Writers Fear Their Work Will Be Unread
15 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/writers.
“I have an idea for two seperate book projects and I wanted to ask which one sounds more appealing to You!.. : An science-fantasy, whimsical story about two "Purihearts", people who were chosen to spread Lightness and good onto the surrealistic, cartoony world they live in…”
“5000 words? 10k? 15? How do I strike the right balance between it not being immediately obvious, while also not giving readers too much time to forget completely about something? Does it change based on genre? If it matters, my current WIP is a LitRPG that I’m aiming to make…”
“I really don’t know whom to ask for an opinion on this — it’s pretty late, too — and I just want to hear a real person tell me what they think of this theme. I am still working on it, still thinking, but I think this is a good chunk of what the book could become. Here’s the…”
Multiple writers are grappling with anxieties about their creative work. They worry about the reception of their novels, short stories, and scripts, questioning whether their efforts will resonate with readers or agents, and fearing that their writing might go unappreciated.
SOURCES (35)
“Hi guys, i love greek mythology and i'm starting a project, think about epic the musical, mix in some awesomeness that has to do with other musicals and songs, and about a new phrophacy that will shake the heavens. Let me know if i should…”
“I’m writing a series (I know, crazy but I’ve actually finished two of four books). They’re based on a real historical figure, his rise to power and his subsequent downfall. As such the series currently follows a fairly simple narrative pattern. Book 1 - his childhood Book 2 - his rise Book 3- his fall Book 4 - the aftermath My question is, what expectations do readers have when they pick up a historical fiction book about a real person? I’m starting to think my Book 1 isn’t going to work commerc”
“Hello r/Writers !! The title is fairly straightforward: I am looking to meet up, build relationships, chat primarily through PM with people with large bodies of work, specifically anyone who might be interested in exchanging experiences and methodologies + points of view on long or very long storylines and worldbuilds. submitted by /u/KaraGravis [link] [comments]”
“I have been toying around with a story idea for about 7 years now, and have built a whole world in my head as a result. I would love to share it with the world one day as I feel like it could be a really unique idea, but I would love to gage what other people would think of the premise. The setting: Basically, it's about a fictional music conservatory in suburban America at the turn of the twentieth century. The feel of the story is supposed to be a lot like those old Hollywood films that ta”
“Hello I have been writing for a bit now, and my goal is a historical fiction and my story is still in process but wanted to start the beginning of it Please let me know if this is with perusing or a waste of my time. I am having fun with it though and would love any feedback. If anyone knows some real pirates I could have in my story with my character that would be great. I eventually want to do Blackbeard but that would be later submitted by /u/Same-Table-5582 [link] [comments”
“I have written two novels and self-published them. The first novel I ever wrote is called Fall of the Raven, which is historical fiction. I gave someone two weeks to edit my horrendous grammar, and without doing the copyright or the CIP or getting the LCCN, I slammed it onto Amazon and published it. It failed. Terribly. I had spent two years on the project and just wanted so badly to see it out there. Well, I learned many valuable lessons. So I stopped writing for a long time afterward. Until I”
“I’m looking for some outside feedback on the presentation of my dark fantasy novel. I’m mainly curious about first impressions. If you came across this book without knowing anything about it: Does the cover catch your attention? Does it clearly read as dark fantasy? And after reading the blurb, would you be interested enough to check out the book? I’m particularly interested in anything that feels generic, confusing, misleading, or simply doesn’t grab you. Feel free to be critical. Blurb: A mass”
“A year ago I went looking for a very specific fic — the sapphic version of Heated Rivalry — and I could not find it anywhere. So I got mad and wrote it myself. Been writing this for ages and could really use some help. I had been having dreams about this plot for months and finally decided to write it all down. It is my pet project and I want to do right by it. Attached is the link, give it a read and if this is something anyone would be interested in please let me know. More than happy to compe”
“I’m working on the last book in my science fantasy isekai main series (yes I know that’s a lot, and yes it’s heavily anime inspired, but I’ve actually published the first book about three weeks ago) The last book one of my characters I’m envisioning as a Seer type character. Magic in my world is mostly elemental based as it’s yielded the best results in over a thousand years of development across the four continents of this world. But that doesn’t mean other forms of magic can’t be explored, jus”
“I've had this idea for a book for a long time. Its a story about a kingdom and its sorta young (15 years at the start) King. The thing is, I am not sure if the style of writing would be something people would want to read. My style is kinda like Dracula. But instead of diary entries, everything is from the point of view of the royal historian and his personal and historical records. With some personal letters thrown in from other characters as well as documents other characters had to make.”
