Just some encouragements...

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Deleted member 29316

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Recently, some authors here in ScribbleHub have been feeling down because their work is on 'decline', or there's no 'rise' in readership. As an author myself, this is particularly devastating, especially if you lean on the 'soft' side of being an author.

Hey, if you're okay with declining views and/or readership of your story, then it's good for you. Only a few authors--especially the starting ones--have that kind of attitude, and it might carry you far, should you choose literature as your career.

However, I'd like to say some words to my fellow authors who are in the midst of discouragement, as someone who saw his work 'rise', and 'fall' dramatically (you can check my story's stats if you don't believe me; the disparity is just huge).

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First, don't give up on your work. You're the one who truly knows the value of your story; and if you yourself would give up, then you're the one who let go of its value. The world of literature is just hell because of competition, authors who think highly of themselves, some entitled (and expert) readers, and money, so it's pretty normal to experience rough times. Hang on. We all have our own opportunity to the top

Second, it might be that the 'audience' you have isn't the one that truly appreciates your work. It's just like how I did in Wattpad. I uploaded my work there, but didn't get to update it (I got bored). It's because of the lack of readers and views since Wattpad is well-known amongst teenager girls, and my story is geared towards young adult (working) males. My suggestion here is to upload your work in multiple sites, and judge from the statistics there.

Third, we all have naysayers. Some might make valid points, while others might've misinterpreted your work according to their bias and/or knowledge. My suggestion is, know your goals for your characters and story from the start, and pick only the criticism that fits your goals. Start to improve from there. YOU DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO EACH AND EVERY ONE CRITICISM hurled at your work. If you can explain to the reader why your work is like that, then explain (in a nice way). Or you can just ignore them. Whatever fits your bill.

Fourth, if it gets too much, consider taking a break for the meantime. Log off from the site, do other things for a while. Internet toxicity is inherent, and I think it's good to take the time off when you feel like exploding. Your loyal readers would understand it, as long as you notify them of your hiatus. After all, a good story would be useless if an author lost his/her motivation to write.

In the end, I only wanted to encourage you guys to continue. While it's good to listen to your readers from time to time, completely basing your decisions on their wants would be detrimental to your growth as an author. The world of literature won't be interesting if all authors would keep on doing what their reader wants, or demands.
 

BenJepheneT

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You look at this and might think I'm doing just fine:

Screenshot_20210105_192854_com.android.chrome.jpg


next thing you know, you scroll over and BAM

Screenshot_20210105_192852_com.android.chrome.jpg



We're all in this shithole together, but that doesn't mean you can't see the blooming flowers over the communal loo. Just keep on writing and who knows, you'll find yourself out of the piss and shit one day.
 
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I skim till the end and I only read the first part but yeah.... He is right... Or is he? No, jokes aside, everything has its rise and fall so don't lose hope and strive for better!!
 

Box

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Well speech my pal, we are the warriors. Never give up!
 

NotaNuffian

This does spark joy.
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Be the Dory.

And not Pimento. Please; not the Pimento.
 

LordAstrea

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Good post. Sometimes that decline really does hit the feels a bit. You start to think you did something wrong somewhere despite all the hard work and planning.
But I've come too far. The catgirls would be sad if I didn't continue their story. If your story has catgirls...don't stop. You'll make them cry.
 

RepresentingCaution

Level 37 ? ? Pronouns: she/whore ♀
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Yep, uploading everywhere is a good idea. Someone somewhere will enjoy your story. You might get one person who likes your story on every site. Keep updating for that one person.
 

Freesia.Cutepearl

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This turned out a lot more rambling than I intended. The 2nd half I'm kind of just venting my feelings. Maybe someone else knows what I'm feeling, or maybe I'm just being a stupid ungrateful bitch, I have no idea.

Third, we all have naysayers. Some might make valid points, while others might've misinterpreted your work according to their bias and/or knowledge. My suggestion is, know your goals for your characters and story from the start, and pick only the criticism that fits your goals. Start to improve from there. YOU DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO EACH AND EVERY ONE CRITICISM hurled at your work. If you can explain to the reader why your work is like that, then explain (in a nice way). Or you can just ignore them. Whatever fits your bill.

