Worried about loosing my Readers

[StoryTellingGhost]

Don't mean to sound like a wimp, but... This has been on my mind for the last couple of days.

What if I can't keep my readers entertained and engaged in the Story?

I love every single comment I get. Even if it is just an emoji, it means a lot to me.
Sadly, this can't extinguish my fear. I try my best to make each Chapter interesting, entertaining. At which point I get too much anxiety regarding my reader's likings to it.

Hope this makes sense to you, if not, do tell me. I'll explain in more detail.

 

[Kitsura]

My readers are already Pavlovian conditioned to like me through my charming online personality.

... I think

 

[Lord_Drakonus]

As a person who suffers from anxiety and depression, I am the same way. Best way to deal with it is to just learn how to not give a fuck about it to a certain degree. I've learned that some things are not worth it to worry about, and in the case of losing readers, it's a tough one. On one hand, if you actually don't give a single fuck about it, then you'll actually lose your readers because of your story becoming trash. On the other hand, worrying too much could also cause you to lose readers because you could lose the motivation to continue writing. There's always a sweet spot for it, and maintaining that sweet spot is hard in this case.

 

[owotrucked]

It's a natural concern. Seeking advices isn't being a wimp.

A way to deal with it: Try to detach yourself from your current work.

How to detach yourself with rationality: Take your current work as a stepping stone to create better future works. Improving is more important than a single story draft.

What actions must follow: You must learn to put satisfactory closures in self-contained parts of your story. So you can say "alright, if it doesn't work and I want to make a new story I can close my current one in 6 chapters" for instance. But if you still like your story and want to see its overarching plot have a closed ending instead of leaving it open, you can continue!

Improving as a mindset is important because:
- It allows to receive criticism in a slightly easier way.
- It opens room for hope that you will find better success.

In the opposite, if you idolize your work too much, it will lead to problems.
- For drawing: if you get enamored with a sketch you did as a beginner, you'll spend fruitless hours to make random strokes hoping to bring minute improvements. Naturally, you won't improve. This is the same for a first-time story.

Moreover, when you start out, you'll be scared to erase stuff. Why? Because you're not really in control. Deep inside, you feel like it's a fluke and if you erase it you'll never be able to reproduce what you've done. But the more you create stories, the more familiar you'll feel with the process.

When you've drawn/written so many times in the past, you become faster and willing to destroy roughs, creating the opportunity to make something better.

If you still love your current work/plot/setting/characters, think like that: Improve so that you do justice to them by making the story awesome with your peak skills.

Even if you've written once, it's okay to rewrite it better, especially if nobody have read the first unskilled version.

 

[StoryTellingGhost]

As a person who suffers from anxiety and depression, I am the same way. Best way to deal with it is to just learn how to not give a fuck about it to a certain degree. I've learned that some things are not worth it to worry about, and in the case of losing readers, it's a tough one. On one hand, if you actually don't give a single fuck about it, then you'll actually lose your readers because of your story becoming trash. On the other hand, worrying too much could also cause you to lose readers because you could lose the motivation to continue writing. There's always a sweet spot for it, and maintaining that sweet spot is hard in this case.

Sorry to hear you suffer, we suffer...

It's very true what you said. It's about finding a sweetspot... but the journey to find it... is what's the most nerve wrecking.

It's a natural concern. Seeking advices isn't being a wimp.

A way to deal with it: Try to detach yourself from your current work.

How to detach yourself with rationality: Take your current work as a stepping stone to create better future works. Improving is more important than a single story draft.

What actions must follow: You must learn to put satisfactory closures in self-contained parts of your story. So you can say "alright, if it doesn't work and I want to make a new story I can close my current one in 6 chapters" for instance. But if you still like your story and want to see its overarching plot have a closed ending instead of leaving it open, you can continue!

Improving as a mindset is important because:
- It allows to receive criticism in a slightly easier way.
- It opens room for hope that you will find better success.

In the opposite, if you idolize your work too much, it will lead to problems.
- For drawing: if you get enamored with a sketch you did as a beginner, you'll spend fruitless hours to make random strokes hoping to bring minute improvements. Naturally, you won't improve. This is the same for a first-time story.

Moreover, when you start out, you'll be scared to erase stuff. Why? Because you're not really in control. Deep inside, you feel like it's a fluke and if you erase it you'll never be able to reproduce what you've done. But the more you create stories, the more familiar you'll feel with the process.

When you've drawn/written so many times in the past, you become faster and willing to destroy roughs, creating the opportunity to make something better.

If you still love your current work/plot/setting/characters, think like that: Improve so that you do justice to them by making the story awesome with your peak skills.

Even if you've written once, it's okay to rewrite it better, especially if nobody have read the first unskilled version.

That was the mentality I had the past days, make it right to them. I love the Story, leaving it unfinished is just cruel.


