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Impostor Syndrome Part 2 (Patreon)

Published:
2019-04-09 23:21:23
Edited:
2019-04-10 04:16:32
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

*Sighs* I did something silly. I wondered into Reddit r/fantasy to be exact.

So, interestingly enough, Reddit Fantasy is doing this year's reading bingo again. For those not in the know, it's basically a 'bingo box' of categories to read in. So things like 'Published in 2019' or 'Last book in a series' or, in this case and most directly 'LitRPG'.

You'd think that'd be a good thing? Except...

Well, one of the reddit posts was directly complaining about trying to find a well written book in the genre. And yes, System Apocalypse was included in it. As were many other mainstays. 

And obviously, there were a lot more comments about the 'bad writing' in the genre. Someone even commenting that the entire genre is made up of bad writers or that the genre promotes bad writing.

So... yeah.

Not great for my  self-confidence *Sobs theatrically*. 

Truthfully, while it does hurt a little, it mostly makes me wonder what I'm missing. Because while I haven't read a lot in 'traditional' publishing lately or many of the 'favorites' that they post (again, lately), I don't recall their writing to be that much better than some of the better books in our genre. 

Am I that blind to bad writing? If so, how bad is mine?

Thus the post title. Impostor Syndrome strikes again. 

It doesn't help that, frankly speaking, I never struggled to get a large number of readers. I got lucky and suddenly have a big fan base. It's kind of cool, but then you kind of have this moment of 'huh? Me?' going on. 

Which of course leads to these moments of 'I'm not good enough'.

Part of being a writer is mostly learning to ignore that critical voice, that part of you that says this isn't good enough and just keep going. Obviously, some critical review is necessary but allow too much of it and blam.

You're stuck not able to write. Stuck not able to finish the story. And how scary is that? 

(PS: No worries, I'm still writing. Well, editing, just a mild glimpse into my everyday).

Comments

Nathan Emerson

Their is a lot of bad writing out their in this genre, but that us true of all genres. It is difficult sifting through a lot of dreck to find the diamonds like your books. Harem books are one of the worst examples.

Melody Young

I think kindle unlimited and amazon in general greatly increased the amount of bad writing that reaches the readers. Has anybody else tried Equealize (Ether Collapse) by Ryan DeBruyn or Shadow Sun Survial by Dave Willmarh? Both have a SA type of world building but with flat characters and week writing. Both books come up as "Also bought" from Amazon when searching for books like Life in the North.

Cameron C

I feel like a lot of stones are cast by fantasy at other genres. Fantasy is such a trope filled genre in many ways, and there are MANY bad fantasy novels. GameLit is a newer genre of writers who aren’t all writers first. Many of them grew into the genre as a desire to write stories they felt grow inside them from a combination of experiences. It does suck to see people on reddit being dicks, but know that your fans enjoy your books because you spend the time with editing, and working hard to make them quality. Believe me, you are one of the better constructed writers in the genre, not anywhere near “bad writer”

Tao Wong

Hee. Agreed that there's a lot more bad writing in self-publishing, but one of my favorite events at a (formerly) local convention was the 'Dead Dog Readings'. These were readings that were done by authors late at night from traditionally published books to highlight really, really bad writing. It was SOOO much fun. A laugh a minute. And, of course, the Gor books always featured a part. But it's as much selection bias. r/Fantasy remembers all the Sanderson, Bujold, Butcher, Cat Valente, etc books. They forget (or easily dismiss) the many, many others that got through the 'traditional' process. But as for your question. Don't read Wilmarth's work so can't comment. Ryan's was okay, I liked where it started going towards the end and enjoyed myself. But yeah, see the point above. I think I have a tendency to go 'blind' to certain types of bad writing. Or hell, bad movies. :)

Tao Wong

So right on the bad fantasy novels. Hee. And I agree. There's no doubt a lot of us are still learning. Hell, I know Life in the North and my other earlier books have lots of flaws in them. It's why I don't dare go back and read it. Heee. *Shrugs* There was 1 guy who was a dick. The rest just weren't into the writing, which I can more than accept. There are writers out there who are supposedly amazing that I can't read. But thanks! The post was mostly an inner monologue that I decided to make exterior. I'm still debating how 'blind' I am to bad writing. Not completely, but I think in terms of prose, I can be more forgiving than others if the story is fun.

