Chapter 671

Jiufang Tea Party 5: Polarization

Aha, this issue is still a casual chat, let's talk about something every author cannot avoid—

Reputation!

As the plot and word count slowly expand, the operations team has reminded me several times: the reputation of "Immortal" on the overseas web is starting to show polarization.

Those who like it wish they could hold it up to the sky;

Those who hate it wish they could throw it on the ground and stomp on it a few times.

But this is actually a good thing, because in the four months after "Immortal" was listed, negative reviews were in the majority, meaning the latter was more common; but as the reader base grew, the number of people who like it has also risen rapidly, and now it has finally reached a fifty-fifty split.

At first, Jiufang found it very strange.

The previous three old books didn't encounter this problem; the most common reader feedback was that the rhythm was too slow, or there were occasional controversies in the plot, which are all within the normal scope of discussion.

But like now, saying my writing is too poor, saying my prose is too plain and earthy, saying I don't know how to write Xianxia, and there are those who get angrier the more they read and wish they could grab the keyboard to teach me how to write...

Emmm, I can only say that everyone is not on the same channel.

So around this book, there will always be intense and strange quarrels.

To all the friends who like "Immortal" and strive to recommend "Immortal" to others, Jiufang thanks you.

When the things you like haven't become mainstream, it actually takes courage to firmly believe that you have a unique eye.

After all, most people follow the crowd.

The aesthetics of most people, whether readers or authors, can be guided, assimilated, and changed.

In this era of convergence, wanting to firmly believe that you are not wrong requires bearing pressure and criticism.

I am an author with strong plasticity; I can chase hot topics or follow trends. In the industrial era, what can't be mass-produced? Moreover, for cool novels that have become "the most rolled among rolls," it's actually not that easy to write well; masters in this field have their own secret methods and insights.

But I believe more in two points:

Good things must be able to withstand the test of time.

Good authors must grow together with their works.

If you extract all the pleasing elements and place them modularly, that is a routine.

If you only use routines to write, then writing more or less is the same; it's nothing more than the arrangement and combination of modules, and in the end, all you gain is proficiency—

And money.

Of course, many readers are not repulsed by this set, or they say they are repulsed, but their bodies are very honest, because path dependence has already been formed; they are not used to novel and strange things, and in the end, they return to the old path.

It looks like everyone is happy; the readers spent their time, and the author made money.

But this does not match my original intention.

I came to Qidian to prove the Dao, to seek novelty and change. If I just lie flat in my comfort zone, how can I have the opportunity to break through my own writing ceiling?

I have written four books, each with different themes and styles, because my state of mind during creation was different. Among them, "Immortal" has the greatest leap.

In the book, it is the protagonist's growth process of slaying demons and eliminating monsters all the way.

Outside the book, it is the author's bumpy and thorny path of proving the Dao.

Both of us focus on moving forward against difficulties and advancing bravely:)

The difference is that the author is the Heavenly Dao of this book; we all know that Young Master He's efforts will have good results in the end; but the author lives in reality, and the Heavenly Dao will not tell me whether my direction is correct and whether my efforts can be exchanged for success.

Effort and success are not a one-to-one positive correlation in reality, let alone a causal relationship.

This is also a choice every author faces:

A certain reputation, or an uncertain future?

My choice is the latter.

It is now 2023, and this year's trend is lying flat, rotten, and surviving. These trends have permeated into web novels and even become a trend.

However, if the author is not willing to take risks and grow with the protagonist, how can this book be charming?

As for whether it is written well or not, and whether it can be accepted by the majority in the end—

Leave it to time.

So looking back at the previous question, why is the reputation of "Immortal" polarized?

It seems understandable again, right?

————2023.5.12 Jiufang Ye