Share experiences about novels or comics

[blogtahiti987]

Hii guys
Can we talk about your first time you decided to publish your novels ?
First views ? comments or like ?

For me, I weren't sure to do it but what it was certain is that I loved my novel so much
I didn't know if it will be a good idea but with time, I just assume that what's important for us who write novels is that we enjoy our stories
Today, I'm so excited when I write and publish my novel even if I don't have any results

What about u ?

[rajillustration]

As far as publishing my novel goes, I did it during the deep swing of quarantine, so it was a nice place for me to just be creative without it being like my art outlets. A low stress environment where I can write whatever. Not really the story for most people, but something I'm really glad I did, because I think it helped boost my confidence in my writing, although I knew that it wouldn't pick up too, too much traction, since I usually only post comics and art.

That and the novel community here is really nice, and I think I got to meet some cool people.

[N1ghtm4r3]

simply i wanted to get my story out there and just had to dive in, though at times it feels like im swimming up stream to get noticed, the first views made me smile and do make me want to keep going, it is an adventure making a graphic novel some highs and lows but it does feel worth it

[Moctemma]

My first novel was such an experience. I knew I wanted to make something different from all the same novels out there. I took the same concepts and went a different path, the most logical and human one. It was a success. I had over two hundred followers and comments in every chapter. I even made it to the trending on ScribbleHub and had first place.

But life had other plans for me. I dropped it and quit the platform after taking perversion out of my life. Then I started my current story and gave it everything, reaching chapter 60 to have the story so advanced I could reach the 500 chapters and continue other stories. All while I updated weekly and was on chapter 14. It was then that I received a review on Royal Road that made me think about my story from the beginning. With no option left, I had to overcome my frustration and start all over again. Six months of work vanished.

As you can imagine, I went from having the best start to nothing. I had to continue believing in my story with no feedback, no likes, no comments, less than 15 followers. The frustration was present, and things on Royal Road weren't good, with my novel having a 0.5/5 rating, a few 3/5, and a 1/5. After months of work, the first likes and positive reviews came. I'm really grateful for all the comments, likes, reviews, Patreons, etc. Although I'm still far from the numbers I had on Scribble Hub, I know I have a good story that's worth sharing with others.

[domisotto]

I always fall in love with my characters and their worlds. It is amazing when people notice it and like or comment on my stories. I also recharge when I read stories by my writing friends and even not so great stories via book clubs. The more I write, the more I dream of writing more, stronger and more significant.

I was going to share this quote from Anne Perry tomorrow, but I will put it here today:

"Sometimes I am asked, "Is it true you should write what you know about?" I say, "No, write what you care about. If you don't know, you'll find about. But if you don't care, why should anyone else?"

That's how I feel right now, after 4 years of non-stop writing, 10 full-length novels, and a Watty award.

Write more of things you care; and care about more things. Then all will be well.

I am editing my werewolf novel atm. Yes, werewolf. But it was brought about by my caring about the country I have left behind, and caring that the LGBTQ community continues to endure the unfair laws there. I had left. I have no say in politics or the convoluted ideology of my native country. But I write because I care. Because I care, I hope people would get what I am saying from a werewolf novel.

[blogtahiti987]

Oh yeah I understand what you mean by that. I'm reaaly agree with you because it's the same for me. Honestly I'm writting because I want to release some emotions or feelings I kept for myself. And I also wanted to write something I will treasure so far. Maybe it's ridiculous, but it doesn't matter for me if there isn't much views or like because, now I just want to share and I'm so proud of me
I also think that the community here is really cool ! I usually don't like sharing my thoughts or whatever but here it's another think i guess ! Thank u for this

[blogtahiti987]

Oh yeah I understand ! I mean the first view is just a " WOAAAH I did it" or a "I'm so proud of me and my efforts"
Keep going (y)

[blogtahiti987]

Oh my, what you were writting is just so beautifull and I just don't know how to reply !
But it's true that when I write I have butterflies in my stomach because I'm so invested in my story ! My novel talks about a toxic relationship between two guys ! I love BL and the relationship is just based on my story with my ex boyfriend ! So for me, it's just as I were writting my story. And whan I'm writing I said "IT'S THE TRUE "ME" "
Wht a great feeling
Also thank you for your sharing

[blogtahiti987]

Oh yeah ! Keep going and always believe in you and your story !
I'm not in this mood but I also understand what you were feeling ! For me, I think I was just ashame that there were no views but Im a positive person and I always say " We begin from nothing" and I think it's true !
Thank you for your sharing

[MeltingCORE]

I agree that enjoying your work is one of the most important parts! When I started my "Red Shift" series, I honestly never even expected one reader. But the amount of support I've gotten here on Tapas for the book is insane and heartwarming. I don't think I would have gotten that kind of support on any other writing site. I enjoy being here because we're a bunch of creators... creating together. The way an art community should be. And I'm grateful that we're able to give each other criticism and talk about serious, sometimes unfun topics like adults. So, I would say my experience as a Tapas novelist has been really good!

[yumeryuu]

I've self published two novels waaaaay before I came to TAPAS. I wrote my first book between 2007 and 2009. I searched and search for a publisher, only to come up cold.

I was suggested to start my self publishing journey and I started my own work on editing, and designing the manuscript layout. I did the cover work myself and published on Amazon Kindle. I did the same with my second.

Honestly, TAPAS is a breather to start releasing on here. I'm enjoying so much serializing my chapters and releasing them that way.

[Oto_Kouda]

I used to write a lot for short story contests back in middle school and high school. They were usually either about love, or thrillers about how people think. I would submit my writing for these contests not because I wanted to win, but because I wanted to get feedback on what I could do better at every chance.

Nowadays, I write because I like it and because I want to practice the discipline of keeping up a schedule. I haven't been an adult for long, but it's never too early to work on time management skills!

[azzy-m]

For me, it was a couple of years since I kinda stopped doing novels/fanfictions completely and the idea of making a webcomic kinda floated around my head since I started really getting into webtoons in 2017. Never did anything with it, until Webtoon announced a Webtoon Contest in 2018 and I was like, "eh I've got a few ocs lying around, I think I can make something of it"

That comic's gone now, and the reboot of that comic is cancelled now. Last year I joined Webtoon's Short Story Contest and after I took a year off to work on my new comic, CELESTIALS, here we are lol.

[blogtahiti987]

oh yeah right now, I'm in this kind of mood ! I just want to write my storuy or to pull out all my feelings so I think that right now, I just want to write even though I don't have a real "community of readers" behind me ! The more important thing is to write or share what we have in our minds, hearts, souls !

[blogtahiti987]

Owww whoaaaw I wish you success in your art work or webtoon.
I also think of making a webtoon but I don"t know how to write but I think it's amazing to never give up and to try just for once

[azzy-m]

Thank you!! And I hope that you gain success (or at least some learning experience) if you ever decide to pick up making a webcomic! It's always better to just start it, haha

[blogtahiti987]

Ow I wish to gain experiences and to make a webtoon ! Thank you

[BOMB]

I was legitimately afraid to publish my first story ( Pitch The Adventures of Danger Rabbit). I was confident in my writing abilities, but I wasn't sure about my content. I told a story about a young bisexual boy and I hadn't even come out to my family yet. It was difficult to write something so honest while I myself was still being dishonest with people who were close to me. But I had to put it out into the world. It wasn't even a "gay story" the main character just happened to swing both ways. It's more of a coming of age slice of life adventure story. But I was afraid to release it because of that one detail. I'm glad I eventually had it in me to put it out, and now I write plenty of "gay stories".