If i write a book for the first time, will i get pitchforked ?

[Claryie]

The title is self-explanatory

 

[Mechaphobic]

I think it depends on how seriously you try, people won't pitchfork you as long as you take it seriously. What the readers really hate is when you create something they might like, but don't take it seriously enough to really turn it into something. Your first writing will also be bad, and probably filled with mistakes. I sometimes read the old stories I wrote for my D&D campaigns, and the things I came up with still make me cringe almost 2 decades later.

I think that if you take it seriously, and listen to the valid criticisms. Then this place is pretty good, at least in my experience as a crazy author. Part of the fun is just taking the plunge and starting to learn what your audience likes and dislikes. You also have to learn what you, as an author, like and dislike. I recommend to start by making a firm map for the direction of a story, something you can use to write it with. Planning makes a world of difference!

 

[The_Everdistant_Utopia]

Probably not, in my opinion. Getting some criticisms and a few negative comments, sure. But I don't think people, or at least reasonable people, would start flaming you for your first ever work. As long as you're trying to put out the best you can deliver, I believe it'll be fine as I haven't seen that many overzealous people here.

Unless you fuck up massively, your first work will probably be just a good testing grounds to see if you want to continue doing this.

 

[Claryie]

I think it depends on how seriously you try, people won't pitchfork you as long as you take it seriously. What the readers really hate is when you create something they might like, but don't take it seriously enough to really turn it into something. Your first writing will also be bad, and probably filled with mistakes. I sometimes read the old stories I wrote for my D&D campaigns, and the things I came up with still make me cringe almost 2 decades later.

I think that if you take it seriously, and listen to the valid criticisms. Then this place is pretty good, at least in my experience as a crazy author. Part of the fun is just taking the plunge and starting to learn what your audience likes and dislikes. You also have to learn what you, as an author, like and dislike. I recommend to start by making a firm map for the direction of a story, something you can use to write it with. Planning makes a world of difference!

how detailed should i make the map for the direction of the story ?
i have no idea as i have no experience in writing a story

(also, should i try to improve my english because i always feel like i'm not talking the way im supposed to talk
edit : i mean i feel like i dont describe what i mean enough but i don't know the word so it just makes me feel weird)

 

[Freemints30]

Map? You mean an outline?

Well that's tricky, usually with experience you would know how detailed you would want it. Some can make do with vague outlines, while others need them Very detailed, for every chapter. For beginners best make sure your outline has a firm beginning, a firm ending to work towards and a a your main plot points that are supposed to lead to the ending in the middle.

Adjust when needed.

As for English, that only improves with practice. However there are various spell check applications like Grammarly that can assist you.

 

[Claryie]

Map? You mean an outline?

Well that's tricky, usually with experience you would know how detailed you would want it. Some can make do with vague outlines, while others need them Very detailed, for every chapter. For beginners best make sure your outline has a firm beginning, a firm ending to work towards and a a your main plot points that are supposed to lead to the ending in the middle.

Adjust when needed.

As for English, that only improves with practice. However there are various spell check applications like Grammarly that can assist you.

I see, thank you for your advice :)

 

[RepresentingWrath]

You won't get pitchforked. Instead, chances are high you won't get any feedback at all.

 

[Claryie]

How do i get feedback then

 

[RepresentingWrath]

How do i get feedback then

You either go to forums with your book and ask nicely for feedback or write something that will be popular.

 

[Claryie]

k

 

[Mechaphobic]

What I recommend doing is run the story through your head like a movie, then you start plotting it down. Think of it like a brief synopsis where you take this overarching story and start breaking it down into chapters, I only add the main points I need to get to the end result. My map is basically what the overarching story will be with columns to break it into chapters, then I have a few sentences to sum up what the chapter will cover based on where the story is going. It makes consistency easier, you also want to take notes on any information you give that might be used later.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Depends. On first story, it's normal for us to still have a lot of things work on. You are not gonna be that pitchforked on it just bc your writing has a lot to improve on still. However pitchforked imo is probably when touchy subjects start to occur esp if it's not done well.


For feedback post your story link and ask for it in the Story feedback Threads.

To get noticed, if you frequent the forums a lot, post your story link in your Scribblehub Forum Profile page - either in the About You section or Your Signature section.

 

[Claryie]

hmmm, is this a good enough starting outline example ?
(it's a bit cliche but i mean, it's just an example of a outline)

What I recommend doing is run the story through your head like a movie, then you start plotting it down. Think of it like a brief synopsis where you take this overarching story and start breaking it down into chapters, I only add the main points I need to get to the end result. My map is basically what the overarching story will be with columns to break it into chapters, then I have a few sentences to sum up what the chapter will cover based on where the story is going. It makes consistency easier, you also want to take notes on any information you give that might be used later.

noted info :
the guy who try to kill mc
the weird talent
the name of mc's friends
merchant's identity
evil noble

Arc 1
1 prologue (mc's life)
2 they died and got summoned, and when the summoner tried to find about mc's talent, he got a bad one and now he got hated by everyone
3 they go to each other's room and rest 1 day passed
4 training time, mc gets bullied by that one kid who got good talent
5 mc starts to feel like the world is unfair, and then he awakened some weird talent inside him, but he didn't tell anyone. And then rest time again because it's night 1 day passed
6 they go adventuring to up their level, mc gets betrayed and nearly died but saved by his weird talent
7-9 mc get stronger, 1 day passed
10 pov change to the kid who bullied mc
11 mc encounter with a boss, and a chest with good stuff inside, 1 day passed
12-13 mc kills mobs
14 mc saves a merchant which gave him a reccomendation letter to some academy, then they part ways
15 mc goes to the academy but got rejected because the academy guard thinks it's fake because he didn't look like he's good enough, then he got humiliated again by some evil noble
16 mc lost all hope in humanity and comes to the dark side
17 mc saw his friends but hide, he found out his friends are going to a dungeon to up their skills
18 mc schemes to kill the guy who tried to kill him
19 pov change to the merchant
20 mc registers as an adventurer so he can sell stuff, then he sells stuff and buy supplies (pots, armor and food etc)
21 mc follow his friends to dungeon
22 he prepares to ambush and puts mask on
23 mc ambushes them but got beaten up and run away but didn't get his identity spoiled
24 pov change, the bad guy who tries to kill mc got sus it's the mc who attacked them
Arc end
Arc 2

 

[Mechaphobic]

It is similar to what I do when I am plotting, then it is just getting used to it as you write. To me writing it is the most important part as it is less likely to change. This is important to establishing consistency right from the start. I also copy and paste any details I use to make notes, then I have categories I can throw them into. It makes if easy to hit ctrl+f to just parse to see if you already wrote something. You can also browse through it to help you get into the zone when you are writing. It also takes almost no time if you start doing it early and make a habit of it.

 

[Ellieporter]

No but if you write an isekai and have a very long title... This seems to rile people up for some unknown reason.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

If you keep failing to capitalize "I" then definitely.

Seriously, though. Keep this handy:

 

[Ai-chan]

Pitchforked? Ai-chan has never been pitchforked, even with Ai-chan's first piece. However, Ai-chan did get impaled and raged quit once.