Figuring Out The Do's & Don'ts

[Montylyro]

I'm a new account trying to figure out the site. I've looked at some posts for new writers but admittedly not all. I just want to know if there's anything to keep in mind or look out for. What are some things you wish you were told about sooner?

Thanks,

 

[Santaisblue]

1. Keep a consistent posting schedule (once per week, every 3 days, etc); a lot of people will enjoy a story more if they can look forward to when the next chapter comes out. This applies to overposting as well; if it feels like a job to keep up with the story, people will read it less.

2. Engage with your readers when they comment. The general idea is that you get more of the behavior you reward, so by showing that you read their comment, you are more likely to get more comments. It can be as simple as a "thanks for reading!" The idea is just to show that you appreciate it. Something I have noticed is that people are less likely to comment if nobody else has commented on that chapter, though that's just an observation.

3. This is more of a style thing, but make sure to break your writing into different lines; people seem to dislike stories if it is written in whole paragraphs. Not necessarily every sentence is a new line, but for dialogue and when moving on to a new topic. Here is an example from a pretty popular story:

"It's the eastern continent! Isn't it pretty cool?"

"I think muddy is a better word to describe it..."

Even more so than these odd trees, what Ruglace was more confused layed under his hide and bark shoes: the squishy ground he walked upon. Up until this point, he had almost always traversed areas dominated by soft green moss, sand, or dirt, yet now he was greeted by an extensive plain of sticky mud as far as his eyes could see.

Please let there be a village soon... walking through this mud feels disgusting.

It took a while, but the Oracle eventually spotted rows of corn on the horizon, which he readily trudged toward with squishy steps.

"They have tipis over here, too?" Ruglace asked as some familiar structures came into view.

"Mhm- they're practically everywhere."

 

[RainyLiquid]

Do everything, don't do nothing.

 

[Ai-chan]

First of all, read the rules.

Second, read the rules.

Third, before posting, read the rules.

 

[Montylyro]

1. Keep a consistent posting schedule (once per week, every 3 days, etc); a lot of people will enjoy a story more if they can look forward to when the next chapter comes out. This applies to overposting as well; if it feels like a job to keep up with the story, people will read it less.

2. Engage with your readers when they comment. The general idea is that you get more of the behavior you reward, so by showing that you read their comment, you are more likely to get more comments. It can be as simple as a "thanks for reading!" The idea is just to show that you appreciate it. Something I have noticed is that people are less likely to comment if nobody else has commented on that chapter, though that's just an observation.

3. This is more of a style thing, but make sure to break your writing into different lines; people seem to dislike stories if it is written in whole paragraphs. Not necessarily every sentence is a new line, but for dialogue and when moving on to a new topic. Here is an example from a pretty popular story:

1. Keep a consistent posting schedule (once per week, every 3 days, etc); a lot of people will enjoy a story more if they can look forward to when the next chapter comes out. This applies to overposting as well; if it feels like a job to keep up with the story, people will read it less.

2. Engage with your readers when they comment. The general idea is that you get more of the behavior you reward, so by showing that you read their comment, you are more likely to get more comments. It can be as simple as a "thanks for reading!" The idea is just to show that you appreciate it. Something I have noticed is that people are less likely to comment if nobody else has commented on that chapter, though that's just an observation.

3. This is more of a style thing, but make sure to break your writing into different lines; people seem to dislike stories if it is written in whole paragraphs. Not necessarily every sentence is a new line, but for dialogue and when moving on to a new topic. Here is an example from a pretty popular story:

Appreciate the heads up with all three, especially the overposting part. Would it be too much to post a handful of chapters at the start?

 

[Santaisblue]

Appreciate the heads up with all three, especially the overposting part. Would it be too much to post a handful of chapters at the start?

3-5 is probably the best amount to start

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Appreciate the heads up with all three, especially the overposting part. Would it be too much to post a handful of chapters at the start?

If possible, two initially, one or two the next day and one or two (so total of five to ten for the first week, depending on how often you believe you can update) on the days you expect to post new chapters