Calling All Wattpad Writers (who feel underappreciated)

I'm just wondering about a certain thing about Wattpad which is kind of dodgy. Why? Because my best friend is really talented at writing, but no-body except the friends that she and I got to join Wattpad are reading. So the question is: How do you exactly get noticed by the right people? You can't really just expect huge amounts of people come stumbling across your novels.

I mean, for a person who started out as a reader on Wattpad, and commented, voted, fanned, etc. develops friendships, so when they write a book (even if the book itself isn't as good as many of the other undiscovered gems out there) all their friends check it out, vote, write a one lined comment and *bingo* they get popular.

But what if you began as a writer, a secluded one. And nobody knows you, and you know you are good at writing and you pour forth all thee soul into a book which has seven reads (and six of them are ready by yourself). So I was wondering, if anybody could answer; how do you become popular just by being good at writing alone? (Undiscovered Gems is kind of dodgy<--- yes I use that word a lot, because its the books that have rapidly ascended not the books that have actual talent in it). Not that I'm saying the current top books are bad- no, actually their amazing, but just... there are so many good books out there that the readers don't read. And I feel really frustrated when that happens to my friends. ARGH!

Sorry, if this comes of as a rant to you guys but yeah... Does anyone actually know the answer to this?

P.S. I'm XxPrinceofTennisxX and if you're ever bored you're more than welcome to make a new friend

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@XxPrinceofTennisxX - i think it depends what you want from the site. Over the last two years I've been on here I've built up a small network of friends who write similar stuff to myself and we tend to support each other through comment / critique or just general encouragement. Wattpad has helped me hone my skills as a writer to the point where I'm now submitting my work to publishers and beginning to have some success.

If you merely want to be noticed on Wattpad then you have to get involved in discussions in the clubs, advertise via Share Your Story, and read a lot of other people's work. It depends what you want to get from the site really. There are some superb writers on here, some of which are hardly noticed because they don't put any time into the site. If you post something and expect people to come to you, it won't happen.

I personally think the best way forward on here is to find people who write similar stuff to you, offer them critique / useful comment and very often they will do the same in return. That way you build up a good network of supportive folk which in turn means that when you do upload something it is far more likely to become visible to other users too as it'll hit the hot lists, people will see other people commenting on your work and get interested and so on. Ultimately, getting Featured on this site is probably the best thing to do and the only way that'll happen is if you have a novel length work that is decently written and getting some attention. That then spawns more attention. Hope that helps a little, Gav

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@XxPrinceofTennisxX to be honest, I have NO clue. hahaha but I'm super jealous of those instantly popular writers! I get envious whenever I even think about it. You pretty much said it all in your rant right there! There is no explanation as to why people join Wattpad and then the next day BAM 500 fans and a million reads & votes.

But you know what's even more annoying? The people that go to "Share Your Story" and say "I'll give you a vote and some comments all you have to do is fan me". FO REAL GIRL????? You have no clue how valuable fans are! And a VOTE? Seriously? If I were to fan you, I would expect a vote on everything.

I don't understand people nowadays.

Sorry for the rant :3 I can get carried away at times...

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@TheOrangutan Awww... I'm so jelly. A published writer... you have no idea how much I dream to be like that *sighs and goes into Lala land* Thanks... I don't really know what I want from the site though... hmmm.... must find inner want.... @EnticingMattersI know right? The books that go to like #1 after one chapter, I'm like 'wow....so jelly ' Votes are so precious, but I hate it when people just give it away to a really questionable book because they promised the writer... *sighs* :)

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@XxPrinceofTennisxX - I'm not quite there yet, but getting some interest slowly...

The main demographic of users on this site are teenage girls. Nothing wrong with that, but it perhaps explains the popularity driven nature of the site.

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@XxPrinceofTennisxX After Gav's wonderful explanation, I don't have much to add but I'd say first impressions are eveything.

This is an online site so there's plenty to read and it's just a click / scroll away. If your book has a boring cover and the title and summary don't immediately grab their attention, you've probably lost the reader. On occasion, I'll browse through the lists and the ones which attract me are the ones that have a decent cover, an intersting summary and intriguing title. Definitely, hone up on that if you need to.

Next would be the first chapter and, in particular, the first few paragraphs. You've got the reader interested and now you need to keep them hooked into your story. I'm not saying that you need action but, certainly, write something that has them wondering and wanting to read on. Some stories I like have a perfectly simple beginning, a description of a house was one, and the sheer quality of the written word kept me so it all depends on what readers you think you'll attract. That one was a mystery, I think.

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@XxPrinceofTennisxX the best advice i can give anyone on this site who wants a few more reads. Is GET INVOLVED. Start reading other stories giving help comments that shows that you did read their story/chapter and nt just skimmed it. Enter a few contests and there are actually a few people out there that will give your story a review so that'll help and also doing interviews. I know of a couple of people who interview writers on wattpad to give them more reads. Also just helping out another writer will get you more attention and quite possibly more reads. And it couldnt hurt to befriend other people on wattpad even if you dont know them personally.

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Networking with people and being nice and who cares if your story isn't popular just have fun :) that's what I do

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