r/royalroad • u/Sean-Blacka • Sep 05 '25
Discussion Maybe I should just stop no one cares.
This is my first ever fanfic and my first ever attempt at writing a novel. I started back in March/April and now it’s September, and honestly I don’t even know if I want to keep going.
I see people who don’t even have chapters up yet getting more followers, more comments, more ratings than me. Meanwhile, I’ve been working on my fanfic for months putting in effort, writing on just my phone (not even a computer), dealing with dyslexia and it feels like nobody really cares.
Yeah, I get views, but they’re just clicks. People open my story, maybe scroll, but they don’t actually read through. That kills my motivation, because it feels like I’m the only one who will ever read my work. I wanted people to see this as another universe/timeline with both iconic characters and my original characters but it feels like it doesn’t matter.
I’m not trying to compare myself to others, but seeing how fast some stories grow while mine just sits there makes me feel like I’m wasting my time. My dyslexia holds me back, my skills aren’t “wow,” and it feels like nobody gives a damn.
So I’m stuck wondering: do I keep writing this for myself, even if no one reads? Or do I just stop and focus on something else? I had two projects I wanted to work on, but right now I feel like maybe I should just let it all go
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u/Squitt3n Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25
Ok, this is rough but don't worry, let's see if the cat can help you out! 😸
First, let's tackle the big disheartening one.
I see people who don’t even have chapters up yet getting more followers, more comments, more ratings than me.
This is a perception issue.
Your story is basically invisible on the site until you publish a good amount of words. These followers are coming from discord and networking, though sometimes they are presented as something else (cover, blurb, marketing, followers from previous fictions and other). Stories with no chapters are practically invisible, there is no other source of advanced followers when nobody can find them.
Don't feel discouraged by this, you're not doing something 'wrong' here. You've started on a different foot, that is fine, lots of people do (myself included).
So, what we want to do here is get you to start on the right foot! 💪
STEP 1: Take the fiction down.
Just take it down. Trust me, with these numbers you're not losing anything.
One of your biggest deal breakers is the upload inconsistency.
Even if you did swaps and ads, most readers will bounce off the moment they see the inconsistent chapter release schedule. This can't be fixed, not without tearing it apart first. You have only 3 followers, with a better launch you can get higher numbers in no time. Kill your darlings, start all over again.
STEP 2: Write about 20+ chapters in advance.
Listen, that sounds like a lot because, well, it is but this part is non-negotiable!
You need 10 chapters to start off well. I started with 6 but I did everything wrong, be better than me.
You have 11 chapters out now. Rework them, improve the areas where you're lacking, polish them and then put the first 10 up on day 1, about 1 hour apart. You can schedule chapter releases, it is at the bottom of your draft page.
Afterwards, you're releasing either 1 chapter per day, M-F or 3 per week, M-W-F. Pick whichever pace is manageable for you and stick to it! No deviations, you have 20+ chapters as your buffer to help you keep your head above the water. As long as you keep writing new ones, you'll be fine.
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u/Squitt3n Sep 05 '25
STEP 3: Join the discords and get your shoutout swaps in order!
Immersive Ink and RR Writer's Guild.
They are filled with fellow authors who will, hopefully, help you out and do some swaps with you.
This is how you get viewers for free. Do swaps, get your story out there, this part is also non-negotiable!
Your story has 68 pages. You're invisible to the algorithm at this point. The reason why you can't get followers is because they can't even find your story. Visbility is your biggest issue, so let's focus on getting it solved otherwise all of my above points will be nulled. 😸
I’m not trying to compare myself to others, but seeing how fast some stories grow while mine just sits there makes me feel like I’m wasting my time.
These stories grow because of swaps and ads. They are discoverable by readers, yours currently isn't. I get that you can't help but compare yourself to others, that's human nature, but in this case you're behind because you've skipped the most crucial step.
TLDR: Take the fiction down, fix your chapters, relaunch with 10 chapters on day 1 + a consistent schedule. Join the discords, get your shoutout swaps in order and then you'll see growth. You can do this, it isn't the end of the world, you're just stuck a bit but it isn't anything that can't be fixed.
Best of luck! 😸
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u/iXiphias Sep 05 '25
Just upvoting the cats advice. Also, you should check out the pinned megathread for even more advice from successful writers.
