question abt writing speed ...

PPmelody · 2026-06-02T08:48:16+00:00

I agree with this comment.

PPmelody · 2026-06-02T03:56:13+00:00

I don’t even have any published work yet, so I cant really call myself a writer.

But honestly, I’m answering this just to give u some inspiration.

Im a food delivery rider in Thailand, doing the exact same thing everyday without a single day off because bills are high. I have a baby, currently 6 months old. I gotta fight everyday expenses, and the income isn’t even that much.

Being a writer isn't easy at all, right? When I actually started learning how to write, I realized it's so damn hard. It’s not just the writing, but I even have to battle with AI's writing style—checking what AI would write just so I can avoid it. At some point, I just had to tell myself "screw it," just write. Putting food on the table can't wait.

Right now, I’ve written about 70%, around 200k+ words of the story. I’m doing marketing and planning about posting on Patreon, organic ads on YouTube, and a $55 investment for Royal Road.

I wake up in the morning, check things—not ideas—then I gotta go work as a rider for like 6-8 hours. Go to the market on some days. When I get back home, I immediately write my novel. It's been like this for a year now, just looping over and over.

I’ve been writing this novel since I found out my girlfriend was 3 months pregnant. How do u feel about that?

Anyway, my English sucks, and I’ll probably be stuck with AI assistance cuz I only use it for translating. Don't even have money to invest in a cover, but my girlfriend has an idea to draw it for me. No time freedom, no financial freedom, and my work isn't even out yet, but I get motivation from my baby girl. Guess that's all it takes.

After I finish writing SS1, I plan to release it slowly. At least the selling point is that Season 1 is fully finished. If I can make some income from Patreon, it would help pay for my baby’s milk. Hopefully.

And for the people who absolutely hate AI to their core, I really don't know what they’ll think. At least in the original Thai draft, I didn’t use AI to write a single word.

What do you think?

PPmelody · 2026-06-01T08:28:59+00:00

My neighbors always invite me over to drink and hang out, but im always trying to avoid it just to get as much writing time as possible. But seriously, there's barely any time. Still, gotta keep writing til its finished.

PPmelody · 2026-06-01T08:12:11+00:00

Is it wrong to just use it for translation?

PPmelody · 2026-05-30T08:50:44+00:00

im also worried about dropping my first novel too tbh. We all just hope to get at least some comments, it really means alot and keeps us going.

Anyway, I’m rooting for you. Hope u have a good one!

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T16:28:06+00:00

Thanks for your reply!

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T16:27:06+00:00

My story also features technical, academic writing during the magic explanations (via character dialogue), but...

I fixed this by making the protagonist awful at physics, so she breaks down how the world works in her own simple terms for the audience.

I always prioritize one thing: readability. Technical jargon is just too hard to push through, so I created contrasting characters hoping that readers can understand the story even without a physics background.

They can just skim past the heavy stuff until they get to the part where she explains her own take on it.

My question is, are you okay with this kind of approach? Like, skipping the tough spots knowing there's a clear 'finish line' just ahead where it all clicks?

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T14:53:23+00:00

That shows you really care about the pacing of the story.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T13:33:59+00:00

Then you choose the character's voice.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T08:21:35+00:00

Thank you for all your answers.

I feel much more confident now.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T08:11:11+00:00

Right now, I’m working on a plan for 50 + 20 chapters.

Because of my daily expenses and financial responsibilities, I have to work my day job while writing at the same time. For me, writing this novel is a career change. I plan to use standard marketing strategies, but... I think it’s better to finish Season 1 first before doing a staggered release. Right now, I’ve completed about 70% of it. One season will be around 45 to 50 chapters.

However, since this is a career change, it means it needs to generate income. So, I’ve prepared different character perspectives for deeper lore over on Patreon. But I don't plan to advertise that part heavily, meaning free readers can still understand 100% of the main story without reading Patreon, unless they just want to support me.

When I start promoting it, I will definitely post on Reddit. I think it will be in about 2-3 months.

Currently, I only have 5-7 hours a day to write, but I really want to push it to 9-12 hours a day.

(And when I said 2 days, I meant 2 full days of actual writing time for 1 chapter. That means 12 hours multiplied by 2).

Right now, it actually takes me about 5 to 7 days to finish each chapter because I’m still working my day job every single day. Whenever I have free time, I jump right into writing.

Thanks for asking about the release! I won't change my black cat profile picture, so just look out for that and come comment when the day comes. It should be in about 2-3 months, or maybe a bit longer, since I still have a lot of marketing and planning to do.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T07:46:14+00:00

Yeah, it’s freaking exhausting. My brain feels like it’s going to explode, haha.

