Apr
5th
2014
An interesting question posed... · 7:35pm Apr 5th, 2014
Recently, the most excellent fellow Manes posted a story you should check out: A Washed Up Reporter. It's a most worthwhile read, in my opinion.
However, while it's garnered some reads, it's not gotten as many as some others. Manes noted in one of his blog posts that at times it seems that the more popular subgenres here are comedy or clop. That's interesting to me, as I've seen a similar pattern on Smashwords.com, one of the more popular general fiction sites.
Given that I'm still pretty new around here, would you, dear reader, agree with this observation? That one could boost the reads to a story via simply insrting comedy, or clop?
Inquiring Minds want to know...
I think that extends far beyond written internet fiction and into every aspect of life, really.
Sex and laughter are pretty much the two most popular things in the world, in general.
Just look at any TV commercial. If it isn't funny, it'll try to sell you something with sex appeal.
Not that I think views mean anything, anyway. I'd still write stories even if there was no internet and nobody would ever get to see them. I simply enjoy the act of writing.
I think the best way to go is to simply write what you want to write, and the ratings and views are just a nice, optional bonus.
Don't forget really well-written
TwiDashFlutterDashAppleDashTwiLunaTwiLestiaromance.It's a rare story that can't be improved by adding laughter!
By internet standards, most people just read out of spite of boredom. They would just read something they like and just go with it, leading to them searching for erotica and comedic ones to... erm relieve them of their boredom. Less likely to choose a good SoL or Adventure, because they are sometimes too deep to understand and such.
I would agree that some people would rather read clop than a long winded adventure stories with no sexual innings. But comedy-wise, you just need to be both constant and rare in giving the readers a few jabs in the giggles, because constant randomness and/or jokes just makes you look desperate (look at my multi-chapter stories
).
Soo... yeah
1984187
Good points, TW509 - and everyone else! - food for thought.
1983871
Zaponator, I agree with you also; and re: "I simply enjoy the act of writing", it reminds me of an excellent quote from John Steinbeck: “I nearly always write, just as I nearly always breathe."
- Sparks
1984222
Nom nom nom nom
While comedy and clop are popular genres, I don't think injecting them into a story would in any way improve it or garner extra views.
Hm, be careful with that.
Those tags do seem to attract readers, but it could just as easily attract thumbs downs if readers come expecting a clop story and find that it's just an aside to what's actually an adventure or slice of life story.
It just depends on if it meshes well with your story. I've seen it done before, and I think the key is to not force it into the story if it doesn't belong.
1985742
Very good point, Zeg. Making me think of a post to put up tomorrow.
- Sparks
Yeah I'm responding to a 9 week old post wanna fight about it? Listen, I think zaponator pretty much nailed it. I... hmm, I can't really call my feelings towards sad or tragedy fics "enjoyment" but... I guess that's what it is. I keep coming back to them, even if I just end up crying my eyes out.
Personally I enjoy the more adult themes of a clop fic, provided it's well done and makes sense, because it makes the world seem more alive, more real to me. To neglect those elements of existence cheapens the experience, especially in a good adventure story. I have an easier time really getting into the story when the elements of sexuality and romantic, or even just physical attraction are woven in there, because it's a primal motivator for mating creatures, and it's preposterous to ignore it. Obviously, and I'm a little ashamed I feel the need to add this disclaimer, but I'm not saying this is by any stretch necessary, I'm merely saying that, if the story includes situations where these aspects would arise, and they're left out, I think it lessens the immersion and impact.
Comedy is kind of a given, in some form or fashion. When telling a story, I think there isn't really a way to not include some comedy and be fully successful, even in a sad or tragic tale. No matter how serious the subject, the reader needs, needs that break. "Comic relief" they call it, because if a story is all serious, all business, all tale and no joke, it gets dull. It'll weigh down on the reader and become oppressive, and if your story becomes a chore to read, you've failed. Obviously this can be subtle, and/or limited in quantity given the gravity you're trying to convey, but unless the narrative is ridiculously short, at some point or another I can almost guarantee there will be some comedy.
What does all that mean? tl;dr Yes, if you make it fit the story. Good clop and good comedy will, probably (these are my opinions), increase the number of views, likes, and faves your story gets.
If we're just talking story tags, then it probably stems from the fact that straight up clop fics and/or comedy fics tend to be short, succinct, and easy to consume. What do people eat more of, cheesecake or pretzels? Pretzels of course, they're lighter, easier to snack on. Eating cheesecake is an investment. You're getting into something with that, it's a commitment, and we know how people feel about that.
I dunno, maybe I'm crazy and none of this makes any sense, but the question was interesting and I wanted to try my hoof at answering it!
Please keep writing, I'll keep reading!