PsyberRose Hey, I think we are the same but Im not sure if I can get as many reader as you. Right now, Im at chapter 39, and I only have one active reader/follower/commenter. If he drops this Im really going to be broken hearted. There are times where Im discouraged to write but because of his comments it gives me drive. But im skeptical if even he can follow me for that long, should I just continue and push through? My genre is common but I only got few views compared to my counterparts since I avoid cliches. I somewhat disliked cliches. Would I get get that many readers here?

      HotRedFlaming
      It's really, really a personal choice imo.

      For me, yes, I would say carry on.

      Your personal goal should be (for now) 'finish the novel for this one reader'.

      Will he/she stay? I don't know. But don't think of that. Just focus on the positive. He/she is here now.

      That one reader that pulled me through in the initial part has long dropped the novel (no more comments), but I had other readers come and start giving support.

      I'd just get my drive from anything I could. Comments, reviews (re-read the good ones that motivated me). Even if a reader only gave one comment, I'd hang on that and cherish it. Whatever it took to give me emotional support, I'd take.

      I was even tempted to rebrand the first novel from 'magical realism' to 'romance' simply because 'slice-of-life' and magical realism wasn't popular. You'd see the top 50 books would be romance - with Nanomancer Reborn - I've Become A Snow Girl? being the only magical realism book there (not sure now though).

      I didn't look at views because I didn't quite understand it (and it could get depressing). I just focused on that one reader, and those that came after. I interact with my readers (in comments) and even would incorprate their requests in the novel. Win-win situation, really. They got happy to see their words are heard and I got inspiration from them. /heh

      If you feel disheartened, the most I can say is: at the very least, complete it. Don't keep it hanging.

      Your one reader deserves that, at least.

          I have been writing on Webnovel since 2019 and it's been difficult to get comments, vote and reviews for my work. I don't think readers understand that their comments, reviews and votes can go a long way to inspire and encourage a writer to write.

          As to the non frequent update complaint I think that is mainly brought about by writer's block. Which is also caused by lack of encouragement on the readers part. After writing for sometime now I have come to a conclusion that a good solution to that is to pile up a stockpile of Chapters before you start up a book that way you will be able to meet the demand for your books.
          Another solution is to properly plot your books, scenes and characters before publishing.

            PsyberRose Wow! I love your story. This has helped some of us recall the main reason we started writing. We were not bothered about the views, reviews then. Though most times we can't help being depressed, we mustn't forget why we're writing. And that one reader who is always there to support you is very fine.

            I remember I had a reader who read all my novels on a different platform and went to the next platform when my book went Exclusive premium. I felt bad that she was not able to continue because of the logged chapter and till now I'm still trying to reach her and a few others so, I could share the continuation with them in private. It keeps me downcast whenever I think about it.

            So, PsyberRose thanks for this. we appreciate it.

                MITCHIEWilliams Yeah... That's very true. I did that for my fourth book and I was free from stress and headache. It made my work go smoothly. Hence, I've started implementing it on my ongoing which will take me highest a week to complete. Though not more than 25chapters. I've got a series coming up and the memory of it is killing me like "I'm I sure I'll be able to do this" though an Author will help but still, it's a huge project. I've been looking for someone who is good at writing FBI, Investigations, and all the like to partner with so, we could join heads and do this smoothly but I've not found till now.

                I met a very good writer in that domain but he's in high school and has a lot of schedule and hobbies and that has really depressed me. At least, my co-writer can write on gangsters but we'll need to do a lot of research and that discourages me from the broad work we have ahead.

                Thinking of writing down all the plots, scenes, etc, kill the mind. Well, we're staying positive and hope things get better before we begin.

                PsyberRose That was a great work writing 900 chapters! I'm really confused and shock when I see books that long. Like how do y'all do it? Are they series?

                      Ghassan_
                      No, mine wasn't a series.

                      Honestly, I don't even know how it could go that long. I had a basic plot and framework but obviously, it grew beyond that.

