I think you can have a cake and eat the cake! Stories that are well read don’t have to be poorly written or basic. Write what you like, update often and if the story is good enough, it will find a broader audience! I always promised myself “this time it will be simple” but after all I’ve never done an easy story but reads just came there after updating 
try to keep your readers engaged as you would be engaged while reading a story. Well written story doesn’t have to be boring, doesn’t have to be badly read.