Biggest Wattpad Pet Peeves

Not an Update!

I would like to point out that despite the title, this IS, in fact, an update of my rant. This installment is a rant against people who post chapters entitled "Not an Update".

So what exactly was so important that you had to interrupt the story to post it? And what about the poor readers who got all excited about the next update - except it turned out it wasn't an update.

If it's a long list of excuses for why you haven't been/won't be updating for a long time, don't bother. No one wants to read that. Just leave a brief note at the end of your next chapter. Next chapter, as in part of an actual update, so you don't royally annoy your readers by faking them out with a fake "Not an Update" chapter.

Or broadcast a message to your followers on your message board. That's what it's for, right?

And if you're posting an update to tell the readers why you will be discontinuing the story? Don't. Just don't. Discontinued story + readers eagerly awaiting next update = bad things happen to author.

For some reason, the thing that bugs me the most is when they literally call it "Not an Update". No. It's an author's note, so why aren't you calling it that? Are you trying to make it sound cooler or something lame like that? 'Cause it's not working. You're only reminding the readers how annoyed they are that it's not, in fact, an update.

And then they tend to say, "Sorry if you thought this was an update!" Okay, first, stop sucking up to your readers. That just irks me. Second, you sound kind of conceited if you think all your readers will like die of depression since this isn't an update (even if deep down they are). And finally, you're once again drawing attention to the readers' annoyance. Not a good strategic move if you want happy readers.

Let me make it simple:

Not an update = Not happy readers. >:-(

Update = Happy Readers. :-)

Now think carefully about which one we really want here.

I have (another) brilliant idea. Let's all comment "not a comment" on all the "not an update" posts. See how they like that. AymaLoonatic gave me the idea. Thanks.