WATTPAD BLOCK PARTY POST

TYPES OF PEOPLE ON WP + 8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WRITE A CPN

By toohottobetrue2 or Aanchal Budhiraja 

When you're on Wattpad 24X7 (aren't you?) it's hard not to notice the

different types of people blessing this platform. We all have talked to so many writers and readers, and yes, each of them are so different. Yet, there are some popular types that you probably have encountered at least once! Be it readers or writers, here are the top five categories that no one can deny exist on Wattpad.

*be honest and comment a 'me' if you have ever been one of the types!*

*warning: post only intended for humorous purposes*

FIVE TYPES OF READERS

1. The Non-Existent Ones: They exist, but they do not. You love them, but you hate them. They are the empty numbers that increase your read count. Are they heartless? Are they not human? One. Single. Comment. That's what you all ask for... but alas, they remain anonymous. [plus point of being one: you can stalk as much as you want ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]

2. The Ultimate Fangirl: You might not admit it, but they are the ones lighting up your face with a smile after you update a chapter. They thank you, comment a couple hundred times, re-read the book for the umpteenth time, and are always vocal when you ask for suggestions. [negative point: it gets tiring to please them every time.]

3. The Update Monsters: They are either the ultimate fan girls who have crossed over to the dark side, or readers who are yet to learn that writing a chapter is not a piece of cake. The first few update demands make you feel wanted. The next few creates that sort of unshakable pressure and when they bombard you with update requests, you just tick off and it totally kills the creative flow. We all have been there. [pro tip: write at your own pace and set deadlines, if you can't make it, tell the readers that and take your time!]

4. The Unwanted Critics: Ah, this one is a little tricky. Critiques are good, writers live off them, in the comments section they are the much needed splash of reality. But. Only when they are not rude. Unwanted critics who are there just to criticize anything and everything about your book (even more annoying when the author hasn't asked for such a review) without the decency to balance out their critique and maintain the positive vibes...so not done. [best advice on Wattpad: ignore them, take what you think helps you, and ignore the rest. If you confront them, they will only play the victim card and label you as an author who can't deal with critiques.]

5. Are they readers?: Their comments starts out like this: "Hey! I read your book 'Lalalala' and I loved it! Check out my book "blah blah blah", do vote and comment. Bye! Hmmm. Hmmm. Right. Just once, I happened to ask their favourite scene/character from my book: suffice to say no one ever made past the first chapter. So, really, why do you bother? [It hits a soft spot when they post it on your profile page. Well, you can always say you'll read it soon...]

FIVE TYPES OF WRITERS

1. The Overworked Writer: Thirty-seven drafts, fifteen published works and only three of them completed. Getting a single update a month on every ongoing book is as hard as climbing Mt. Everest. Yet, most of their writing time is devoted to browsing on internet, looking up ways to kill time and watching dramas! [Everyone used to/or belongs in this club tbh #writerlife]

2. The Genuinely Nice Writer: Fortunately, Wattpad is filled with this category of people! They reply to comments, help others out and don't take offence easily. Many might think they are hidden in the deep corners of Wattpad, but guess what? They are having a party this Feb! [hmm, I wonder who they might be.]

3. The #Goals Writer: Their profile page, their books, their friends, their bio, their updates just make you squirm in delight and envy. Everything seems straight out of a tumblr page, and their killer sass is worth dying for. [truth: they always stick with the people of the same kind, it's hard to feel wanted when you have a conversation with them. Like the popular cliques in high school. But hey! They're always polite.]

4. The Desperate Writer: This one makes you cringe a little. Readers call it a huge turn-off. When you read their book, you feel like you're making a deal with them. It goes like this, 'Thousand reads, five hundred votes, three hundred comments before I post the next chapter!' Then you peek a look at the read count: Seventy three reads. *story removed from library, and onto the next book* [I have seen less and less writers do this nowadays. Maybe such posts do help? ;)]

5. The Incognito Writer: They are not hiding their identity per se, but we don't know anything about them either. They write, post their books, and vanish. Whatever comments they might get, good or bad, chances are that they might not have even read it (let alone replying to it). [I don't know...are they busy or just anti-social?]

FIVE TIPS TO BE A BETTER READER & WRITER:

(on Wattpad)

1. Don't Be A Silent Reader: Feedback is food for writers. A single comment can make their day. You have the power to make them happy, make them squeal in delight, and make them grin from ear to ear. When they spend so much time trying to entertain us, shouldn't we give them a little sunshine as well? [Don't be a silent writer too. If you stop replying to comments, there will be no point of readers commenting. At least, reply to 50% of the comments.]

2. Be Genuine: Post comments and reply to comments with honesty. I would rather hear a true opinion about the chapter of my book than false praises. Likewise, I would always reply genuinely to my readers who are supporting me. Readers can make a writer a good writer. They are the key to honing your writing skills. Appreciate each other's presence!

3. Make Friends: Wattpad is a social community and like it or not, being unsocial will leave you nowhere. Get out of your cocoon and make a new friend! Support someone else's book. The joy your appreciation will give them might make their day!

