Ever since I graduated from college in 2015 (you know, way back when), it seems that time has accelerated. Months fly by. I’m pretty sure it’s still February.
But it’s not, so let’s take a look at some highlights and decisions from the past thirty days.
Wattpad beginnings
My foray into Wattpad territory was probably May’s most significant turn of events. On the 11th, I launched the first chapters of a new fantasy novel, The Broken City of Crows. I didn’t have many high expectations. I just wanted to post for fun and see what happened.
Two and a half weeks later, I’m loving the experience. tBCoC is getting close to 800 reads and has climbed as high as #444 in the fantasy genre. Not bad for a two-week-old novel, eh?
My favorite aspect about Wattpad so far, besides the interaction with readers, is the tangible lack of pressure to make sales or pull off marketing stunts.
Monthly reading
I don’t devote as much time to reading as I should. I am ashamed. I have, however, made progress on some books.
In progress: The Beast of Talesend (Shultz) and Aftermath: Life Debt (Wendig)
Finished: Kanan: The Last Padawan and Kanan: First Blood (Marvel Comics)
A sequel dilemma
I honestly don’t know what to do about Where the Woods Grow in Flames, my NaNoWriMo 2016 project and the sequel to Where the Woods Grow Wild. The first draft is about 70% complete, but I don’t know if it’s worth finishing.
There are people who I know would want to read it, but not that many. Is it worth spending an entire summer finishing a book that even fewer people will read than the original? I don’t know, especially since I’ve got a lot of other activities on my plate.
I’m considering different options: finish and self-publish, turn it into another Wattpad project, or leave it for the time being. Feel free to offer any advice or suggestions!
What sort of adventures did you have this month? What are you planning for June? Let me know! In the meantime, have a great day.
You Write Fiction 
I graduated before you, so you make me feel old lol. As for adventures, I don’t really know. This month I want to focus on switching my career and polishing my work for submission.
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OH NO YOU DON’T. *virtually smacks you upside the head for your own good* Finish Flames and publish it!!! No way are you giving up on it. And don’t release it for free, either. It’s worth a lot more than that.
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I have to agree with Kyle. There is a lot going on in Woods book 1 – quality world-building, a bunch of effort put into developing the character relationships, and there’s a ton of hinting at interesting background stuff, as well as things to come. And I believe you have more people clamoring for the sequel than you think. The feedback I’ve been seeing is very positive.
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Please, please, PLEASE finish Where the Woods Grow in Flames! WTWGW is an awesome book, and my brother said it was the best one he’d read in quite a while (and he didn’t even want to read it at first because I told him he’d love it and he didn’t want to admit to me being right!). My brother and I both are eagerly awaiting the sequel…Please don’t stop writing it!
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As mush as I agree with everyone that we really want to read the sequel, if YOU aren’t feeling it, don’t push it. I’m probably not one to talk because I don’t push myself enough, but I know that if you push yourself through something you’re not feeling, it will not turn out the way you want it to and you won’t be happy with it. First and foremost, you have to be happy with it, since we rarely, if ever, create the perfect book. If it takes a few years and a few rewrites, or if it never happens at all, that’s okay. We still have the first book to pour over and enjoy. AND we have tBCoC! It’s not like this is the only series you’re putting out there. Put your energy where you have the most motivation and inspiration, and we’ll still enjoy the product when you’re happy and ready to share it!
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Good points, but I’m just going to say one thing–when I published my book, I absolutely hated it. I wasn’t feeling it at all, and I thought no one would like it. I was wrong. If I had put it aside because I wasn’t enthusiastic about it, I would have made a huge mistake.
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:O WHAAAT??? Beast of Talesend IS AMAZING WHAT EVEN ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? Ahem. *cough*
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XD LOL! True story. I loathed it. I only published it out of sheer desperation, thinking it was either that or give up on writing completely. Since then, it has grown on me. 😀
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Congrats on your Wattpad successes! 🙂 (And time definitely has something going on with it… I’m pretty sure it’s still February too. >.>)
While I haven’t yet read WtWGW (next on my list!) I will say that I hope you will get re-energized about the sequel! One neat thing about series is that even if not quite as many people read the second one, it’s still easy marketing because you only have to market the first book, and it will market the sequel(s) on its own ground. 😀 I do understand if you’re “not feeling it” in which case it might be good to take a break and work on something else, but if you do have loyal fans who are waiting for it, it would be nice if you get it out there eventually — though you should definitely take into account what you WANT to do as well. But loyal fans aren’t nothin’, so! 🙂 My two cents. I’m sure I’ll be back here clamoring for a sequel as soon as I finish WtWGW sooo I’m posting this now as a less-biased member of society; enjoy it while it lasts. XD
Either way, best wishes on your writing projects, whatever they may be! It’s okay to take a break and work on something you ARE feeling, as long as you don’t totally write off this sequel you’ve already worked so hard on and which has an active audience awaiting it. 😉
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I join the line to slap you. (jk, I’ll be nice). You definitely should finish it. I think you will be happy that you did. But maybe you do need a little more time with it. You could set it aside if you want to for a bit, but I encourage you to come back to it. But maybe you just need a second pair of eyes on it? Do you have a CP who could give you input/fresh perspective?
I’m glad you’re having so much fun with the Broken City of Crows. I still need to check it out 😉
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REPLYING TO ALL since you all make similar points
First, thanks 🙂 You guys are the best. I definitely still love the story I had going in Flames, and I’m not going to ditch it completely. I’ll have plenty of time this summer to work on multiple projects simultaneously. But self-publishing a novel (as opposed to just sharing it freely) adds a whole other level of pressure (at least for me).
I’m also definitely not trying to throw a pity party. I value you guys as readers and e-friends. Having read your thoughts and suggestions, I think the wisest thing for me to do right now is wait until my schedule frees up during the summer, focusing on tCoBC in the meantime. Then, when I have some breathing room, I’ll start afresh and decide between Amazon or Wattpad (or an alternative).
Thanks a million!
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🙂
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That makes sense. My vehement exhortations come from the fact that I was once in a similar place and nearly made bad decisions as a result. However, I completely understand needing some breathing space. Relax for a while and take the pressure off. Wattpad is definitely a great place to do that. Just so long as you don’t let Flames go forever; because you have passionate fans eager to read the next “Woods” installment. Never forget that. 😀
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I’m trying to get my reluctant reader of a sister to read Where the Woods Grow wild because I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I would definitely read Where the Woods Grow in Flames. But, if I have to wait a couple months or years for the sequel, I can. In the meantime, I’ll be sure to check out your other works!
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If the novel isn’t working I would say walk away. Come back to it in the future with fresher eyes. I started one and got eight pages in and just realized it was too much for me right now. I do plan to visit it again when I feel like I’m ready for it. I might have to give WattPad another try. You got me intrigued.
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Sequels are so hard! Don’t give up on it, though–just give yourself time to work on other projects and come back to it once you’re ready. I’ve been working on the third book in a series, and it’s just about killed me. It’s taken me longer to get it together than I had hoped, but it’s been worth it to (A) keep my sanity and (B) polish it into something I can be proud of. Keep up the good writing! I’m about halfway through your first book and excited to finish it!
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