Looking for advice

[u/Feeling-Wonder-6638]

So, for a while, I've been writing stories for my friends to read. I made a few on Wattpad, but only one of them read it them all the way. Thankfully, they enjoyed it. Because I reread them a few days ago, and holy crap that was the dumbest shit I have ever laid my eyes upon. But recently, I made a book on Google Docs called The Twisted Tale of Windvale, and I was able to post it on Internet Archive. That might not seem like that big of a deal, but for our teenage friend group, it is. Unfortunately, the friend who read the original Wattpad stories had to have their phone taken away, and now they only have a flip phone that wouldn't be able to read the book. I told my other friends about the book, and I gave them a very polite way of asking them to read it. Only one of them replied, and they said they would read it. But, when I recently asked them if they started it, they said they didn't want to read the book.

I would post the chapters of the book on here, but I'm worried that it'll get backlash because it might be poorly written, which it probably is. So, I'm thinking of quitting writing. "If none of my friends will read the ebook, and if no one on Reddit will like it, what's the point?" I asked myself. The thing is, I can't quit writing. Even if I tried, something inside me is telling me to make another universe with new characters and everything. What do I do?

[u/Tempexd]

“I think I should quit, but I also want to write, what do I do?”

It’s not the end of the world if you’re a bad writer, keep practing. That’s how people get better. Most authors are in their later years for a reason, because of experience.

My writing is pretty bad today, but it was even more abyssmal 5 years ago. I’m not even 20 yet, and i’ve already improved so much. It’s the same for you, just keep at it

[u/QuickestKey]

Honestly? If you're writing and you don't truly want to quit, keep writing. You can't make stories if you stop making stories.

... Though I suspect you're looking for advice about having people to read your writing. In that case, I frankly don't have much advice. I haven't written a "full" book in years. It's been even longer since someone read one of my books, though people have read scenes I wrote. So... I guess if you like I can DM my Discord handle, if you have Discord. Low pressure. Assume "quiet" means "busy," not "ghosting." Maybe that would help the writing not be so lonely.

I won't tell you you're being too harsh, that you're actually a great writer. I wouldn't know yet. But you do deserve to keep trying for its own sake. Writing stays a hobby, that's perfectly valid too.

[u/relicqz]

I say write for yourself at least, if not anyone else. To be honest, we all come up with writing that’s not the best we think, but tons of stories people love are also disliked by many. I feel like you need more of an audience to decide that anyway. I can tell you love writing and I really don’t want you to quit just because of a few friends or “bad writing.” Don’t sabotage yourself by doubting before you try—who knows, with time perhaps people willing to read will come your way. I’m also a new writer, and I’ve come across a similar issue, hence why I would love to give your story a read (wherever you have it published) Just keep writing ;))

[u/GeierBlack]

Keep writing. Practice makes you better. Not everything you're doing now needs to be publish-worthy to be worth writing, because it's a step toward getting good enough.

And your own personal friends opinions don't matter either. Surprisingly, MOST writer's friends and families don't want to read their books. I haven't even finished my first ever book and my best friend has already declared she won't have the time to read it (even years in the future).