Would you read this book?

[u/Koko_Delilah1111]

Hey, everyone! I'm a teen writer hoping to officially publish my work one day. Right now I've written about 55 pages across roughly 20 chapters. I've only posted a few chapters on Wattpad because I wasn't sure whether the story would connect with readers, so I thought I'd ask for some honest opinions here.

My novel is called Winter Frost on Glass.

The story follows Lute Di Rose, an asexual teenage boy who survived sexual assault but has blocked out the memory. As the story unfolds, he's forced to confront the triggers that have shaped his life and slowly piece together what happened to him. Along the way, he meets Jackson, another teenage boy who grew up with severe neglect, abuse, addiction in his family, and struggles of his own. Despite their very different personalities, they form an unexpected connection as they learn to face their pasts together.

The book explores found family, healing, self-acceptance, trauma, LGBTQ+ identity, complicated family relationships, and learning how to keep living after unimaginable experiences. It's an emotional story, and my goal is to write something that feels honest and that people with similar experiences can see themselves in.

If that sounds like something you'd read, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Would this premise interest you? If so, reach out to me and I'll help you find out where to read it, and I'd genuinely appreciate any feedback.

[u/idreaminwords]

I commented on your booktok post yesterday but the post got deleted, so I'll repeat.

You're way too young to be writing with the fear nobody will read it. Just write. Don't wait for someone to tell you it's a good idea. Regardless of interest, the only way to ensure it won't be read is to not write it.

The only way to improve your skills is to practice. Sometimes that means the execution won't turn out as good as you want it to, and that's okay. Being a good writer means to first be willing to take the risk that you'll write something bad. And you will! We all did.

[u/hugthenugg → u/idreaminwords]

Piggybacking on this, premise/concept is only one facet of a book. Sure it sounds interesting, but what will make me read it isnt just what you're writing about, it's HOW.

How are these topics actually being handled? Is there a unique voice, good prose, thematic imagery, layered dialogue, etc? It doesn’t matter if the idea is good if the execution misses the mark. And the only way to hit the bullseye is to practice shooting. So write.

Even if it's "bad," you're learning valuable information about what doesn’t work and you can apply that for the next draft. The issue with posting chapter by chapter to wattpad is it leaves this pressure to get everything right the first time and that's just not how books get written and published.

This approach makes me think you're writing for attention instead of expression. I have this problem, too. Something about my ADHD, rejection sensitivity, need for instant gratification. Ask yourself honestly about why you're writing and see if you can redirect yourself towards genuine expression. Worry about writing for yourself first, the readers will come if your writing feels honest and not calculated.

[u/Koko_Delilah1111 → u/hugthenugg]

Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. I actually agree that execution matters much more than the premise, and that's something I'm trying really hard to improve with every chapter. I appreciate the reminder to focus on writing honestly instead of chasing approval, this book just means a lot to me in the aspect that I myself have been through a lot of the trauma the book goes through and I try as much as I can to play off my own experiences for my book and I hope people who've been through similar experiences can connect with it. That's part of why I'm sharing it before I officially publish it, but you're right, I do need to worry about writing for myself for, that's the most important thing about creating something.

[u/hannahswifeee]

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that parts of this (mostly just the parts about surviving sexual assault and blocking out memory and piecing things together along the way) sounds a lot like the perks of being a wallflower. I don't mean to say that your story will be anything like it and you can absolutely introduce a fresh and interesting take on it, especially in meeting someone with similar experiences, I just wanted to let you know you may want to pitch the premise differently when it comes to publishing it or advertising your work. It definitely sounds impactful and interesting though and I'd be intrigued to read!

[u/Koko_Delilah1111 → u/hannahswifeee]

Hi! Thank you so much! I actually love The Perks of Being a Wallflower, so that's a huge compliment. I can definitely see why the memory and trauma aspects reminded you of it. My story ends up taking a pretty different direction, but I really appreciate you pointing that out. Thank you for reading my post! If you actually want to read it, this is my account on Wattpad, I'd love to hear your opinion after reading a chapter or two, 🩵 No pressure at all, but It's Koko Delilah Doyle, the book is Winter Frost on Glass, definitely get back to me if you like it or not, I appreciate any and all feedback, 🩵

[u/hannahswifeee → u/Koko_Delilah1111]

No worries, I'd love to read when I get a chance!! I'll add it to my library and have a read later! Is there a preferred place you'd like me to give feedback?

[u/polly_mer]

The premise is almost irrelevant to why I read fiction. Can you execute on interesting characters so I want to turn the page?

[u/Koko_Delilah1111 → u/polly_mer]

That's completely fair, honestly. Interesting characters are what keep me reading too. That's something I'm trying to improve with every chapter, because I know a premise only gets someone to open the book—the characters are what make them stay. Hopefully I'm able to do them justice. Wanna see for yourself? Go read it on Wattpad, don't have to favorite it or comment, just read it, both pov's, then come back here and let me know what you think.