“Here is a scene from the book, feedback/critique appreciated "Your father carried it at Dharmapur," Ghanshyam says. He is not looking at the sword. He is looking at Arhan's face. "When he fell, I took it from the field. I didn't know what else to do with it. I've carried it twenty years at a posting nobody else wanted, and I find I'm glad I did." A pause, longer than any he has allowed himself. "Take it." Arhan reaches across and closes his hand arou”
“I have an idea for two seperate book projects and I wanted to ask which one sounds more appealing to You!.. : An science-fantasy, whimsical story about two "Purihearts", people who were chosen to spread Lightness and good onto the surrealistic, cartoony world they live in... Even if they can't be defeated by normal means, their challenges come from coming up with the ways to improve the lifes of the others and even themselves, so they're much better people to the world surround”
“I was wondering if anyone would like to give feedback on this wee piece, please? As part of the world-building and for wee snippets I'll be adding in to my novel, I wrote this report about two of the characters - mother and daughter - who are Repeater alien abductees (the abductions follow the maternal line). They are originally from the Hebrides of Scotland, and the line appeared to begin with Evelyn Turnbull's own mother (Lena's grandmother). The military agency dealing with this w”
“I’m currently working on this novel and was wondering if anyone would be willing to read the first chapter and give me their honest opinion/feedback. Just comment below or hit me up in pm. It’s about sibling bonding. That’s all I’m gonna give for now. Thank you lovelies! Hope you have a nice day/evening! If you want, perhaps I shall read your first paragraph as well. submitted by /u/Sea-Knowledge-2647 [link] [comments]”
“Writing a fantasy novel related to astrology and the zodiac. This is the prologue. Let me know what you think. submitted by /u/MikeBangerrr [link] [comments]”
“The Truth between blades (4031 words). Working title. This will be a collection of short stories set in a loosely inspired 17th-century world. The main character, Olis Vasqel, is a former military man and performer now a thief, spy, and assassin-for-hire. The framing device is an interrogation conducted by authorities of a hostile kingdom. Olis has been captured and is being questioned about his crimes. The goal of this book is to establish and introduce world, lore, political tensions and confl”
“I've had this book (possible series) planned for a few months now. I have most of the characters planned out and a decent idea of the storyline, but im not entirely sure if i should add anything. the basics of it are; a "former" deity has left his domain and role, escaping to earth to try and get a break. two other deities are sent down to hunt him down and bring him back. said two deities end up falling in love, and they still have to get him back. halfway through their mission, t”
“5000 words? 10k? 15? How do I strike the right balance between it not being immediately obvious, while also not giving readers too much time to forget completely about something? Does it change based on genre? If it matters, my current WIP is a LitRPG that I’m aiming to make about 80-110k words total. submitted by /u/thebunnywhisperer_ [link] [comments]”
“I really don’t know whom to ask for an opinion on this — it’s pretty late, too — and I just want to hear a real person tell me what they think of this theme. I am still working on it, still thinking, but I think this is a good chunk of what the book could become. Here’s the theme (or like me starting and sucking at it… I never wrote before): Why are we earnestly looking for human connection? Looking for the meaning and truest person — when all of the things we are craving for… entrenched deep wi”
“I am relatively happy with this, is it ready? submitted by /u/No-Reaction9735 [link] [comments]”
“Is it smart to plan out a whole trilogy of books before even beginning to write the first? I have two endings for the final book of this trilogy, one would be more action packed which therefore would be more fitting for the big final battle, as the story is a science fantasy action adventure story. The second idea for the ending of the final book would be much less action packed than the rest of the story, but also be much deeper in theme and universal idea. Which do you all think I should go wi”
“Would anyone be interested in reading my series of Queer themed Fantasy Novellas? submitted by /u/Kentyboi [link] [comments]”
