What to do if the readers and you want different things?

[Darth_Biomech]

My comic takes place between three groups of characters. I try to juggle them more or less equally, but recently was thinking about maybe expanding some of them at the cost of others, giving more screentime to one group. Now the problem is that I had to do stupid and make an online poll, asking the readers opinion. 55 people responded and their response was... not what I've been hoping for. They want to extend the storyline that's least interesting (and overexposured already, IMO) to me, and they want to see less of the storyline I'd want to actually expand and elaborate on. Sort of heartbreaking, honestly XD

So I can either go against my desires and ax the most interesting (for me, anyway) part of the story, do nothing and change nothing, or ignore the readers' desires and expand that storyline anyway. But wouldn't that be kinda bad?

[MiniSheepPencil]

A poll is like a marketing tool to get a feel for what kind of audience you are dealing with. However, the reality of it is that readers won't know what they want themselves most of the time - they are just there for the ride to experience whatever you throw at them.

Now, knowing your audience is a great way to ensure that you are staying in tune with what they crave for, but don't forget that all effort, drive and love for your writing will wither and die if you no longer enjoy the ride yourself.

I've seen more writers and artists trending on the sole fact that they just roll with what they want - and sometimes love seeing their audience throw a fit of explosive emotions.

My point is, go with what you feel is right for the story. You are the one in charge of delivering a message and an experience and there is no one else who can step in and tell you that it has to be different and then force you to change it.

Only when you work with an editor you will have to make changes, because there would already be a specific marketing strategy in mind or a better feel for your targeted audience from the get go.

So, in this case, I'd highly advice you to keep doing what you do best and be happy and proud of what you initially set out to create in the first place

[cherrystark]

I would do whatever makes you happy. You can't please everybody. So, unless you ask for a specific type of feedback, you're going to get results across the board. If they honestly like your series, they'll be happy no matter which option you choose.

[domisotto]

When you make a poll you want a bit of a reinforcement of your opinion, but you got the opposite result. Ouch, this sucks, like really sucks.

Perhaps, upon reflection you can see what the readers see in the story you are shunning—if the vox populi is overwhelmingly in favour of it (if not, just go with your gut feeling).

Remember the Misery? In the end, it’s the book that he hates that turns into his best book.

[darthmongoose]

In design, there's a saying that goes something like:

"If you're putting a selection of ideas in front of a client, never include an option you don't like, because that's inevitably the one the client will pick."

Unfortunately it seems this is what has happened here. Is there a way you can perhaps make more content involving the characters and story the readers want to see more of, but to take it in an unusual direction that makes it interesting for you to create? Perhaps put the characters into a scenario that brings out a very different side to them from what your audience has already seen?
Or maybe you could focus on that storyline a bit, get it to wrap up at a nice conclusion point and then switch over, so you're only focusing on it a bit longer than usual?

[BreakingChalk]

I think we as authors should make the story WE want before pleasing all of our readers' wishes. Still, as this seems to be recent thought for a change on the story, I think you should re-read the story to find why they wanted more of that other group and what works and doesn't for each of them if you were to focus more on one.

[therosesword]

Unless you're part of a writing group, or prefer writing by committee... Go with the story you want to do. The fact that your heart isn't in the other one will show in a diminishment of quality.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Don't listen to fans! Fans are stupid!

To be specific, fans only have a very very small part of the picture of any story they take an interest in: all they know is what you've decided to tell them, colored heavily by their personal biases and expectations. That's not someone you want in the driver's seat...

If you're feeling really stuck, you can always just compromise and not change anything for the time being. But in the end, I think you should do what's best for your story, regardless of what the fans want. I mean, maybe the reason they don't like the storyline you want to elaborate on is because it's underdeveloped, and you'd be doing them a favor. =/ Who knows?

[rajillustration]

If you don't want to betray your fans necessarily can you make it like a short side story--like as a novelized version you can punch out really quickly?

[clockworkzari]

I remember they covered this in Bakuman- the manga about making manga. Overwhelmed by the reader's reviews, they tried to edit their comic to be more like what the readers said they wanted. But then the readers hated it more and it still got cancelled! Moral of the story- don't do that xD

What's better is making choices for your comic based off of what you as an artist know will be good for the story. Only use polls to get a sense of your target audience, never ask them what to do next- that's what they're counting on you to figure out!

[mcarrowolga]

Going against your wishes will just turn your comic into another job. Do you need another job? Your day job, even if you hate it, at least pays you money. Will your comic job do the same?

[AVXP]

So we have advice that leans towards doing what YOU (the creator) wants to do - despite the vocalized fans' wishes.

So I guess we will see no more complaining posts from these people when.....
- a story they like is adapted and the original story is changed.
- a show takes characters and changes/flips/deletes/kills/marginalizes them.
- certain points/aspects of the original are dropped and new ideas are added.
- ANY trope is used...EVER (no matter how many times it is...used)

Yay, no more posts about what you're tired of seeing or reading ...
Yay, no more posts about any other art style or story telling....
Yay, no more criticism....because hey, THAT CREATOR is doing - what some just suggested.
Doing what they want to do - since it is THEIR CREATION and they DO NOT have to worry about what the fans want or think.

---

The answer is not black or white, left or right.
Instead of looking at everything as a compromise, why not look at it as a challenge?
Figure out how to show your vision/plan and also respect what, I assume is the majority of, your readers want.
It's very possible.