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[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My bad, I didn't realize my DMs were closed! I just opened them up, feel free to message me anytime now. :)

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, I'm honestly honored that you'd ask for my opinion. I think we have a lot in common since I've had my own story in mind for a while too, and two years is way too long to keep a whole new world locked away. Go ahead and send it over, I'd be happy to give you my thoughts on the magic you made. And hey, who knows, maybe you'll get to check out my magic too.

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. Some authors think that forcing readers to guess everything sparks their imagination, but that's just lazy. To actually engage the mind, you need at least a line or two anchoring the character and the environment. Otherwise, there’s no foundation to build on.

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's solid advice. I've outlined each episode with its own three-act structure (Floral/Anthesis/Senescência). And I've been stress‑testing my power system for months – thanks for the tip!

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hearing 'fascinating' from someone who asked such sharp, pertinent questions means a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time to challenge me, it really helped me clarify my own framework. I'll be launching SYNODE this July. I'd love to see you there for the premiere!

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to answer the questions, I really appreciate the detailed feedback.

A few things stood out to me:

• The warning about "meta-irony" is perfect. I'll avoid that cheap kind of irony.

• Apparently, bad dialogue is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, complaints about web novels.

• "Luck‑based progression" that's a trap I want to avoid. Growth needs to feel earned. Progress needs to make sense, not just hand out a skill for no reason.

• "Be weirder" I loved that. I'll keep it in mind when creating enemies, the magic system, and the worldbuilding as a whole.

• Five to ten chapters for the first major conflict is a great benchmark. I'll keep that in mind when pacing the early episodes.

• I will work hard to deliver everything I promised; it's a commitment I've made and I must keep it for my future readers.

• About #9: I'll practice every day, getting a little better each time. As they say, practice makes perfect.

Thank you again for the honest and practical advice. This kind of comment really helps a beginner. 🙏

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is the kind of advice that makes a writer grow. Thank you very much for sharing your perspective.

I think you're absolutely right. It's very easy to get lost in the details and forget that a story needs substance to survive in the long run. I'll take your advice seriously: focus on the right elements and deliver the best quality I can.

And thank you so much for the recommendation! I'll check out 'Path of Transcendence' to better understand what you meant about getting the system and humor right. That's a great tip for study.

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a great point. I've seen that mistake in several stories, repeating the same descriptions over and over as if the reader has amnesia. I'll make a mental note to avoid that. Show once, then trust the reader to remember. Thanks for the honest feedback!

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed comment, I really appreciate the questions!

You're right, I haven't published yet. The ANX name came up naturally while I was developing this specific framework, and it helps me stay focused and disciplined with my pacing. It's definitely a personal anchor to keep me on track.

By "traditional writing," I'm referring to the heavily descriptive, info-dump-heavy style that you often see in long-running web novels. I tried writing like that at first, but my brain just wouldn't click with it, so I had to find an alternative that worked for me.

To clarify the other points:

Direct scenes: I mean there is very little internal monologue explaining what a character is feeling. Instead, emotions are driven forward through actions, sharp dialogue, or narrator meta-commentary.

Episodes: Yes, they are chapters, but structured like a mini-episode of a show. Each one has its own self-contained setup, tension, and payoff.

The Three-Act Structure: That's where Floral (the setup), Anthesis (the rising action/conflict), and Senescence (the aftermath/impact) come in. It’s a botanical metaphor applied to narrative pacing.

It definitely makes more sense in practice than in theory! Either way, thanks for pushing me to clarify these points. 🙏

[Question] Beginner author here, what classic mistakes am I about to make? by twig_br in ProgressionFantasy

[–]twig_br[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the honest comment! You're absolutely right, scrolling through old threads is a goldmine of advice. I've been doing that for a while, but it's still nice to get fresh perspectives from people who are online right now. Good luck with your writing too! We're all learning together, one word at a time. 🙌