New writer planning a very large fantasy/web novel universe — what should I know before starting seriously?
Hi everyone. I'm a beginner writer planning to start a very large-scale fantasy/web novel project, and I wanted to ask experienced writers/readers a few things before I fully commit to it.
The story is heavily focused on:
- worldbuilding
- politics/economics
- multiple civilizations/species
- military/logistics
- cultural conflict
- dark realism
- kingdom/civilization building
It's not really a small personal story, but something much bigger in scope, so I know it may become difficult to manage properly.
I wanted to ask:
What are the biggest mistakes new web novel writers usually make?
How much planning should be done before starting Chapter 1?
(Should I fully complete worldbuilding first, or develop it gradually?)
How long does it usually take to write a good chapter?
And what is considered a decent chapter length for web novels?
What matters more for audience growth:
- consistent uploads
- writing quality
- pacing
- character attachment
- worldbuilding
or something else?
For very large stories, how do you avoid overwhelming readers with too much lore/information?
How important are maps, illustrations, edits, trailers, etc. for growing a fantasy web novel audience?
Is using AI as an assistant for grammar fixing, scene expansion, brainstorming, etc. accepted nowadays if the core ideas/story are still mine?
Which platforms are best for:
- fantasy
- kingdom building
- darker political stories
- long-running worldbuilding series?
- Are there any YouTube channels, articles, guides, or creators you recommend for learning:
- storytelling
- pacing
- dialogue
- character writing
- web novel industry basics
- audience growth?
- Realistically, how long does it usually take before a web novel starts getting actual readers/followers?
I know this is a lot, but I genuinely want to learn properly instead of rushing into it blindly. Any advice is appreciated.