.
If you want readers attention, give them what they want...# cliche #
If you are writing a novel for fun or to improve yourself then forget about views. Keep on writing and do honest review swaps.

Before RS you should tell them to be brutally honest so that you can improve yourself

HotRedFlaming I honestly feel the same way. When I started writing, I did it for fun but then I realized a few people are reading my books. I'm hardly getting any reviews unless I beg someone for a swap or force it on my few...very few friends. The comment section and votes are dry as a desert. Nothing..

Because of this, my morale to write dies by the day, because I feel like a bad talentless writer.

Despite it, a little part of me wants to push on, forget about getting reviews and votes just do what I like to do. Write to my best. Maybe someone out there will find my book interesting or criticize it and tell me exactly what I'm doing wrong.

I think it's absolutely valid to feel discouraged when you realize you aren't getting any views or reviews. After all, a little encouragement can go a long way, especially in the field of creation, where it's helpful to know that someone is enjoying what you are doing.

But let's think about why exactly we write. Is it because we want views? We want to be famous? We want to be popular? I mean, those are all valid goals. I want to be famous, to have thousands of readers, to have a fanbase. But isn't there a deeper reason as to why we write?

For myself, I rarely publish things, or show them to others. But occasionally, people might say something, through a review swap, or something else. Sometimes I show my work deliberately to people, just to see their reaction to it, or maybe because I want a little encouragement. And when they say things like, "You know, that story you wrote...I'm still thinking about it." "Your story made me cry." "It made me feel something.", every time someone says something like that, I am reminded, once again, why I write.

As long as my story can even touch one person, that is enough. My work there is finished.

As long as my story can change someone, make them feel something, make them think deeper about something, then that is enough. I need nothing more than that.

Sometimes, when I'm working on my three thousand chapter work, I wonder if anyone will actually read it. If anyone will like it. But even if they all hate it, as long as one person, even one person, is changed by it, or thinks of something they haven't thought before, or feels something, then that is enough.

And even if no one reads it, no one likes it, there is still one person who is changed.

Me.

After all, isn't it the author who is most greatly affected by the work which they write?

Throughout every single work, the author goes out on a journey, somewhat a journey of self-discovery, because what can reflect someone's soul more than when they write honestly, genuinely, things of their own heart?

But that is very personal, and is a conversation for yourself...

So in concluding, when I am down about the lack of views or reviews or comments, I remind myself, "Hey. That person that one time. They said that they were still thinking about it, days later. And that other person, they said it made them feel something. That is enough. I have accomplished what I have set out to do." And so I move on, to write more, write more things which I hope can change the hearts of others.

Even if it's just one person.

So why do we write? I think it's important to evaluate the reasoning behind it. It doesn't have to be very complicated. It can be really simple. I started to write because it looked like fun, because I had a story I wanted to tell. And now that I have worked hard to master the basic tools of the craft, I can move on and focus on other goals. Without a reason to write, it is very easy to give up.

So when your views are down, and you feel like quitting, just remind yourself of why you write. And it's okay to ask for reviews. It's okay to promote yourself, to ask others to tell you what they think. And if you don't trust review swaps, just mention to them that you want to hear what they really think. I myself always give semi-honest reviews, meaning that I give enough encouragement (and I do mean the encouragement; I do see potential to be a writer in everyone) while giving things that I think could be improved. There is an art to balancing criticism and compliments when giving reviews.

I think I've rambled on for too long. So I'll just drop it here. If you bothered to read this, thanks. I'll take my leave now.

LinYang Gawd this was so inspiring, when you asked why do we write? It made me realize my purpose as an author/ artist. To create and be contented with my creation.

Maybe you just need to believe in yourself. Take some time off and later re read your work and see how it speak to you.

Writing is a craft. Writing is art. Though it seems simple to sit down behind a computer screen and press the buttons on a keyboard, it takes true skill and dedication to become proficient in entertaining readers with your writing.

The art and craft of writing cannot be picked up by anyone who has never seriously attempted to do storytelling before.

That said, like any art or craft, writing is a skill that can largely be trained and practiced to a proficient level.

I like to compare writing to other expressions of art such as painting or playing the piano. It takes years for painters and pianists to become skilled enough to reach the level of a professional, or at least someone who can earn the audience's appreciation.

