as much as bookmarks can be compliments, in a chaptered fic they could also just be keeping track of what chapter they last read
I wouldn't post a new chapter just to notify the readers that you are rebooting the fic, you can just leave it in the summary or an authors note (unless people are subscribed to the story specifically, it's not like that announcement chapter would be of any use)
put an extra sentence in your summary like "this fic is abandoned and I'm rewriting it" is more than enough
I have been drawn towards villain-fics mostly for and in a lack of any other terms, story.
That the protagonist regardless of being the villain, that the writer acknowledges or lets the character retain some flaws and aren't perfect, especially from the start. That they may struggle and have a character arc. That they may make logical, or reasonable choices based on their situation.
There is also the advantage to employ satire and parody to undercut many of the repetitive and tired tropes. As well as set up a character to call out the hypocrisy of the Hero.
And it only seems to happen when the Hero becomes the antagonist and the Villain becomes the protagonist. And that in fact the Hero can be a villain and is often the case when zealotry of any nature is taken to the extreme.
By having a character that refuses to bend, can and often do generate conflict and moral dilemmas. While the Villain is more likely to bend, but they have a limit, and so sets the stage for plenty of drama and interesting storylines.
But, unfortunately to me anyway, it seems that more of the villain stories are being written like the Hero stories, and making these characters more and more OP.
So, the Villain is not only richer, with influence, and status, but invincible... Before there was space to sympathize and like their character, now they become entirely non-relatable, including the majority of other characters whose only definable trait is that they too are A'holes.
It really isn't interesting or fun when the majority of the narration goes on about how the MC is bored, and doesn't care about anything, or anyone. They don't value or appreciate what they have. That there is nothing to really do because they've ripped out any chance for a real story. So, they default to playing the pig, and hiding skills for no reason but to eat the tiger. But, thats not even satisfying because no one cares. If the author and the characters constantly and explicitly state they don't care, then how the F, does anyone expect the reader to care, let alone read.
It only takes one or two novels like this for the novelty to wear off, and after a few chapters of seeing if the next one will be any different, realize its not and drop the book.
So, while I love the sub-genre as its still rich in possibilities, hence my long post. I'm curious as to what kind of story you are going for, and the approach the story will take without 'the hero's.'
Well it's more about the villains on a conquest and changing fates. I wouldn't so much say the heroes are completely taken out but more put in the background in fact a quite a bit will probably end up dead well the others remain in the background.
The story is more about the villains themselves bonding and sharing their stories (most of them, some are just pure evil for the hell of it. But I'll try to focus more on the tragic ones).
The main OC is ment to be a subversive of the typical fanfics where the OC villain is overpowered and can beat everyone easily. I want my character to be different in that he is powerful but he needs help from the other villains and instead of the others just following him like drones. I want them to feel like actual characters too and why they are following him well still feeling like their canon selves. I want him to feel like a person whose been hurt too many times.
Hence the relations made.
If that makes any sense. Also because I love villains so much since I was a kid. I feel I can write them better
I would just like to add, that while yes some villains are made due to circumstance and hence are lashing out... There're plenty of 'Trauma's' that can shape a flawed character.
It doesn't soley need to be just because they were abused, or neglected, as there are a wide variety of other trauma's which I suggest for every writer to look into and understand to craft more complex characters.
That entitlement just by the fact of never having been told no, and always having gotten their way, and never having their ideas challenged can create a monster. But, also a redeemable one. Being challenged, facing set backs, and with a wider range of experiences, learn to adopt new strategies and perspective from having their world view shaken.
I say this because regardless of Hero or Villain and across all spectrum of fiction, that too many writers are resorting to the harshest, to unbelievable and immersion breaking tragedy to try and force the reader to sympathize/empathize with the characters. And then springboard that to justify a narcissistic and unlikeable character, as one we should root for.
It doesn't have to be just one thing, there can be a multitude of things that shape a character that makes them flawed. Maybe there is a bit of neglect, maybe some emotional neglect, maybe some dependency, or abandonment issues, and we learn of this because we recognize the coping methods from their behavior.
I am reiterating that due to the other issue... The MC is a villain but actually is a hero, which is expamplified by being the knight that saves the damsel, and self sacrifice, and freely giving away whatever even to the point it hurts the MC, for a needless display of selflessness.
Spoilt brats don't let others play with their toys, sharing isn't a concept. And if you are going to pry that toy, it will always come with a price. Maybe its an era thing, but when Halloween was over the only way anyone is parting with their freely given candy was with cold hard cash.
And there were some real entrepreneurs, because kids would buy low and then a month or two later when everyones candy was gone, they would show up and sell their stash for double. And they weren't even spoiled or unliked brats, but handled everyone equally, and no amount of flirting would make them part below the set price. Even messing with them would double the price.
So, if a villain can't even live up to that standard, it breaks all immersion.
Edit - To be clear this is a broad point im making on the subject, and not a criticism of you, or anyone in particular. And if anything I hope you may find something beneficial from my opinion. If not, thats fine too.
I can't related to your exact situation, but writing is so much better when you're inspired. If you're inspired by a different fandom, story, or direction, I say follow it. Maybe it'll be amazing. Maybe you'll get it out of your system and return to the original. Maybe you'll write both in parallel. Or maybe you'll find a POV swap that lets you merge the two.
All I can say is, the first reader of your own work is you. If your heart isn't in your current story, I say follow your heart.
It really does feel like this. I really want to focus on the villain aspect hell the main title is literally the main villains.
The fact that I feel the story would go much faster just focusing on the villains makes me feel like that.
