Chapter 1: Martial Arts Writing Meta and other thoughts (8/2/2020)
Quick disclaimer: These are my ideas on writing in the Martial Arts Genre and my opinions. I don't read too many original novels due to the monetary requirements so this is mostly directed at fanfiction novels. Also, this is from mostly a readers perspective as I haven't written any novels because I can think of everything but the ending. It seems so hard to end a cultivation novel.
As a reader I have read many martial arts novels, as you do when your addicted to reading. It gets my blood pumping when there is an awesome buildup to a fighting scene. So much so, that I end up bleeding out of my nose (idk why lol) and getting a red face. So, I'm hoping that this will help some people overcome writing blocks and identify the changing meta over time (MOT). As I only usually read martial arts novels I wont comment too much on other genre's but it's kinda related.
THE META: I think the meta is shifting as you can see(I made a joke here). Systems are getting annoying to read, and if harems aren't done properly they suck. You, as an author, may think that, "well, it's just my novel you can like it or not", while that is true, it's not a very good thing for readers to experience reading the same type of novels over and over again. On the same page, it's not fair for an author because they experience heavy criticism because their novel may not be what people are looking for: The same type of genre with the same type of story line.
This issue is even more exacerbated by the fact that the martial arts genre has been standardized by Chinese writers (I think Dragon Marked War God and other novels come from China I believe?) as fight, family gets killed, fight, re-, fight, fight, oh there was romance?, more fighting, fi-, this is the end? Obviously I am exaggerating a bit.
But there are other factors such as in your writing setting webnovel, lowkey, recommends you to write a system novel and other things. While this isn't bad and gives the writer an idea, it's also not good because at this time the genre is super saturated with system novels, harem novels, etc.
But anyway, the meta is shifting. It used to be system novels, harems (I mean it's technically still OK, as long as you do it well), fights after more fights (I still like fights and the trash talk), Arrogant young masters ( please no, go light on the dressing please), dumb female leads (why? just why? It is so upsetting to read novels where the female lead is like, "Oh, yeah that's my rich suitor from like a super powerful clan, I think you also killed his brother by the way, he also has a very powerful grandpa and is like 50 cultivation levels over you, (insert concerned but casual line here). I don't think he will bother you, he's only looking for me.")
That is the older meta (insert obscure reference here Ex, Thank glob!), there has been a noticeable shift from something like that towards a novel kind of mocking that kind of thing. The Strongest Sect of All Time and I Don't Want to Defy The Heavens are both two examples of it. Granted, the second one isn't as popular, but it's a breath of fresh air for people like me who read way too many martial arts novels.
But that's the meta for Translated Chinese Novels, what's the meta in webnovel(for fanfictions/some original novels)?
Well, kinda the same thing, most old fanfictions and some new ones have harems and dumb female leads, young masters, etc. This is where the problem starts. For the new authors they need a place to start, so they follow the trend. However, with the genre being super saturated people are very critical, including myself, and some people just say, "I'm out, good luck." which doesn't really help.
Although, there are mostly helpful and kind people in the fanfiction community who leave constructive criticism and kind comments to encourage the writers (as they are doing this for free (people tend to forget this)). IDK about the original community, all I know is, FOR THE COLONY!
Anyway, how would this help writers?
Well, I would say lay off writing the system novels, cringy rich young master novels, and dumb female leads novels for your first novel. I would say give the characters more breathing room. The female lead doesn't have to be destined to marry the male lead by the first chapter.
The female lead also shouldn't be a freaking 'weak and gentle' girl. I honestly don't know why people think that is 'super realistic' or like it that much. All the females I know are aggressive and (NOT TSUNDERE) stand up for themselves when they encounter adversity. Honestly you make the male lead or female lead look like a baby sitter if you have them take care of the opposite gender (or same gender not judging) for part of the novel.
Let them struggle through their own adversity that creates character.
I am not saying the male lead and female lead shouldn't meet up, what I am saying is that you shouldn't have them glued to each other for years (especially when they're young) allowing them to groom each other. Not realistic. This process also kills character development. You draw in readers by readers relating themselves or their experiences to what you write. Or, if you just write something cool and blood boiling.