Tao Wong

Thanks for that. Harem books are weird. I rarely read them because I'm not really into the entire fantasy. If they come as part of an interesting story, fine. But if it's just a book about a guy getting girls... well. I don't read romance books either.

Saysca

I feel like a lot of the writing in the LitRPG genre is of low quality for several reasons. The first is because the genre is so (relatively) new and thus it attracts mostly new writers, as well established writers (who would inherently have better writing) mostly stick to the genres they know and already do well in. Another factor ive found is that because it's new the amount of choice you have just isnt there so sometimes you have to sacrifice quality in the writing to find something either with the other aspects you like or without those you dislike (harems for me). Also LitRPG has a few common tropes and quirks that are unique to or more prominent in this genre, the use of status screens, levels and the harem trope to name a few. Because these arent seen or arent as common in other genres LitRPG writers can kinda get away with poorer writing in general as the fans will still read their work because it has these tropes/quirks that are hard to find elsewhere. Just my two cents. For me, your writing is by far my favourite in the genre, because of how much I can tell you really care about writing well, and in particular writing your characters well. There is no sacrificing the integrity of your characters just to get a laugh or fill a trope or meet a plot expectation. It's really refreshing, so thanks :)

Han Pol

I don't think so, there are all kinds of genres with lots of bad books. And they all have their own tropes and jumpwagons and the like. Sometimes when get home early I listen to a culture radio about books. (the show would be called bookmarked in english.) It's all about literature, mostly german, english and french the rest is like maybe 5% percent. And even this so called literature has it's tropes and often they are at best mediocre. Way to often overthinking things one iteration too much. And for excample since the Donald is President , half of it is about the Tristesse and bleak lives in rural areas. Of course they hardly ever have anything misspelled but you can nearly allways tell that the people writing that, have often little insight about the areas and humans they write about. As for Litpg what irritates me often the most specially in Gamelit series is when a system is used in that game that makes no logical sense. In so far I really like the system quest.

Tao Wong

Firstly, thank you. And I do agree there's a lot of new writers. It's the blanket 'the entire genre is bad' that gets me. Like, Sieple and Threadbare, Ruins of Majesta (okay, some quality issues there but so fun!) and Viridian Gate Online is easily as good as some of the better fantasy stuff.

Vu

Just chiming I’m to say that I’ve been reading fantasy books for close to 40 years - everything from the grand old classics to pop fiction. You’re writing is fine, especially given how you’re consistently able to write engaging books. Above average in general and frankly Pulitzer Prize winning for the litRPG genre. And honestly, have you seen some of the comments on Reddit? There is a pretty big contingent of people who wouldn’t know good writing if it hit them over the head. Personally, i think the System Apocalypse books are my favorite in the genre. Characters developed in ways beyond just improving stats. The characters are unique (no dark/shadow main character here), not over powered (powerful, but with weaknesses), and 3 dimensional. So, keep it up. I really enjoy your books. And consider more non litrpg books. There really is some atrocious and generic writing in that genre which may be pulling you down by association.

Tao Wong

Har. I learnt a new word. Had to look up Tristesse

Saysca

Yeah I agree, there is a few Ive read on royal road that have very good writing, such as The Genesis System and Dungeon Heart, and then you have the shining example that is The Wandering Inn which has fantastic writing, better than some well known fantasy authors in my opinion

Tao Wong

*Chuckles* I probably will launch a pure fantasy or space opera book at some point. Right now, I've got my hands full with both the AoB, System Apocalyse & Thousand Li series. Unless I can add more efficiency in my writing, there's no way I'm adding another series till at least... uhh... 2 years from now? That's when SA should be done. Though AoB might be done sooner than that. That one is more my 'fun to write when Tao cannot think'.