Romance is a very popular genre in Webnovels. The first thing that come to mind when we talk about romance are the CEO novels. Even though we don't want to admit it, they are the mainstream romance stories in the Webnovel website.
So why do people love romance stories? I hope you find the answer while reading this chapter.
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FattyBai: No worries, was just a bit curious. It's always amazing seeing how the Romance genre basically dominates the site.
Parasection: and CEO stories.
FattyBai: So I was sort of curious what the demographics on the reader's sex were. But yeah, it's a fair assumption to say that the ladies rule the site, lol
WWFire: Readers gender stats r ambiguous, it is manipulatable after all.
FattyBai: Unless there's this hidden group of guys who have been starving for CEO romance novels (which would actually be funny).
Parasection: But the sacred texts.
WWFire: All I see are genderless alien. *derp emoticon*
reinesse ♥: kek.
FattyBai: How do we pull in the female readers in if we can't write a romance story? *cry emoticon*
Parasection: No choice but to write yaoi then.
WWFire: We who read these kind of fantasy novels don't live our lives correctly pal.
CailinMatthews: *ghost hug emoticon*
Parasection: Give in to the demons.
WWFire: That's why we escape reality sometimes.
FattyBai: It's like being offered a big cake and unable to take a slice.
Zehell2218: I think male reader have their own chance and market.
FattyBai: For sure, but it'd be nice to tap into both sides.
Zehell2218: @FattyBai I think I'll make fantasy romance so I can attract both.
FattyBai: I mean, it's not a bad idea, but how do you split it up? 50% romance/50% dragon ball z?
Parasection: The fuq that sounds like an abomination.
FattyBai: It does.
Zehell2218: @FattyBai No it's 80% romance 20% action. *joy emoticon*
Noveljunky: Besides Romance, what else do females like to read?
Parasection: BL, yaoi, drama.
Zehell2218: Still BL is romance.
Anjeeriku: horror lol.
reinesse ♥: @Noveljunky xianxia I think.
Noveljunky: Mmm.
Zenith: Well, need too write romance...kek
Zehell2218: Do female reader like to read apocalypse novel? Quick question since I will make fantasy romance in apocalypse.
[A/N: Sis, did you forget that you're a girl too?]
Totally Not Nano: nah oof.
FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Aww, man. But then you have to develop characters and write meaningful dialogue.
Zenith: I am probably gonna f*ck up my time trying to make a romance story.
FattyBai: We like blowing stuff up and fighting baddies.
Zehell2218: cmon it will be comedy. *laugh emoticon*
Parasection: The best thing in a novel is character development humor and action romance can be on the side.
Anjeeriku: Romance can be a great sub genre.
Parasection: how does one even write romance? I don't know where to begin with that genre.
FattyBai: I'm a simple guy, I see plot and I drown it in martial arts and manly stuff. Of course, I don't know what feelings are. Can you eat them to increase your cultivation base? *think smart emoticon*
Parasection: I've never experienced romance so i'd fail the moment i'd attempt a story like that.
Zehell2218: Actually, I like to write fighting scene but without romance my reader will kill me. So...yeah I tag it as romance! *joy emoticon*
Parasection: Fight scenes are fun to write.
FattyBai: I'm trying to break through into the "Immortal lonely sperg" phase~
Zehell2218: Very sloooooowww romance.
Anjeeriku: Please no abusive ML @Zehell2218 They're disgusting. idk why women like to read them.
Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku I don't know if girls who read xianxia will read apocalypse novel too.
reinesse ♥: I wanna write a novel like it's not easy to be a man after traveling to the future.
Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku No I won't make abusive ML. @reinesse ♥ same *joy emoticon*
Totally Not Nano: @Anjeeriku *cough* TBWWM *cough*
reinesse ♥: And an actual xianxia novel with reasonable characters.
Zehell2218: But without the romance it's bland.
reinesse ♥: Like characters, especially main character who knows how to adjust because extreme pride is not good.
FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Baby Dragon Truer words have not been spoken, and that scares me.
reinesse ♥: Some villains are really brainless. they can scheme, but they don't have a reasonable reason to do so
Zenith: Kek.
Zehell2218: @Zenith gramps I have idea for fantasy romance lemme tell you after I finish writing and see if it's interesting or not.
Zenith: Get the MC u desire! Yeah @Zehell2218
FattyBai: I fear becoming a more wholesome and fleshed out human being. Please no development.
Zehell2218: @Zenith It's ok. Just want to see if people will find this good or not. *joy emoticon*
Totally Not Nano: I think there's a formula in getting famous as a writer.
[A/N: Oh? Such formula exist? Teach me Senpai!]
Totally Not Nano: Let's debate about it. *thinking emoticon*
Parasection: The formula is write romance and you're set.
Totally Not Nano: Any genre + xxxxxxx = top 1.
[A/N: Today… I lost faith in humanity.]
Noveljunky: If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.
Moonbirth: Write a lot. Write everyday. Post a lot everyday... write about what readers want to read about.
Anjeeriku: Write a lot. be a slave. Lol
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Elyon knew that "Romance" is not his strong point. He writes a fantasy story with romance, but he can't tell if the romance will be able to attract female readers. Out of curiosity, he asked some of his fellow authors the question "Why do you read romance stories?"
Here are their answers…
Kyosei: Because I am single.
Reili: To fill my empty void of a love life.
Minrei: Because romance let you feel what is to be loved, plus it is universal you dont need to learn magic or cultivation in order to read.
