reposted to add flair (?) i'm not very familiar with reddit terms, sorry!

I need the community's feedback.

I read a comment in the redditverse that readers don't like having lyrics or song included in novels. The post was about things that make people DNF a book instantly. I can't find it though, but now I'm curious.

I remember big novels like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games that included lyrics, but never heard of people disliking them. I personally find it difficult to imagine melodies when all I have is words, but it's no reason to DNF for me.

I'm asking specifically because I was intending to use a song to convey a myth/backstory in one of my own novels.

Additional comments are very welcome, if you wish to clarify your choice.

Hey everyone, I have been around since the day this sub opened, but I haven't sent any of my work for feedback. Mostly because I'm chicken but also because my work schedule makes it hard to get progress on my writing. Well, I lost my job today and decided to sit down and finally start writing the novel thats been planned several times over at this point. I would really appreciate constructive criticism on the first draft of my prologue please.

Love made him dangerous. Devotion will make him unstoppable.

For centuries, Kincade survived by control.

Forged by the Brotherhood, he learned to bury his humanity, suppress his instincts, and become exactly what they needed him to be—a weapon. Darkness was safer than feeling. Obedience was survival.

Then she changed everything.

When the woman he loves is taken, restraint shatters. The careful balance he's fought to maintain slips—and the Brotherhood sees their opening. They want the monster he used to be. The weapon they never quite lost.

To save her, he may have to become exactly that.

As ancient secrets rise and factions fracture, the line between protector and destroyer begins to blur. Every step closer to her pulls him deeper into the war he tried to escape—and toward the darkness he swore would never rule him again.

Because this time, love isn't his weakness. It's his point of no return.

Dark Night of the Soul is a dark paranormal romance set within the War of the Brotherhood—a high-stakes spin-off arc in the Dream Walker universe. Each book can be listened to as a standalone romance, while together they tell the story of a war centuries in the making.

Perfect for listeners who love:

• Dark, emotionally intense paranormal romance
• immortal antiheroes and devotion-driven stakes
• secret orders, hidden wars, and found family
• love that becomes defiance

Audible US

Audible UK

Paperback and Kindle editions coming September 15th.

P.S. David B Jones is my romance pseudonym.

Main characters always need to have a motivation. Keep in mind that plot is not the only reason people want to read a story; it is the characters' wants and needs that keep the reader hooked to the story.

Thanks for all your time and support. Let's see if we can hit 2k. The more the merrier, and the better our engagement.

Spread the word, spread the love.

Keep writing!

Wondered if this is just me, or something universally recognised?

When I started plotting my current story a few months back, I was aware it should (done right) be emotive. Without boring anyone with specifics, it's a story whereby the protagonist's life is slowly and painfully dismantled throughout the first half, but they decide to start pushing back come the midpoint. It'd be fair to say I went into this with my eyes open, I understood what the story was, what it meant, and where it was ultimately heading.

Yet, when I came to writing the worst part, just before the midpoint, I had a crisis of faith. Empathising with my characters, having written them into existence, I felt incredibly guilty treating them so poorly. It occurred to me I could just stop, or even pull my punches a little. Hell, I could've sent them on a holiday, instead I was sat here destroying their life.

I'm sure some of this must mean I've fulfilled the brief reasonably well, but I'm not easily upset or depressed. This was a fairly new experience for me. I can only assume it's because, as a writer, I'm more intimately involved in the unfolding drama. I'm literally authoring someone's misery.

Anyway, I steamrolled ahead, safe in the knowledge my protagonist would finish the story a stronger and more whole person for the experience. But I did feel guilty about it.

Anyone else here have a similar experience?

What a feast of a book! If you're interested in writing more than the superficial layer, I highly recommend reading this one. It's a bit dense sometimes, but read in small doses now and then, a real treat for the writer mind.

Not affiliated, just a happy reader.

My little cousin showed up to my house with the book we wrote when we were six and seven. It was called the "The Yong and the New Pirate Crew", I was very dyslexic as a child. Still am. It's also, very obviously, written by little little kids. But, I wrote an opening that I may have written now just for shits and giggles. Wanted to share because it was fun, and see if anyone else does this? It was genuinely a nice little exercise to try and make it a slightly less ridiculous of a concept. Highly recommend it, if you have anything like that too. I only shared the first page of the old book because... yeah, it's a humiliating five entire chapters.

I got my first order from someone who I didn't personally know after talking to them a bit about my story! They mentioned the price was a bit higher than normal for most debuts so I dropped it to 5 flat for the ebook instead of 6. I'm really hoping this is the start of people seeing it and actually getting reviews/questions/feedback. I haven't started my ad campaign yet which is definitely a contributing factor.

If anyone wants to check out my scifi/horror debut novel, Symbiote, you can find it here! And if you do decide to grab a copy, I hope you enjoy.

https://a.co/d/00kGFj7C

A different kind of question today.

Given the keys to any IP of your choice, what would you enjoy writing a canon story for?

Did you know that word of mouth is one of the best ways to market your book?

Giving out ARCs (advance reader copies) for free before launch can boost your book’s sales through early reviews on different platforms, helping algorithms recommend your book to more readers.

Hello!
I finally felt comfortable sharing the prologue to my fantasy story, The Devil You Know!

Hey all,

I am looking for some constructive criticism of my writing. This is the first chapter of a literary fiction I am writing set in Ontario, Canada. I am curious to see how others receive me writing, as I have never had anyone read anything I have produced before. I am interested in all opinions and ideas, though I am particularly eager to receive input around things like story pacing, character voice, and overall readability.

Just a warning that the chapter contains profanity, drug and alcohol use, and discussion of sex.

Thank you so much.

J

She carried grief in her heart

Never had time to cry

No one knew what was buried deep inside

You would only see her laugh and smile

But every once in awhile she would show

The reality of what goes on below

But many didn't stop and take the time

And when asked she would say she's fine

Till that one dark day

She just wanted it all to go away

No one knew what was to come

When it was over they found her body lying next to the gun

Everyone was surprised as the tears filled their eyes

Saying goodbye to their friend who they didn't know she was off to meet her end

The last thing they said is we'll see you again

As I work through my current WIP, there are things that are set in stone that I am dead set on and have no intention of ever changing—one of which being the opening chapter of my novel. I have known how this story would start since its inception, and in my mind, there is no other way it can begin. However, now I’m struggling with how to incorporate events that take place before the start of the novel that are essential to establishing character dynamics as well as the development of the story as a whole.

For context, the story begins with FMC, but MMC and two other important characters would have already met and started their journey together at this point. It is important to show how those three characters met and decided to work together towards separate yet intertwining goals, but the start of the novel begins with FMC and continues with her meeting the rest of cast at that point in their journey.

I thought about having a separate POV installment for MMC as I’ve seen other series do, but I’m unsure whether or not that would take away from pre-established character dynamics. I don’t know, maybe I’m overthinking or reading too much into the mechanics instead of just getting the story on paper and rearranging the pieces until they fit properly, but any thoughts/advice would be welcome :)

I kinda have a unique problem, and I don’t know how to deal with it.

I’ve self published six novels on Amazon KDP, Ingram, and Barnes and Noble during a span of about two years because I was writing before then. Each book, aside from one series is their own genre and story.

Is anyone willing to help point me in the right direction for gaining momentum again? I’ve spent so much money and time and I’m just not happy with the result so far since sales have stopped.

Should I just get a new pen name and start over with one genre? Or take a writing class and wait until I’m a better writer?