Hey everyone, SK here!

Before we start, not sure if you saw my announcement, but I have a new pen name: Sylkia (Sylkie) Khallows.

You can still call me SK, Scribble, or whatever you called me before- I'm just gonna use my pen name for when I begin writing my original novels.

Speaking of that... I am literally so excited to post my first fantasy novel, but I have absolutely no plot for it.  If any of you have any ideas... TwT

Anyway, where were we?

Oh yeah.  Wattpad rant.

Well, not really a rant, it's just something I thought of.

Maybe it's a rant?

Idek.

Anyway... let's actually fucking start talking instead of going over and over.

I'm sure all of you know The Fairy's Cure right?  Well I'd certainly hope so, it does seem to be the most-read book on my profile.  And I hope all of you that read it are going to read The Fairy's Poison, because that book deserves your support as much as its predecessor. :D

(I do hope that you're enjoying it so far)

As a lot of you know, or at least assume, The Fairy's Poison is all about the three main OCs that I created: August and Verity, Ash and Serena's twins, and Valerie... I would say her parents but eh, spoilers.  You WILL find out in two chapter's time: so chapter 8. ;)

I mean, Amour will be in it, but Amour isn't the main focus of TFP like it was for TFC.  And the more I think about it, considering this is an OC story... basically, if it weren't for the fact that Pokemon exist in the world, The Fairy Duology could have been its own original fantasy novel series.  

Basically, no Ash or Serena.  Two new protagonists (which don't exist, this is just speculation), new characters, and no Pokemon.

I actually did think about this before TFC was first published- I did think that I could make it an original novel (remember, at the time there was no book 2).  Take out the Mist Pokemon and replace it with some other concept- probably Mist Animals of some sort- take out the Pokemon characters, and it'd be an original novel.  

Except there was one problem with that.

Unless the book's genre is Fanfiction or Romance, Wattpad is against it.  The algorithm that it uses to recommend stories only really gives you fanfiction and romance stories, because that's what people read the most.  Ever check out your homefeed?  I know I haven't in the last couple months because the stories it recommends are never good- but the top books it recommends are always some version of a high school romance, the most stereotypical Pokemon fanfiction (Ash Betrayed, High School AU, etc.), or some fucked up Alpha Wolf type romance.

Trust me, I know this from experience.  A World of Her Own was the first book I published to my profile- it is an original novel, but it is SciFi / Teen Fiction.  From day one Wattpad hated it (which, in retrospect, the book kinda sucks, BUT I'VE GOTTEN WORSE SHIT RECOMMENDED TO ME!!), and to this day it gets like a single read once every three months.  I know.

I knew that if TFC was an original novel, no one would read it.  It would get nowhere on Wattpad.  So, I kept its course and made it an Amour story, and you guys loved it (I think?)!!  

And if I'm being honest, the only reason that a lot of you are reading TFP right now is because it follows TFC.  TFP is like 80% original.  Plus, when some stuff happens later on in the book, some of the Pokemon characters are taken out.  Erm, sorry, spoiler?

Heliux and Layra will always be close to my heart.  They're the very first pair of OCs that I published (not the very first pair I came up with, they're still waiting patiently).  And because they were part of an Amour story, you guys met them, got to know them, and liked them (even though someone is very mean to all of you, and I apologize on his behalf).

If TFC was an original novel, you guys probably wouldn't have given it a second glance, nor would Heliux and Layra be the people they are today.  Trust me, you guys shaped them as much as I did.

Now I know what you guys are thinking.  "SK, what are you talking about?  We'd still love TFC!"  "SK, come on, don't be like that, your book still would've done well."   "SK, stop being a bit-"

Okay, maybe (hopefully) not that last one.  But you get my point.

If TFC was an original novel, three quarters of you wouldn't have even found the book in the first place.  And if it weren't for TFC, The Fairy's Poison would be suffering right now- all of it is OCs.

My point?

Wattpad has a serious problem with underappreciated writers.

It's really the algorithm that is to blame.  It recommends the wrong books to the wrong people.  I would LOVE to see a bunch of fantasy books- but do I get them recommended to me?  No.  And what am I supposed to search for- fantasy?  I mean, I could, but the point of finding a book is sorting through the covers to find the one you want.  

