Writing Discussion Thread

[SlendVeny]

I've been thinking, if we hate too powerful, seemingly omnipotent characters often, then why are such god-like characters written in stories. (examples to really visuallize my point: Tier 0s like Azathoth and the Weaver, gods from religions reinterpreted in a separate canon, etc).

And what would even be the narrative purpose of writing such a godly-powered character if people often look down on them or just, don't pay attention to them at all?

Because Azathoth isn't the MC. It isn't the one going through the journey.

 

[TartaChocholate]

I've been thinking, if we hate too powerful, seemingly omnipotent characters often, then why are such god-like characters written in stories. (examples to really visuallize my point: Tier 0s like Azathoth and the Weaver, gods from religions reinterpreted in a separate canon, etc).

And what would even be the narrative purpose of writing such a godly-powered character if people often look down on them or just, don't pay attention to them at all?

I think it's a matter on how the character is used. If said omnipotent deity is used as a background factor, explaining the setting and working as some sort of unreachable and immeasurable aspect or entity in the universe, I don't think anybody would mind. Same if it was an actual character, but its interferences were so scarce and leave such deep impact in the story that they feel incredibly meaningful.

I think what many people actually hate are characters to whom the story sucks up to them. Like the MC is this omnipotent warrior who easily beats all enemies, has everybody worship or is jealous of them and the story is all about them, highlighting how awesome and so much better and smarter they are than everyone, how quickly they learn and master everything. Or you know, the entire cosmology is absolutely fascinating and complex, just to finish by saying that the MC can casually destroy it by winking because they are that badass and special.

This can also affect low tier characters. The MC could be a simple wall level, but still be much more skilled, smarter, knowledgeable than everyone else and the story goes out of its way to rub it into the reader's face, usually by turning the supporting cast into mere sidekicks, girls into pets for a harem, villains into strawmen to be put in their place, and just make sure nobody is ever competent except the MC, or at least the MC always outshines them when push comes to shove.

Now, omnipotent or omnicompetent characters do have their fans. There's plenty of people who see them as gigachads who are prime material for escapism and whatnot, depending on what they identify with and can project into.

I personally think that a superpowerful and supercompetent character can work, but it needs some shortcoming that they cannot make up for. Like, this special agent is invincible in combat and has never even broken a sweat in a fight, but still can fail missions, or this super character is not the MC, rather a mentor or hero the actual protag alongside the audience looks up to as a goal and inspiration to achieve, and someone you feel you cannot always depend on saving you lest you want to stunt your own growth.

 

[Darkmon_cns]

I've been thinking, if we hate too powerful, seemingly omnipotent characters often, then why are such god-like characters written in stories. (examples to really visuallize my point: Tier 0s like Azathoth and the Weaver, gods from religions reinterpreted in a separate canon, etc).

And what would even be the narrative purpose of writing such a godly-powered character if people often look down on them or just, don't pay attention to them at all?

We as vs debaters dislike them because there boring for what we do. That dosen't mean they don't serve a role in world building and cosmology crafting

 

[Legion350]

Really depends on the quality of writing and execution tbh. It’s just that the more powerful a character is, the more difficult it is to write them well. I wouldn’t recommend starting with a super high tier character early in the writing career because I think you would probably need to build up your skill to pull it off well. With that being said I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with 1-A or above characters as MCs, but it would be extremely hard and easy to botch. For example I love Neil Gaiman’s vertigo stuff that happens to have high tier characters like Lucifer but because of his writing. But I don’t think most writers could pull it off especially at the amateur level. There’s a reason a lot of people find Superman boring.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

Really depends on the quality of writing and execution tbh. It’s just that the more powerful a character is, the more difficult it is to write them well. I wouldn’t recommend starting with a super high tier character early in the writing career because I think you would probably need to build up your skill to pull it off well. With that being said I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with 1-A or above characters as MCs, but it would be extremely hard and easy to botch. For example I love Neil Gaiman’s vertigo stuff that happens to have high tier characters like Lucifer but because of his writing. But I don’t think most writers could pull it off especially at the amateur level. There’s a reason a lot of people find Superman boring.