“FYI this is a yap fest, but if you do read it much thanks and all help appreciated. This is a story I’m working on what do you think Garden of Eve – Before the events of the story, the world was ruled by powerful kingdoms constantly fighting for land, influence, and survival. Among them existed one particularly cruel royal bloodline. Within this family was a young prince named Alfoth, who spent his childhood abused and treated as little more than a slave by his own relatives. Believing there was”
“I had am writing my first Novel (probably a series) of novels with an eerie end of the world type of thing. I want to tell the story from an early 20's perspective as the idea is a ticking clock of sorts that they only have until they are 25 to solve this problem. However, I would very much like to begin the story from when they were 14/15 - it began on a random day at school and I have in fact written the first 3 chapters as such. My question is should I just continue from there and build u”
“"When all the Gods are dead, can a single boy stand against the darkness that killed them?" Once every decade, as the heavens bleed and the Moon turns blood-red, men and maidens must meet in shared passion to procreate. For this marks the season of birth. A quirk that many see as a boon, many see as a curse, and many see as a thing that shouldn’t be put into words. Yacheos was not born under the moon. He was born on the good days, when the sun was bright and the moon was pale. He spend”
“I'm practising historical fiction and would really appreciate feedback on the atmosphere, pacing, and prose. I'm particularly interested in whether the narrator's emotions feel authentic and whether the imagery enhances the scene or becomes overwhelming. First, there were the great rumbles that stirred us all, like Satan himself pounding his fists upon God's door. Then came the hail of arrows, pouring out from the sky. The same sky we used to look up to and pray for better days.”
“I have been warned that there are a lot of book award scams out there. What are some reputable book contests I can enter my fantasy fiction novel into? submitted by /u/Boop108 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I'm writing a progression fantasy/xianxia novel and I'd appreciate brutally honest feedback on my first chapter. Specifically, I'd like to know: Did the opening hook you? Did Kaito feel like a character you wanted to follow? Was the awakening exciting or too cliché? Was the prose engaging or too purple? At what point, if any, would you stop reading? Would you continue to Chapter 2? I welcome both positive and negative criticism. My goal is to improve before publishing. C”
“I’m done with it, minus cleaning up some formatting. It’s historical fiction romance centered on male/male relationships. The emphasis is on how hyper-intelligent closeted gay men work to survive and love their partners, despite a hostile world. I wanted to write a story that shows them as strong and committed to the people they love, rather than purely as tragic figures and victims. It takes place starting in 1962 but it’s a series that extends well beyond that. Books 2 and 3 are in varied stat”
“As I mentioned in the title, from a reader's perspective, does it bother you when events ın a story unfold by coincidence? or to what extent does it bother you? What do you think the limit for coincidences should be? submitted by /u/merakli_tilki126 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I have been kind of lurking in this sub for a while. I'm 17 and started writing back in, oh, 6th grade I think. Its definitely been a journey. I attempted to write a book in 6th grade and actually fleshed out 5 (painful) chapters. I keep it for comedic relief and a reminder of my progress. Speaking of, I wanted to share a short story I wrote with you all for some feedback, if i may steal some of your time. I really love short stories. They're my bread and butter. *This is no”
“I’m looking for some advice. I’ve written 3 middle grade books. The first 2 were part of a planned trilogy. Book 3 is a stand alone one. And now I’m starting work on book 4 which will complete my trilogy. As a writer I feel that each book is better than the one that came before. Book 1 was basically me learning as I went, but very aware if book 1 is poor no one will stick around for book 2 and 3. If I was to try to find an agent, how should I approach it? Rewrite book 1 to be at a level I I’m wr”