Advice for Writers from a Writer(?)

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SlingBlade87's avatar
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Alright since this seems to be a recurring question (because apparently I'm an authority?) I guess I'd better answer it here and avoid all the individual notes (don't let that stop you).

Anyways, first and foremost I might as well get this out in the open: DA sucks as a forum for writing.

Most of the people on here aren't here for writing, and since most of us don't have fancy covers for our stuff all people will see is a wall of text and that turns them off from going further.

I'd recommend either using WordPress which can be handily turned into an ongoing chapter-by-chapter project or one of the following sites: fanfiction.net fictionpress.com or archiveofourown.org.

If you know of any others by all means share but at the end of the day DA really isn't the best place for writers.

That being said, if you're like me and have a community here and don't really feel inclined to make the changeover then there are some simple things that you can do to encourage readers.

First and foremost, spread your stuff around. Put it in as many groups as you can think of for all manner of subjects. There are dozens of groups on DA which encourage submissions of all art forms including writing as well as several that are specifically geared towards writing.

Use these groups to your advantage and spread your work around, sooner or later people will read it.

Second, and I am terrible at this I admit, as much as you are able write a lot and consistently. People will come back to read your work but only if you have work to share with them. If you stop writing then they're going to stop reading. It's that simple.

Thirdly, and once again I am terrible at this (though getting better), talk up your stuff. No matter how crappy you might think it or how shy you may be about sharing it, share it with people and convince them that it's awesome. Even if they disagree and tell you it sucks, doesn't matter, what matters is that you get your foot in the door and that they read it. You'll never know if they like it or not if they don't read it.

Finally, don't let one review sink your battleship. People have their opinions and not all of them are going to sing your praises. Take it all with a grain of salt and look at it as positive criticism no matter how negative it may be. Take both your praises and your detractions and examine them for the truth of their words and see what you can craft to fix what needs to be fixed but ultimately remember that the opinion that matters most is yours.

You decide whether your projects live or die, not your readers.

And that about sums it up, at least as far as I'm concerned, if you have a question on something that I didn't mention here feel free to ask and I will provide whatever I can in response.

Now for the next act.

A friend of mine is on here and would like me to give a shout out so without further ado I give you Akashi-Len and his writing.

He's got a good style which he is still developing and some interesting original and fan fiction so if you're looking for a new read go take a look and see if he is to your liking.

In addition, he's also looking for anyone who is interested in letting him use their Code Geass OCs in much the same manner that I have made use of many of your Star Wars OCs. If you're interested in such, please message him to see if what he has in mind is to your liking.
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NakamuraXAkira's avatar
Mmm very wondrous and insightful.