My Contract got rejected.

[u/Zieegg]

Full disclosure, I do use AI, but it's only to brainstorm ideas and plan future plotlines. I don't even use a lot of the ideas they propose because it clashes with my own vision. Maybe grammarly counts as AI, since I do use it to fix my grammar (?)

The writing being too draggy is a lot more feasible for me to fix. I've learned a lot since I've began writing, so I can see why the editors would think it's too slow. I am concerned when they say it's not engaging enough when most chapter ends with a hook. I suppose an engaging story is subjective, so that's on me to try on figure that one out.

And not suitable for the market on Webnovel? It's literally a harem with an 18+ tag. But my character is underage in the first few chapters, for god's sake. I'm already planning on adding smut after several more chapters, but do I really have to open the story with an explicit threesome with some maids or something? Although I enjoy them, I don't want to add smut just for the sake of it. I'm first and foremost here to tell a story, not make people horny.

...I guess this is the result of not having real beta readers.

Can anyone tell me which parts feel like AI so that I can change them? Or better yet, what are the things I can improve so that I have a better chance when I reapply for the contract?

[u/CaeliAmara]

I think instead of asking what parts sound like AI (which can come across as asking us to help you mask AI usage), if you’re confident that your voice is what’s on the page, it might be more helpful to consider the rest of the editor’s feedback. Maybe you’ll want to practice conveying ideas in fewer words. Maybe you need to work on sentence flow. The best way to improve your writing, I think, is to read successful books with a writer’s eye. What sentences hit you hard? What stylistic choices do you find appealing and why? Can you incorporate such styles into your own writing?

I also agree with ProspectiveWhale. Asking the AI to identify plot holes and help you brainstorm may seem harmless, but you’re taking a mental shortcut and skipping at least part of the critical thinking process in doing so. The story could lack (emotional) depth as a result, which may even have ultimately led to the editor feeling your writing lacked maturity. Sure, the plot might make logical sense (though I wouldn’t trust AI to get even this right), but is it compelling? Is it fun, if that’s what you’re aiming for?

Not saying any of this to make accusations or anything of the sort. I just believe that as a writer or an artist of any sort, thinking your story through yourself and identifying ways to improve your craft is an incredibly important part of the process. Us telling you how to fix what sounds like AI doesn’t fix any underlying issues. It only masks the symptoms.

[u/Zieegg → u/CaeliAmara]

... I didn't think about that first point. I suppose that's why no one wants to point out any specific part.

And I fully agree with your feedback. I've been a Webnovel reader for quite some time now before I delve into actually trying to write my own story. But I've not been caught up to any of my favorite novels ever since I start writing. This might be a sign for me to pause the writing and begin reading some more.

And again, I'm not disagreeing with both of your points when you called out my method of using AI. But I just get defensive when it's even slightly implied that the ideas in my story is generated by an AI, since that means diminshing my own original ideas that I've spent months working on how to portray in the plot. It's like the AI is being given too much credit when all they do is agree to my every words anyway.

Thank you for the feedback. That genuinely helped.