Should i continue the story?

[Ren_Muyiwa]

Just published my first chapter wrote it just for fun, since my main job is in newspaper and article writing, and I love my current career. Writing news and articles is something I’m passionate about, so I’m not trying to be a full-time novelist. I've only got one chapter written so far, and I’m not sure if I should keep going or just leave it as a one time thing.

It’s an adventure story, loosely inspired by my trip to Japan eight years ago, especially my visit to Akihabara. Walking through the streets filled with anime stores, arcades, and all kinds of manga was an unforgettable experience. It felt like stepping into another world, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my writing. The adventure part comes from the sense of exploring new places, getting lost, and stumbling upon unexpected things.

I spent more time than I expected on the first ever chapter. Switching from news articles to creative writing was a challenge, but it was also a fun change of pace. I didn’t expect much when I posted it, but I was surprised to see it getting quite a few views and even some comments! It’s exciting to see people enjoying my writing, and it makes me wonder if I should keep going. But at the same time, I’m not sure if I have the time or if my story is interesting enough to continue.

So, for those of you who have written just for fun, how do you decide if a story is worth continuing? Have you ever started something without a plan and then kept going because of reader interest? If you’ve read my chapter, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Should I keep going, or does it work as a standalone?

Would really appreciate any advice or feedback. Thanks for reading!

 

[AncestorDuck]

Just one chapter so far, but it's interesting. The comments say so as well, and it's rather rare for a one-chapter novel to receive such praise. I would say go for it, especially since it's just a hobby for you. Your writing is quite good, likely due to your experience with active writing. In the end, there is no "not worth it" since it's supposed to be fun for you, not a way to make money. If you enjoy the story, continue. If you lose interest, take a hiatus and ponder for a while.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

Do what fits you. I can probably think up a reason to continue, but it’s meaningless unless this side hobby is something you enjoy. My advice is to give it a chance before making a conclusive decision.

 

[Arkus86]

If you're not planning to continue the story, or don't expect to update it regularly, please, make it clear on the novel's page, so readers like me don't get burned by yet another story that died before it even really began.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Do you like the story?
Do you like writing it?
If both answers are YES, continue it.
If either is "no" then... use this thread to decide.
If both are "no" then delete what you've written so far and move on.

 

[EverenVale]

Hey! First of all, congrats on publishing your first chapter! ? That’s already a huge step, especially since creative writing is a different beast from article writing. The fact that it got views and comments right away shows that people enjoyed it, which is a great sign.

From what you described, it sounds like your story has a strong personal inspiration behind it—your adventure in Akihabara—which gives it a unique perspective. If writing it was fun and fulfilling, then I’d say keep going as long as you enjoy the process.

You don’t have to commit to a full novel if that feels overwhelming. Maybe just try writing one more chapter and see how you feel. If it’s still fun, then why not keep going? If not, no harm done—it’s still a cool standalone piece that you got to share with others.

And about reader interest—yes, plenty of writers (myself included) have started something just for fun, with no real plan, only to find that reader engagement gave them the motivation to continue. If people are reacting positively, that’s a good sign your story is resonating with them!

At the end of the day, the real question is: Do you WANT to keep writing it? If the answer is even a little bit yes, I say go for it. ?

Whatever you decide, you’ve already done something awesome by putting your work out there! ?

 

[Ren_Muyiwa]

Just one chapter so far, but it's interesting. The comments say so as well, and it's rather rare for a one-chapter novel to receive such praise. I would say go for it, especially since it's just a hobby for you. Your writing is quite good, likely due to your experience with active writing. In the end, there is no "not worth it" since it's supposed to be fun for you, not a way to make money. If you enjoy the story, continue. If you lose interest, take a hiatus and ponder for a while.

Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad you liked the chapter. It’s cool to hear it’s getting some love, especially since it’s just a fun side thing for me. I’ll probably keep going since I’m enjoying it so far. Appreciate the encouragement!

Do what fits you. I can probably think up a reason to continue, but it’s meaningless unless this side hobby is something you enjoy. My advice is to give it a chance before making a conclusive decision.

Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll give it a shot and see how it feels before deciding for sure. Appreciate it!

If you're not planning to continue the story, or don't expect to update it regularly, please, make it clear on the novel's page, so readers like me don't get burned by yet another story that died before it even really began.

Thank you! will make sure to clarify on the page if I’m not planning to keep it going or update it regularly.