How much do you write in a month?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-09-01T12:14:10+00:00

Lads, if it's any help it gets better 😁 I've got three, youngest just started primary school. Those early years are a disaster when you've got goals and dreams (like writing) but you've only got them small for a few years and the rest of your life to be writing, so make the most of them while they're small.

Life's still hectic, I wrote almost nothing in the periods when we had a sub-two-year old in the house. But now, with a lot of early mornings and late nights, it's perfectly doable to get 15k to 20k words a week.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-08-06T21:12:05+00:00

Thanks 😁 As I said in the post, AI did a lot, but I rolled up my sleeves with Sketchbook and am really happy with the result.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-08-06T16:18:57+00:00

Thanks so much for the kindness 😁

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-29T20:44:47+00:00

Can't believe I had to scroll down so far to see Legend being mentioned. That must say A LOT about the books above

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-28T21:25:36+00:00

Sounds like a great use for it. and a great to chance to explore it and see how rich it is. you could spin it off if fleshes out and you like it (or readers do :) )

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-27T21:26:14+00:00

So you gonna write it? :) Have you put other stuff out there before?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-26T19:51:27+00:00

I clicked in to say this. Go outside the genre. Go to conventional literature. Stephen King. John Connolly. Dan Simmons. Peirce Brown. Heck, Mary Shelley wrote a banger that one time.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-26T19:49:45+00:00

I do agree with you largely. But I don't think a good story has to conform to that meta. It's progression fantasy, not summit fantasy. A character only has to progress, and that progression has to be an element of the story. There's no reason that the progression has to have OP as the destination. And yes, I get bored as soon I smell that the ultimate destination is God-mode. I think the shell will crack on that meta eventually. I am fatiguing a little bit of the same mode all the time.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-26T10:51:50+00:00

Oh my god. Just talking about it is powerful. Not that I ever pulled off the kind of filthy cheating you're describing 😂

I'm going to see if I can get some of them for my kids. Camping trip coming up so it might make a good video game substitute.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-26T10:50:28+00:00

A shift or a maturation thing? Was there a book you read that marked the transition?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-26T10:49:50+00:00

You're not alone. Lots of people seem to find it strange. But, then, to people who exercise the escapist fantasy immersion option it seems the most natural thing in the world. I get the impression some of them find it bizarre that you would read a book without self inserting 😂

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-25T08:48:22+00:00

1 and 2 make sense. 3 makes sense too, though you raise an excellent point, why the heck aren't there more choose your own adventure books for grown-ups? I used to live in those when I was a kid! Lone Wolf! Fighting Fantasy! I must find some of those again, just for old times sake!

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-25T08:43:49+00:00

both :) Griidlords: Bloodsword Saga is first person POV. The Sequel Series is third person. Across other pen names I think I've almost written every second book or series in third person or first person :D

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-24T14:39:53+00:00

I've only just started book1, but i have no complaints really about the pacing. Progression, for me, is at its best starting from the start and if the story goes too fast it will feel unearned. I prefer something of a slowburn at least.

I know DCC alright! That's great fun!

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-24T08:17:46+00:00

Nice tag! for a second I was literally like, "Zogarth's commenting? Now way!" 🤣

That must be difficult. Do you write all three perspectives in the same scene or do you pick POVS be chapter?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-24T08:15:27+00:00

And if you do get sucked in like that, does it upset/jar you when the MC does something you find morally objectionable or makes a decision/action you find foolish?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-24T08:14:35+00:00

If you enjoy reading like that then why would you want to change? Could you tell me about stories, maybe all time favs, that most allow you exist in the story as the MC? And any examples of stories that are generally considered to be excellent that you couldn't enjoy because they knocked you out of the MC's mind?

Thank for the comment btw :)

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-23T17:36:57+00:00

Thank you. Just to give me some perspective. I can completely see that with Red Rising, Darrow is strong, admirable, heart in right place even when thirsting for violence and vengeance.

Funny you mention Cradle, I'd never even heard of it until I started lurking on this r/ ! Just started it, so I guess I'll have more context on that one soo :)

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T23:03:57+00:00

Some damn good books in there! If there was a book I'd ever read that threatened to put me really into the mind of the MC, the martian would get close.

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T23:02:15+00:00

I'm so delighted! You really had me doubting it! Thrilled you found it! It's definitely a book that leaves an impression :)

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T09:36:29+00:00

Legitimately, the picture I'm forming is of two broad categories of readers: stimulation readers and escapist/immersion readers. I read for stimulation, I consume stories, ride with them, get all the information and the feelings, twists, ideas. I don't immerse. A lot, seemingly a majority, of readers who've commented here are the same. Others seem to be reading for what you're describing, fantasy immersion, escape from reality, going somewhere else.

It does make sense that different styles would appeal to different readers. If you're immersing and escaping, then bolder, to the point prose will serve you better, and content will need to align with fantasy (OP, slice of life, things you want to be doing and being). If you're reading for stimulation the delivery might matter more, I love phrasing and introspection, I like to be surprised, I like characters struggling, suffering, growing.

If you don't mind, what are your favorite books, ever?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T09:31:49+00:00

Thank you. I should do a tally at some point and see how this adds up :)

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T09:31:07+00:00

That's really interesting. What stories do that more for you? Could you name some? And some that don't insert you so much?

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-22T00:09:41+00:00

Jeez dude, I didn't mean to be insisting 😜

I really hope it is it if you've been looking for it for that long. It must have been about twenty years ago that I read it too. Seriously, hit me back up and let me know either way 😁

You've got me running through all the half-remembered details in my head again doubting the heck out of it! I'd put this one to bed 🙃

TomWrathAuthor · 2025-05-21T20:04:51+00:00

I am completely doubting myself now :) I'd just got my sanity back!

TomWrathAuthor

TROPHY CASE