Should I publish my new novel?

Eldoria said:

I think... for a new novel, it's best to release several chapters (~5 chapters) to make the novel readable as a whole story.

After that, you can release chapters regularly. It doesn't need to be many, as long as you release them regularly.

Consistently releasing 1-2 chapters per week is better than releasing a lot of chapters and then going on hiatus.

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Nolff said:

I've discovered that I am one slow author and that apparently, I tend to lose fixation everyday because of the slightest distraction (you know, daily chores and all that). And getting back into the zone is just as hard as Sisyphus pushing the boulder upwards. So here I am, pondering whether I release the first chap now or stack it till ten. What'd you think?

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Emotica said:

I can't vote on this, because there isn't a right answer. The true conflict is the one with yourself. You have to make sure your story is exciting enough (not necessarily action-packed) that you're excited to return to it, otherwise you readers may not be, and they'll be all the more disappointed if you stop releasing. You shouldn't wait to release your finished products, because the momentum may be it's own self-fulfilling motivation, but you also shouldn't release things you're not excited about, because maybe there's a reason you're not excited for it that could be changed. You should have an outline/roadmap that serves as a complete story. After that, I'd suggest a workflow that chronologically accounts for concepts, concepts made into drafts, edited drafts, and then complete chapters. You should be confident and excited when it's time to release a chapter, and the workflow should never be entirely dry. The 1% effort you put into conceptualizing the next chapter should serve as an investment you already made and want to see through. For example, I have about 5 chapters of my main series released, 10 more in the backlog, and 4 after that in the concept phase. I'll take the next chapter from concept to draft, fiddle around with it until it's ready, and it'll join the backlog. It's way harder to procrastinate and get lazy when I already invested the time into the future.

Different workflows work best for different people, but the idea that you'll lose fixation is a self-fulfilling prophecy if you don't actively fight against it. Forgive me if I'm offering unwarranted advice. I just think the most common weakness amongst authors is procrastination, and the culture of authors patting each other on the back and laughing it off isn't very helpful. Yes, it's a thing that happens, but if you want to stand out in an incredibly competitive scene, procrastination is something to overcome, not expect. Everyone does procrastinate, but we're creatives. You can always procrastinate in a way that harnesses your craft. I usually watch 1 to 2 hours of something a day, but I'm always analyzing it through a writing lens. One show I'm watching right now gets under my skin with they way they introduce plot elements sporadically and hardly resolve them, sometimes bringing them back when it no longer matters. It's a note to self to not do that.

I believe in you! It's not about if you release or stack, it's about staying on task until completion regardless. As long as you're taking care of your mental and physical health first, then fingers to the keyboard should excite an aspiring author.

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Nolff said:

I'm somewhat content with your advice, really. At the age of 17-to-18, the burden of expectation is weighing my shoulder rn. And the fact that lots of my fam members wants me to pursue something that are different to each members had confused me for three years straight. I respected them all and tried to fulfill any expectations they had on me. Yet, as 2026 enters, I realize that doing so would just cause me to achieve nothing.

Now, I have a task of editing a script about an author's biography made by college students. I can't multitask, and just thinking about all my works had splitted my thoughts into webs of imaginations that I can't recollect anymore, as if doing one would make another lost.

Thx for for the advice, srsly. I'm phasing into maturity age, and it's quite the challenge.

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Emotica said:

That’s difficult. Parents usually want what’s best for their children, and it’s often based on a narrow perspective of their own experiences. You have to know when to humble yourself and listen to sources of greater knowledge, and when to trust your own instincts. It’s a lifelong challenge. People have different tolerance to risk. For every person that colors inside societal lines to do what they’re supposed to, there’s someone else that will risk it all for a chance of success. Neither is right or wrong, but the context changes drastically based on the person. At the end of the day, we all have to pay our bills. The most common issue is f you color inside the lines to make sure those bills are always paid, and how much you put on the line for a chance at what you really want out of life. Some people are perfectly content with weekends and vacations until they’re 65 and can live the rest of their lives, although that’s idealized. Other people think their one life is about living it how they want. It’s not black and white, and if you ever get into philosophy, you’ll see how valid different worldviews can be.

I’d say just make sure your stomach is full and you’re getting sleep, and you use the rest of your time wisely. The keyboard will always be there. My only real concern would be that 10 years from now, A.I really might saturate writing. Right now, it’s more of a boogeyman, but I’m sure all of the musicians and artists that are now face-to-face with A.I wish they used 2008-2020 more efficiently. It’s hard to sell art work that will take weeks to complete now that A.I can do it in minutes for practically free. I think writing has a lot more difficulties in being replaced by A.I but you don’t want to look back at the 2020’s as the last chance you really had. For the record, my prediction is A.I writing will never take off. Too many variables, too little incentive. At best we’ll have tools to do homework and office work, but replacing creative narratives just isn’t the same as generating a single photo or song. Still, if I’m wrong, then the 2030’s might be the death of independent writing.

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FRWriter said:

Write at least 5-10 chapters. You most likely will realize that your early chapters could be better or you want to change a few details.

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