by Milica Filipovic
In the 21st century, writers are able to come across millions of ideas with one simple search. On numerous applications such as Google, Instagram, TikTok, etc., writers are being influenced by readers’ demands. With an abundance of information at our fingertips, we often let our creative minds be infiltrated by a litany of new concepts and ideas. However, there is a certain point at which we begin to wonder how many lines can be crossed before the diverse and global field of literature at our disposal falls at the hands of tropes and trends.
As part of the writing community, I am exposed to viral reading and writing content on a daily basis. It seems to me that with each scroll, I am doomed to come across the same videos, just slightly altered. Books with the… Enemies to Lovers Trope. One Bed Trope. Forced Proximity Trope. Trope. Trope.
Trope.
It echoes in my mind so much so that it begins to sound less like a word and more like a random jumble of sounds. At one point, a writer is bound to be tempted by these tropes; And so it begins. With each new appearance of these same scenarios between different characters, one book blends into the next. It is no surprise considering the appeal social media has promoted to us. Writers and readers alike are both victims of the loss of specificity in literary expression. While these trends may be entertaining, they will eventually drift into irrelevance as does everything else on the internet.
Not only has social media caused a lack of variety in the current literary scenario, it has also affected the quality of writing being put out into the world. If you have stumbled onto Booktok or Bookstagram, it is likely that you’ve encountered the term “yearly reading goal". This is referring to the challenge that readers are placing upon themselves to read an exact amount of books before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day. There is no doubt that this has resulted in a higher consumption rate for readers worldwide. Since 2022, book sales in the U.S. have increased year-over-year for both physical and digital copies. As readers speed through dozens of novels a year, authors are struggling to keep up. Authors that used to release books every three to four years have begun adopting a rapid release strategy for their books, churning out new content more frequently at the demand of their eager fans. This means that the writer is rushing to finish their books, send them to their publisher, and have them edited, designed, and printed as soon as possible. Running this endless race to keep up, new literature prioritizes audiences’ happiness above insightful themes and skillful artistry. For example, the trend of romantic comedies, light contemporary romances, or clichéd thrillers that have become more popular in recent years. These stories tend to focus more on providing entertainment rather than delving into complex topics. This issue is particularly evident in many self-published romance novels you can find on Kindle Unlimited as well as numerous books promoted on social media platforms.
It is then that we must ask ourselves what we value more, unique and profound literature, or temporary glee from recycled storytelling. Although there is no way to persuade others to take action against this matter, there are steps we can take to mitigate its effects.
For instance, young writers hold the key to the future of the literary world. With the flick of our pens, a click of our keys, we can shape new worlds. Why waste these talents on being like everyone else? I, myself, face doubt in my own work. I know it can be better, I know it will be with time, so the question lingers in my mind as I read back my own words. Will anyone want to read this? The moment we give in to that doubt, that uncertainty in the thing we love to do, is the moment our writing becomes an ode to society, not our dreams. The best advice I can give to any fellow writers is this: write the book you want to read because in the end, you should be able to look at your finished work and be proud that you created the exact thing you wanted to. That is the greatest success you can find.
As a reader, you have the power to choose what you wish to indulge in. That said, it’s perfectly fine to like tropes and trends and light tales. But I urge you, once in a while, to step out of that comfort zone and explore. Support a young writer. Read a classic. Enjoy a new genre. It is with these little habits that you make a difference in the industry and in our world.
We are a community that shares a passion for the beauty of words. We are a community that is stronger together than we are alone. We make the change we want to see. Let the world hear your voice.
Citations:
Watson, Amy. “U.S. book market - statistics & facts.” Statista, 16 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/topics/1177/book-market/. Accessed 25 August 2024.
Yoo, Sarah. “How to: Rapid Release Strategy for Books.” Publish Drive, 1 May 2024, https://publishdrive.com/rapid-release-strategy-for-books.html. Accessed 25 August 2024.
Comments