r/WattpadIndia

What is with the holier-than-thou attitude some writers and bookstagrammers on WattpadIndia have towards smut and dark romance? Like, congrats, you write or read clean books, do you want a medal or something?

In most cases, I see reels from a certain bookstagrammer where they were actively putting down dark romance and smut. The caption was all about how they're so much better than those genres, how they don't need that kind of content to tell a good story, how those books are basically trash. And I can't.

First of all, let's get one thing straight. Dark romance and smut are not inherently bad writing. They are not inherently less valuable than "clean" stories. They are genres, tools in a writer's toolbox, preferences in a reader's roster.

Writing dark themes or sex scenes well is as hard as any book. It takes skill; it's not just throwing some edgy or dirty words on a page and calling it a day. Well, a few writers do this, and the book in those cases doesn’t give that elevation.

And reading dark romance or smut is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a perfectly valid way to explore fantasy, desire, and yes, even just plain old entertainment. It's not a mark of lesser intelligence or inferior taste.

But the way some people on Indian Wattpad talk about it, you'd think these genres were the literary equivalent of some back-alley drug deal. Like, they wrinkle their noses, make snide comments, and act like they're so much better than the "sinful" or "problematic" writers and readers.

Well, guess what? Those sinful smut writers, those problematic dark romance authors? They're often the ones topping the charts. Their dirty readers are often the most engaged, the most passionate, the most dedicated to the stories they love.

Now, let me be clear. I love reading a good smut scene, and I pride myself on writing some pretty steamy stuff too. But would I want my whole book to be nothing but smut? No, because then it's erotica, which is a different genre altogether. I can't read 9 chapters of just smut or erotica, it's not my personal taste.

Same with dark romance. I enjoy it when it's well-written and not just shock value, but I have my boundaries. If a book is just straight-up romanticising abuse without any nuance, that's where I tap out.

But that doesn't mean I hate erotica writers, or dark romance authors, or look down on them. It's just not my preference. And yeah, I do tend to back away from books that are just p*rn without plot, because again, not my thing. But I'm not out here judging those who write or read it.

And let's not forget, Wattpad itself has rules against books that are just straight-up p*rn without any story. They get taken down. So there's a line there.

But within that line, there's a wide range of smut levels, dark themes, spice, and edge. And all of them are valid. All of them take skill to write well. And none of them is a reason to look down on the authors or readers who enjoy them.

So maybe it's time for the anti-smut, anti-dark romance snobs to climb down off their high horses and recognise that there's room for all kinds of stories on this platform. Writing and reading these genres doesn't make someone less than. That there's no prize for being the purest or cleanest creator or consumer.

Write what you want to write. Read what you want to read. But don't put down others for their choices. Don't act like your preferences make you superior.

These genres are here, they're popular, and they're not going anywhere. And the sooner they accept that, the better off we'll all be. That’s just my two cents. 

What do you all think? Have you noticed this snobbery on WattpadIndia? How do you feel about it?

I see people defending piracy by saying 'we don't have enough money but we'll support writers when we would have money' and 'books are books no matter what, it's supposed to be read in whatever way'. And numerous other excuses.

Do people realize how it hurts and disheartens authors so much? Like imagine pouring your heart and soul into a book and it just gets copied. Money you rightfully deserve? Gone. And let's not act like expecting money for your work is bad or shameful. If authors really just needed their work to be read, they'd provide it for free online. Writing professionally is not a side project, it takes time, energy, research and even money.

Imagine working tirelessly on a project in a company for months, or even years, while people consume it without you getting paid. How unfair is that?

But readers defend buying pirated books. I saw a reel of a best selling author crying cuz her books got pirated and the same readers, people who enjoy HER OWN work telling her to stop crying and doing drama? Hello? Such heartless creatures.

Anyways, what do you guys think?

Helloo! I read this book on Wattpad a longgg time ago and it was actually a pretty famous book where the female lead’s name was Naintara. The main lead had been in a coma for like 10 years since he was a teen (I think his name was Ekanksh? I’m not sure) and when he woke up he went looking for her and they both had like an almost arranged/ love marriage sort of situation. The storyline was pretty complex cuz there were like layers of mystery that had to be unearthed. I’d seen a lot of reels of the book like a lot of months ago but I can’t find the book on Wattpad because I forgot what the name was. If anybody has any idea what I’m talking about please let me know!! Thank youu!

What do readers think about a story that is character driven?

Like of course it will have a plot but more simpler. Like how the life flows. But as it will be character driven the story will move with the pace of the characters development.

So anyone thinks it'll be boring? Or is it a wanted theme?

(I'm writing a character who's mental health is so skewed I don't know how to even write in a way I can say she's atleast healing. So will y'all read stories like that or does have to have some tempting plot to hook you?)

I know that on social media, the credit to an original creator for an idea is often not given. I also know this occurs in the book/wattpad community. Not everyone would give credit to the person that inspired their edit, or whose edit/content style they use. And there are instances where people claim something that doesn't belong to them too, and I am aware of that. Or people who gatekeep something used by many people. In these instances, the original edit/creator may get lost in the sea of replications. Only they themselves know if they started it, or at least made it popular.

I am not sure if this is because I did a lot of research in university where we always had to give credit to the ideas we take from someone else. Many of us are familiar with citations and research, and how we cannot claim another's idea as our own.