Therefore, don't think that the low entry barrier of writing means that writing a good or entertaining story is also easy. It takes effort, creativity and skill to write a story that can do well on Webnovel or as a published book.

Just like any other form of art or craft, you can train your creative writing skill in a focused way.

You can read lots of good novels to train your story awareness.

You can start writing fanfiction, which is not only easier than writing an original story, but also allows you to shape your writing style in a more tolerant setting. It is easier to attract readers if they are already fans of the characters you include in your story.

You can also buy books or watch online videos that teach you how to write a story. I believe Brandon Sanderson has a good lecture about this on YouTube.

Whatever method you choose, if you are truly serious about creative writing, then you need to realize that you have to put some serious effort into becoming good at it. After all, you can't expect a random stranger to become a good pianist in just a few weeks of practice, right?

While it doesn't take a decade or so for someone to become good enough to do well on Webnovel, in my opinion it does take at least a few months to a year to reach a point where earning money on this platform become viable. From the other original authors I've interacted with, I believe this is very much possible for anyone who is truly willing to commit to this craft.

Therefore, if you reach a point where you are seriously questioning whether its worthwhile to continue writing, you just need to consider whether you are motivated enough to work hard in raising your writing ability to an acceptable level. Anything possible as long as you have the passion in creative writing.

To me, it doesn't matter if I were a underdog, bad or whatever. What matters is that people read my story and I can share a very entertaining one to them. If I can evoke powerful emotions, make these people relate with the story I want to tell then for me it is a success.

Writing for fame is just not my cup of tea. It may be part of success but don't forget that you are writing because of your stories. You write because you have a story to tell. You try to connect with people through it.

Therefore, just focus on what you are good at and where are you happy. The rest will follow.

Janettejustynne
@HotRedFlaming

I have lost my confidence in writing many times. I lost count in how many times I questioned myself, am I not good enough?

I think I work so hard. And maybe I work harder than the others. But why I didn't get a result I wanted?

It is really hard, since there are many writers better out there.

But I keep believing that my hard work would paid off. Maybe it's not yet my time. Or maybe we are lacking with luck.

There are a million reasons that would push us to quit in writing. And we forgot the very excitement we felt when we first wrote the first chapter of our novel.

But think about this, if you write daily, even just one chap, with just your opinion and excitement brimming, just enjoying yourself because you wanted to continue the story and gave its ending, who knows, someone might read your story and unexpectedly found it as a gem.

its better to think, that the story you write existed even with just a hundred of views. Becasue you can come back to it everytime and feel again that wow, I actually wrote something like this.

For me, to get my confidence back, I am rereading the good reviews and comments that I made the readers felt immersed.

It's long yeah. Pardon me. But gambatte!

Hi, I'm feeling the same though. I'm new here. It's been three weeks when I started but I couldn't get why there isn't much feedback or reads on my book. But I just hope for the best since I wrote it from my heart and my purpose was just to express myself, since I was not very good in public speaking, I just pour myself into writing. Let's all hope for the best and not give up on this.

LinYang The same thing I am trying to remind myself. Actually the novel I started now is my third work but it is also lacking in many places. Some people are liking it but I can count them on fingers. Honestly speaking now what I want is readers for my story and not those silent one... I want those readers who can open up their mind for my book. Believe me it is difficult for me to pen down so many emotions and when I do it I expect some praising words but I guess I am lacking somewhere...Can't blame for not liking the book but I still want honest reply from them...A review or commets will do but I should continue writing for my sake only.

Janettejustynne
I'm a new writer in Webnovel and this is a big break for me. I will not be able to tell yet if I'm doing good or not for now. Just posted my first book.

Avalondra You rock... Your novel is one of the best I read in romance genre...I don't know how long it took you to get this far.... But yeah now I read yours and think that I should write a novel like this.

Well everyone should have felt like that when reading at least one novel.

Any form of inspiration can keep you pushing to write... Even if it's your favorite author/novel.

LOVE097 This is so sweeeet thank you Your words gave me a lot of motivation I already save your book to my lib, I will be waiting for your story and more chapss~ fighting for us!

Avalondra
Thank you