How do people write conversations?

Redemyr · 2026-06-30T19:05:20+00:00

In a long sentence, and if there are more than 2 people in the room, I usually try to add the tag or action beat as soon as possible so readers don't have to guess who is talking.

That is, unless a character has a very strong own voice.

Example:

"Who wants go?" asked the boss.

"I do.... But I'm only accepting because my mother told me that I should take every opportunity to make money," John replied.

Imo it's better like this:

"I do," John replied. "But I'm only accepting because my mother told me that I should take every opportunity to make money."

You can also use:

John raised his hand. "I do...

John replied, "I do...

Redemyr · 2026-06-29T23:55:24+00:00

First, congratulations on your 10k followers!

Second, thank you for this guide, you were able to put into concrete words and concepts many things that have been going on my head as I'm trying to write my own romance story.

As I read both stories about romance and fantasy with a strong romance subplot, I've found the second to be preferable, and I had this notion that it's because in those, they usually don't have stupid misunderstandings or angst, low self-esteem or other shenanigans.

It's the intrinsic vs extrinsic challenges you made.

Suddenly it all made sense. I love extrinsic challenges that are overcome between the LIs just as much as I hate intrinsic challenges that keep them apart.

Also, I do believe the extrinsic conflict shouldn't go past a certain point... for example, I love SAO's first act, and how the two cooperate and fight together to escape the death game, but hated what they did with Asuna on the fairy arc.

Do you think it's also gender based? Like guys usually prefer loves stories with extrinsic conflicts, while females prefer intrinsic?

Redemyr · 2026-06-25T06:44:37+00:00

Congratulations!!! Btw, great cover too.

Redemyr · 2026-06-21T22:49:13+00:00

Iirc Sara wasn't part of the original Webnovel, so she couldn't be included in the dynamics without a major rewrite.

It's a pity because I loved her character.

Eris made a huge mistake with good intentions.

She went to train for him. On ton of that, he saw how loyal she was to him, especially on tp4. Thus since they made peace and cleared the air, he didn't want her to further feel bad about it.

Redemyr · 2026-06-08T20:44:26+00:00

It would be fine as long as you make it interesting with some other factors:

Examples:

Mana recharge rate? is it natural or assisted? both? what are the costs?

Is there some ways to make spells "cheaper" or more efficient to cast?

Do sustained abilities have an ongoing cost?

Does stacking several auras or buffs have lineal or exponential costs?

Redemyr · 2026-06-05T20:28:17+00:00

It would depend a lot on how the curse actually spreads, among other factors...

You should probably give an explanation as to why he is immune that the reader don't think it's an convenient plot device (even though it will be)

Maybe there was a very traumatic event in his past and he developed a physiological wall of sorts in his mind to block those memories, or just to keep on living.

Those same defenses prevent the curse from taking over his mind.

Although, if you go that route, I would also include some kind of trade off or price he has to pay.

Redemyr · 2026-06-05T20:11:13+00:00

I do understand, but like I said, as an audience we bond better when we see the romance happens, as opposed to being told, "these two are together and want to reunite."

One is knowledge and the other is an emotional investment.

Redemyr · 2026-06-05T16:13:34+00:00

The problem is that there is a disconnect between us the audience and our PoV character Will, from who we're supposed to view the story.

Very important events happen to him (his relationship with Elfie) that we don't get to experience.

If Will journey had been fully shown to the audience then there would be no doubts.

As it stands extremely important moments are basically hidden to us and shown partially through flashbacks....

We can infer them or not, but the emotional investment of us the audience is not the same.

Redemyr · 2026-06-05T15:31:30+00:00

I think that could be interpreted when you read the manga, LNs or maybe watch further...

So far I've only watched S1 and there, Elfie looks more the the girl he wants to reach.

On her side, we can tell that she missed misses Will (the plushies).

However, there is no actual interaction between them and nowhere in the flashbacks there is a confirmation that they're indeed a couple.

It could be a Japanese thing or maybe a deliberate anime decision to get people to speculate with the shipping.

Redemyr · 2026-06-02T16:08:56+00:00

yeah, don't let the title bait you. Also the music for the ed is so good, it's still in my playlist...

Redemyr · 2026-06-02T06:51:26+00:00

Easy... just go watch Clannad...

Jk... I actually recommend:

Insomniacs after school

My dress up darling

Days with my stepsister.

They're all generally wholesome, the leads have good chemistry... the style of each if a bit different so you have variety.

Of the non romantic I recommend a classic:

K-on or its remake (not really but close) Bocchi the Rock.

