Edit: June 16, 2025
Re-reading my work, I've identified why I struggled to gain readers beyond the obvious issues (irregular posting, weak opening chapters, etc.).
I tend to write sequences of events rather than concrete scenes with clear turns and beats—one of the core elements that creates reader engagement instead of boredom, detachment, and emptiness. This was difficult to recognize, since I thought I was handling scene construction correctly.
It seems this was the main problem present in all chapters of this fic and other fics I was preparing. Now, I won't claim my writing would be perfect, but addressing this should represent a significant leap from what it was before.
After this realization, I noticed even the first chapter of my remake was riddled with these structural problems.
Initially, I blamed market expectations for my lack of readership. While my analysis of Ben 10 audience preferences had some merit—most fans expect lighthearted adventures and power fantasies rather than psychological depth and moral ambiguity—using this as an excuse was ultimately counterproductive. I know any well-written story with a clear hook, strong opening chapters, and effective synopsis can find its audience, regardless of genre expectations.
I still believe a darker spin on Ben 10 would be compelling. I made this creative choice because I wanted to explore it, not to pander to others' expectations.
However, identifying my main craft problems is just the beginning. Reader engagement requires consistent publication, compelling chapters (especially early ones), and an effective synopsis—all areas where I need significant improvement.
I'm considering a final remake (combining elements from my first and second versions with structural fixes) because I need to complete a full writing project to gain that essential experience. While I won't treat this new version as merely practice, finishing it would better prepare me for original projects than abandoning it now.
This is the penultimate update, before the announcement of the new version.