Tbh Superman isn't boring as people claim. The modern adaptation just fail to do justice for his character. As a Kid, I enjoyed watching and reading adventures of Superman. And I still do, to some extent. But modern adaptation has ruined everything that makes this overpowered character unique and special. That's just my opinion, though.

 

[SlendVeny]

Tbh Superman isn't boring as people claim. The modern adaptation just fail to do justice for his character. As a Kid, I enjoyed watching and reading adventures of Superman. And I still do, to some extent. But modern adaptation has ruined everything that makes this overpowered character unique and special. That's just my opinion, though.

I think most modern animated series have done a pretty good Superman.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

I think most modern animated series have done a pretty good Superman.

Yeah, but the live action movies have wrecked me to shreds.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

I have been getting more and more invested in ARGs and Analog horror nowadays. And I can say this confidently: I am absolutely cooked. My paranoia has grown so much that I think even my shadow is someone stalking me. I get scared even when people are right next to me. Chat, I am fully and rightfully so cooked.

 

[TartaChocholate]

Really depends on the quality of writing and execution tbh. It’s just that the more powerful a character is, the more difficult it is to write them well. I wouldn’t recommend starting with a super high tier character early in the writing career because I think you would probably need to build up your skill to pull it off well. With that being said I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with 1-A or above characters as MCs, but it would be extremely hard and easy to botch. For example I love Neil Gaiman’s vertigo stuff that happens to have high tier characters like Lucifer but because of his writing. But I don’t think most writers could pull it off especially at the amateur level. There’s a reason a lot of people find Superman boring.

Oh yeah, Sandman is a good example of an absurdly powerful character that's also quite compelling. Helps that not only the setting has other powerful entities Dream cannot simply go and subjugate (he openly admits that David Bowie Lucifer is far more powerful than himself), a lot deals with Dreams, frankly alien set of morals and ideas that guide his actions, which also have consequences for him.

I think the two biggest issues you have with such overpowered characters are the suspension of disbelief, like, how do you writting convincing conflict? How to prevent the reader from thinking "well, if this guy is omnipotent, why doesn't he travel back in time and prevents all this mess? Why doesn't he rewritte reality?" etc. Even if you do give the character strong opponents, there are many situations where you can't corner him or have to bend yourself backwards to come with a convincing justification.

The other issue is a lot of OP characters don't have "real" conflict, like the story is for them to show off, so many people have grown cynical of them.

Tbh Superman isn't boring as people claim. The modern adaptation just fail to do justice for his character. As a Kid, I enjoyed watching and reading adventures of Superman. And I still do, to some extent. But modern adaptation has ruined everything that makes this overpowered character unique and special. That's just my opinion, though.

Imho, Superman is a particular case. As he's the original Superhero, he's... well, "super", meant to be more powerful than anyone, kinder and nobler than anyone, in order to be that hero that protects the world. In itself a noble idea, because it wasn't meant to be just someone better, rather a legit attempt to show someone who would be there for you and could help and save you. But I personally think Superman also depends a lot on the writter for whether he feels like a compelling admirable character, an overpowered bore, an interesting and admirable look into values and morals and how good can persist in a cynical world, a pretentious and preachy piece of mouth, etc.

I mean, some stories give him enemies on his tier that give him a good battle, problems that legitimately escape his hands, or dilemmas regarding his own identity and power that ironically all his might and intellect cannot solve. While other stories just show him as this perfect ideal that's better, stronger and smarter than everybody and how everybody should aspire to be him and follow his ideals. There's also how he embodies a lot of american values, which may or may not resonate with the reader.

This is my personal bias, but out of the few stories I've read about him, the more personal ones are the ones I like the most. The ones where through struggle Clark's virtues prevail and show why he's Superman. I find a lot more admirable someone who overcomes adversity than someone who is unfazed by it.

 

[TartaChocholate]

I have been getting more and more invested in ARGs and Analog horror nowadays. And I can say this confidently: I am absolutely cooked. My paranoia has grown so much that I think even my shadow is someone stalking me. I get scared even when people are right next to me. Chat, I am fully and rightfully so cooked.

