feedback for first chapter of my novel

PeacefulMyst

In your heart~
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
Messages
672
Points
133

Hello! I require some feedback from the eyes of a casual reader on the first chapter of my novel. (Just finished rewriting it. Can't trust myself or my friends for any valid criticism so here I am)

Was the chapter enjoyable? Would you continue reading based on the first chapter?
Also Id greatly appreciate if you could tell why you wouldn't continue reading if you wouldn't. And why you would if you would continue.

I don't mind harsh criticism (since they make me feel like shit and motivate me to do another round of editing)

Thanks in advance! (also sorry if i sound really awkward in this thread)
 

LilRora

Mostly formless
Joined
Mar 27, 2022
Messages
1,349
Points
153
A couple typos, occasional capital letters where there shouldn't be, some missing full stops. There are not many of those, but they are a little annoying.

One thing I'm going to mention is kinda bland style. I'm not sure how to explain it properly, but your writing isn't immersive to me - at times it feels like you were forcing yourself to write, and it's sometimes unclear what's happening. Past that there is nothing that would deter me and the premise sounds interesting, but I would probably not continue reading because of my tastes, which don't align with your story at all.
 

PeacefulMyst

In your heart~
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
Messages
672
Points
133
at times it feels like you were forcing yourself to write
I kinda am... I didn't expect it to be this obvious though. Gotta work on that.

A couple typos, occasional capital letters where there shouldn't be, some missing full stops. There are not many of those, but they are a little annoying.

One thing I'm going to mention is kinda bland style
Thanks alot for your help! I highly appreciate it.
 

Elveos

New member
Joined
Nov 6, 2022
Messages
5
Points
3
I'm not really a professional regarding this, but I will say I wouldn't continue reading from the first chapter for a variety of reasons.

The writing like LilRora has said contained some grammatical errors, which I didn't really mind but it's still best you fix. The writing meanwhile is bland, it doesn't really give me a hook or anything that could entice me to read further for questions with the way they were written.

And this is just in general a peeve of mine, but somehow it felt awkward to read the chapter. Felt forced with how hard it was to really connect with, it wasn't rough but it really wasn't smooth as well. I also recommend writing about the action taken first then the person.

For example :
“Of course. I wouldn’t have come this far if I didn’t” Abraham spoke as he looked at the man with a smile. He chugged down the second glass and stared the man in his face with a sorrowful smile. The man was taken aback. He looked at Abraham for a few seconds before continuing “Then why did you come? You knew you would die.”

While correct, and readable felt off to me for some reason. I would have wrote it like this :

“Of course. I wouldn’t have come this far if I didn’t” He spoke, looking at the other man with a smile quirked up on his face. Chugging down a second glass, he started once again with a sorrowful smile instead.

The other man was taken aback, looking at Abraham in silence for a few brief seconds before he responded “Then why did you come? You knew you would die.”

You don't have to take this to heart, since I am in no way experienced in advice, and your novel in general is not something I would read myself since I normally stick to something more familiar.
 
Top