I don't know if I should be thankful that I'm not a novice anymore or not... Regardless, I have improved through my first Works. From Fan-fics to my second original Story. It's a big leap for everyone.

What I find to be the biggest part of writing... Mental Health.
- If that is poor, your writing will be poor.
- You'll lose motivation
- Ultimately, you lose interest in your work and eventually drop it. ( If your Mental Health doesn't improve.)

 

[MarekSusicky]

I feel you! I love every reader who reads my story, or comments on top of that, and I want to keep the story engaging for them.

But my story was going somewhere and I got an... angry... message from someone who didn't like the direction. On the other hand I got a message someone concerned about other character to not getting more spolight, but assurence they are fine with waiting. So sweet.

So I steeled my nerves and now I write what is the best for my story, even though someone might not like it. Think about killing a favorite character - will you lose a reader? Perhaps. It still hurts when they are vocal about it, but I can't change what my characters will do.

Funny thing, but my characters got their own heads. The most I can do is to throw bad situations at them and watch them suffer :)

 

[morhamza]

My story isn't popular, and I'm told the synopsis and first few chapters are bad. As it stands, I gain new readers, but most don't read past the first chapter.
I love the engagement I get, especially when people ask me questions about the story. However, it's hard trying to cater to readers and keeping the story consistent, so I've decided to just do what I think is best and leave the rest to the world.
It will hurt if the story doesn't do well, of course it will. But, I can only control what I write, not how people react to it. I've made my peace with that.

 

[Not_A_Symphony]

Don't mean to sound like a wimp, but... This has been on my mind for the last couple of days.

What if I can't keep my readers entertained and engaged in the Story?

I love every single comment I get. Even if it is just an emoji, it means a lot to me.
Sadly, this can't extinguish my fear. I try my best to make each Chapter interesting, entertaining. At which point I get too much anxiety regarding my reader's likings to it.

Hope this makes sense to you, if not, do tell me. I'll explain in more detail.

I think every writer goes through this. Losing people who are interested in your story is demotivating, I understand it but there is something a lot of authors forget:

You are writing for yourself, not for others. ​

Every story you create, you do it because you want to do it, and if by any chance some people will like it and become regulars then that's great but don't dictate your value through the numbers/people you get.
Just write the story at your own time, with your own ideas, and let things flow. There will also exist people who will support you, no matter the outcome of the story so just relax and don't think about those trivial things

 

[StoryTellingGhost]

I think every writer goes through this. Losing people who are interested in your story is demotivating, I understand it but there is something a lot of authors forget:

You are writing for yourself, not for others. ​

Every story you create, you do it because you want to do it, and if by any chance some people will like it and become regulars then that's great but don't dictate your value through the numbers/people you get.
Just write the story at your own time, with your own ideas, and let things flow. There will also exist people who will support you, no matter the outcome of the story so just relax and don't think about those trivial things

Correct, I forgot that... and so did others. We all have to keep this in mind, then, everything will be fine.

 

[DubstheDuke]

I mean I used to be like this but I eventually got to the point where Ill laugh and like the review when someone gives my story a bad review

I mean I used to be like this but I eventually got to the point where Ill laugh and like the review when someone gives my story a bad review

Point is, don't worry too much about it. If your story is entertaining to you its bound to be entertaining to someone. But were not here to entertain everyone. There are gonna be people who dont like it no matter how good it is

 

[StoryTellingGhost]

My story isn't popular, and I'm told the synopsis and first few chapters are bad. As it stands, I gain new readers, but most don't read past the first chapter.
I love the engagement I get, especially when people ask me questions about the story. However, it's hard trying to cater to readers and keeping the story consistent, so I've decided to just do what I think is best and leave the rest to the world.
It will hurt if the story doesn't do well, of course it will. But, I can only control what I write, not how people react to it. I've made my peace with that.

Mine isn't either, but the 70 readers which I have, I'm grateful for.

It depends who you ask, if multiple people say it's bad or if just one person says it. Don't believe everything one angry person says. Check for errors or things you've missed to mention in your Synopsis. Make it short and try to put everything your Story is about in there.

For the Chapters, that's all you. Grammar, punctuation and so on. Take time and read through them carefully, edit or delete some parts.

I mean I used to be like this but I eventually got to the point where Ill laugh and like the review when someone gives my story a bad review

Point is, don't worry too much about it. If your story is entertaining to you its bound to be entertaining to someone. But were not here to entertain everyone. There are gonna be people who dont like it no matter how good it is

Agreed. But sometimes, it gets to you so bad... it's horrible. Thankfully there are ways to get through it or avoid it(somewhat).

I feel you! I love every reader who reads my story, or comments on top of that, and I want to keep the story engaging for them.

But my story was going somewhere and I got an... angry... message from someone who didn't like the direction. On the other hand I got a message someone concerned about other character to not getting more spolight, but assurence they are fine with waiting. So sweet.

