Publishing, Blogging, and thouths about ’em…cont…

Continuing from my previous post.

After careful consideration, I have come to realize the importance of targeting a specific audience in order to gain recognition for my work. However, the question that arises is: which audience should I focus on?

In today’s highly competitive world, it often seems that those who receive attention and recognition are the ones who have well-established connections. As someone who is passionate about genres like fantasy, I face a unique challenge. My family and friends do not share the same interest, making it difficult to find a supportive network within my immediate circle.

For instance, living in the Caribbean, particularly on my island of Barbados, there is a certain bias that exists. We tend to view the rest of the world as “overseas” – people from distant lands. It’s not that we are judgmental, but this perception can sometimes hinder the exposure of niche genres. However, having had the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures, I have gained a deeper understanding and have learned to adapt to this reality.

One way I have found to express myself and connect with others is by taking our unique dialect and translating it onto paper. Through the use of pen, ink, and typing, I am able to capture the essence of our language and culture.

Initially, my target audience was primarily focused on my own country, Barbados. However, this approach did not yield the desired results. It is rare to find someone from Barbados who appreciates the combination of Eastern-western-historical-slow burn-reverse harem-mishmash-transmigration-rebirth-otherworldly-fantasy (yes, it’s all in one – it varies, but you probably understand my point).

Therefore, I made the decision to add relevant tags to my work, and that’s when I started to see a noticeable increase in views, likes, and even purchases of my Webnovel chapters. While the numbers may not be significant, the positive response is undeniably encouraging.

With growing confidence in my writing, I felt it would be beneficial to share my experiences and strategies with fellow writers in my writing groups. As we all know, the journey of a writer, especially one in the reverse harem genre, can be challenging and filled with ups and downs.

So here I am, once again, sharing a snippet of my work and extending my support to others who are on a similar path.

Let’s continue to support and uplift each other in our creative endeavors.

Publishing, blogging and thoughts about ’em

Before delving into the content, I would like to take a moment to reflect on my journey thus far.

two years ago, in March, I embarked on my writing journey without conducting any prior research or seeking assistance. As a novice writer, I was determined to write and publish my work. I chose to publish on webnovel, where I stumbled upon some exceptional Asian-style books with incredible writing styles. These books opened my eyes to a whole new way of portraying characters and describing scenes that I had never considered before. While I had previously immersed myself in extensive reading, mostly focusing on books from America, England, and Scotland, I soon realized that writing in a similar style posed a challenge for me, and I yearned to enhance my writing skills.

That’s when I discovered webnovel and was captivated by what I found. The level of detail in the stories was truly remarkable, with some books spanning over 500 to 2,000 chapters. Personally, I’m not particularly fond of such lengthy stories as they can take years to complete, but the daily updates kept readers engaged and eagerly awaiting the next installment. Comparing these Asian-style books to the Western ones I mentioned earlier, I developed a newfound appreciation for the Western style’s directness and its ability to leave readers pondering over certain aspects, such as what will happen next. On the other hand, Asian-style books, particularly those from China, the Philippines, and other East Asian countries, tend to be overly descriptive at times and may contain elements that seem childish or illogical, depending on the author. However, I must admit that some of these books feature strong female leads, which is quite refreshing and inspiring to read.

In contrast, Western books often depict women who endure hardships and eventually find their strength. However, it’s relatively rare to come across a significant percentage of strong female characters in these books, with only around 30% meeting this criterion.

The descriptions provided by the eastern/Asian genre often fall short of the eloquence I desire, which can be quite frustrating. As an author specializing in reverse harem/why choose novels, I hold my reading material to high standards. I bring a unique perspective to the world of fantasy novels and have come to expect a great deal from them. However, I also appreciate concise storytelling that avoids unnecessary details.

While eloquence is important, there are other crucial factors to consider as well. Conflicts, for instance, play a vital role in genres like romance, fantasy, fiction, and sci-fi, particularly when romance is involved. Readers have a strong appetite for well-crafted conflicts that drive the story forward, as well as well-developed side characters that add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Moving on from that, after observing these differences, I realized that there is fierce competition in this field, and I made the decision to join in as a novice writer. Surprisingly, my book garnered interest, and I even received a contract offer. At that time, I was thrilled. However, looking back now, I wish someone had pointed out the errors in my book and advised me to improve its sentence construction, punctuation, and overall writing quality.

Despite its flaws, my book is still performing well, receiving positive comments, and gaining some recognition. However, when compared to the majority of books on webnovel, it may not be considered the best.

Later on, I independently discovered other webnovel platforms such as Wattpad, Inkitt, Goodnovel, and Popink. These platforms cater to books that require daily chapter updates. To succeed on these sites, it is crucial to build an audience through various social media channels such as Instagram, WordPress, Facebook, Tumblr, TikTok, Snapchat, and others that I haven’t mentioned yet.