4. Update Often: Readers want content to read. I would always pick a completed book over an uncompleted one. Don't go MIA for months or have agonizingly slow updates. An update once a week should be basic! [It's easier said than done. I know. My readers know. But you can still try. Once you get into a habit of updating often, readers will appreciate and enjoy your story much more.]

5. Take A Break From Wattpad: This might seem a very weird tip. How does logging out of Wattpad helps? It does! A weekend off once a month should be compulsory. The site and app are so addictive that I'm worried like each addiction this phase will pass and I would no longer want to read or write here. Take a break from the virtual world and read privately. Write in a notebook. Just break free. You'll be more energised and pumped up when you make a return. And hopefully with so many more ideas and inspirations!

8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WRITE A CELLPHONE NOVEL

Does the term 'cell phone novel' makes you raise your eyebrows? Never heard of it? No, it simply doesn't mean a novel you read on your phone.

CPN is a unique new form of writing, fusing serialized online storytelling with simple haiku-like poetic technique and with prose narrative. Each chapter or page is at most 200 words, but usually averaging around 50-100 words, using white space, line breaks, fragments, free flow poetry, deeply personal thoughts, emotions, and onwards. As it is about the literary culture, form and style, there is no restriction of genres or content. (excerpt from stakatsu.com).

[It originated in Japan almost fifteen years ago and landed in the English-language world in 2008. Takatsu (@takatsu) pioneered the first English CPN with his story, "Secondhand Memories." (story available on Wattpad)]

Sounds interesting? It should! There is something charming about CPN's that make them so addicting. Once you try reading/writing them, there will be no going back. Without further ado, here's the top eight reasons why you should write a cellphone novel!

1. SHORT BUT IMPACTFUL: If there is one thing a CPN is, then it's that it hits you right where the other stories can't. The few lines and words intricate between them such a beautiful balance of story and emotions that the reader is left breathless and wanting more.

2. INSPIRING: Talk to any CPN reader and that's what you'll hear from them the most. These aren't stories that you read to relax. These are the stories that you keep close to your heart, and re-visit them again and again, for that spark of inspiration. You savour it.

3. POETIC: For lovers and non-lovers of poetry alike, CPN is the link between stylistic prose, storytelling and beautiful poetry. Whether you want to try your hand with a story or a poem, this is a great transition phase that can bridge the gap between the two.

4. TIME SAVER: Short chapters mean that you don't have to devote a whole day to write a 2500 word update. When you're juggling with many full-length books but can't that new idea out of your head: write a CPN. It won't take much time and you'll get your literary release!

5. EXPERIMENTAL: CPN can be written as creatively as you want them to be. You can experiment with font, line breaks, alignment, and even new genres if you have never written in it before. It's easier to commit to it.

6. SENSE OF IMMEDIACY: The short chapters (though the number of chapters can go up to 100 or more) gives a sense of immediacy to the readers and they read the book cover to cover. It leaves a lasting impression even when they finish the book in thirty minutes. Win-win for everyone?

7. THERAPEUTIC: CPN is the best way to write from your heart. A story that you hold close; something you write you from your personal experiences...writing it all out can be therapeutic and a great way to get past a roadblock in your life.

8. CHALLENGE YOURSELF: Think of it as a challenge. Explore your boundaries and try to break past them. Why not write a CPN? Maybe you'll love it, maybe not. You can still try! (You can look up the full details and examples of more CPN's on @CellPhoneNovel.)

So, will you write a CellPhone Novel?

You can check out two of my CPN's:

*ONE OF THESE ENDINGS (completed)*

Seven chances.
Seven chances to save Archer.
Seven chances to revert the past.
Seven chances to right all the wrongs.
Seven chances more to see his face if things didn't work out.
Seven chances more to say I love him.
Seven chances felt too less.

Tryst goes back in time to stop her fiancé from committing suicide after her accidental death. With only seven chances to right the wrong, will they be able to find happiness?

*GIRLFRIEND BLUES (ongoing)*

"Akari and Nana,
the names fit so well together.
They met on a stormy night.
Akari crashed like a hurricane,
Nana came like a tornado,
two faces of one person,
two stars that were meant to collide and
d e s t r o y,
their destinies were tied forever."

A story which was supposed to be just that... a story. When Nana finds out that her life is playing out exactly as an online story predicted, she realizes that her future isn't unpredictable anymore.

But when the future she sees isn't what she expected it to be, can she save a lifetime of regret by changing herself?

Thank you so much for sticking till the end of this post. If you ever write a CPN, do let me know on this post or through a PM, I would love to read it! I'm grateful to my fellow CPN authors for sharing their views and contributing to this post. A huge thank you to KellyAnneBount for inviting me to the Wattpad Block Party for the third time. You're the best! Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a customized Baking With Boys postcard and dedications on:

Until next time!

Aanchal Budhiraja

(toohottobetrue2) 

***********

P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

GIVEAWAY LINK ONE:

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-for-wattpad-block-party_31.html

GIVEAWAY LINK TWO (with Widgets):

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-with-widgets-for-wattpad.html