Bajj: Due to lack of romance irl.
Murakami: I read because I enjoy the friction and conflict between the FL and ML. The insistence vs resistance is naisu.
Qin: I reads romance only for ideas and info.
VlassisBehrakis: I don't read romance novels.
[A/N: Oof I asked the wrong person.]
Elyon then ̶a̶m̶b̶u̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ asked some readers about their opinion about romance novels.
Yin: I read romance novels because I want that kind of drama to happen to me in real life. But I know it will never happen haha.
A Certain Irresistible Meowlin: I wonder why? And I do read romance novels. Though the chance of me dropping them is also the highest out of all the genres. Every so often I come across a scene that makes me just want to squeal and fangirl.
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Elyon decided to dig deeper and asked a few of his senior "romance authors" some questions about their reason for writing romance stories.
The first question is… Why did you choose to write Romance Stories?
Anjeeriku: I'm comfortable writing romance stories compared to other genres. I'm a helpless romantic person and I like novels that can invoke other people's feelings.
Bajj: First of all, I like reading romance story. It was the reason why I read books before and reading other genres comes after. All in all, due to these romance fiction books, I got the opportunity to read more great books with different genre.
MishaK: That's what I read, so write that too.
Zehell2218: Because as reader, I want to read romance novel so when I write, I write romance since my motto is I write what I want to read.
Ikazainudin: The easiest genre. Everyone can relate.
End_of_Era: It wasn't a full on Romance, it was slice of life with romance which I feel was necessary with progression of the characters.
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The second question… When you were making your ML and FL, did you imagine yourself as the lead of your story at any given point in time?
Anjeeriku: I would be a liar if I said no. There were instances that I'd put myself in my FL's shoes. Whenever that happens, my writing feels more passionate and truthful that sometimes it was hard to know where my fl starts and where I end.
Shen Yi, LMD's ML was based on a person I've lost, The One That Got Away so it was sometimes hard not to self-insert whenever there were scenes that need to invoke feelings from readers.
Bajj: I believe that every character the author was making and breathing life into it, a part of him/her is added to its character. But me imagining of being the ML/FL, never. I'm too pure for that. Kek
MishaK: Yes I did but sometimes. Otherwise you can't infuse emotions in your characters. It is important to understand your characters.
Zehell2218: Yes, I imagine myself as the lead. Of course, I tweak it a bit, such as in age and appearance. But mostly, the characteristics is similar to me.
Ikazainudin: FL and ML character based on what I want to be irl. Yup. I imagine that will be my love story.
End_of_Era: Yes, my leads had some ocassional self insertion.
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The third question… If you were to choose some other genre aside from romance, what would you pick?
Anjeeriku: Fantasy. I always look up to those authors who can write fantasy stories/novels well. I believe writing a fantasy novel is harder than writing romance.
[A/N: Ahem! 10 points to Griffindor!]
Bajj: Horror/thriller/Action. Read GGGB godamnit! [Good Girl Gone Bad]
MishaK: I am writing a Fantasy romance aside from regular vanilla romance *smile emoticon*
Zehell2218: Fantasy, magical realism, fan fiction.
Ikazainudin: Psychological/horror and maybe children story.
End_of_Era: The new genre I'm writing is fantasy/violent .
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The fourth and final question… If you were to give a message to your beloved readers, what would it be?
Anjeeriku: I'm sorry for not being inconsistent with updates. Y'all know I love you, but a little consideration and patience as I face this rough patch in my life would be very much appreciated.
Bajj: Vote me please :* mass release comes after, deal?
[A/N: Oof!]
MishaK: Be responsible in reviewing the book you are reading. Authors love to listen from their readers. So talk to them.
Zehell2218: Beloved reader, your author here is working hard to provide your daily dose so pliz pretty pliz, read my chapter using paid SS since I don't get even a penny for free SS.
Tips: use free SS on translation novel. The translator still get money and use paid SS on original novel so we can get a bit money to continue living *wink*
Ikazainudin: I want readers to know, that love, hope and miracles exist. Be open and value each moment of your life like the MC's did.
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Author's Thoughts
Hello Guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of WWCG. Personally, I've read a few CEO novels myself. I also read some FL stories like A Slight Smile Is Devastating (Love O2O), Hidden Marriage, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder, Transmigrator meets Reincarnator, A Mistaken Marriage Match: A Generation of Military Counselor, There Is an Angel in That Church (short story), Eight Treasures Trousseau, Grabbing Your Hand, Dragging you Away, A Mistaken Marriage Match: Record of Washed Grievances…
Ai~ there's a few more that I won't add to the list because it will create a wall of text. Well anyways, the reason why I read these stories is to get an idea on "WHY" the ladies love to read them.
Let's just say that it's a unique way to see a world in the eye of a lady (if you are a man of course). When done properly, the execution of the story can capture the hearts of anyone, even male readers. I believe that no matter what gender you are, as long as you find the story interesting then it doesn't matter whether you are a guy or a gal no?
Perhaps, when I'm not too busy to write my stories, I'll once again pick a romance novel to read. Hopefully, I will find another hidden gem that will bring unexpected surprises to anyone who are lucky enough to find them.
P.S I would like to thank my fellow authors, especially my senior romance authors who answered some of my questions regarding romance novels.
To my senior authors, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the Power Stones shine warm upon your face, and Spirit Stones fall soft upon your fields. (￣▽￣)ノ
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