#WritersCoffeeClub 16/3: What's the largest cast you've ever written? What made it challenging?
For one book, it would have to be Alliances. Series wise would have to be the Divine Wars series since I plan characters books in advance and shift plans around
The toughest thing is keeping track of character relationships. That could lead to massive plot holes down the line if I don't keep that in line
#WritersCoffeeClub 16/3: What's the largest cast you've ever written? What made it challenging?
Depends how you define ‘cast’. The books invariably have a lot of named characters, even if they’re one-page walk-ons. The largest number of POV characters in one book is four, in The Skilthorn Congress. There was nothing particularly challenging in that because all the characters were clear and vivid to me.
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#WritersCoffeeClub Mar 16: What's the largest cast you've ever written? What made it challenging?
Pretty much everything I've written has large casts. The best way to stay clear of problems is just to assure yourself that even though they might be "in the room" in a scene, that doesn't mean you need to mention them.
#WritersCoffeeClub 16/3: What's the largest cast you've ever written? What made it challenging?
My third pony book has no main character and 18 voice characters, although some of those are fairly minor. I don't think it was more challenging to write than any other book though. The Cliffhangers has a large group. There are 11, but never all of them at once in a scene. It was challenging to introduce the main group. There is a point where Pride, the MC, gives up trying to remember who is who.
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/15. Talk about an experience you've had sharing your writing with a group.
Last year I started going to a monthly writers group at my local library. Everyone shares a few pages of writing for discussion. It's been helpful to see how something lands with an audience or get feedback. And I enjoy listening to other authors share their work and getting to help them in their writing process.
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/15. Talk about an experience you've had sharing your writing with a group.
Well of course the main thing is publication. It's hard for me to find readers, but the readers I have found are largely delightful in the feedback they share.
Outside of publication? I think the most valuable thing I did as a young writer is writing workshops in college and grad school. Maybe 2 of my classmates ever were really a "right reader" for what I write, but understanding how other people receive your writing style, receiving critical feedback for learning purposes, etc are very valuable.
The best thing about a writing workshop is the thick skin it helps you develop. You NEED that if your aspirations for your writing involve publishing it in some capacity.
#WritersCoffeeClub 15/3: Talk about an experience you had sharing your writing with a group.
I'm in a few Discord servers with fandom friends, and I share my books and snippets from WIPs with them. They're very supportive. In one server this has even sparked a trend where others do the same!
#writersCoffeeClub 3/15: Talk about an experience you had sharing your writing with a group.
Once when I was in college, I'd given a draft of a novella I was working on to a friend/housemate to read--printed out, because it was like 2003 or something. Then I left the room for a while (was I cooking dinner? maybe I ran to the co-op for groceries)...when I came back, a bunch of people were sitting in a circle reading the draft aloud, passing it from person to person.
I was initially mortified. What the fuck were they doing? But everyone assured me they were really enjoying it. "This is really good!"
In retrospect, the whole episode helped my confidence a lot. At the time I definitely wanted to die.
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/15. Talk about an experience you've had sharing your writing with a group.
I've shared small bits with my online writing group.
Never a big group, but the experiences I remember are positive. Good feedback when that's what I'm looking for, and they're always encouraging.
The only specific example was just for sharing, not critique or feedback.
But it was a scene intended to be funny, and I could see one of them laughing on the camera while I read lol
That was great.
#WritersCoffeeClub 15/3: Talk about an experience you had sharing your writing with a group.
I've been in a couple of critique groups. One irl and one online during COVID. I found it a really interesting experience, but challenging. Most of the people sought out the familiar and went by rules they'd been told. They 'criticised' without much/any thought and I found it hard to handle/accept. These days I seek response to my writing rather than critique. Most people have no clue how to critique.
#WritersCoffeeClub 15/3: Talk about an experience you had sharing your writing with a group.
I’ve talked about my writing in various ways, including very recently to a local book club, but if ‘sharing’ means reading aloud or something I haven’t done that for a very long time. But then again the books are out there in the world, people are reading them, and sometimes they say nice things about them. That’s sharing too.
