webnovel

Light novels

Hey guys, I haven't been posting recently bc of a new project I'm working on, but here's another one that I've had since the beginning of my journey here.

This probably won't be my last, but it will be quite a while before I write here again.

***

My light novel addiction had to have come from somewhere. There are many reasons that I keep reading and scrolling on and on, yet I became enlightened when I stared at the ceiling after scrolling too long on social media.

It's an escape.

Reading endless web novels feels like I'm not part of this world, but instead, I'm immersed in the world I'm reading about. It's new and exciting. A whole world of exploration, power that I've only dreamed of, and a riveting story unlike my mundane life.

It's an escape from the real world.

I realized this when a fateful video literally told me to stop scrolling, and I listened. I sat on my chair, staring listlessly at my blank ceiling, as I thought.

Social media is like light novels, in a way. It's another form of escape, though much more dangerous. Each short video is not like a chapter that has meaning to a story, character development, or world building. Instead, they are easily forgotten, little bits of junk that you consume until your brain is fried.

Unfortunately, I am moving away from light novels and into social media. Fortunately, I am writing stuff, which is 10x more enjoyable than scrolling endlessly through anything. It's a fun hobby that I like to do and is productive (at least, to me).

Light novels are a form of escape from the real world. I feel like another reason is because in a light novel, you know that there will be an ending. You know that there will likely be a happy ending. Characters resolve their goals, the main villain is defeated, happily ever after.

But what about your own story?

How will it end?

Will it be a good ending?

We just don't know, and I think that drives us to read light novels. We are so focused on a good story with a surefire plot that you know will leave you satisfied, yet we aren't satisfied with our own story. We want the feeling of knowing a good ending, so we seek it through novels instead of building one ourselves in the real world.

It's not to say that you shouldn't read these books, but to me, personally, I've become too addicted to those fascinating worlds, power, and story that will never be my own. Instead of focusing on mine, I focus on theirs.

I realized this fully, and it's quite a revelation. Though, this doesn't come without benefits.

Without light novels, I probably would be fully addicted to social media, which is an (imo) infinitely times worse addiction. Spending all my time reading is way better than scrolling all day. In that way, I guess web novels has saved me.

I also found them when I was in a dark place in my life. I lived my life alone, in the dark, while watching others flourish and find joy. Light novels were like an angel, the single light in my sad life.

It will always hold a special place in my heart, especially when I'm currently trying to work on one. I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm optimistic (not rlly tho).

Anyways, thanks for reading.

:)