Oooh, those are fun. Don't read the cosmic horror ones, you'll end up scared by the stars in the night sky.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

This is my personal bias, but out of the few stories I've read about him, the more personal ones are the ones I like the most. The ones where through struggle Clark's virtues prevail and show why he's Superman. I find a lot more admirable someone who overcomes adversity than someone who is unfazed by it.

Right?

 

[Deleted member 40129]

Oooh, those are fun. Don't read the cosmic horror ones, you'll end up scared by the stars in the night sky.

So relatable

 

[TartaChocholate]

Say, guys, found this on Youtube. Advices and such for writting. The videos are quite interesting. Not universal rules or anything, but interesting stuff to consider.

• 7 signs that readers will love your magic system
• 6 Magic System Mistakes New Fantasy Writers Make
• Main Character Mistakes

 

[Rakih_Elyan]

Say, guys, found this on Youtube. Advices and such for writting. The videos are quite interesting. Not universal rules or anything, but interesting stuff to consider.

• 7 signs that readers will love your magic system
• 6 Magic System Mistakes New Fantasy Writers Make
• Main Character Mistakes

Been watching this guy since 2022, solid advices.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

Say, guys, found this on Youtube. Advices and such for writting. The videos are quite interesting. Not universal rules or anything, but interesting stuff to consider.

• 7 signs that readers will love your magic system
• 6 Magic System Mistakes New Fantasy Writers Make
• Main Character Mistakes

Gives out really helpful advice. I heard you can even participate in his videos if you present your ideas.

 

[Passersby]

any tips for descriptions?

currently trying to write a fanfic about transformers prime, and i will probably start (already did) from season 1 episode 1, tried to nail bee's speech in writing form which was a bit challenging, and now i'm writing in first person prespective since it felt more natural to me, the story will follow the same course of events with changes in character interactions and their dynamic, their reactions to certain events, some changes to the overall plot..and well...a whole lot more changes

anyhows, i'm really just asking for advice on descriptions because it seems like english leaves my body whenever i try to describe something, switching btw prepectives feels a bit off as well and making the character's emotions facial expression and overall mental state known while writing their speech feels a bit hard as well

i know this is a bit overhwelming but any form of advice is appreciated, this is my first time writing so i kinda guessed it will be a bit hard since whatever i write feels unnatural and innadequate, i managed to write something...well, decent...i think


...anyways, thanks for your time

 

[DaReaperMan]

any tips for descriptions?

currently trying to write a fanfic about transformers prime, and i will probably start (already did) from season 1 episode 1, tried to nail bee's speech in writing form which was a bit challenging, and now i'm writing in first person prespective since it felt more natural to me, the story will follow the same course of events with changes in character interactions and their dynamic, their reactions to certain events, some changes to the overall plot..and well...a whole lot more changes

anyhows, i'm really just asking for advice on descriptions because it seems like english leaves my body whenever i try to describe something, switching btw prepectives feels a bit off as well and making the character's emotions facial expression and overall mental state known while writing their speech feels a bit hard as well

i know this is a bit overhwelming but any form of advice is appreciated, this is my first time writing so i kinda guessed it will be a bit hard since whatever i write feels unnatural and innadequate, i managed to write something...well, decent...i think


...anyways, thanks for your time

Describing something can be vague, or it can be in detail. Tolkien for instance practically described the story of every leaf on every tree, but there is value to letting your reader imagine.

Depends on how you write and what you want your reader to envision.

 

[Peppersalt43]

any tips for descriptions?

Alright I'll see what I can do. I do usually write in third person omniscient so take my advice with a grain of salt heh

switching btw prepectives feels a bit off

Yeah that's correct. A sudden shift in perspective can indeed be very jarring. I assume you do the trick where perspectives only shift after every chapter and/or interlude?

