Do your story flow take suggestions from readers or you follow yours no matter what?

[MindArts]

We all know that people hate this cliche scenes we usually see on anime and manga but sometimes I tend to use these 'scenes" on the comic Im currently making. So, the question is if people started hating or droping your comic, will you change the flow of the story according to your readers taste or you'll still follow your own no matter what? Personally for me, I'll still follow mine even if there's only 1 subscriber left ;D( I'm not gonna include loli and dekai oppai(huge b**bs) thought)

P.S. sorry for the poor grammar

[joannekwan]

I might add more scenes with a character if people say they like them, but I won't ever diverge from the plot I've planned. Two of my series already have their scripts complete and my other is half-done. I know the ending for that one but there's a gap between the middle and the conclusion so there is room for suggestion there.

[Sanz]

Unless i need a random filler issue to complete the goal of 23 issues. I dont vere from the script i would....get lost....lol and then stop doing it.

[Ringarune]

If its a side plot I'd be open to it, but I don't plan to change any of my core plot ideas.

[Kura]

I try to stick to my original story as much as I can.

At several points already I have found myself often debating if I should follow the story because I'm worried how the readers might react. Most recently I heavily debated if I should change my story to cut out a lot of scenes concerning an antagonist character that the audience has clearly taken a disliking to. I was worried that it might come off as 'trying to get the reader to sympathize with the enemy to justify everything they did wrong' which was clearly not my intent. After debating about it constantly I decided just to go with the original plot, as the character provided to much, and well as was a large key element to the main character's (and his own) mortality and acceptance of it. So far sticking to my original idea has not wielded any negative reactions, and many readers who once could not stand the character are finding themselves more understanding of him, and now even attached. So I'm very glad that I didn't go with the original reader opinion.

[zetina]

Giving in to public demand is pretty weak for a story-teller. It's, like, are you here to express yourself or to get fans? So this shouldn't be an actual question and more like a test to see whether you should take a step back and re-evaluate why you're doing this.

I'm looking at this from a fairly specific point of view atm though. Like previously said, a character's popularity might prompt you to give them a bigger role, which could maybe add something unexpectedly interesting to the story. Then there's also more open, interactive formats one can play with.

Critique is something to keep in mind though. If it's an edit to the script that makes you go "yes, this gets my point across better", then, yeah, chances are it's worth taking to heart.

[nathankschulz]

I'd follow my own gut... to a point. But I'm not a huge fan of filler. I mean, why have it? The only quota I'm trying to fill is my own, as of this point. I try to write the best, most concise story already. But I would be glad to take reader's suggestions into consideration, but honestly, it would have to be well over half my readership clamoring for a change before I'd even deviate a little from the story I'm trying to tell.

[shazzbaa]

We all know that people hate this cliche scenes we usually see on anime and manga but sometimes I tend to use these 'scenes" on the comic Im currently making.

I don't think everyone agrees that these are hated scenes. There's a bunch of people on these forums who are tired of certain scenes, but there are others who have no problem with cliche scenes, or even LIKE them!

So, the question is if people started hating or droping your comic, will you change the flow of the story according to your readers taste or you'll still follow your own no matter what?

I don't ignore my readers' thoughts entirely -- if it seems like people don't understand something that I thought they would understand, I'll think about ways to make it more obvious; and if they seem to be misunderstanding a character, I'll think about what I can show that will get across what I wanted more clearly (or play off of their misunderstanding).

But if the readers would've preferred the story to go a different way or are pushing me to tell a different story, well... I mean, this is my story. I have characters I want to introduce people to, and things I want to say. I could change those things, but what would be the point? I'm not telling my story in order to gain readers; I'm telling a story because I have a story I want to tell, and I'm hoping to find people who will listen to that story. Changing the story wouldn't get me anything.

I don't think that means I CAN'T CHANGE A SCENE WITHOUT SACRIFICING MY ARTISTIC INTEGRITY, though. Like, if I plan to have a Protagonist is Late For Class scene, and someone says "I hate the Late for Class scene, it's so cliche" before I get to that scene, then yeah, I'm going to think really hard about whether that's the best way to get across the things I wanted to get across. Why is that scene there? Is it just me lazily using an existing trope, or is it there for a good reason? I might decide it's good for my story and keep it, or I might decide that it's hurting the story I want to tell, and change it. The decision isn't "will this turn away readers" but "is this good for the story I want to tell."

[winglesscomic]

This is a hit or miss situation imo.

I don't like comics with anime tropes, however just because I don't like the elements presented doesn't mean one should change their comic to suit others' tastes. If some people hate the way you presented something... oh well, it's your story, not theirs. Look at 50 Shades, everyone hates the way they presented BDSM yet look at how many copies it sold, it must surely appeal to another demographic then. Someone else out there will always like a thing that another person hates.

