Should I post the First Chapter?

[HiddenDraconic]

I'm a first time writer, and I don't know much about what I'm doing. I roughly finished the first chap/introduction and am conflicted in if I should post it. I understand a few reasons as of why I shouldn't, but impatient and anxious parts of me are finding reasons to proceed. I thank in advance for any responses and advice.

 

[Shugurana]

Just post it
Although i only start writing fanfics for fun, critics that comes from other people that read my creation did end up teaching me how to write better
Although be prepared that some critics may not exactly something that you wish to see

 

[Deleted member 58005]

Well, do what you want. Most people hold off on posting their story until they've kept a sizable amount of stockpiled chapters. Say, like 20 or 30. That's up to you, though. I haven't even posted my 40 chap-worth story because the feeling of "I want to see this through" hasn't hit me yet.

But again, this is Scribblehub. 90% of writers here write for fun, so there's no pressure in uploading chapters regularly.

 

[Domoviye]

Do you think you can keep a steady release schedule without a buffer?
If you can, post it.
If not, get a buffer of at least four or five chapters.

It sucks having to rush and post an inferior chapter or even worse nothing at all, because you got in over your head.

 

[Akaichi]

Just post it. That's what i did back then. Many cursed at me, and many liked it.

 

[expentio]

If you want to gain more readers I would advise you to post more than one chapter at the start and then continue releasing for the next days. The first batch of readers generates through the new releases section. Readers scan this, looking for new stories. However, they're often apprehensive. Many authors only post the first or first three chapters and then stop. If you show them that you're going beyond this line they gain some trust that you won't leave them hanging after fixing them. You wouldnt believe how many stop for some reason after posting the first chapter. Naturally not post everything at once. It's better to wait each a day after the first three chapters and post one a day for a week (3 is a solid starting point to fix them. Though, it depends on general chapter length.). After this, you can go to a manageable schedule, like a week. You should communicate this.
I can't tell if this is perfectly going to work out since there are many factors for this, but you shouldn't underestimate the power of attention you solely gain by being newly released. I managed to get a solid hundred readers at the start which kept increasing while seeing many good stories never passing that threshold (attention gains attention).

 

[ThanksALot]

If it's just for fun.
Just...

 

[RepresentingCaution]

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Wait. Get about 10 chapters in, then post them up to upload about once every 3 days. You'll feel less pressure if you have a cushion.

 

[Jet]

Writing without sharing is hard, but feasible. Don't post the very first rough draft. You're going to regret it. Polish it as much as you can. Something that will probably take you considerably more time than you spent writing in the first place. But you'll be certain that you did everything in your power. And that's invaluable. You'd be able to send the link to anyone and be proud about that. It'll still remain a draft ofc, coz you can't do much on your own and you'll probably get sick of editing too. Regardless, it pays off to edit the first chapter the most. Everyone does that.

Next, you got to decide what you want yo do with your work. It's inadvisable to upload much if the goal is traditional publishing. Coz they might reject you due to that later on. It's also inadvisable to upload just a single chapter if you want to make it big online. It's also important to note that you won't get many if any readers/feedback here. I still believe that it's important to have at least something posted for the general populace online. Even if no one's going to read it.

Anyway, these are the things to consider imo.

 

[HiddenDraconic]

Writing without sharing is hard, but feasible. Don't post the very first rough draft. You're going to regret it. Polish it as much as you can. Something that will probably take you considerably more time than you spent writing in the first place. But you'll be certain that you did everything in your power. And that's invaluable. You'd be able to send the link to anyone and be proud about that. It'll still remain a draft ofc, coz you can't do much on your own and you'll probably get sick of editing too. Regardless, it pays off to edit the first chapter the most. Everyone does that.

Next, you got to decide what you want yo do with your work. It's inadvisable to upload much if the goal is traditional publishing. Coz they might reject you due to that later on. It's also inadvisable to upload just a single chapter if you want to make it big online. It's also important to note that you won't get many if any readers/feedback here. I still believe that it's important to have at least something posted for the general populace online. Even if no one's going to read it.

Anyway, these are the things to consider imo.

Wait. Get about 10 chapters in, then post them up to upload about once every 3 days. You'll feel less pressure if you have a cushion.

View attachment 15521

If it's just for fun.
Just...

If you want to gain more readers I would advise you to post more than one chapter at the start and then continue releasing for the next days. The first batch of readers generates through the new releases section. Readers scan this, looking for new stories. However, they're often apprehensive. Many authors only post the first or first three chapters and then stop. If you show them that you're going beyond this line they gain some trust that you won't leave them hanging after fixing them. You wouldnt believe how many stop for some reason after posting the first chapter. Naturally not post everything at once. It's better to wait each a day after the first three chapters and post one a day for a week (3 is a solid starting point to fix them. Though, it depends on general chapter length.). After this, you can go to a manageable schedule, like a week. You should communicate this.
I can't tell if this is perfectly going to work out since there are many factors for this, but you shouldn't underestimate the power of attention you solely gain by being newly released. I managed to get a solid hundred readers at the start which kept increasing while seeing many good stories never passing that threshold (attention gains attention).

Just post it. That's what i did back then. Many cursed at me, and many liked it.

Do you think you can keep a steady release schedule without a buffer?
If you can, post it.
If not, get a buffer of at least four or five chapters.

It sucks having to rush and post an inferior chapter or even worse nothing at all, because you got in over your head.

Well, do what you want. Most people hold off on posting their story until they've kept a sizable amount of stockpiled chapters. Say, like 20 or 30. That's up to you, though. I haven't even posted my 40 chap-worth story because the feeling of "I want to see this through" hasn't hit me yet.

But again, this is Scribblehub. 90% of writers here write for fun, so there's no pressure in uploading chapters regularly.

Just post it
Although i only start writing fanfics for fun, critics that comes from other people that read my creation did end up teaching me how to write better
Although be prepared that some critics may not exactly something that you wish to see

Thanks to everyone here. I really appreciate all the advice. And it's really cool to talk to more experienced ones sch as yourselves. Thank you.

 

[WinterTimeCrime]

The worst thing people could say is that it sucks.