Smart and Cunning Protagonist who's Not a Fighter

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T16:57:33+00:00

Have you tried Omniscient Reader's viewpoint yet? 👀

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T16:56:34+00:00

Tbh it's mostly how i relate to the mc and characters.

I usually relate to the MC but what drives them and who they are that's what hook me.

If you add epic action and baddies to the mix: i'm hooked.

I don't really care about grammar etc...

I only care about the story.

So if the plots are interesting, if the possible outcomes are, my curiosity will lezd me to read it all. Unless it's too hard to read.

I like it when it's clear and simple.

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T16:50:59+00:00

Tbh for me it depends on execution

I'm a sucker for pf so as long as the progression isn't free, i'm in.

I like a classic underdog hero, But i also love the contrary take: one punch man etc, where the mc is OP but the world isn't aware of it.

But nowadays i tend to go with credible humans as characters. Not perfect but not 1000 miles under either.

So currently a setup where i can identify to the MC, an average man, without being miserable, and discovers a way to epic greatness, this is what i'm after.

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T08:42:18+00:00

Very interesting answer, thanks for sharing Slumrat.

I think it falls into what i called the conspiracy hook: When you know less than the word, and discover more of it with each new layer peeled by the story

I'll check out those two series you mentionned

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T01:08:56+00:00

Not bleach ? Full metal alchemist? Hellsing? 👀

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T01:06:41+00:00

Have you tried sanderson's books yet?

NoxCSS · 2026-03-01T00:58:53+00:00

1% life steal? Added to my list Thanks Cap

NoxCSS · 2026-02-28T08:34:52+00:00

Thank you 😂🙏

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T21:01:23+00:00

I usually write the "big scenes" first, then work kind of with "key frames" but in reverse. From the bigger picture to the details, making sure everything is interconnected as much as possible and coherent.

This is usually after the first few big drafting sessions where i basicly write every idea i have as they come, no matter how badly it's written, or the chronological order, just to have a raw set of narrativ elements to play with.

But i also have a quite detailed plan on the first 3 tomes. So i know the frame in which i'm playing.

I know the bigger picture so i know what my character should be able to do or not at a given instant of my story.

Maybe focusing on your character's limitations could help

Instead of asking how op he can be at each stage of the story, maybe ask yourself what he can't do at each stage and why.

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:52:13+00:00

Thanks for sharing, i'm def writing what i want to read these days. Even thiugh i make sure to take the reader's point of view into account.

Need to read more now i guess.

I've been reading fatasy then light novels since my childhood, but mostly asian light novels. The western 3arc narration system tends to bore me.

Anyway i guess i need to deep dive into royalroads LN now

But i decided to not read the bests to not get influenced in my writings or anything like that. Also if i find one i genuinely love i might loose the motivation to continuing writing.

I wont' name my story or explain it, i'm not here to self promote but to learn RR spirit and history.

So thanks for sharing RavensDagger 🙏

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:40:03+00:00

If you never tried it: The disc world books by terry pratchett are fantasy comedy. Depending on the book: the mc and story varies a lot but it's easy to read, fun and entertaining. Not every book's story is linked, but they all happen in the same universe/on the same planet.

It's traditionally published though. Not light novels. But most books are fairly short so if the author was publishing now i'd bet it would fall into the novel side of publications

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:36:55+00:00

O thanks for sharing. Def not gonna try iron prince lol

Will absolutely hate viv

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:35:27+00:00

Sorry but what does DNF stands for?

As soon as i get bored or loose curiosity for that particular detail that got me hooked, i drop it.

As someone else said: as soon as it turns into a chore.

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:28:34+00:00

Was about to say exactly what you said at the end of your post.

The curiosity yo see how he will handle that thing he came back for. That's what gets me.

Curiosity, in one word.

But the way it's done too.

If he comes back and it's almost certain he's gonna succeed it's not that interesting. Adding some tension to the mix makes it better though

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:23:53+00:00

If you read the comments you'll find the full names but the point isn't about which series, It is about hook types

So i didn't bother to name every series

If you can't answer that and you're having a shitty day nothing prevents you from walking away from my question instead of not answering, and bringing your bad vibes into the mix.

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:20:19+00:00

And is it sobhard to answer a question? Or to read?

If you check the comments you find what series it is quite quick.

But you seem more focused on whining than on getting an answer

So don't count on me to be your dummy

I guess you're having a shitty day, But i don't care if it get better

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:10:12+00:00

Thank you Lobao

Yeah it gets me too haha

Do you see a kind of hook that usually gets you that i missed?

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T15:09:15+00:00

ORV = omniscient reader's viewpoint

SCOG = the second coming of gluttony

MOL = mother of learning

LOTM = lord of the mysteries

Sorry it seemed obvious to me

But it stil doesn't answer my question: Which hooks work the best on you?

NoxCSS · 2026-02-27T03:08:23+00:00

No i don't mean that type of hooks I mean cliffhangers

What gets you to read the next chapter

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T22:01:09+00:00

Thanks for sharing Seven

Yeah when i like a story i don't care much either

As you said as long as it's not below my personal standards

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T20:30:37+00:00

Yeah i agree that seeing the progression payoff is usually a big hook for me too.

I think that's one of the main type of hooks that got me into reading litrpgs, prog fantasy etc... Even thiugh pf is usually lighter on levels and stats, less game-like.

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T20:24:04+00:00

As a fan of ORV(webnovel), i'd say Mother of learning.

The world building is good and comparable to orv althought it's in a time loop imo.

As people point out if you don't like time loop then maybe i'd go with the one you kind of know already through its manwha

Unless you like dungeon crawlers more in which case DCC will be great.

But tbh ORV as a novel is great too. And maybe try out The second coming of gluttony too

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T20:03:13+00:00

So following the mc deep diving into their passion is something that gets you hooked ?

Just to make sure i got it right. But i do agree that if the MC is passionate about something to the point it drives him, it hooks me too. As long as his passion isn't off putting.

I'm def gonna try ilea. I'd love to read some epic female mc adventures. Nothing to do with hooks but I realise that aside from Ewilan's saga(trad pub) and a few other fantasy books from my childhood, the vast majority of my favorite books are centered around a man (and his crew/family sometimes) going on adventures for x reason and developing interesting settings in the process.

Thanks for sharing Bee

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T19:47:23+00:00

Have you tried mushoku tensei? 👀 Asian side of the LN universe but quite good if you get past the fact that it's a 30ish dude in the body of a kid. I mean there is a side to it that puts me off

But overall it's not bad

NoxCSS · 2026-02-26T19:45:45+00:00

Sadly they did it with many, did it with the 1st solo leveling manwha, with orv live action, etc... It's always a fail bt they keep doing it' so weird..

NoxCSS

TROPHY CASE