Think about it like a book store.  You go looking for a specific book in the series that you love, but then afterward, you browse.  You look at all the covers, spines, and jacket flaps, until one catches your eye.  

Now believe me it is A LOT harder to search for books online.  But Wattpad's algorithm should at least make it easier for readers to find books they actually want to read, both through searching them up and through recommending them.  

There are so many writers on Wattpad that don't get reads for the amazing work they produce simply because readers cannot find their books- and that's only the first step.  The reader has to find the book, like the title and cover enough to read the description, and then they have to like the description enough to actually read the first chapter.  And from there, it's so very easy for readers to lose interest on a book and never read it again.

I'm sure many of you know some of these writers.  Their books deserve as much praise as the books that have a million reads and more.

Valerie: Um, hi SK!  Are you busy?

Hi Val.  No, I'm not, what's the matter?

Valerie: Oh, um, it's nothing.  I just wanted to see what you were doing.

Oh!  That's fine.  I'm just ranting a little about Wattpad and how there are so many underappreciated writers.

Valerie: Oh.  That sounds sad.

Yeah.  That's another reason why people are moving over to AO3 and Fanfic.net... their work will be noticed more there.  

I'm not moving.  Wattpad is where my stories originated, and that's where they'll stay.

It's just... ugh.  All I can say is WHY WATTPAD?

Okay.. phew, I'm done.  Sorry, I just had to rant for a sec there.

*looks at word count* Holy crap 1.1K words.. maybe it wasn't just a sec..

To thank you guys I'm gonna give you some random FD facts... prepare thyselves!!! >:)

1. Heliux and Layra were (originally) never meant to be a couple.

I know I know I know.  Shocking right?  Heliux was supposed to be closed-off, single and maybe a bit hot- okay so maybe younger me was grooming him up for myself.  Er, let's ignore that.  Layra was originally supposed to be very evil, cold, and calculating.

Then all that changed when I needed a romantic subplot.  And to be honest, I like things better this way. :D

2. Dark Fairies were supposed to be evil

Not just Drago.  ALL OF THEM.  

3. Ash was supposed to stay with the Lights for the entire story.

Okay so remember that part when Ash ran away after Serena rejected his confession, then Drago (in Rin's body) Initiated him?  Well Ash was originally supposed to be Initiated with the Light Fairies.  Dark fairies (all of them) at that point were all evil, so I'd planned that Ash act like some sort of spy and flit between the two Colonies.  Eventually he'd get caught and yada yada yada but yeah.

4. Valerie originally wasn't supposed to be *insert parents' names here* daughter.

When you figure out who her parents are (or if you are the two individuals that know), you'll be surprised.  But I made her their daughter because A) I knew you all would enjoy it and B) I needed a way to connect her to the old book because why would I insert him a random new character.

5. Valerie was originally supposed to be a lot... younger.

This will make sense later, promise.  And no, I do not mean that she was supposed to be a child.

6. August was originally gonna be a Heliux clone...

You heard me.  Now let's move on, shall we?

7. Clemont was originally not going to become a fairy.

I am SO glad I went back on that decision.  

8. TFP was going to have a true happy ending.

... so yeah that's not happening anymore.  Oopsie~!

Anyway that's it.  Well, at least that's all that I can give without spoilers.  Hehe

Valerie: Can I ask something?

Oh.. I kinda forgot you were here, sowwy .w.

Valerie: Hehe, it's fine.  I wanted to ask everyone to tag their favourite writer on Wattpad who they think is underappreciated.  YOU!  If you were tagged and are reading this, then know that you are awesome and know that you are extremely talented and at least one person thinks so.  Your books may not be good in Wattpad's eyes, but they are good in the eyes of your readers and friends- and isn't that what matters?  Don't give up.  Those read counts will go up some day.  For now, just keep doing what you do best: write.  Stay strong and positive, and don't give up!! :D

... Valerie you are too pure for this world.  But yeah, I guess do what she says.  Tag on this line here -->

Valerie: If you were tagged then READ THE MESSAGE ABOVE!!! :D

Anyway that's it for this uh.. very, VERY random chapter of Randomness.

Er, stay tuned for TFP's update next Sunday!! :D