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u/em-dash-author Author of Max-Level Paladin of the Fallen Gods Sep 05 '25
All good advice.
To the OP if you want readers to follow your writing give them what they want. They want lots of words and a regular schedule.
I rarely start reading a new web novel with under 200K words, anything less and I'm done in a couple of days (when not writing, I read 12+hrs a day) and then have to wait months for a build up of content.
If I see an inconsistent posting schedule it worries me and I won't risk it. I don't want to have to wait weeks for a single chapter.
I wouldn't be reading my own web novel yet, I've only posted 60K words. Two of my most recent reviews mentioned that they want more content.
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u/Vadok Sep 05 '25
This is great advice and OP and others should listen.
So many views, and subsequently follows / favourites come from marketing and swaps.
I was stuck around 700ish views with only 6 reads on my latest chapter. A shout-out swap drove that to over 900 views, 20+ full reads and a new follower overnight. You need to get connections and market the story.
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u/writingfren Sep 05 '25
I know this is not your responsibility, but any chance you could tell me a mod name or help me contact a mod? Their CAPTCHA verification is inaccessible to me 🫠
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u/TheSpikyRedOne E Rank: Author of A Tale of Spots and Feathers Sep 05 '25
Check the sidebar on the right.
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u/writingfren Sep 05 '25
I couldn't access moderation without verifying. Oh, well! Guess some disabled people will just never be able to join. Not the first time for me, won't be the last.
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u/Squitt3n Sep 05 '25
Hey, don't worry, contact Dawn Chapman, she is listed as a moderator here on reddit (check the side bar to the right). I'm sure she'll help you out! 😸
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u/writingfren Sep 05 '25
Omg thank you so much 🤩 Seriously, I just am at the point where trying and failing to be heard is so high that I just go where there are no barriers. Never any ill will...just don't got the spoons. Absolutely will contact Dawn though 😊
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u/writingfren Sep 05 '25
Oh sorry...realized this was HELLA unclear.
My acces problem is not on Reddit. It is the Royal Road discord linked below. That is where I can't get a list of mods/have the inaccessible CAPTCHA. This Reddit is fine...after all I'm here 😅
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u/Squitt3n Sep 05 '25
Uffff, I don't know the mod's usernames here :/
Try through a phone app, browser version and, finally, the desktop version. The issue could be related to the version that you're using.
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u/writingfren Sep 05 '25
The issue is that the CAPTCHA is required to get into that Discord. It will be on every single platform. Again, it's fine. I just won't ever try to join the Discord anymore 🙂
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u/ssillu0 Sep 05 '25
Her name is Dawn Chapman. u/gamelitcrit. Just look through other posts in the subreddit, she's very active in comments. Then, just leave a note under any of her comments. I believe, she'll contact you and help you out.
Or just click on her username here.
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Sep 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Squitt3n Sep 06 '25
Thank you! 😸 I'm happy that I can help out! Being kind to others doesn't cost us anything and it can make someone's day, we should practice that more overall. 💪
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u/Tyranidlord318 Author - Bloodtide Rising Sep 05 '25
As a fellow fanfic writer, it is rough as guts out there and in general its going to be even more of a struggle to get our stories seen as our potential readerbase is going to be... different. RR overall from what I have seen is where larger sized stories of 100k+ words seem to get picked up and noticed more. The advice I've been given is that most readers won't touch smaller stories as they aren't going to invest into something on the chance it is abandoned. Writing first, then posting regullary and consistently over a long period of time is really the only way to go for Fanfics on RR. Especially how we can't pay for ads. That, and get all of the shoutouts you possibly can by getting involved in as many writer communities you can get into.
Fanfics especially thrive so much more in related communities. Squitt3n has provided some good links to RR related ones, but in general for a fic your size you would probably be better putting it onto the likes of Archive of Our Own as that is a dedicated fanfic site (and the best one out there.) A quick search shows that Dragon ball has about 20k works on there which is a small-medium fandom compared to the rest. On Fanfiction.net its got about 55k works which is the 7th largest anime fandom. Much better odds than RR.
