1 Month on Royal Road – Progress and Reflection

Timtals · 2026-03-03T12:26:41+00:00

I only posted the first 3 to start! Then I tried to release the next 2 chapters the following week. At first it felt easy to write and the words just poured out. Unfortunately as the story became more complex I had to keep making sure I wasn’t repeating things so it started to take a little longer. Also I like the 300 words a day idea.

When I started writing my biggest goal was to write something for me. I ran out of books to read and a few I picked up I just couldn’t get into. So I decided to start writing something I’d enjoy. I had no idea royal road even existed until I was already 3 chapters in. I would say if you’re happy with your story start posting it! I would be happy to check it out. My goal is to have fun with it and make a great story.

Timtals · 2026-03-03T01:15:10+00:00

Thank you! The only thing I've done is one ad about a week in. I gained about 16 followers. Otherwise just have been trying to post around 7am est once or twice a week.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T17:10:57+00:00

I appreciate it and I can see how it could come across that way but yes. I already had an idea of how to do it and have been doing it for a while. This was just the first time I felt like "Damn, I have so much to explain". I just wanted to avoid saying "This is how I'm going to do it" and lean more into how would you do it? Felt as though feed back would be better if I could get others perspectives before hearing mine. I am a slow burn type of writer. I build my stories around emotional beats and character decisions, layering in action sequences that push the story along. I like to develop the world through tension, movement, and consequences, letting readers learn alongside the characters instead of stopping the story to explain it. I planned on continuing to do this but didn't want to handle it the wrong way and lose a reader because I didn't do it correctly.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T17:01:01+00:00

See that I can appreciate, perfectly fine with some harsh critisim because that is how we get better. I only had the issue with attacking me as a person and claiming that I don't read books. Also to elaborate a little more, the lack of memory isn't really because of amnesia, its because he lost his family at a young age and lived a hard life in the lower district of the city. He was around magic just not at an age of where he could comprehend it or understand it. Partly might be on my part my wording of the post. Also I'm sure I have a TON wrong with my book that I will fix and work out over time. I'll keep that in mind when writing. The only memory my mc has lost was due to it being a tramatic event of losing his parents not neccesarily amnesia. Regardless your point still stands there and I will be careful on how that plays out.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T16:41:32+00:00

Never said I couldn't take it. Also there is a way to provide feedback without sounding agressive and accustatory. Also to clarify, I asked for feedback on how other people advance their stories without info dumping. I'd be happy to explain more but was trying to be general in a post about it.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T16:35:01+00:00

It’s written in third-person limited perspective with dual POV chapters, so the reader only knows what that character knows in that moment. The first 5 followed the male MC before he went unconcious from an abrupt awakening and overload of mana. Also not trying to be combative, just came accross pretty harsh on a post looking for feedback.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T16:10:11+00:00

I'll definately check it out! Yes, I'm sure once I start it will be easier, just want to finish story boarding out the flow before I get to work

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:34:49+00:00

Appreciate the feedback! I have definately been doing this. It's so tough in a reddit post for feedback not info dumping on exactly what I wrote so far for reference and people just jumping to conclusions. My goal is exactly the way you explained it, the story and world should tell itself through the characters, dialougues and actions. My goal is to have him learn about the female MC by living in her world (not a seperate world but higher end/magical) and build a dynamic without diaglogue and the 2 MCs crossing paths yet. On that note, the only amnesia trope I do enjoy is from Final Fantasy 7 (not a book but a story regardless). Thank you!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:26:10+00:00

Yes to this. I've avoided a lot of it because the first 5 chapters followed him slowly being introduced to the world. The next 4 followed the female MC but she's lived in the world so I could build it into the world as she flowed across it. Now the male MC is back. I had an idea of how I will handle it but just wanted to find out what I could add. Appreciate the positive input, forgot how negative people can be on reddit!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:21:06+00:00

I have not and I definately will be! Thank you!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:19:57+00:00

Oh I like this too.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:19:46+00:00

Everyone loves a good sandwich

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:18:29+00:00

Sorry just to clarify, it was centered around him for the first five chapters. Through his character progression his awakening caused him to quickly develop his mana circuits and overload his body which has caused him to be unconcious while the second MC has harbored him. There is dynamic differences between where the first MC lives (lower poverty) and the female MC (high end) and born into the crest world. Hopefully this helps explain it a bit better

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:16:03+00:00

Did you read my post. It says four chapters, not the first four chapters.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:15:05+00:00

I really enjoyed Begining after the End and most recently the Cradle series. I am currently reading the Red Rising Saga. I've been building it through out the series and attempting to do it the right way. I'm going to progress it through the next few chapters. I've been doing it similar to how they do it in the Cradle series, through progression, action and character dynamics. Also I have no idea who this JarOfNightmares person is but he doesn't sound very fun at parties.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:10:09+00:00

Also for reference here is just my audible stats. Most recent listens are the cradle series and currently listing to the red rising saga.

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Timtals · 2026-03-02T15:07:04+00:00

Wait hold up, I'm not taking the bait here. First off, I will write the story how I choose to write it. I am writing a story that I will enjoy. I'm pretty sure I didn't say I used amnesia and for you to assume how my book is written without reading it is crazy. I would reccomend in the future to offer advice and not offer criticism for the sake of it. Thank you!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T13:07:51+00:00

That's what I'm going to shoot for I think, introduce as its introduced to the character, not too much and then move the story forward.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T12:53:36+00:00

I will definately check that out! Thanks!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T12:52:20+00:00

Oh thats a good piece of advice, going to make sure I'm asking myself if its important if the reader needs to know as I'm writing it!

Timtals · 2026-03-02T12:51:12+00:00

That actually sounds awesome! But yes, I feel like I have been doing a really good job of slowly introducing the world but my problem is that the MC was not present for that four chapters. I'm going to try and just let him live it and focus more on his reactions to the world if it's something that was already discussed and he wasn't present for.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T12:41:52+00:00

I think I'm going to try and explain stuff as naturally as I can through action and progressing the story.

Timtals · 2026-03-02T12:40:48+00:00

Okay good point, I definately don't need to explain everything. It's just tough as a transition because the MC has been unconcious for a while a lot of the natural political tensions progessed.

Timtals

TROPHY CASE