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#WritersCoffeeClub March 14: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
Both. I think it depends on the reader, each one is different. Some take comfort in what's familiar. Others seek out new ideas.
#WritersCoffeeClub March 14: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
Well, "readers" aren't a monolithic group of people. I think in general attention spans are shortening and people are looking for "tropes" and familiar formats... but plenty of people are vigorous readers looking for something new and great to surprise and delight them.
Even within those groups, sometimes we want something safe and comfortable and sometimes we want to grow outside our comfort zone.
#WritersCoffeeClub 14 Mar: Do readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
¿Por qué no los dos?
Readers do crave new experiences, but trying new things comes w/cost and risk.
Those are both lower w/ known quantities.
This is a big factor in the popularity of series, and it's why people tend to stick with authors they've discovered they enjoy.
I have more to say on this...
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/14. Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I think there's a mix.
I know I'm this way: I find a book I LOVE and I start looking for books like it, because I want more.
But it often starts with a new author or story type. That moment of, "I'm not sure what to read next, so let's try this."
Readers love something new (generally). But then it gets redone to death, and people keep reading it.
So it's both.
#WritersCoffeeClub Mar. 13: Talk about an experience when you consulted an expert for a piece of writing.
I got a manuscript critique of my first book. It was a wise choice because she counted I think 114 characters... in a YA epic fantasy 😂. And had advice on merging characters with similar personalities and plot roles, which greatly helped get my cast down to a manageable size, as did culling minor named characters who only appeared once.
#WritersCoffeeClub day 14: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I hope my readers want new experiences and are open to some experimentation with structure & narrative... because that's what I'm offering!
Judging by reviews, some people are happy to read outside their usual genre, which implies they're also happy reading diff narratives & structures.
I'd assume people REALLY hung up on familiar tend to read the same author(s).
#WritersCoffeeClub 14/3: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I think when it comes to storytelling there is nothing new under the sun. So is a technique actually new? Or is it pretentious, obnoxious, and makes for a bad story?
#WritersCoffeeClub March 14. Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I think different people read different things for different reasons at different times. They probably want both. Also there's probably people who want something new but not so unfamiliar as to be unpleasant.
Writers’ Coffee Club for 14th March 2026
14. Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
It depends on the reader. Some really enjoy the new, and are quite happy to try new things out. Others just want the familiar way of presenting a good story.
Both viewpoints are equally valid, and there are writers catering to both groups.
I've seen a few posts from others today saying many people want the familiar, but with just enough seasoning of the new to make it interesting and exciting. That's a good way to describe it, I think.
#WritersCoffeeClub
#writersCoffeeClub 14 March: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they want what's familiar?
I think most people don't know what they want. There was a recent article about readers preferring first person over third, but I actually don't believe that's true; or if it is, it is a very weak preference. What people want is a coherent narrative that is well-written and entertaining.
A minority of readers really want to be challenged, and they will enjoy novelty in structure/narrative when done well--for example, House of Leaves! Interior Chinatown! I fit into this category, but I also read a lot of romance novels--definitely a fairly familiar/predictable genre in terms of structure.
#writersCoffeeClub 14 Mar 'Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?'
I think our readers want to be entertained.
Predictability, with the odd surprise thrown in.
A bit like your favourite restaurant offering a normal menu and adding a highlight with "Today's Special".
I for one, do not want a constant progression of new experiences.
More about Magnum Opus
#WritersCoffeeClub 14/3 Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I will admit to becoming quite disillusioned. My books are different than the run-of-the-mill stuff, and they do NOT sell well.
So I'm going to assume that the majority of readers prefer reading something that's familiar. In German, we say "same thing in green".
I prefer writing something a little different, but that will always be hard to market.
#WritersCoffeeClub 3/14. Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
The vast majority want to read the same thing again, but different.
#WritersCoffeeClub 14/3: Do you think readers want new experiences in structure or narrative, or do they prefer what's familiar?
I'm sure readers want both of those things. But I like to read things that are creative and original - from which I can experience a different perspective and learn something new. Please. And since I am the most prolific reader of my books by a massive margin, I lean in that direction when writing.
