ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith posting in [community profile] crowdfunding
Here's a post about how indie publishing can make a writer's brain kind of explode.

You know how I solve this? Most of the time, I let my fans steer. Once in a while, I get really determined to write a particular thing. But things the fans choose collectively have a higher chance of selling better. They're not picking stuff at random. My audience makes a mindful and effective gatekeeper.

I treasure this. You see, my brain has always been full of popcorn kittens. Having a few lackadaisical editors out in the blue yonder occasionally buying things didn't help a whole lot, so mostly I relied on my own taste. Or whim, because I'm better at starting things than finishing them. But I've gotten better results from a dedicated audience. Even with a whole bunch ofongoing series open at the same time, the total mass per storyline is way way higher, and some of those have developed a robust plotline. When people ask for more of characters they love, or particular events they want to see, or more of a favorite setting, that means the expansion is consistently driven by interest. It's great targeting information; it teaches me how to write better. It definitely shapes what I choose to extend or leave fallow.

You settle popcorn kittens by putting down a bowl of cat food. I'm cool with that.

So if you're having a hard time deciding what to work on next, you honestly have a bunch of promising projects you'd love to do, and you have an established audience -- try asking them. I've used polls myself. I've also seen webcomics actually do it with donations where every dollar equals a vote for your favorite character, and the one with the most votes wins.

(no subject)

Date: 2014-12-11 01:45 pm (UTC)
itsamellama: (Default)
From: [personal profile] itsamellama
Popcorn kittens! That is such an apt description of a struggle I have every day. A struggle I'm still having. *pouts*

Re: Yes...

Date: 2014-12-12 02:38 am (UTC)
itsamellama: (Default)
From: [personal profile] itsamellama
*giggles* These are amazing mental images and I will utilize them in the future.

Re: Yes...

Date: 2014-12-12 03:07 am (UTC)
chanter1944: a slightly faded picture of a three-legged torbie kitty cat (supermodel kitty)
From: [personal profile] chanter1944
I tend to have the liquid kittens issue more often than not lately, although I've known the popcorn variety too. I wouldn't mind having the popcorn issue more often, to be frank.

For the record, I love both mental images, especially the elaboration on them. XD

Apt torbie icon is apt. :)

Re: Yes...

Date: 2014-12-12 05:13 am (UTC)
itsamellama: (Default)
From: [personal profile] itsamellama
Speaking of popcorn kitties: did you get my private message in your inbox? :D (Meer!)

(no subject)

Date: 2014-12-13 01:27 am (UTC)
mmegaera: (Default)
From: [personal profile] mmegaera
Still working on the established audience thing [sigh]. I'd give my eyeteeth for that kind of feedback.

Re: Well...

Date: 2014-12-13 06:20 am (UTC)
mmegaera: (Default)
From: [personal profile] mmegaera
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, most of it is either stuff I've tried unsuccessfully or isn't applicable. But I do appreciate the links.
Edited Date: 2014-12-13 06:23 am (UTC)

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