                      In my case, the readers got invested in the characters as well. They'd give their opinions and thoughts, and some even asked for a few things. I actually gave a 'reward' to the ones who commented the most i.e. I asked them if there was anything in particular that they wanted to see in the novel.

                      Hence, two of the main arcs in my novel were based on the reader's request. Some of the mini-stories were also based on the reader's requests. I always told them, if it's within the plot of the novel, I will put it in.

                      Another way I expanded on it was when there was a question or query about someone/something that happened, so I would then incorporate those questions to be answered in the novel itself.

                      Being a slice-of-life type of story, they grew with the characters in the novel. They were quite invested in it and somehow, there was always something to explain, something to show, etc. So from the original 80 chapters, it became 900 chapters ... cough.

                      Yes, I'm still rather in a daze about that.

                          I started writing in 2015, in my native language, I am here for about one and half year right now, I am doing this writing job only on webnovel as my only job and full-time job, Sometimes I did dropped a book on whim, I bored from writing a book started another one, I wanted to earn a good of amount of money, but at this time I am only earning about $300 to $500 dolar per month which keep in mind I have three book with chapters over 100 and each one of them has collection of about 10 k to 15k,

                          So, sometimes I do feel like giving up on writing in webnovel, because compared the others I only know how to write and this is the thing that feed my belly and give the chance of paying my bills.

                          In the end best thing for motivation for authors who writing for a living is having and earning more money from their readers, others is just bonus, it may sound selfish from the outside but when you have one skill and one thing in your life who earns you money, you have to think about the money too,

                            Ghassan_ I know how tough it is I'm also writing a new series right now and I'm writing and plotting at the same time. it's been hard but I when I think of the outcome I get more inspired.

                            As to you new series just persist you will achieve your goals. Just take it easy

                                Ghassan_ Thanks, though the first few reviews were review swaps. Then, told my readers that if I get 20+ reviews, I'd give mass release. hahaha.

                                Once it's out there, and more read, the reviews come. Ratio of reviews to those who are reading, though, is very very low.

                                  Krizantem I'm speechless on this. Like I do know people earn money here but I've never talked with one except PsyberRose. That's really a talent. Congrats!!

                                  But considering you aren't getting a lot of money from it, and you feel a little disturbed if I'm not mistaken, it pains. I don't really know what to say but, just don't stress a lot. Because I for one have been stressing a lot lately hence, I decided to take a break. My health has become something I don't want to mention. And my mom has been complaining too.

                                  I don't want her worried and I also want to see if I could gain a little weight these breaks days. Still, I will keep writing because it's like a force I can't run away from even if I try so hard to. But it will be less as compared to before.

                                  I just hope y'all are taking a break if you have to so, you don't get complications in the future.

                                        MITCHIEWilliams Thanks, dear. I will. And I know it will be great and yours as well. It's quite challenging knowing you're writing alone. That's impressive. I don't know how you do it but you got it this straight up and I appreciate your time, dedication, and discipline.

                                            Ghassan_ It's a lot less stressful when the money earned from writing here is not the main income.

                                            You could, however, still earn a steady income for four months as Webnovel has this 'guaranteed minimum income' incentive for that duration. As long as you churn out at least 1,500 words per day for one month, you will get USD200. Even though it's only for four months, it helps a lot. The 1,500 per day for a month is the minimum, by the way. There are three tiers to it and the word count increases for each tier (of course).

                                            It gives you the motivation to carry on, gains the reader fanbase, and hopefully, a steady income after that. Readers like it when you have consistent updates with longer chapters as it keeps them interested and invested in the novel.

                                            Most of all though, your health is important. I've seen too many Authors get stressed out, burnt out, get emotionally and mentally affected - and that can be caused by both the abusive and/or negative readers, or readers who are so 'in love' with your novel that they keep demanding for mass release and get agitated when they don't get one.

                                            You do what you need to do to keep yourself healthy, both physically and mentally.

                                            If you can't even take care of yourself, how can you truly devote yourself to what you love? In this case, writing. Remember. No matter what, the most important person here, is you.

                                            Take care of yourself.

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