I've Got a Fan

I'm sitting cross-legged, with my computer in my lap, staring at a blank white screen with nothing but a blinking cursor. I'm stuck. I just killed off my main character. I thought that would be the twist that would rocket my story to the stratosphere. But it didn't, and now I don't know where to go from here.

It's not like I'd be able to focus even if I did know what I wanted to write next. It's October, which means that it's getting cold, and the only window in this hovel does nothing to keep the wind out. And it's just my luck that the ancient kerosene heater isn't working. It makes a noise that sounds like a jet engine and I'm probably getting cancer every time I turn it on, but I don't care. It's not like my life can get any worse.

I've wrapped myself in my futon, but it's so thin, it's doing nothing to stop the draft nipping at the back of my neck. I shudder as a particularly nasty gust hits me.

Sniff. Oh, man, please don't let me catch a cold. I need to work tomorrow.

Not like I'm getting anywhere with this stupid webnovel. Let me alt-tab. Maybe I've gotten some more views on the website?

...136. No favorites, no comments.

Ugh.

I'm 684th in the weekly activity ranking. I'm ranked 100 spots lower than someone who literally can't speak Japanese. No, I'm not salty. This guy has no idea how to use grammar. His writing makes absolutely no sense. It's the textbook definition of word vomit. If he's older than 12 I'd be shocked.

And people would rather read his novel than mine.

How much was a kidney going for on the black market, again?

Whatever.

Exhaling slowly, I slump down on my back on the freezing hardwood, staring up at the dreary white ceiling as my glasses clatter to the floor, the laptop still whirring as it struggles to cool down.

I'm the unluckiest person that's ever lived. Two years ago, I thought that by the time I graduated I'd have a good job, and a girlfriend. But now? Forget having a girlfriend, I don't even have a single friend to help me. I'm never gonna be able to move out of this shoebox.

...I still can't think of anything to write. The screen's still blank, my cursor's still blinking, and I've been sitting here while the wind blows down my neck, unable to write a single word.

I'll never get anything done at this rate. Time to watch some…videos…I guess.  Heh.

...

Ahh, much better.

If all else fails, I can throw a bunch of fanservice in this chapter. WN readers are all horndogs who can't resist T&A.

As I alt-tab through the N*rou homepage to get back to the word processor, something stops me in my tracks. It's a tiny red square, easy enough to miss if you're not looking for it. But it stands out like a lighthouse in a storm to me.

You have (1) new Notification.

Of course I click on it.

User [Seigo Kurokami] favorited Story [The Hero’s Facing His Greatest Challenge Yet!]

User [Seigo Kurokami] commented on [Chapter 7: The Demon King Is Back For Vengeance!!!!!]

The instant I see that, it's like my heart leaps up to my throat.

I've got a like. And a comment. Finally.

I'm so excited, I can barely stop my hands from shaking as I slowly move the cursor over to click on the notification. Someone read my novel and liked it. I wonder what he has to say about it?

[Seigo Kurokami]: I binged all the chapters up to this point and really like it! It's a bit rough around the edges and the concept is kinda generic, but this is definitely a promising WN. You have a talent for unexpected plot twists and surprised me with some genuinely funny moments. Thanks for the read- I can't wait to see where Alfred's story goes next! I would hate to be reincarnated as a demon who's forced by magic to take revenge on humanity if I was the sacred hero in my past life...LOL

He likes it.

In jubilation, I jump to my feet, pumping my fists in the air and letting out a cry of triumph, which immediately turns to horror as I realize that my computer was still sitting on my lap when I sprang up to celebrate. It goes flying about a meter and lands on the wood floor with a sickening crunch. I think I saw a roach scatter behind the pile of boxes in the corner, too.

Please don't let it be broken, please don't let it be broken, please don't let it be broken...

Whew. It still works. Thank God.

Who is this guy who gave me a like? I ought to read one of his novels and give him a like back. It's common courtesy...

What Lies Behind the Curtains. 580,000 views. 158,378 favorites. Number 2 trending weekly novel on the website.

Holy shit.

This guy's probably about to go pro and he likes my novel.

Just a hobbyist writer. Hope you enjoy. Well, look at you, Mr. Humble. Great way to start off your bio immediately under the 3,054 followers.

If you need writing advice, my DMs are always open. ^_^

If there's one thing that I desperately need, it's advice. This guy's got half a million views on his novel and I have barely over a hundred. He obviously knows how to write. Maybe not even write well, but he knows exactly what this audience wants.

Will he even respond to me? He probably gets hundreds of DMs a day. Is someone as popular as him going to bother with a plebe like me?

Screw it, I'm desperate. I need that million. Can't hurt to try.

Thanks for liking The Hero's Facing His Greatest Challenge Yet! I've been writing it for a while, but haven't gotten many views. Can you give me some advice on what I should improve so more people will read?

Send DM.

Now, there's nothing to do but wait.

User [Seigo Kurokami]: Sure! I’d be happy to!

…That didn’t take long.