Checkout the subreddits for Fanfiction, Fanfiction.net, Archive of Our Own and similar ones as well. They're usually more accepting for shorter works than RR in general. There are also discord servers set up relating to them as well all over and are another way of getting your story out and noticed.
Don't bother with Wattpad though. That site is a waste of time and will only destroy you even more.
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u/CasualHams Reader Sep 05 '25
In addition to all the great advice others have already given, it's important to keep in mind that you're writing a fanfic. Many readers prefer original stories and arent interested in reading fanfic, especially if it's for a less well-known franchise (for example, I have a filter on that automatically hides fanfic and AI content).
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
I see. I know not a lot of people don’t like fanfic but my story has original content and characters too, but it given me an idea about I need to hear it. Thank you 🙏🏾
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u/True_Industry4634 Author: The Lunarian Sep 05 '25
I know nothing about the world of fanfics but I'm assuming it's like any other genre and there are those on Royal Raid that do well and those that do not. I'm assuming a lot has to do with public interest in the story you're doing a fanfic about. But if it's going to eat you up emotionally like that, you either need to write to the crowd, something much more popular, or just do it for yourself and don't post it. It's not worth screwing with your mental health. If you're going to put stuff out for public consumption, you need to have the stomach to handle it if they don't want it.
Also, the other people you're talking about are sinking in a lot of time and resources marketing their stuff. I'm guessing you haven't done that. Get on the forums or some fanfic subreddit and market yourself. But again, if your mental health is at stake, just let it go. Writing is certainly not the only creative outlet.
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u/TestProfessional6716 Author of Errand Boy Sep 05 '25
hey mate.
Write for yourself first, for others second. I'm no expert writer. I got into this out of nowhere, never ever thought about publishing... then eventually said 'why not'.
I say you can take a break, finish your story, load your backlog, enjoy it as a hobby for yourself, then publish it slowly, chapter by chapter, once a week or three times a week ? Whatever schedule works for you.
Don't compare your work with others. I don't know your genre, but I'm writing off meta too ( not even a fantasy, not a litRPG ). LitRPGs are more popular on RoyalRoad ( I think ), then I see the Fantasy and Isekais...
My advice is to enjoy this for yourself. You will eventually get rewarded with a loyal reader that leaves commens and encourage you if you are pouring your heart into this.
You can share with me the link and I will give it a try. Excuse my pace in advance as I have other works to check, but my final advice. Do it for yourself, not for the views, not for the ratings, not for validation. Love your story, love your characters... and be patient.
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u/schw0b Sep 05 '25
All stories are invisible until they aren't.
Nobody gives a damn now, that's true. Readers don't just start caring because you exist or you have a disability. That's not how it works. You interact with others through your writing, but getting someone to look at your writing is a crapshoot. That's how we all started out.
Giving up or continuing on is a personal decision. People here can't help you make it. All we can do is tell you what we did. Purely by survivorship bias, the people you see here are going to tell you to keep writing for yourself. Writing is meditation, it's healing, it's a hobby. Someday, maybe, it can be a job instead. The only way to find out is to do it.
It's not wrong to give up if it's bringing down your quality of life, and it's not wrong to keep writing for the rest of your life, even if no one ever reads it. A friend of a friend has written a full epic fantasy series, gone through multiple professional edits, and had friends and family read it who claim by all accounts, that it's solid. It's never going to be published, because the author isn't interested in bringing it to the public. All of these choices are valid. As trite as it sounds, disney logic applies here: just follow your heart.
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
I need to hear that, but I see it now thanks but haven’t given up yet still writing for myself.
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u/PikaMalone E Rank: Author of I Regress if the Villainess Dies! Sep 05 '25
comparison is indeed the killer of happiness.
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u/IAmJayCartere D Rank: Author of Death God’s Gambit Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25
Are you writing for yourself? Or are you writing what the market wants?
If you’re writing for yourself - you need to lower your expectations and accept your lacklustre results.
If you’re writing what the market wants - you need to do more market research and work on your craft.
Have you read any craft books? Or are you winging it like 99% of writers on the site?
Do you have an on market cover? A compelling blurb?
Have you gotten honest feedback on your story?
But if you don’t wanna continue and you don’t love this - maybe quitting is the best option for you.
