r/writing Subreddit Stats and Best Posting Times

What to Post and How to Rank on r/writing

Best Topics & Content Types

The r/writing community thrives on discussions centered around the craft and business of writing, encompassing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comic, game, and screenwriting. Text posts that delve into nuanced and specific aspects of writing, such as technique, character development, plot structure, and dialogue, tend to perform well. Questions that aim to provoke broad conversation and offer universal applicability to writers are highly encouraged. Posts sharing resources, tips for overcoming writer's block, or insights into the writing process are also popular content types. While direct self-promotion of one's work is restricted, contributing valuable advice or engaging in thoughtful discussion about writing challenges and solutions is welcomed.

Writing Style & Tone

A thoughtful and useful tone that benefits a broad community of writers is essential for posts in r/writing. The community generally appreciates a serious yet supportive approach to discussions about writing. While humor can be present, the core expectation is for posts to be informative and constructive. Jargon related to writing, such as "show, don't tell" or "active voice," is commonly understood and can be used appropriately to facilitate discussion. The overall culture suggests a preference for well-articulated ideas over overly casual or flippant remarks, fostering an environment where members can genuinely learn and grow as writers.

What Gets Upvoted

Posts that offer practical advice, insightful observations, or valuable resources for the writing process often receive significant upvotes. Examples include discussions on how to develop compelling characters, techniques for writing realistic dialogue, strategies for structuring a novel, and methods for overcoming writer's block. Content that provides a "writing bible" or aggregates useful tips from other successful posts also tends to be highly regarded. Thought-provoking questions that invite diverse perspectives on universal writing challenges also resonate with the community. Posts that motivate and inspire writers, encouraging them to continue their craft, also tend to do well.

What to Avoid

Several types of posts are explicitly discouraged or outright banned in r/writing. Self-promotion, including sharing samples of writing for critique or general sharing, is only permitted in weekly designated threads. Requests for writing partners or school-related help, such as essays or citations, are also restricted to specific threads or other subreddits. Low-effort posts, characterized by only a few lines of text or repetitive questions, are subject to removal. Posts that are excessively specific to an individual's personal work and lack broader utility for the community are also likely to be removed or redirected to brainstorming threads. Advertisements for books, websites, or new subreddits are strictly prohibited outside of the self-promotion thread.

Posting Tips

When posting in r/writing, it is crucial to frame your questions and discussions to be useful to a wide audience of writers, rather than focusing solely on personal issues. Before posting a question, it is advisable to search the subreddit's history to see if similar topics have already been thoroughly covered, as repetitive questions may be downvoted or removed. Utilize self-posts for detailed questions and nuanced discussions, ensuring the body of the post elaborates beyond just the title. While the subreddit rules do not specify optimal posting times, engaging with posts by commenting and offering constructive feedback can increase your visibility and establish you as a valuable community member. Always prioritize civility and decency in interactions.