Chapter 125

Now, it has become a regular daily routine, just like training time.

The self-proclaimed genius editor, Sima Mantian’s novel critique time.

Well, though I used the grand term ‘critique’…

It was actually a time to talk about the fun and enjoyable parts while reading the novel.

Sitting across the table.

Drinking tea and listening to Poong Ran’s worries while writing the novel.

“Actually… this time there were typos, and the background descriptions seem lacking… I think I wrote worse than last time… How can I write a more interesting novel?”

Seeing Poong Ran, who hesitates and relies on me like a baby bird, I crossed my arms.

I pondered how to counsel her.

Hmm~ First of all, regarding typos and grammar, there’s nothing much to say.

If it were a modern web novel, I would have told her not to stress too much about it.

Because, you know, it’s very easy to fix typos in web novels.

Even if you find them later, you can just go into the posted chapter and fix them.

Most importantly, if the novel is interesting, the readers are very grateful and will let you know.

[Whisper~ Author! There’s a typo here!]

They’ll cutely inform you like this.

Then the author.

[Ah?! There’s a typo here!! Hehe~ Reader! Thank you so~ so~ much for finding the typo! I’ll fix it right away!!]

You can respond like this and fix the typo.

[Achoo!? I made a mistake again!!]

Grammar mistakes can just be treated as the author’s cute charm and let go.

…But in this era, that’s impossible.

So, I couldn’t offer any particular advice.

Although the cultural powerhouse, Song Dynasty’s civilization, has been absorbed, and the technological level has advanced more than the actual era, making life better in Deng Dynasty.

Still, it’s an era where fixing typos and revising written sentences is a task.

Calmly complete the sentences on another paper.

All I can say is to write the final version.

However, regarding Poong Ran’s worries about background descriptions, I had something to say.

“Ran, if describing the background is hard, then just don’t describe it.”

“Huh?”

At the completely unexpected words, Poong Ran’s pretty green eyes widened.

“Uh, uh… Is that really okay?”

“Of course. Frankly, the background is just to let the readers know where the protagonist and characters are. If you’re not confident, just skip it and don’t drain your energy.”

At Sima Mantian’s outrageous words, a lightning bolt strikes Poong Ran’s mind.

Kurrung-!

Just skip it… just skip it… just skip it….

The evil faction’s trick overwhelms the innocent baby author!

“Writing a novel carelessly! That, that can’t be!”

Poong Ran, unable to accept the advice, shook her head vigorously with a ‘Peeyak!’ energy.

“Of course, I’m not saying to write the novel carelessly. I’m saying to focus more on other parts than the background.”

The bad wolf Sima Mantian’s sweet whispers confuse her ears.

“…Other parts?”

“The charm of the main characters driving the novel. The main story. The small events connecting the big stories.”

To increase persuasiveness, I moved to sit next to Poong Ran.

Sima Mantian just got closer to talk more intimately.

“Young Master!”

As her beloved oppa got closer, Poong Ran’s ears naturally turned red with rising heat.

“First of all, I don’t deny that excellent background descriptions enhance the fun and immersion of the novel.”

Among genre novels, there are works that describe the background as if you’re really there, or even more detailed and beautifully atmospheric.

The unique descriptive power and sentence skills make people admire.

“But still, the background is just the background, a side dish that enhances the novel’s fun. It doesn’t really carry the novel’s fun.”

“If you can write it well, it’s good, but you don’t have to obsess over it.”

One by one, without missing any, I spent time diligently writing.

At Sima Mantian’s outrageous words shaking the foundation of novel writing, Poong Ran’s pupils wavered.

…But this wasn’t the end.

After the whip, comes the carrot.

Sima Mantian immediately whispered sweet words into Poong Ran’s ear.

“Ran, you create charming characters well. You have talent.”

“Huh? Ah… thank you.”

At the sudden compliment, Poong Ran nodded cautiously.

“It’s not an empty compliment. The charm of the main characters driving the story is very important.”

Readers can overlook lacking background descriptions.

