That was a well thought out post. Okay so let me run through it to find the questions you asked.
- Do you think unknown authors need to come up with innovative story ideas or else they won’t ever get truly noticed? I think it’s easier for new writers to try to emulate what’s already popular with the hope that because their story is like the popular ones, they’ll get the same reads. While possible, I think it’s a lazy way to try to gain notoriety. I do think that when a writer takes the initiative to come up with something new (even if it’s just putting a twist on the “cliches”, and they promote it sufficiently, it can receive popularity.
If. It’s when people concern themselves with wanting popularity that their story will be a cliche, rushed out mess. . When people take the time to develop their characters, plot and focus on making their story the best they can - that it really does stand out for the quality.
As far as the bad boy thing, a lot of readers are young girls who want to read the bad boy stories… .which is why this cliche is so popular. If you want to stand out- you can write the same type of romance story with a good guy and it will stand out. If you write a slow-burn romance, it will stand out.
Basically- if you want to get a bunch of reads, I feel you’re writing for the wrong reason. If you are writing to tell your story the way you want it and aren’t worried about getting popular, but rather focusing on making a well-written, directed and thought out story, you’ll get popular all on its own.
- Do you think that today, it’s still possible to create a very cliche story and get lots of reads when you’re brand new to the community, just like back like it used to?
Yes, unfortunately, the age demographic that Episode is aiming for makes it extremely possible to write rushed, thrown together bad-boy-mob-vampire-ceo-boss stories to be popular. It’s a sad truth. Pick any horribly directed, flat, boring “mafia” story and read the fanmail section : “omg I luv this story! when u put out more! will be sex scenes??” - these are the types of readers that we have.
^^this answers the “how do these cliches messes make it to a million reads” question as well. Young readers that want “taboo” sex stories…that’s the majority demographic we have.