Webnovel.Forum

Drip I also feel the same thing. Because many time you feel to take out all the emotions about the chapter ...

Janettejustynne I totally agree with you...Can feel your pain from heart because when I uploaded my first book...I waited nearly for a month to get a comment...That time I felt the same... atleast people tell me that my book isn't going to work at all...Now slowly readers started to come...Some become loyal readers but I can count them on fingers...But keep writing one day you will surely get response...

Ghassan_ hey same thing happened with me also...After getting two three awesome comments on my book...I asked them to give review for book because after 40 chapters you expect a review but no one dropped a review not even a single line...or they could have just added hearts but nothing happened...

CacackleLasson Yes...Readers only go for mainstream or books which rank high. They just look at actual soul of the book that is story... Grammar doesn't matter, Only main characters have to be perfectly beautiful and larger than life characters. Story how does it matter...? If ML is actor then he is supposed to lead whole film industry. If ML is ceo then whole world should fear this iceburg type of CEO...mind me all ML have to be iceburg (or frosty) for whole world, not fir FL...Yes there are people like that around us but some are actually happy go lucky types with whom you can fall in love... FL should be strong but finally she should take ML help no matter what...
But enough of my ranting now...I think I am blessed now that I got platform to rant....Thank you everyone who is tolerating this ranting without complain...

Scarletheart84 Yeah I hope, just gonna hang in there till that day comes

Scarletheart84 Oh! now I get what Drip meant. I don't usually write a lot there because no matter what I write, it won't change the fact that most readers will care less

CacackleLasson That's very true. I noticed the same. Well, what could we do??

I read through this thread, and I completely agree with everyone! It’s really hard as writer to post like some of the other writers on WebNovel have been doing. I’m a full time student with a full time family oriented life. It’s very hard for me to even get out 2-4 chapters per week. I wanna be able to write more, but realistically I just never have enough time. When I do have the time, I want to satisfy the readers by posting as quickly as I can, but at the same time, every time I do that, I end up feeling like chapters are rushed and not as good of quality as I could do if I didn’t rush. I wish more readers tried to keep in mind that, writers aren’t writing machines, and we wanna give the best story we can write, and sometimes it does take time.

I read through this thread, and I completely agree with everyone! It’s really hard as writer to post like some of the other writers on WebNovel have been doing. I’m a full time student with a full time family oriented life. It’s very hard for me to even get out 2-4 chapters per week. I wanna be able to write more, but realistically I just never have enough time. When I do have the time, I want to satisfy the readers and not make them wait for forever, so I’ll post as quickly as I can, but at the same time, every time I do that, I end up feeling like chapters are rushed and not as good of quality as I could do if I didn’t rush. So, sometimes it just gets frustrating when I’m constantly worried about these things.

I started writing a year ago, prompted by this huge disappointment over a novel I read that was so good yet ... the Author just went POOF. I can understand when a novel doesn't get finished, or dropped, because of 'Life' and/or not enough readers commenting.

But don't ghost your readers.

Put a note, say dropped or something. It's fine. Upsetting maybe, but can be understood. But when the last words were 'will be back' and then POOF. It's like breaking up without closure. In fact, a lot of novels back then suffered such fate.

So, I then wrote partly to vent frustrations and partly to finally do what I had always wanted to do but did not dare. I wanted to write a story till the end, and promised myself if I have readers, I would not abandon them.

It was never meant to be a long novel. Just 80 chapters because I was sure it'd not be read. Comments were sparse but there was this ONE reader that was literally my pillar of support. Just knowing, and seeing the comments fueled me. The first two months were basically me writing for that one reader alone.

Readers commenting really gives an Author the desire and drive to continue.

One year later, the first novel has ended (900+ chapters) and second novel just started. I do NOT get enough income from this (unlike how I hear some Authors earn thousands per month). I continue writing not for the money (though the additional income, little as it is, is always a bonus) but because I have formed some connection / love / whatever you call it with my readers (through the novel and discord).

Do I get Author's block? Yes.

Do I get tired? Yes.

Do they ask for mass release? Sometimes, but I ignore it i.e. if I can, I give. If I can't, I don't.

At the end of the day, spurning chapters daily has become a habit for me now and it serves two purposes. Keeps the readers happy and I am more disciplined.

At the end of the day. What is your purpose for writing? If you focus on ranking etc, it may drain you when it does not reach that. If it's more of 'wanting to write and spread joy' - and sharing it with someone (even though it is only one person), it becomes worth it.

The rest is a bonus.

Ignore the bad, cherish the good.

That's how I survive and not go crazy. /heh

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.

PsyberRose wow I like your dedication, you managed to push through 900 chaps.

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.

PsyberRose I just wanna share what that reader said to me.

"Keep on going, believe in me that believes in you."

I was touched.

HotRedFlaming Wow!!

PsyberRose You must really be in a daze for sure because it still isn't kicking in my head. LOL

PsyberRose I just checked your book and dang! That's a lot of reviews there!! Great work!

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_ the link

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.

PsyberRose I will dear... Thanks

qwerty_ribbon What link, please?

Ghassan_ Thanks

Ghassan_ I don't have many readers yet (I haven't posted my story to this site yet, I'm new but I mean the other site on, Wattpad) but I can see where the reader and author is coming from in the first complaint you mentioned.

For me, I think, when the demand is higher, I will want to write more. Right now, my demand isn't high, so I'm holding off writing chapter 6 of my story. Though if I am trying my hardest and I still get complaints, I would hope the readers understand, I do and will always try my best. I have two children and also manage a YouTube channel at the moment. Time is very limited for me. Compassion and understanding goes a long way. All I would hope to have is a good relationship with my readers.

aligtz92 Alright. Good luck with finding faithful readers and just keep writing. For me, I just put my stuff out there for anyone to read. If you comment, fine. If you don't, it's still ok. It's better I hear a different complaint from a reader than knowing the reader didn't read my work because I don't update frequently or because they don't like ongoing novels when that was something if I did without waiting for demand, I wouldn't be stranded.

Still, I love your idea though it doesn't work for me but certainly someone out there.

Hi, I'm new on webnovel. my novel got 11k views and 70 collections in 1 day and 5-6 random comments.... I don't know if people are actually reading it or not... I mean when I post new chapters I instantly get like 500 or so views so they are reading.. Right? Idk man