Anyway in first person, it's usually best to describe what the character is capable of noticing at the moment. If it serves the plot and the character is in the state of mind to take note of it, just write it.

making the character's emotions facial expression and overall mental state known while writing their speech feels a bit hard as well

Usually I just write simple character reactions depending on what emotion I want them to feel towards what they're experiencing. Honestly I'm also trying hard to do the classic "Show, don't tell" schtick by just replacing "character feels emotion" with "character does something that indicates said emotion" like smiling, grimacing, or even just exclaiming or yelling.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

anyhows, i'm really just asking for advice on descriptions because it seems like english leaves my body whenever i try to describe something, switching btw prepectives feels a bit off as well and making the character's emotions facial expression and overall mental state known while writing their speech feels a bit hard as well

The thing about description is that it does not have to be objective. There are four ways you can narrate your stories: Omniscient third person, limited third person, second person (nobody likes this), and first person. These are all good and all but if you are a new writer, I will suggest using first person perspective.
Reasons? Well, it's easier to describe objects as you know how it feels from your perspective.
For example:

I tightly gripped the sword, holding it as if my life depended on it, and started walking towards the monolith. The pain in my left leg was unbearable, jolts of electricity pulsed through my whole body as if I had just awaken from a long slumber. Every step I took was heavy, demanding I stand down. I looked at the men who had fallen, a frown spreading across my face. I had failed as a hero. (I felt lazy)

It's easier to, not only write, but express as a whole. And while grammar can always be adjusted, I say you stick with active voice.

Writing description maybe hard, but after a few sessions of practice (just 10 minutes a day) you can arguably exceed your own expectations. The description can be about anything; even writing a description of how you just dropped your ice cream.

I am not that great of a adviser, so sorry if this doesn't help.

 

[Passersby]

Writing description maybe hard, but after a few sessions of practice (just 10 minutes a day) you can arguably exceed your own expectations

Usually I just write simple character reactions depending on what emotion I want them to feel towards what they're experiencing. Honestly I'm also trying hard to do the classic "Show, don't tell" schtick by just replacing "character feels emotion" with "character does something that indicates said emotion" like smiling, grimacing, or even just exclaiming or yelling.

Depends on how you write and what you want your reader to envision.

thanks guys

i appreciate it

also never saw peppersalt speak, so this was a first lol

 

[Deleted member 40129]

thanks guys

i appreciate it

also never saw peppersalt speak, so this was a first lol

Pepper is shy, probably.

 

[Passersby]

Pepper is shy, probably.

the 24 thousand+ posts:

 

[Deleted member 40129]

the 24 thousand+ posts:

What the hell?

 

[Passersby]

What the hell?

bro never noticed

 

[Deleted member 40129]

bro never noticed

I don't look at people's profile unless I personally know them, so makes sense.

 

[Peppersalt43]

also never saw peppersalt speak, so this was a first lol

What? I've commented a ton on this thread

I don't look at people's profile unless I personally know them, so makes sense.

Just in case, when you look at someone's comment and you see their profile pic on the left. You know what the numbers underneath the pic mean, right?

 

[Deleted member 40129]

Just in case, when you look at someone's comment and you see their profile pic on the left. You know what the numbers underneath the pic mean, right?

Yeah

 

[Passersby]

What? I've commented a ton on this thread

it's cause it's my first time here lol

 

[YungManzi]

I have a question about how I should start my first chapter, like where in the timeline I should start the story, as far as what you guys think would be more interesting.

Title: The Marvelous Zefra!
Genre: Sc-Fi, Fantasy, Supernatural, Superhero

“A girl discovers that she’s actually an alien princess who was sent to earth to escape the threat of an intergalactic war for succession. Using her advanced technology, her alien physiology; and a mysterious special power common among alien royalty known as “Omniscience”, she fights off threats to the earth both scientific and supernatural in nature! Her human Identity was Petra Harper, a 15 year old track star who’s the most popular girl in her school, but now most people call her: Princess Z’efra (The name she was born with). She’s a girl who doubles as a famous influencer and planetary protector, she wears no mask and has no secret identity. She is the superhero Marvelous Zefra!”

I’m having a problem coming up with an entry point.

Like, should I start with how she discovered her origin and training to use her powers, or just start with her already in the early part of her superhero career?

