Writing What You Want Clashes With What Sells
18 posts across 2 communities since Jul 2026; 89% from r/writers.
“Pre-reading note: Share if you feel like it. It's fine if you don't want to. I am working on roughly 30 series/stories of my own and plan to start publishing them for some spare cash since I cannot work (thanks to being practically bedridden with migraines these last few…”
“When you are at that intermediate stag wanting to make a name for yourself in the industry, gain readers, and get your work known. You have to put in so much effort, make so many cuts, meticulously choose your words, and ensure everything is properly tailored for the masses. On…”
“Hi all, I have an idea I'd like your honest opinion on. I have nothing for sale, no product, no links and only a few knowledge on book industry. I'm just searching for honest reactions. The idea: an author hires a few small working actors, wannabe actors or stand-up comedians to…”
Several writers are seeking feedback on their work, grappling with issues like synopsis writing, character development (particularly protagonist likability), and realistic depictions of sensitive topics. There's also a discussion about replicating the success of anonymous online writers.
SOURCES (18)
“When you are at that intermediate stag wanting to make a name for yourself in the industry, gain readers, and get your work known. You have to put in so much effort, make so many cuts, meticulously choose your words, and ensure everything is properly…”
“Hi all, I have an idea I'd like your honest opinion on. I have nothing for sale, no product, no links and only a few knowledge on book industry. I'm just searching for honest reactions. The idea: an author hires a few small working actors, wannabe actors or stand-up comedians to personify their main characters. The actors reads the book, works with the author on the character, and records a short scene as the character, used in a small, disclosed ad campaign. No face on the cover, at mos”
“For about 15 years I've been trying in every way possible, but no one sees me and no one cares about what I write. I want to be famous. submitted by /u/OkNet3369 [link] [comments]”
“Genuine question. I see a lot of people talking about getting readers, followers, feedback, etc., but I'm curious how important earning money actually is to writers. If you found a platform where you could publish your stories and potentially earn without already having thousands of followers , would that make you more interested in using it? Or is monetization not really a priority for you? Curious what everyone thinks. submitted by /u/_anurag1_ [link] [comments]”
“Hey! So I’m new to this whole creating stories on the internet thing and I’ve come to realize promotion is the most important thing. Where do you promote your stories? I do some on r/Wattpad but I’m looking to branch out! And if anyone is interested in my stories I’d be happy to share! submitted by /u/ClapStudios [link] [comments]”
“Hello. Have you ever had such a thing that when you wrote a book and published it, you faced the fact that your works could not get even two likes or views? And if your works were not interesting to anyone, then how did you cope with this «crisis»? Have you lost your thirst for writing or not? I had that. I thought that someone would be interested in my works, but even my friends wouldn’t need them. And in terms of creativity, I can’t do anything else, lol. Neither to draw, nor to animate, nor t”
“And is one easier than the other? 🤔 submitted by /u/yeterneritsdurs [link] [comments]”
“The question lands when you're halfway through the book, and no one is reading or commenting. It didn't blow up the way you imagined. The feedback loop is empty. At this point, the new idea that pops out of nowhere is tempting. More exciting. More fleshed out. More innovative. Should you push through or accept that maybe the idea wasn't that good. In the past, I would have said yes—force yourself to finish. There's wisdom in that advice. Finishing builds discipline. It&#”
“Pre-reading note: Share if you feel like it. It's fine if you don't want to. I am working on roughly 30 series/stories of my own and plan to start publishing them for some spare cash since I cannot work (thanks to being practically bedridden with migraines these last few months). Anyway, I'm not the best writer and I'm obviously biased to my own ideas and works. So I was hoping for a realistic gauge on what the average income would be for an author on places like these. So, if yo”
“This might be controversial but for me they are useless because the story unfolds better as your writing it without any map it allows you participate as an audience to your story, and I've basically watch the movie inside my head before even ever writing a single word I know the beats the plot points the set ups etc I'm curious what are you're thoughts on this? submitted by /u/Effective-Thanks-731 [link] [comments]”
“I'm starting my novel and I gave two family members 3 chapters to read. My mom loved it and said I'm already an author, but my uncle told me (nicely) that my prose is a little flowery. Personally, I've been trying to get out of my head and write the story that I want to write since I've been drowning in the fear of 'If I don't write good books I'll never become an author and that's my dream and I'll never work a job I love or have money to support myself'.”
“I'm starting my novel and I gave two family members 3 chapters to read. My mom loved it and said I'm already an author, but my uncle told me (nicely) that my prose is a little flowery. Personally, I've been trying to get out of my head and write the story that I want to write since I've been drowning in the fear of 'If I don't write good books I'll never become an author and that's my dream and I'll never work a job I love or have money to support myself'.”
“So, I wanna write spoof movies. That’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was twelve but I’ve gotten some pushback from people. Now, unlike what some have said, I have been taking in criticisms and I agree with a lot of them. Yes, my script does rely too much on references to pop culture. Yes, I do need a particular outline. But a common recurring piece of pushback I’ve seen is just to not do a spoof. With people saying “Oh it’ll date your script”. Which, yeah I suppose is right, I mean my main insp”
“Now before anyone comes at me, I know it's achievable and there are writers doing quite well with their published books or internet columns. However, will printed columns sell? One written just by a single anonymous writer? Nevermind the newspapers. Part of me wants to believe that could work because many people are experiencing a lot of digital fatigue. At the same time how easy would it be to establish one's name with gossip as a genre lol. submitted by /u/Wild-Wind4670 [li”
“Ok so weird quistion. But if a character hangs them self in there bedroom where do they ateche the rope to? Becaus i looked around my room and have no idea where or what someone choud ateche the noose thay wont break or be too short. submitted by /u/NothingIndependent39 [link] [comments]”
“I’m writing a zombie story and for a long starch in the book after many losses the protagonist becomes numb to his emotions and begins to act on wants. At the current point of the story he’s essentially manipulating the rest of the group into thinking he cares about them so that the group rally behind him to kill the villain who killed his brother. Later in the story the character accidentally kills a child trying to kill their parents. At what point will the audience realistically begin to thin”