Well, as you can see, the frequency of updates has been getting worse and worse, so I thought I might ask the target demographic for suggestions on progressing the story.
The next couple of chapters will involve a time skip followed by a return to the Douluo Dalu world. The problem is, I'm not sure what to include in the time skip.
Should I introduce new plot-relevant characters off-screen? Should I have Yuhao master the 2nd Herrscher's authority during the one-year skip? And so on.
I'm stuck in a paradox of choice, so I thought I'd ask for your suggestions.
The time skip will last one year and should show progress in both the modern world and the magical world of Argena.
Questions:
✦What should be included during this one-year skip?
✦What amount of development would be realistic in the modern Japan world?
✦Should I introduce more characters off-screen?
✦What types of abilities should Yuhao acquire during this time?
A lot of people are against Huo Yun'er being one of the female leads, which honestly surprised me, considering the Webnovel demographic is mostly "cultured" people—myself included. I even made her look like Changli, but still, no positive reception.
I probably should set up a Discord server at some point, as I at least need one person who's knowledgeable about the Honkai world (the wiki is absolutely useless).
I also tried rereading the Isekai de Cheat Skill light novel (the source material for the anime) to refresh my memory of the plot and—oh my god—I can't stand Yuuya anymore. I couldn't believe that I once binged 11 volumes of this stuff. So, if you're knowledgeable about the world, hop into the Discord (when I make it) so we can discuss.
Another question: should we stick with the current worlds (Douluo Dalu, Argena, and modern Japan), or should we add more?
I wrote notes about Yuhao training in the Lands of Shadows under Shishou, then participating in the 4th Holy Grail War as an independent Servant. I've been reading a lot of rage-bait Fate fanfics about the 4th war, and I want to write an arc where Yuhao blitzes through it and gains multiple abilities on the cheap.
I also imagined him going to the NieR: Automata world and recruiting all the androids for his organization—though I still have no idea how to develop that organization in Douluo Dalu. Most people aren't familiar with NieR, so for now, that idea exists only in my notes.
So yeah—what do you think? I really don't want this project to die like the millions of other abandoned Douluo fanfics on this site, so I'd really appreciate your feedback and reviews.
Also, if I started a Patreon, would you be interested in joining? My thought was that if I had a set schedule and people expecting chapters regularly, I'd feel pressured to write more consistently.
What tiers do you suggest?
I've seen some insane ones charging $30 for five chapters (and let's not even talk about Webnovel's translations). I don't want to be that person who sets unrealistic tiers no one will join, then feel depressed that nobody joined. (Believe me, I overthink a lot.)
That's about it. I hope you can give me some feedback and reviews—they help me know how well I'm doing with the story.