I honestly got through most of the first chapter, then had the sudden realization that having everything explained through a mini training arc would be boring for a first chapter.
So I wrote a second version of the first chapter which has more exposition, but less fluff as far as the meat and potatoes of the actual story are concerned.

TLDR; Which is more boring? Too much exposition or too much fluff and not enough plot progression?

 

[Peppersalt43]

too much fluff and not enough plot progression?

This is probably preferable. Like, you literally just started the story. Who cares about plot, just put in as much of a hook as you possibly can. It's not like it's gonna matter if the reader doesn't care about the story.

a mysterious special power common among alien royalty known as “Omniscience”

This is gonna be some higher-D shenanigans, is it?

 

[YungManzi]

This is probably preferable. Like, you literally just started the story. Who cares about plot, just put in as much of a hook as you possibly can. It's not like it's gonna matter if the reader doesn't care about the story.

The problem is i think the plot is the more interesting part lol, thanks for the input.

This is gonna be some higher-D shenanigans, is it?

Not quite, the power is just called that. It’s more like Cosmic Awareness that grants infinite knowledge on a single subject.

 

[Passersby]

Not quite, the power is just called that. It’s more like Cosmic Awareness that grants infinite knowledge on a single subject.

so uhh
multiple stuff

how would you deal with the fact that she has literally infinite knowledge?
is there duplicated knowledge or is everything different?
why isn't her head going boom?
does she understand the knowledge given?

will she struggle with anything at all cause well she has infinite knowledge

or am i just yapping and it grants infinite knowledge eventually aka it only grants some when activated but has the potential to grant infinite knowledge with time

too many questions with that kinda thing

 

[TartaChocholate]

I have a question about how I should start my first chapter, like where in the timeline I should start the story, as far as what you guys think would be more interesting.

Title: The Marvelous Zefra!
Genre: Sc-Fi, Fantasy, Supernatural, Superhero

“A girl discovers that she’s actually an alien princess who was sent to earth to escape the threat of an intergalactic war for succession. Using her advanced technology, her alien physiology; and a mysterious special power common among alien royalty known as “Omniscience”, she fights off threats to the earth both scientific and supernatural in nature! Her human Identity was Petra Harper, a 15 year old track star who’s the most popular girl in her school, but now most people call her: Princess Z’efra (The name she was born with). She’s a girl who doubles as a famous influencer and planetary protector, she wears no mask and has no secret identity. She is the superhero Marvelous Zefra!”

I’m having a problem coming up with an entry point.

Like, should I start with how she discovered her origin and training to use her powers, or just start with her already in the early part of her superhero career?

I honestly got through most of the first chapter, then had the sudden realization that having everything explained through a mini training arc would be boring for a first chapter.
So I wrote a second version of the first chapter which has more exposition, but less fluff as far as the meat and potatoes of the actual story are concerned.

TLDR; Which is more boring? Too much exposition or too much fluff and not enough plot progression?

A common introductory chapter in these sort of stories usually make a short tour on the main character's normal life and then go on the precise moment their life takes a turn as they meet the supernatural elements of the story.

Kinda reminds me of magical girl and older sentai shows: there's a brief showing of the supernatural conflict (in this case the intergalactic war) where they foreshadow the hero/heroine; we jump to the main character and their daily life, including the important people (be it family, closest friends, partner, etc), their daily activities and hobbies (in this case her school life and her work as an influencer), and so on; the hero/heroine starts to find some elements that foreshadow the existence of the supernatural elements and the boom, headfirst into it somehow (maybe she encounters people of her planet, comes across an enemy and has to fight it, or witnesses something related, depending on how the story goes); after that the hero/heroine can be introduced or be informed of the overall situation and, by extension, the audience.

It's not exactly original or anything, but kinda covers all bases rather quickly and then you can go in depth however you need.

EDIT: lol, I thought Omniscience was just a fancy name for her making cool trinkets that could make baddies go boom

 

[YungManzi]

A common introductory chapter in these sort of stories usually make a short tour on the main character's normal life and then go on the precise moment their life takes a turn as they meet the supernatural elements of the story.