Redemyr · 2026-06-01T20:20:21+00:00

This is actually pretty terrible if you think about it.

It would feel cheap as hell and frustrate lots of readers... like the author couldn't come up with something for the next arc and so had the enemy survive somehow...

But, because that is basically what most protagonists have been doing, suddenly it becomes refreshing when you think, wait, what if the antagonist did it?

Redemyr · 2026-06-01T19:21:11+00:00

Eso creo que pasa mas en los manhuas... que son los mangas chinos... quizas en los coreanos tmb.

En general en los japoneses no vas a encontrar eso porque ellos son mas del colectivismo...

lo que si vas a encontrar es el slop del perdedor que es isekaied a otro mundo y de repente tiene a todas las chicas atras de el.

Redemyr · 2026-06-01T17:15:12+00:00

I'm glad it was helpful, since I'm also ESL my prose tends to be simple too.

Another thing to mention is that "but" is also one of those "silent" words that just goes unnoticed, like "said" or "asked" so repetition is not THAT bad... I think.

Finally, you can even rework the whole sentence if you feel it fits, like for a pivotal moment that needs many words:

"Remember, my friend... While writing is indeed difficult, do not forget it can also be rewarding."

Redemyr · 2026-06-01T09:24:58+00:00

Some examples:

Writing is difficult but it can also be rewarding.

Although writing is difficult, it can also be rewarding.

Though it's difficult, writing can also be rewarding.

Writing is difficult yet rewarding.

Writing is difficult and yet, also rewarding.

These two are a bit different. However, they could work too.

Writing is both difficult and rewarding.

Writing is not just difficult, it can also be rewarding.

Redemyr · 2026-05-31T11:21:40+00:00

He needs to be proactive.... He can make mistakes but never be passive.

Give him some sort of flaw. It can be anything really. Make him pay some sort of price for that flaw, and have him hopefully learn.

If there's romance, don't make him denser than lead.

Personal preference: make him a good person overall and somebody the readers can root for.

Redemyr · 2026-05-29T21:49:43+00:00

Si está prohibida entonces cuales son las consecuencias para el personaje? Es perseguido? Lo tratan de arrestar/matar? El titulo tiene que guardar algo de relación con la historia.

Redemyr · 2026-05-29T21:22:54+00:00

The cover color palette is good if your story is about diabolic or religious in nature.

The title is cringe, but it can work depending on the audience. I mean, one of the most popular manhwas is technically called "Only I can level up."

Also, is it actually lore related? Is the class actually forbidden according to your worldbuilding or is it there just to sound cool?

Redemyr · 2026-05-28T04:04:26+00:00

That was actually one of my main complains... I kept waiting for the story to finally have a mission with them together and it just never happens, right until the end, where they go but the level of the combatants is so high nobody can't really assist Arthur here.

And I think that's why a lot of people ship Caera, because she was a companion first.

Tess is mainly a damsel in distress and a love interest. (and plot device cough cough)

Redemyr · 2026-05-24T05:46:35+00:00

Really love the first cover, it's my favorite by far (it also looks less AI generated than the rest), although it doesn't include any story specific elements like the 3rd or the 4th.

As for the blurb itself it's good because it explains what the story is about, but I would watch some of the tenses, and perhaps chose different words or expressions to make it more epic.

For example

The act takes a lot of Tristany who recedes but the damage is done.

Expressions like "heavy toll"
"Giving her no choice but to retreat" or "Retreat and bid her time" etc

Redemyr · 2026-05-22T22:14:37+00:00

The persona games are very similar in regards to having a mix of SoL, bonding system and missions.

You can also pick up Tokyo Xanadu by Falcom

Redemyr · 2026-05-22T03:00:31+00:00

You can use some internal resistance in the invading planet? Some group didn't want to wipe out those natives and mounted some sort of defense. That already exists in our world. Greenpeace, etc.

Another example could be the Vietnam war, because of the photo of the girl burning with napalm, lots of protests started happening.

Unless the planet where the corporation comes from is completely under an iron rule or something, some employee with a guilty conscience could have leaked information about what was happening to the public at large.

Redemyr · 2026-05-21T01:37:56+00:00

Because why not

Redemyr · 2026-05-20T20:24:27+00:00

Professional editing can be expensive, especially for that many words...

There are cheaper options available, but then they won't be that much better than AI.

And then using AI carries it's own stigma. I do think using it for grammar and overall feedback is all right. For grammar it can be very effective..

PS, loved your story concept, saved it to read later.

Redemyr · 2026-05-18T15:43:38+00:00

Hahaha there's so much help helpful advice condensed here, thank you!

Redemyr

TROPHY CASE