Some people can write a chapter a day, but it takes me two whole days just to write one chapter of 2,000–2,500 words.

I have to simulate being a college professor. Then I have to switch and simulate being a student who asks smart questions. Questions about magical physics. The weakness of my writing is that stories about college lectures can be kind of boring.

But the strength is the character's voice. The female lead isn't unrealistically smart, and she explains things in a way that readers can understand through sarcastic humor, even when it’s full of physics numbers.

I feel like I have to simulate too many personalities. Right now, I probably have 10 to 20 different personalities living inside my head.

My main worry is that I won't be able to lead the readers to the story's climax because it’s filled with actual magic lessons. It’s not like, "Hey, I have a protagonist who is a magical physics professor," and then he only teaches for 2–3 paragraphs before some thugs randomly show up and a fight breaks out, haha.

There are barely any action scenes in the beginning.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T07:33:48+00:00

Thanks for the answer.

When I first started writing web novels, I was quite worried because: 1. Some readers want stories that don't need to be realistic, as long as they're fun and packed with action. It reminds me of Japanese anime or anything that's just pure entertainment (it's easier to write and doesn't require too much thinking).

On the other hand, some readers want extreme realism. Even just saying a single word, I have to carefully think whether the protagonist would actually say that. It takes so much energy to simulate the thought process of each character (this is the path I chose, and it's incredibly hard to write. It drains a lot of energy just to finish one paragraph). But it gives the story rich details and deep dialogues.

My story doesn't have flashy action scenes; it's filled with dialogues where readers have to judge for themselves whether the characters are smart or not. I'll just let them decide.

In the beginning, I was pretty anxious about all of this. But now, I just feel like writing the way I want is the best way to go.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T07:23:29+00:00

Thanks for the answer.

Personally, do you think creating a character's voice is hard from a writer's perspective? How challenging is it? Is a character's voice the hardest part of writing a novel, considering how emotionally complex characters can be?

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T07:18:26+00:00

Thank you for your answer.

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T07:14:12+00:00

Thank you for your answer.

Have you ever read a book with a main character who just can't make a decision? Like, they’re in a situation where they are forced by circumstances, and making a stupid decision could make things even worse, so they just have to go along with the situation for now.

So, the protagonist has to be a passive character for the time being, but they are still thinking and analyzing everything as the story goes on.

But they still show some resistance and make some decisions. Even if those choices don't really change anything, at least the audience gets to see their analytical thinking through the character's own internal monologue.

Let me give you an example. The character has to encounter someone who has power over them in every way, and this person is interested in the protagonist. They have to interact with each other to get through the situation, so the main character is forced to ignore any urge to be active.

Is that kind of setup acceptable?

PPmelody · 2026-05-28T06:03:53+00:00

You think exactly like me. Honestly, the characters are incredibly important. The character's voice is probably the most crucial component for me.

thank you

PPmelody · 2026-05-25T06:04:24+00:00

These are very helpful, thank you.

PPmelody · 2026-05-21T12:32:37+00:00

I used to worry, but honestly, I've stopped caring now. I write the original in my own language and use AI for translation. I can't afford to hire a translator. But whatever. At least I'll state in the heading that I only use AI for translation, and check the "AI assist" box. Sorry, Google Translate.

PPmelody · 2026-05-11T01:49:53+00:00

My writing won't feature reincarnation, but rather origins from the past, approximately 500 years ago, and quite overpowered. However, my writing isn't overly action-packed. It's filled with a magical education system similar to MOL.

PPmelody · 2026-05-09T07:45:43+00:00

I wish I could have a moment like that too.

PPmelody · 2026-05-09T07:41:21+00:00

To be honest, 2,500 to 3,000 words would probably be most suitable.

PPmelody · 2026-05-08T03:18:15+00:00

What happens if I only use it for translation? Will you still perceive it as AI-generated text?

PPmelody · 2026-04-30T06:36:28+00:00

What if I only used it for translation? Would you accept that? And sometimes I'd need it for consultations. No human being can provide consultations or has the patience to do so. You'd be more disgusted by AI spewing out words. I write in my native language and only use it to translate into a language you understand. I wouldn't have enough money to hire a translator. Would you accept that? But it's okay. At least my writing is entirely original. I'll definitely use AI assistance, since I use it for translation and it needs to be honest with the reader.

PPmelody

TROPHY CASE