Fourth, if it gets too much, consider taking a break for the meantime. Log off from the site, do other things for a while. Internet toxicity is inherent, and I think it's good to take the time off when you feel like exploding. Your loyal readers would understand it, as long as you notify them of your hiatus. After all, a good story would be useless if an author lost his/her motivation to write.

I think the third has given me so much stress lately I seem to be having trouble writing now. Worst bit is I'm my own worst critic and everything I read bounces around in my head magnifies and then a mean voice in my brain starts overthinking everything >.>

I am thinking the fourth sounds like a good thing to do right now. I still want to write though, but without worry, so I'm seriously considering starting a new story for that, as the one I intended for that became too popular and makes me feel so pressured to "not ruin it." I plan to finish the last two chapters I've been working on, then post an update and the art the super talented @HansTrondheim here drew of Lilith and the cover he made.

----

I'm finding it really hard, with how unexpectedly popular my story became, the pressure makes it harder to write, and the lack of updates makes me feel like I'm letting people down, which just adds more pressure, queue runaway cycle. It's really amazing how quickly things went from motivating to overwhelming pressure. I feel stupid really, despite all the positive feedback, the few people who gave sentiments that my main character was stupid/mentally ill really got to me.

I feel like I'm in this weird position too, where I've improved enough to see how terrible the first several chapters are, but I don't feel like I've improved enough to really rewrite it into a nicer state. Still yet, I seriously contemplate a rewrite. I just, want to be able to look at my story, and sit down to write for it, and feel happy with it again. Right now I just can't seem to feel happy about it. I have ideas that excite me but it's not enough to carry the weight right now.
 

Box

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This turned out a lot more rambling than I intended. The 2nd half I'm kind of just venting my feelings. Maybe someone else knows what I'm feeling, or maybe I'm just being a stupid ungrateful bitch, I have no idea.



I think the third has given me so much stress lately I seem to be having trouble writing now. Worst bit is I'm my own worst critic and everything I read bounces around in my head magnifies and then a mean voice in my brain starts overthinking everything >.>

I am thinking the fourth sounds like a good thing to do right now. I still want to write though, but without worry, so I'm seriously considering starting a new story for that, as the one I intended for that became too popular and makes me feel so pressured to "not ruin it." I plan to finish the last two chapters I've been working on, then post an update and the art the super talented @HansTrondheim here drew of Lilith and the cover he made.

----

I'm finding it really hard, with how unexpectedly popular my story became, the pressure makes it harder to write, and the lack of updates makes me feel like I'm letting people down, which just adds more pressure, queue runaway cycle. It's really amazing how quickly things went from motivating to overwhelming pressure. I feel stupid really, despite all the positive feedback, the few people who gave sentiments that my main character was stupid/mentally ill really got to me.

I feel like I'm in this weird position too, where I've improved enough to see how terrible the first several chapters are, but I don't feel like I've improved enough to really rewrite it into a nicer state. Still yet, I seriously contemplate a rewrite. I just, want to be able to look at my story, and sit down to write for it, and feel happy with it again. Right now I just can't seem to feel happy about it. I have ideas that excite me but it's not enough to carry the weight right now.
Well being an author just like being in a long-way journey, my pal. You have to get through loads of difficult thing like as you mentioned. Seriously, no one give a sh. about my story about 2-3 years in Wattpad and many other websites although I try all way to get more viewer but you know, everything not always happen in the way you wanted.
There will always exist some readers actually like your work and acknowledge you. The reality is harsh and unfair, somes will easily reach the top just in few simple try and others will be hard-stuck in the dept of forgotten. But still, if you dont lost your motivative. Sure it gonna be really tough to get through, the presure, the sorrow haunted in your mind but hey I get used to it and happy with my doing right now, developing my story to the best quality.
Perhaps, you should share your feeling to someone that you can trust or have the same feeling as you, like me for example, hard time but I managed to conquer it. I really want to listen to other writer feeling and encourage them. You can share few word to me if you want to, I will glady apriciate if you do that. Don't lose your will, be strong, each person is a unique and talented writer.
 
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