So I steeled my nerves and now I write what is the best for my story, even though someone might not like it. Think about killing a favorite character - will you lose a reader? Perhaps. It still hurts when they are vocal about it, but I can't change what my characters will do.

Funny thing, but my characters got their own heads. The most I can do is to throw bad situations at them and watch them suffer :)

Indeed, it can be a heartbreak, when you put your best into the latest Chapter and then... silence, for hours or maybe even days, until the next Chapter.

Strong nerves and a healthy mind can get you anywhere, as long as you enjoy it.

 

[Ellieporter]

Just keep on writing. You are doing it to enjoy yourself and be immersed not the other way around.

 

[Malonymous]

But sometimes, it gets to you so bad... it's horrible. Thankfully there are ways to get through it or avoid it(somewhat).

Experience can help you lots to overcome this!

I've had similar concerns in the past, especially along the lines of 'what if readers don't like this chapter or where the story is going?' From what I've found, it seems the much bigger reason for possibly losing readers is not about posting potentially undesirable chapters, but rather going too long without posting any chapter at all That said, I'm super thankful for all the readers and commenters who stuck around through hiatuses. I'd also say it's important to keep in mind that when people get really invested in a story, many want to see it continue no matter what happens or where it goes.

Basically, if you're here to write a story you love and you enjoy it, I think the best answer is to keep going no matter what and see where you can improve along the way~

 

[Motsu]

What if I can't keep my readers entertained and engaged in the Story?

This is the inevitable part when writing. As long as you continue to tell the tale, there'll always be someone sleeping halfway through the story. Whatsoever, as they say, continuing to write with the same effort can accumulate to experience, techniques, and the answer to your questions. Read your story and pose yourself as a reader. Now, what are you thinking? You want to change a part of it, I know.

Entertaining someone is crucial and difficult. On this site, you don't know if your readers are engaged. Nevertheless, there may be some who show hints by commenting. You write your story for your readers, right? Then be aggressive in hopes that they'll interact with you with their opinions. Pull out a poll!

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Write the story you want to read, and someone else will also love it.

 

[Kazesenken]

It's a good reminder that you are writing to a giant vacuum of space most of the time, where very few people will actually comment compared to those that read. If you're not losing massive amounts of readers, then one angry comment is nothing to worry about. I've been hit by angry comments and bad reviews by people who ragequit drop the novel because I did something they didn't like. But later on, someone replied with support for the decision, so it balances out.

Whenever there's criticism in those comments, I think about whether it's valid and if that is something that 'I' want to do. If not, just keep going. The loud minority can have a great presence on you, but try to keep things in perspective that it's just one or two readers who may or may not align with your tastes.

 

[gaylolis]

i just call someone from the spirit realm to read my story, since it doesn't seem suitable for human beings.

 

[Agentt]

You have readers?

 

[ZynGrand]

What if I can't keep my readers entertained and engaged in the Story?

That's bad for sure, but worse could happen.

Someone could be so insulted by your writing that they curse you and your family, incite hatred against your story, DDOS you, then proceed to break into your house and beat you up repeatedly before covering it up as a suicide.

Or maybe nothing will happen, who knows?

Either way, all I can do is keep on moving and try not to think about being the target of a hate crime.

 

[ForestDweller]

It's a natural concern. Seeking advices isn't being a wimp.

A way to deal with it: Try to detach yourself from your current work.

How to detach yourself with rationality: Take your current work as a stepping stone to create better future works. Improving is more important than a single story draft.

What actions must follow: You must learn to put satisfactory closures in self-contained parts of your story. So you can say "alright, if it doesn't work and I want to make a new story I can close my current one in 6 chapters" for instance. But if you still like your story and want to see its overarching plot have a closed ending instead of leaving it open, you can continue!

Improving as a mindset is important because:
- It allows to receive criticism in a slightly easier way.
- It opens room for hope that you will find better success.

In the opposite, if you idolize your work too much, it will lead to problems.
- For drawing: if you get enamored with a sketch you did as a beginner, you'll spend fruitless hours to make random strokes hoping to bring minute improvements. Naturally, you won't improve. This is the same for a first-time story.

Moreover, when you start out, you'll be scared to erase stuff. Why? Because you're not really in control. Deep inside, you feel like it's a fluke and if you erase it you'll never be able to reproduce what you've done. But the more you create stories, the more familiar you'll feel with the process.

When you've drawn/written so many times in the past, you become faster and willing to destroy roughs, creating the opportunity to make something better.

If you still love your current work/plot/setting/characters, think like that: Improve so that you do justice to them by making the story awesome with your peak skills.

Even if you've written once, it's okay to rewrite it better, especially if nobody have read the first unskilled version.

I disagree with this. I don't write because "I might improve so I can write better later on". I write because I want to write. Even if it means taking on a massive plotline that can go up to a million words.

If the public deems it not good enough, then I'll just stop writing. I'm a hobbyist not a career writer.