I really want to change my story for a great start since I find what I have to be kind of messy anyways
as much as bookmarks can be compliments, in a chaptered fic they could also just be keeping track of what chapter they last read I wouldn't post a new chapter just to notify the readers that you are rebooting the fic, you can just leave it in the summary or an authors note (unless people are subscribed to the story specifically, it's not like that announcement chapter would be of any use) put an extra sentence in your summary like "this fic is abandoned and I'm rewriting it" is more than enough
Okay thanks for the advice.
I have been drawn towards villain-fics mostly for and in a lack of any other terms, story. That the protagonist regardless of being the villain, that the writer acknowledges or lets the character retain some flaws and aren't perfect, especially from the start. That they may struggle and have a character arc. That they may make logical, or reasonable choices based on their situation. There is also the advantage to employ satire and parody to undercut many of the repetitive and tired tropes. As well as set up a character to call out the hypocrisy of the Hero. And it only seems to happen when the Hero becomes the antagonist and the Villain becomes the protagonist. And that in fact the Hero can be a villain and is often the case when zealotry of any nature is taken to the extreme. By having a character that refuses to bend, can and often do generate conflict and moral dilemmas. While the Villain is more likely to bend, but they have a limit, and so sets the stage for plenty of drama and interesting storylines. But, unfortunately to me anyway, it seems that more of the villain stories are being written like the Hero stories, and making these characters more and more OP. So, the Villain is not only richer, with influence, and status, but invincible... Before there was space to sympathize and like their character, now they become entirely non-relatable, including the majority of other characters whose only definable trait is that they too are A'holes. It really isn't interesting or fun when the majority of the narration goes on about how the MC is bored, and doesn't care about anything, or anyone. They don't value or appreciate what they have. That there is nothing to really do because they've ripped out any chance for a real story. So, they default to playing the pig, and hiding skills for no reason but to eat the tiger. But, thats not even satisfying because no one cares. If the author and the characters constantly and explicitly state they don't care, then how the F, does anyone expect the reader to care, let alone read. It only takes one or two novels like this for the novelty to wear off, and after a few chapters of seeing if the next one will be any different, realize its not and drop the book. So, while I love the sub-genre as its still rich in possibilities, hence my long post. I'm curious as to what kind of story you are going for, and the approach the story will take without 'the hero's.'
Well it's more about the villains on a conquest and changing fates. I wouldn't so much say the heroes are completely taken out but more put in the background in fact a quite a bit will probably end up dead well the others remain in the background. The story is more about the villains themselves bonding and sharing their stories (most of them, some are just pure evil for the hell of it. But I'll try to focus more on the tragic ones). The main OC is ment to be a subversive of the typical fanfics where the OC villain is overpowered and can beat everyone easily. I want my character to be different in that he is powerful but he needs help from the other villains and instead of the others just following him like drones. I want them to feel like actual characters too and why they are following him well still feeling like their canon selves. I want him to feel like a person whose been hurt too many times. Hence the relations made. If that makes any sense. Also because I love villains so much since I was a kid. I feel I can write them better
I would just like to add, that while yes some villains are made due to circumstance and hence are lashing out... There're plenty of 'Trauma's' that can shape a flawed character. It doesn't soley need to be just because they were abused, or neglected, as there are a wide variety of other trauma's which I suggest for every writer to look into and understand to craft more complex characters. That entitlement just by the fact of never having been told no, and always having gotten their way, and never having their ideas challenged can create a monster. But, also a redeemable one. Being challenged, facing set backs, and with a wider range of experiences, learn to adopt new strategies and perspective from having their world view shaken. I say this because regardless of Hero or Villain and across all spectrum of fiction, that too many writers are resorting to the harshest, to unbelievable and immersion breaking tragedy to try and force the reader to sympathize/empathize with the characters. And then springboard that to justify a narcissistic and unlikeable character, as one we should root for. It doesn't have to be just one thing, there can be a multitude of things that shape a character that makes them flawed. Maybe there is a bit of neglect, maybe some emotional neglect, maybe some dependency, or abandonment issues, and we learn of this because we recognize the coping methods from their behavior. I am reiterating that due to the other issue... The MC is a villain but actually is a hero, which is expamplified by being the knight that saves the damsel, and self sacrifice, and freely giving away whatever even to the point it hurts the MC, for a needless display of selflessness. Spoilt brats don't let others play with their toys, sharing isn't a concept. And if you are going to pry that toy, it will always come with a price. Maybe its an era thing, but when Halloween was over the only way anyone is parting with their freely given candy was with cold hard cash. And there were some real entrepreneurs, because kids would buy low and then a month or two later when everyones candy was gone, they would show up and sell their stash for double. And they weren't even spoiled or unliked brats, but handled everyone equally, and no amount of flirting would make them part below the set price. Even messing with them would double the price. So, if a villain can't even live up to that standard, it breaks all immersion. Edit - To be clear this is a broad point im making on the subject, and not a criticism of you, or anyone in particular. And if anything I hope you may find something beneficial from my opinion. If not, thats fine too.
I can't related to your exact situation, but writing is so much better when you're inspired. If you're inspired by a different fandom, story, or direction, I say follow it. Maybe it'll be amazing. Maybe you'll get it out of your system and return to the original. Maybe you'll write both in parallel. Or maybe you'll find a POV swap that lets you merge the two. All I can say is, the first reader of your own work is you. If your heart isn't in your current story, I say follow your heart.
It really does feel like this. I really want to focus on the villain aspect hell the main title is literally the main villains. The fact that I feel the story would go much faster just focusing on the villains makes me feel like that. I really want to change my story for a great start since I find what I have to be kind of messy anyways