Have you ever put one of your stories on hiatus?

[SouthernMaiden]

Yush, my main novel.

Been trying to grow my audience for a while, it was going well for the first year. The second year, stats began to stagnate. I would leave comments to thank viewers for following along, I would reply to nearly every comment readers would leave, but it got rough for me when newer stories would skyrocket in viewers, readers, and favorites. Felt like I was working twice as hard to stay in last place

So I stopped. I paused on my story and took a year break. Came back and completed the second Act and am currently on Act 3.

I still haven't found a way to grow my audience and I'm in a spot where if I whine about it, well I have more viewers and readers than a large amount of writers here so I should be grateful. Which I am, but I know I can do better through effort. Still seeing new stories zoom past my 3 year old novel, sigh. It's just something I try to brush past now, I will complete my novel and finish the story for the audience I do have.

Tiny complaint though, I just wish my audience was more vocal. I love interacting with readers

My advice? Discover the source of your hiatus and work on it. For me, it's insecurity and jealousy. For others, it's writers block and self-doubt. Figure out why your story isn't as fun for you anymore, and take a break to relax. This us a hobby for us, once it stops being fun, that's the sign that we should take a break.

Its fun...and tiring. And I like seeing number go up. And I have no shame admitting I enjoy attention from readers.

But yeah...it is a hobby. But Also I take it seriously!

The main source is that I'm tired...even tho I love it. Still tired. And a backlog would allow me to chill more

But I'm super conflicted

 

[CharlesEBrown]

If you have readers who actually talk to you, ask THEM - ask if its okay to take a few months off, or if you should just slow your release rate down or what they think.