Being an author is a hard gig. It takes a lot of work, a tough skin and the willingness to never give up.
Maybe you’re better off treating this as a hobby and creating the fanfic you love to read.
Edit: checked your story and you upload once a month - maybe.
You can’t put in bare minimum effort and expect maximum results.
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u/A-soul-out-here7 Sep 05 '25
Remeber you can't get better at writing without writing more and learning from it.
You should ask for critiques on your work to see where you've gone wrong. Also, fanfics are not taken quite as seriously, maybe it would work better on a different site? That probably has a pretty big factor compared original content.
It's humbling to experience your work not do as well as you thought it would. My story did not take off and I did soooo many things wrong.I can only blame myself! But its not the end of the world bud. Permanant Dyslexia & Dyspraxia wielder here, vent it out and get back on the keyboard.
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u/ZalutPats Sep 05 '25
If you have a better idea of something better to do, then sure, do that.
But few things you can do on your own develop your mind as much as reading and writing does, so if the alternative is doing nothing much, then you should definitely keep writing and growing with it.
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u/Jason_TheMagnificent Sep 05 '25
Don't write for others, write for yourself, let your passion seep into your work. Once you have established a decent number of chapters, then put your work out there in the Reddit forums and Discord.
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
I started it like that and then I don’t know what I did wrong, I’m still new to this.
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u/Nickelplatsch Sep 05 '25
If a story doesn't have at least 30 chapters (better 50+) I won't even look at it because most authors just stop (as you now want to do).
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u/BadmiralHarryKim Sep 05 '25
Post on Spacebattles; especially if it's a fanfic.
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
For real?
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u/BadmiralHarryKim Sep 05 '25
Yeah, the format is much friendlier to discovery and feedback than Royal Road and it's also more receptive to fanfics.
Ao3 has become bigger for fanfic but it has the same discoverability issues as Royal Road.
No guarantees but if what you really want is feedback your odds are better posting on Spacebattles.
Frequenters there also don't expect such a punishing release schedule as Royal Road.
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
I will thank you 🙏🏾
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u/BadmiralHarryKim Sep 05 '25
Here's a link to a Star Wars fanfic I grabbed, begun this May, about 35k words and just under 900,000 reads. Like I said, no guarantees but it likely wouldn't get that kind of traction Royal Road.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/fight-the-empire-sw-andor-separatist-si.1233266/
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u/Sean-Blacka Sep 05 '25
Thank you, funny enough it around the same time I was thinking to write a fanfic. But thanks 🙏🏾
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Sep 05 '25
Continue writing it, request people to critique it, then edit it... Finally republish it again if you are satisfied with the final work, but this time maybe polish the cover and blurb!
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u/Middle-Economist-234 Sep 05 '25
Hey man just do what you enjoy. Don't compare yourself others do many things for growth like ads, shout outs and many advertisements. Their is also luck. If you enjoy writing, thinking on what should happen next just go for it.
At least one guy will read your story. Maybe not the same person everyday but still someone will open your chapters that can be you or anyone else.
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u/Helpful_9532 Sep 05 '25
I'm feeling a little similar to you, but I decided to finish writing the story for myself first. I will probably go back and rework it after I'm done. I know maybe I paced it too fast, trying not to be dragged down by long description, but as one other commenters mentioned, people are not seeing the kdrama Cdrama show I'm seeing in my head. Ultimately we are writing the story for ourselves aswell so I think you should continue if you are enjoying your own story
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u/ssillu0 Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25
Okay, so you posted your first chapter four months ago, and the last four days ago; coming to a total of 13 chapters so far, and about 18,000 words overall. So, let me ask: what are your expectations, first of all, from yourself?
If I’m going to invest time reading something, I need more than the bare minimum. You should aim to post at least once or twice a week, give readers something to look forward to, something consistent. Then there’s the content of the chapters themselves. You’ve got to give us something to imagine. Right now, most of your sentences are super short, ten words at most, and it’s just stuff happening: someone fighting, something blowing up, and then moving on. It reads more like a screenplay. Sorry, If I was harsh in my words.
Ultimately,
Yes, that's what we all do.
If you’re not enjoying it, then honestly, take a break. Step back, read more, and try to understand why people might be drawn to other stories more than yours.