On the other hand, if more than just a select few readers start dropping it like flies, it might be time to re-evaluate your story and see what's going on and what can be improved or changed for the better. I feel like these situations happen generally when sensitive things are fucked up colossally by shit writing, such as abuse/rape handled poorly, misinformation about mental illnesses, etc. If people become extremely vocal about these kind of issues, then I feel it might be a good idea to change the way it was handled. Of course, that isn't set in stone, as there are several comics that have dropped the bomb in these areas yet still continue with strong fanbases (ayy C+A+D), but it isn't particularly good for saving face.

The amount of people screaming in one's face to merit a change is variable, though. In some recent chapters of Gunnerkrigg Court, tons of people were crying and hollering about an event in the story which had a lot of people drop it. I personally thought it was written kinda poorly but even though a lot of people were upset I didn't think it was qualified for a complete re-do cause it wasn't excruciatingly bad. So again, changing isn't something someone has to do but if it's something just completely, horribly written it might be a good idea. ╮ (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ╭

[Kelty]

I don't think anyone should be afraid of advice or feedback regarding some things, but unless your comic had no plot to begin with or was purely written via reader interaction, it's probably not wise to make drastic changes to your comic just to please fans.

Though, I did almost completely cut a story in half because of a really bizarre fan theory I liked.

[AnnaLandin]

I've tweaked some things - I've added more scenes with certain characters, etc. - but that's not solely due to reader requests; it's also due to me realising the story needed those scenes to work better. The only time I edit/change things solely because of reader requests is to make things clearer, so they are better able to follow along in the story.

When it comes to pure fanservice, I tend to get all of that out through milestone thank-you pictures, extra sketchcomics for Patreon-backers, and Q&A-comics. Like, Masahiro got his hair braided in a Q&A once, and that would never happen in the current arc of the comic.

The amount of people screaming in one's face to merit a change is variable, though. In some recent chapters of Gunnerkrigg Court, tons of people were crying and hollering about an event in the story which had a lot of people drop it. I personally thought it was written kinda poorly but even though a lot of people were upset I didn't think it was qualified for a complete re-do cause it wasn't excruciatingly bad. So again, changing isn't something someone has to do but if it's something just completely, horribly written it might be a good idea

wait what which event was this? o.O

[winglesscomic]

A few chapters ago when Annie's dad comes back. There were SO many people crying about it on tumblr and in the comments and gaggles of people threatening to leave and never read the comic again because of how shitty he was treating her.

While I understand that the scene was necessary, imo Tom wrote it pretty heavy-handedly and it wore off after several pages because he just kept putting Annie through suffering after suffering of pages without any hope for her in sight and it was like..really now, I get it, her dad's a dickhead, let's move on please.

[R.n.P]

For my comic70% from my thoughts n plans then depending on if my readers suggestion are within my capabilities I take it 30%

[phen]

I do enjoy user feedback being a part of the story-telling experience but... of course, probably not something that ends up jolting the arcs around to the point of obscurity. Webcomics really don't struggle with this sort of thing since most of them aren't made with the artist looking for an audience to sell to. We've got a story going, a vision to achieve, there (typically) aren't large rooms of stockholders trying to make monetary profit.

But I commend personal critiques like @kurapikasuki -- it's always awesome to step out and realise exactly why something is potentially threatening to your audiences' interest. Stay the course, like that! It challenges creators to work their angles, better evaluate plotpoints and character writing, and rediscover their foundation. Suggestions to alter the ultimate message of your story can help reinforce what it is you're writing for in the first place.

[AnnaLandin]

A few chapters ago when Annie's dad comes back. There were SO many people crying about it on tumblr and in the comments and gaggles of people threatening to leave and never read the comic again because of how shitty he was treating her.

Oh! Right. Yeah, it might have been a bit heavy-handed, but I just took that as part of the story. Not everybody is going to be fair to the main character of a story, and some characters - like some people IRL - are just jerkwads.

[RewindLabs]

For myself, I only start once I've planned everything out.
So, I don't see myself changing the story midway to gain more views.

[gateofselidor]

I take note of things my readers are or are not enjoying, and I might adjust a future scene a little in response, but I won't change the overall story because of it.

[mariusthered]

at the moment I'm just posting chapters in a new format from what I have already written, when i finally get back to writing new stuff i will listen to what fans are saying but on the whole I write to what is best for the story.

[Damatris]

Like other people have already mentioned listening to he feedback and then deciding if it's helpful/good for the story is the key. Another opinion might highlight issues you weren't aware beforehand.

I don't think overhauling the whole thing because someone else doesn't happen to like a character/plot point is worth it as it'll most likely drag rest of the story down too. Stay true to your script and vision. Maybe double check the execution but actually changing the plot? Nah. On the other hand, it can be fun to add a scene or two with people's fav characters if it has a spot and gives more to the story.

Besides, having some controversial characters is fun. I've got one that is either people's favourite (or close to it) while others hate her with a burning passion of thousand suns.

[demthorshie]

I pretty much stick to the written story rather than change it because of the feedback I get. I do love it when readers predict what's going to happen next and then they end up correct though xD! I pretty much have the entire story written and planned out so I have to stick to the story for that reason alone.