Do ya'll leave life/story/progress updates after your chapters?

[Representing_Tromba]

What I mean is, when you post a chapter, do you ever post a comment on it letting readers know how things are going on your end of the writing process? I would do it from time to time as a means of apologizing for late updates or asking readers for input(not that many ever replied) but haven't in a while. Do you as authors or readers think it enriches the experience to see those updates or comments?

 

[Dec]

From reader perspective, I can say that those are not needed at all.
Like, why should I be interested in the author's real life or his problems? Chapter was delayed, okay, life happens. No need to apologize.
Or if you feel bad for "not delivering on time", just use the scheduling function - it exists for that reason. All you need is a small backlog of like 3-5 chapters to make sure it is always "delivered on time," even if you yourself cannot do it.
Something important, like the story going on hiatus, because life is falling apart or something? Sure, this is nice to know so I don't spend next weeks wondering what happened. But I don't need to know why the author's life is falling apart, or whatever the reason for the hiatus was. Simple "the story goes on hiatus till X" is more than enough.

As for "asking for input" - polls work best here. Not everyone wants to write a comment for reasons, but pressing that button is easy and fast.

Does it enrich my experience? Nah.
Unless it is something important, like really important, then I (personally) feel like I wasted the time reading it due to the reasons stated above.

 

[Placeholder]

I like it when authors feel comfortable talking about their lives.

I strongly prefer having that postpended rather than before reading the chapter, or it takes me out of the flow of reading.

 

[Tempokai]

For serious and honest webnovels, no, it will not simply work. Each such author's note will chip away the persuasion bar of the reader, unless the story is THAT compelling or chaotically fun you can forgive the transgression.

Sure, inviting comments, talking about the story itself and asking for sharing or subscribing to whatever donation site is fine, as it is connected to the story. It's basically two sides of a coin: either you don't and maintain neutality to keep the reader inside the story or you do and go full in. You need to make yourself entertaining to follow over the chapters. If you can't, it's better be neutral, or silent.

 

[LesserCodex]

What I mean is, when you post a chapter, do you ever post a comment on it letting readers know how things are going on your end of the writing process? I would do it from time to time as a means of apologizing for late updates or asking readers for input(not that many ever replied) but haven't in a while. Do you as authors or readers think it enriches the experience to see those updates or comments?

In do it from time to time usually when I know I won't get a chapter out this week instead of going dark.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Personally, I dislike such notice.

Because in CN, it is often notice for discontinuing due to personal reason that while I can emphathize, is also a sharp reminder of how life is a cold, cold bitch.

Something that I am actively trying to not get reminded of.

It can be engaging for sure, but doesn't it also foster a parasocial relationship that is unhealthy for the reader that got in tpp deep and dangerous for an author if they ended up in public?

 

[LilRora]

If my life affects the story in a significant manner, I'll inform the readers, but I try to keep it concise, without unnecessary detail.

 

[RainyLiquid]

No.

 

[WeissBlatt]

That would imply I post chapter updates

 

[RepresentingPride]

What I mean is, when you post a chapter, do you ever post a comment on it letting readers know how things are going on your end of the writing process? I would do it from time to time as a means of apologizing for late updates or asking readers for input(not that many ever replied) but haven't in a while. Do you as authors or readers think it enriches the experience to see those updates or comments?

I do it when I'm late to update, and if there thing on my life that took me time that I can't put on writting.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

What I mean is, when you post a chapter, do you ever post a comment on it letting readers know how things are going on your end of the writing process? I would do it from time to time as a means of apologizing for late updates or asking readers for input(not that many ever replied) but haven't in a while. Do you as authors or readers think it enriches the experience to see those updates or comments?

I give updates sometimes in author notes. Either that, or I will make silly jokes sometimes.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Nah, I use my profile page for that.

 

[Clo]

I leave some kind of conversational comment at the end of each chapter. They rarely talk about real life, but they might talk about the process behind the creation of the chapter.

 

[melchi]

Nah, I use my profile page for that.

This, to be honest.