Networking plays a pivotal role in this industry, allowing writers to connect with readers and fellow authors, exchange ideas, and gain exposure.

Although I am still navigating through this complex landscape, I often find myself attracting an audience that lacks genuine interest. Creating a page and joining groups can be quite frustrating and time-consuming, but I remain determined to push forward.

Progress may be slow, but for the past two or three months, I have been consistently posting content at least three times a week. I am resolute in my commitment to keep honing my skills and improving as a writer. Thankfully I have seen results.

Anyway, this morning, a thought crossed my mind. Perhaps there are others out there who, like me, are scratching their heads and wondering how some pages have become so famous. While I don’t possess all the answers, I have decided to share what I have learned so far on my ongoing journey with those who are interested.

Wishing you all the best on your own endeavors.

I hope to continue improving so that I can be of assistance to anyone in need.

Pretender

My property

Smile for the camera.
Wave to the crowd.
Stand tall,
Show your adoration.
Pretend.
Pretend.
They don’t know my mind, how twisted it is on the inside.
How much I want them to see and understand that I seeing them with my imprint makes me want to sceam:
MINE!
MINE!
MINE!
It makes me become violent when a woman is to close.
My imagination becomes warped, twisting into reality.
They don’t know that since I have become their pet, I have a mind to.
I have my own thoughts.
Needs…
They just pretend that everything is normal. That my cute look is my true face.
Don’t they know..?
Don’t they?
… Know that they are my property and all mine?
That I am silently fighting with my inner self?
© Super_weirdo

Illusion of freedom

So today my cousin called me. I was like, sh*t I’m trying to post a chapter today, don’t distract me! I answered. She was like: Rihanna, is a national hero now. I was speechless. I went like… Wahhhhhh? And she repeated it. Of course, I heard her. But… I was shocked.

I have not even heard about this before, was a total bomb.

Today is the 30th of November. My island is celebrating independence day and Republic day.

My island is called Barbados. A dot on the map and part of the Caribbean chain islands. It has its perks; beautiful beaches, tasty food and you can have affordable accommodations… If you know where to look. If not, it is super pricey.

Right, back to the main topic. So there I was talking with my cousin about our new national hero. I hate new things when the old is fine but that’s my opinion, right? Then I was like well we are fully free now. My cousin gently informed me that we are not free, freedom it’s just an illusion. I had always thought that but we’ll, better to have that illusion and live in denial and safety. Than outright fear.

And that is how a conversation went on to become a quote.

Character

The image is not mine. I got it from pinintrest and tweaked it a bit. Credit goes to original owner.

This is Dron. I actually love this character.

A god who after coveting the female lead made her dark. Will not dive deeply into it, but I will say. He is like the villain in my new novel : Selene-alpha.

It is suppose to be a romance but the world building is heavy focus. Sigh, I feel so sad. I wanted it to be smuty but got loss somewhere, especially now when most books on webnovel sites are only allowing you to post only 10% smut.

Anyway… Having a good storyline with world building is good for tea-time book discussions. Haha.

MUSE

People are like inspiration; beauty to admire.
A body to dream.
Words to help you better imagine.
Yet to take one as your own would take too much effort, which would result in failed work.
{Ariion Dragoa}

Character look {rambling}

Well, I think that’s what I would call it. So on webnovel. I had been asked about characters, make a list somewhere and explain their background.

Naturally, I admit, even though I work out, run, dance and all of that. I am lazy.

I should also admit I am a person that is rather slow when it comes to the internet. Anyway. Recently to prove how much of a noob I am, I learned that books usually have an outline and when submitting your work to certain sites you need that. So there I was like a big ole noob just googling an outline. Now I knew its the skeleton structure but to ask me exactly how to do that in order….yeh I was lost.

So there I went googling on ‘lord google’. I am there just like, well shit! It’s a lot. I don’t know all of that. But then I checked my book and picked out the necessary points and wrote it as nicely as possible. Luckily it was acceptable on the second try. The first being not detailed enough. Anyway. So moving on.

After discovering outline I went all out. I did character cards, descriptions and their background. Then I browsed my Facebook and was like. Ah, right let me add to my group and try to help myself get out there. My conclusion?

For authors out there who are still pushing to get further with their books. I am proud of you. For those who are about to give up, dont. Jeep trying. We all want to see our books published and recognised. It takes a hella time. And hella effort.

Der stalker

Chapter 28

“Mr Hill about this… Can we discuss this another time?” 

My dad announced suddenly.

“Sure, sure… Haha… How about I call you later and arrange a time and place?”