Kinda reminds me of magical girl and older sentai shows: there's a brief showing of the supernatural conflict (in this case the intergalactic war) where they foreshadow the hero/heroine; we jump to the main character and their daily life, including the important people (be it family, closest friends, partner, etc), their daily activities and hobbies (in this case her school life and her work as an influencer), and so on; the hero/heroine starts to find some elements that foreshadow the existence of the supernatural elements and the boom, headfirst into it somehow (maybe she encounters people of her planet, comes across an enemy and has to fight it, or witnesses something related, depending on how the story goes); after that the hero/heroine can be introduced or be informed of the overall situation and, by extension, the audience.

It's not exactly original or anything, but kinda covers all bases rather quickly and then you can go in depth however you need.

EDIT: lol, I thought Omniscience was just a fancy name for her making cool trinkets that could make baddies go boom

This is a fantastic idea! I think I’ll go with that. And yeah, thats pretty much what Omniscience is in the story.

so uhh
multiple stuff

how would you deal with the fact that she has literally infinite knowledge?
is there duplicated knowledge or is everything different?
why isn't her head going boom?
does she understand the knowledge given?

will she struggle with anything at all cause well she has infinite knowledge

or am i just yapping and it grants infinite knowledge eventually aka it only grants some when activated but has the potential to grant infinite knowledge with time

too many questions with that kinda thing

It’s infinite knowledge on a single subject. The MC (Zefra) has Omniscience of “threads” meaning she can push the technology of threads to their physical and supernatural limit (And really beyond, overtime).
Example: It’s like, if I have the omniscience of TV remotes, I’d be able to make the most technologically advanced TV remote to possibly exist.

To answer some of the questions: There are other characters with just flat out better Omnisciences (Time, Gravity, Probability, ect.) so while her power is powerful, she’s not overpowering to her villains. She doesn’t understand the knowledge and it’s not something she can teach, she just inexplicably knows how to do things via this mysterious power.

There’s a deeper lore reason why these powers exist, but thats the gist of it.

 

[Deleted member 40129]

TLDR; Which is more boring? Too much exposition or too much fluff and not enough plot progression?

Well, the ancient writers (typically from 80-90s) used to just dump whatever they wanted. They wrote the most annoying characters, and wrote the longest, most boring descriptions about the place the characters were on. And you know what? People still love it . You cannot expect most audiences to hook up on your story from the start, really. The key to hooking a reader is a "question" that needs to be "answered," no matter how unsatisfying it may be in the end.

For example, this:

After sending me to a mental hospital, they regretted it – Star Writing Club

authors.romancereads.site

Half of the stuff doesn't even make sense, but people still read it through. Do you know why? Cuz it's bullshit. And people looooove asspulls, believe it or not. They love tragedies and questions that leaves them on edge.

A author must know how to manipulate these facts to their advantage.

That's it, not that deep. A powerful opening chapter maybe important, but it's not an ultimate rule . People will continue reading your book if you give them something to be curious about—it's like giving monkeys a new toy; they will curiously look around it, trying to figure it out. We humans are like that, too.

Just do what you like, sprinkle some "toys" and you are done~ You can improve your writing as the plot progresses like this.

Hope this helps.

—sincerely,
Asspull master Success0906~
()

 

[TartaChocholate]

Maybe these can help:

Well, the ancient writers (typically from 80-90s) used to just dump whatever they wanted. They wrote the most annoying characters, and wrote the longest, most boring descriptions about the place the characters were on. And you know what? People still love it . You cannot expect most audiences to hook up on your story from the start, really. The key to hooking a reader is a "question" that needs to be "answered," no matter how unsatisfying it may be in the end.

For example, this:

After sending me to a mental hospital, they regretted it – Star Writing Club

authors.romancereads.site

Half of the stuff doesn't even make sense, but people still read it through. Do you know why? Cuz it's bullshit. And people looooove asspulls, believe it or not. They love tragedies and questions that leaves them on edge.

A author must know how to manipulate these facts to their advantage.