But if they don’t like the characters, especially the protagonist, they won’t read the novel.

Character charm. So-called ‘charisma’.

Charisma is important. If the characters are alive, you’re halfway there.

“It’s very good to recognize and try to fix your shortcomings. But you don’t need to obsess over them.”

“Rather than what you can’t do, cover your weaknesses with your big strengths.”

Being affirmed by others is a joyful thing.

And if it’s a compliment from someone you like, it’s even better.

At the sweet compliments ringing in her ears, Poong Ran’s heart beats fast.

‘My heart is racing! Heheu… my, my ears are going to melt…!’

Although he got closer than before.

Sima Mantian was naturally keeping his distance, but to Poong Ran, it felt like he was right next to her.

“Yes… yes… I’ll try.”

Unknowingly, her face relaxed, and her voice became faint.

And hearing Poong Ran’s answer, I nodded.

Then I opened my eyes wide.

“Good, now it’s time to get scolded.”

I’ve given enough praise, now it’s time to scold.

Raise and drop.

“Eh- uh, why?!”

Baby author Poong Ran, not understanding the situation, flinched and shrunk her shoulders, asking.

But now, I’m firm. I won’t go easy just because she’s cute.

“Earlier, you were bragging about the background… but in the end, you’re the one writing the novel. You can ignore my words and write as you want.”

“Then… why?”

At the question of why I gave such advice, I looked straight into Poong Ran’s eyes and said.

“Because you were anxious. I gave advice within my ability.”

“…But there’s something else I really want to say.”

I lifted the novel I enjoyed reading, written diligently by Poong Ran.

“While reading, I didn’t feel that your novel lacked background descriptions or was poorly written.”

“……!!”

Showing creative work to others is scary. It’s a natural feeling.

Because if the novel you worked hard on is denied, it feels like you’re being denied.

…That’s why inexperienced authors make common mistakes.

They point out the flaws in their own work before others can.

Instead of colliding and breaking, they try to lessen the pain.

It’s not particularly bad.

Because there are people who go beyond strong criticism and spit out venomous words.

I understand.

…But still, you shouldn’t do that.

“Ran, readers are picky, but not that picky.”

“Like me, they might not notice the parts you think are flaws. They might not even know if those parts are flaws in the novel.”

It’s okay for readers to point out flaws in the novel. But the author shouldn’t point them out first.

“But if you, as the author, say those parts are flaws, then they become real flaws in the novel.”

Even people who didn’t think they were flaws will start to see them as flaws.

“…So what I want to say is, don’t belittle the novel you worked hard on.”

I handed the novel to Poong Ran and spoke softly.

“Be more confident. As I said earlier, I enjoyed reading it so much that small flaws didn’t even catch my eye.”

“Young Master… that… thank you so much.”

Poong Ran, with her head deeply bowed, took the novel and hugged it tightly to her chest.

She couldn’t lift her head.

‘I’m happy… really… happy! My face is burning!!’

If she lifted her head, her bright red face would surely be seen.

To not let the fast-beating heart be heard.

Like a mother bird hatching eggs.

She hugged the precious novel praised by Young Master tightly to her chest.

***

Near the Martial Alliance, the bookstore.

Now completely immersed in enjoying tea and snacks while reading novels.

The vampire girl, Ner, tilts her head curiously.

“Hey- this novel is fun. But it’s not popular. How can I make it more popular?”

She asked Jang Do, who was writing his next novel, holding out the book she was reading.

Jang Do stopped his brush and glanced at the book Ner held out.

“There are many ways, but the simplest way is…”

He said calmly.

“To draw illustrations of pretty-faced, big-breasted, and round-bottomed female characters.”

“…Huh? Really, that makes it more popular?”

At Ner’s dumbfounded expression, Jang Do nodded with a serious, non-joking face.

“It does. At least it grabs attention. And that’s the most important.”

His eyes shone sharply.

“Of course, pretty girls, breasts, and butts are a must. Illustrations are no joke.”