At that moment, these two continued a bit more with their talks.

 my dad in a stern flat tone and Mr Hill in an extremely happy one, continued to converse about the different plants and dirt.

It was like oil and water yet they coexisted conversation nonetheless, I just tilted my head to stare above at the canopy of trees. 

Across the road was a limestone hill about twenty meters in height and above were several species of trees I had no desire to identify, but was aware they were there for decades, behind that was the plantation house and its stretch of land. 

I thought to myself if I took it easy in this life… Study, work for my dad in order to survive on my own, while distancing myself from my siblings and mother.

The results from my previous lives were simply too toxic to even attempt being a good sister and daughter this life, is thought; yo! life will be easy but things don’t seem so.

Perhaps later I can find a man to have my daughter but alas, haha. 

Alas, as a soul that has been damaged into fragments, I seem to be cursed with exes appearing like the plague. 

I should flip a table and roar like Godzilla! 

Nonsense utter nonsense!

My life was totally dedicated to him and our children, I just couldn’t again.

“Ella, in this life you will become my wife no matter what,” 

“what if I refuse?” 

I snapped in question, glaring at him. 

He simply looked at me and smiled. 

I thought I was being blinded, my core quivered and I felt myself waver.

How often had this boy smiled at me in our previous lives, how often had he said he loved me treating me like his most precious treasure.

So often that I lost count, our love had been deep back then but in this life… It is best to go our separate ways. 

‘Ella, no matter what, I will always love you. Whatever my family says it does not matter.’

Those words he had told me in our last life were still in memory.

I still remember all now.

“Refuse if you wish but it doesn’t matter,”

His words jolted me back to reality, I could not help but scoff, luckily my father spoke up.

“Alright, we will talk later Mr Hill,” 

“Good farmer, Lil girl,”

Like that, they finally left with Shen smirking as he sat in the passenger side of the vehicle.

“Dad…”

“Come,”

I followed him up the hill, it was a slow process the dogs approached but disappeared after they greeted us, the sound of the squealing pigs could be heard and I wished really wished that he would have mercy on me.

“Unlike your sisters, who had their children young. You did well by staying in school. In six months you will be nineteen, your grandmother wanted to see you but I believe you are not ready yet,”

“Dad…”

“It’s ok, I know how you feel about her, but eventually if you wish to receive your inheritance from both your grandfather and grandmother you will need to visit the main house on your twenty-first birthday. So you will have a little more than two years to think about your next move. The nursery should be better by then and your studies should be mostly over.”

Well by then I should be strong enough to defend against any traps she might later set so it didn’t matter. 

“If that boy is interested it is OK to have him stay in contact but you must be resolute in this decision.”

I nodded a bit dazed. Wasn’t father against their kind just as much as grandmother?

“I thought white peo-” 

“Times have changed, people should move on, our island is evolving, many mixed couples are showing up and their kids are quite normal. Mr Hill is an old customer and the boy knew you from primary school and has shown his interest.”

Was my father giving me away?

I wanted to wail suddenly but felt that my father might slap me and I had zero desire to be slapped so I just stood there stunned.

We stood at the entrance of the nursery, a tall dark-skinned man and a medium height brown-skinned girl.

If one had to look at us you can tell that we were truthfully related. The man was unapproachable even in his dirty loose jeans and his oversized wash out dirt-stained shirt.

Even though it was oversized his arms were still extremely large, enough that the shirt fitted snug around them.

Both of us wore matching boots, while I wore an oversized long-sleeved shirt filled with holes and stains paired with a Capri pants.

“In truth, I wanted you to be with one of our kind and so did your grandmother, she had even arranged for you to meet but after discussing… Sigh… Wu Jia my daughter, you are the only one who stayed with me. Whatever you wish I will try my best to help you achieve,”

I swallowed wondering why my dad seems to be so talkative today, this was definitely not like him.

” Alright prepare yourself, the weekend is over, finish your work and prepare for school. Next week you can move over to the other place while I fix up the nursery. Stay over that side for the next month.”

“Alright, dad,”

“Hmph,” with that I scrambled into the house and did what was asked, when I was right by the entrance I heard his voice once again. 

“Wu Jia… It will wear off soon. You need to let me know what you will do.” 

I had no idea how to reply to this, so I just continued.

Discouraged

Your head, it hurts.
Your mind, a mess.
Your head, it stutters in your chest nervously.
Your hand, they are clammy; from sweat.
Your gaze, unfocused.
Discouraged.
Unmotivated.
Unwilling.
…cause the hope is gone.
…no one is helping you.
…to step into an unsure place.
~ ~
They smile.
Laughing among each other.
Oh, great creator you silently plead, but you are unable to. Unable to be motivated.
Sah~
So unmotivated.

© Super_weirdo