That's it, not that deep. A powerful opening chapter maybe important, but it's not an ultimate rule . People will continue reading your book if you give them something to be curious about—it's like giving monkeys a new toy; they will curiously look around it, trying to figure it out. We humans are like that, too.

Just do what you like, sprinkle some "toys" and you are done~ You can improve your writing as the plot progresses like this.

Hope this helps.

—sincerely,
Asspull master Success0906~
()

Are you sure here, dude? Have you tried it and all? I'm not challenging you or anything, but if it's a tried and tested method, then I can't argue with results. I mean, nowadays with the sheer amount of stuff available online you really need a good hook for readers to pick your story, and more importantly stick with it over the other many around or just go play a mobile game. Personally I don't think questions alone are enough, all stories have one in the end. Though I do agree that cheap melodrama and corny romance have a large audience in the fan writting community, just have to see how well those stories do in general.

And putting too many questions just for the sake of creating intrigue can be easily seen through and if you can't live up to that it will backfire on you, audiences won't be so forgiving over feeling their time was wasted. I mean, look at the X-Files or Lost for an extreme example, or the common 180° that many manga are getting over their endings being considered underwhelming.

 

[Lukewoesal007]

Bump?

Well, the ancient writers (typically from 80-90s) used to just dump whatever they wanted. They wrote the most annoying characters, and wrote the longest, most boring descriptions about the place the characters were on. And you know what? People still love it . You cannot expect most audiences to hook up on your story from the start, really. The key to hooking a reader is a "question" that needs to be "answered," no matter how unsatisfying it may be in the end.

For example, this:

After sending me to a mental hospital, they regretted it – Star Writing Club

authors.romancereads.site

Half of the stuff doesn't even make sense, but people still read it through. Do you know why? Cuz it's bullshit. And people looooove asspulls, believe it or not. They love tragedies and questions that leaves them on edge.

A author must know how to manipulate these facts to their advantage.

That's it, not that deep. A powerful opening chapter maybe important, but it's not an ultimate rule . People will continue reading your book if you give them something to be curious about—it's like giving monkeys a new toy; they will curiously look around it, trying to figure it out. We humans are like that, too.

Just do what you like, sprinkle some "toys" and you are done~ You can improve your writing as the plot progresses like this.

Hope this helps.

—sincerely,
Asspull master Success0906~
()

Respectfully, I think this is an unnecessarily cynical way of viewing writing and is incredibly disrespectful to your potential audience. To a certain extent, you do want to give readers a point of intrigue in your story that will motivate them enough to not only continue reading but also intellectually and emotionally engage with the narrative, but feeding your readers these "cheap thrills" like they're animals is not only unsustainable in the long term but will also cultivate an audience who only cares about your work with respects to these contrived, ultimately-superfluous scenarios. What will garner an audience who will actually take interest in you as an author and be the most inclined to support your works is being sincerity—a willingness to be vulnerable with your ideas and convey them in ways which may or may not be effective in capturing attention—instead of jingling keys in front of your audience with gimmicks. This is literally the reason why the superhero movie genre and Hollywood remakes/sequels have become so scorned.

This is by no means a hard or fast rule, but I think what tends to attract audiences (MEANINGFULLY) in modern day are stories with novel concepts which actually leverage those ideas in order to explore its themes, messages, philosophy, etc. Invincible is a fantastic example of this; there's the initial hook of a superhero story which subverts many of the tropes common in the genre by depicting its "Superman-adjacent" character as a villain unparalleled in strength, but the scenario itself—the context within the narrative which expresses the trope—is then used to deconstruct the superhero genre as a whole. The Matrix has an immediately striking scenario of all of reality being a computer simulation, but the concept itself is only really a means to an end for the movie to serve as an allegory for the transgender experience (among many other interpretations, such as through the lens of critical theory). Just remember that novelty is a tool—not a complete element of a story itself.

 

[Greatsage13th]

hmm

 

[Legion350]

What are you guys working on nowadays?

 

[Lukewoesal007]

What are you guys working on nowadays?

I'm writing two TTRPG campaigns to be played later this year, as well as a critical analysis of Persona 3's narrative and themes which may or may not become a video. I could go into more detail if requested.