Side Note: Don't create impossible seeming obstacles at the start. For people like me who gets immersed in the story, I get a headache due to thinking how the main character will overcome that obstacle. I would recommend small events that can lead up to a big event. However, you have to change the formula up, how you do so is up to you as an author.
Character development (I'm all over the place)
If your character is reincarnating or transmigrating at the age of like 20+, there is a defined character. No, I do not want your crappy backstory that you never actually relate to the rest of the novel itself (sorry authors). I think that it would be cooler but also harder to get us interested in the characters backstory by bringing it up briefly when the situation is appropriate.
You can also add in humor, 'I believe I can cultivate this rising dragon three blue, white, and yellow pagoda body, after all, I survived studying for Nice Posture academy when I was younger in my past life.' A good (mine was ok, not great) short flashback can allow people to be interested in his past which you can relate to a future event and then explain or never explain at all.
Side Note: If your main character was transmigrated or reincarnated you can still work on character development. However, the change should require time. After all, it doesn't really make sense if you are an 'emotionless killer' after like your first time killing.
That just is not very realistic. You can get used to death, and you can not be super panicky when seeing blood. However, for the first few times the main character should be uncomfortable as that makes sense. Unless, the main character has some mental trauma that prevents him from being too effected, which in that case, would be seem OK from a readers perspective.
Being an author is easier than people may think. If you've read enough you can try.
Although there is a noticeable difference between an experienced writer and a beginner writer as long as you have read some books/novels, heck even if you've read one you can write. How I, as an amateur author, am thinking of starting my novel(s) is really easy. It's the same thing you may do when you encounter a new essay format you have to write in school. You copy the outline. That easy.
You don't need to copy the outline for the rest of the story(hopefully), as it's your story. You can think of the direction to take it. The hardest part for starting out is doing the introduction and the ending. It's crucial because some people do not have patience to read through like 3 chapters of boring exposition that may be useful for the future story, (but ends up not being) and don't want to miss some of the potential plot (kinda being biased here).
For reincarnation and transmigration novels you should just keep it short, no god, no 3 chapter of exposition, just what he was doing right before and then he ends up somewhere new. Or, you can just start with where the main character reincarnated and just say," I was doing my day(or night) job and just ended up here somehow (or I died by a truck, etc.)". The key is to keep it short (very short), unless it's related to future plot.
The struggles of an author: So many ideas of super powers and powers have been taken from my mind due to basically everything being used as I have read too many novels. I can say one of my worries is that my story and the powers the main character has, has to be unique. I will say to other people who may have the same considerations that I think it doesn't matter.
Side Note: If you are going to have a main character reincarnate without his memories, you might as well skip the scene as it's kind of pointless. Just have him start out as someone who transmigrated and figures out what they transmigrated with. If you need to, you can show that the main character had his/her memories wiped, but otherwise it really doesn't make much sense. You can write it better if your doing the 'scene' for plot.
If you get too caught up in thinking about those kind of things it gets hard to write.
When you write a fanfiction: It's hard to write a fanfiction. In fact, it can be harder than writing an original novel. This is because you have to write to make sure that what the original characters do, and their reaction to something happening makes sense from what you see in the book/novel/movie/manga/anime.
I forgot the rest of what I was going to say(I'm sure the comments may have some more ideas), I'll just leave some ideas.
-Using impurities to cultivate creating a 'corrosion' effect from energy used
-Having it known among clans and families that if their sons and daughter are too cocky they will be killed, so there is more low key young masters leading there to be more interesting plots (as they are more experienced in worldly matters) and stronger young masters
-Using a different main weapon than a sword for the main character to mainly use and learn some type of broken 'intent' with ex.) mace, spear, saber, etc.
Brain juice is running low, hope this helps.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
peacelucky
peacelucky I just want some ideas to bounce around. I don't like writing I like reading way more. So, I want people to write more for me, and our leader, Webnovel. But, I will write if someone can give me some idea of how to end a cultivation novel because I'm so confused how to.
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