However, isn't it right to give credit where due? Or at least, to a unique concept that someone else made their own? Or even just a small shoutout to the person who inspired you or whose edit you decided to use as your own?

A fellow author I know made a reel that reached a large audience. I was happy for her because for a long time, she struggled with reach. When my reels didn't do well, I thought of trying a reel similar to hers to see if it would find a larger audience. I debated whether or not I should ask her if I could make the reel, or if I should just make it. Eventually, I asked her if I could make a reel with a similar idea. I did not copy it exactly. I used her idea to make my own. She's such a sweet person, she felt happy that I even asked permission.

This was a few days ago, and I posted it. It reached the audience I hoped for. Today, I saw an author post the exact same template I used with the only difference being the image they chose. No credit given. And sure, I didn't use a watermark (not like it would do anything), and they did, but we both know that they made it after seeing my reel. I am 99% sure no one else has made the edit the way I did, and I only took inspiration from an author. I didn't use her exact template. I do not want to gatekeep or refuse to let others use the template, but is a simple "credit goes to so-and-so" so hard to add in the caption or comments? I'm sure if it was vice-versa, they would demand it. Or they would make a post here talking about giving credit where due etc. This one author who took inspiration from a reel series I'm doing started doing the same because she had the reach, and she gave credit to me even when I didn't ask/expect it. Such a simple thing made me feel seen and happy.

Another author I know, someone who is trying to get their story out there, asked if such a reel would work. I told them they could try themselves and see, and even told her she can copy my caption too if she wants. Whether or not she'll give credit is beyond me, but most likely, she will.

Am I being too much? It's fine to be inspired by others, and I think it's fine as long as credit is given in some form. And inspiration often leads to a new or different idea. It doesn't mean using the same thing.

But this ties into stories as well. I've mentioned in my story that it was inspired by one author. Unfortunately, they are no longer on Wattpad, but I still remember their general username and gave them the credit for inspiring me.

I feel like a bad person for feeling like this, but idk.

I guess I am going to get heavily downvoted for this but I will still say whatever I have to...because nowadays, so people have to be verbally reminded to use at least a few of their brain cells before commenting

CRITICISM IS NOT SAME AS HATE!!!! Problematic or not, whenever there is an idea presented publicly like movies, paid books, classics, everything will have a group of people who are never going to point it out in what changes could have been there to make it a bit better. And this is something which happens naturally.

And it won't change JUST BECAUSE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS ARE WRITING A WATTPAD BOOK. This rule applies to anybody and everybody and will continue to do so always.

What's with responding "If you don't like, then don't read it" when someone points out what they like and what they don't. Give me one good reason why wouldn't we when the author is writing on a free platform meant for everyone....they want others to read their work right? That's why they publish it on a public platform in the first place, right? Correct me if I am wrong.

And about "People can write whatever they can and they can read whatever they can" Yep! I agree it's true, people can indeed read and write what they can. But why is this rule only applied to authors and not the person who is not liking a certain way a character is presented. If writing "anything" in the name of romance is their freedom, then so is pointing out what is wrong and right done is also freedom? Don't you agree?

That being said, I am only talking about the criticism towards a certain character's actions or words....not blind hating on an entire book due to one problematic character, not any sort of personally attacks, judgements, etc. That is and will always be a problem and I am not at all in the support of that. But I seriously think that if an author doesn't have the courage to at least listen to the fact that they characters could be wrong in some way, Then sorry, Wattpad isn't the place for them.

I said what I said. Period.

I remembered a book that I read long time ago. In that book (the man that I betrayed) fl cheats on ml.

That fl was a teenager who got lured by boring Ml's charming brother. So she elopes with the brother by leaving ml.

Story starts from years later.

Now ml turned out charming and rich businessman. Fl gets dumped and raped by that man with whom she eloped. She almost lives like a begger.

Then the ml who claims to still have feelings for fl sleeps with his best friend. Then realises he doesn't have romantic feelings for her and ends up with fl.

Cheating is absolutely wrong irrespective of the gender. But it feels like author make fl face brutal consequences for cheating when compared to ml. When fl cheats on ml, she deserve to be raped, abandoned and live like a begger.

When ml cheats, his maximum punishment is not cheating again.

It doesn't mean I am defending fls who do cheat. Cheating is absolutely wrong whether it is done by a male, female or lead characters/side characters.

Just speaking about the treatment of authors.

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I need a book that's funny , the ML or FL or even both have a funny personality but are also sensible when not to joke. I honestly want to read a Highschool Romance but any other recommendation of the trope would work too... Underrated authors would be appreciated.

NO AI WRITTEN BOOK. NOT EVEN THE BOOK COVER SHOULD BE AI.

Guys please suggest me some good soft romance book . I am so tired with these dark romance , angst ,grovel books . These books are ragebaiting atp .

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There's something about realistic plots with a mix of fantasy, kink, taboo and delusion that keeps me on my toes.

I haven't roleplayed much lately but from my personal experience, I know that Wattpad readers make for the best roleplay partners.

I'm looking for someone who's good at putting their thoughts/imaginations into words. Capable of putting themselves into the situation and describing each of the actions, thoughts, emotions and senses to heighten the experience.

I'm stuck at home thanks to the Mumbai rains and craving some delulu creative energy.

So come forth!

Tell me your fantasies. Things you wish that would happen to you.

The slice of life that you've been waiting to taste.

We'll turn it into a steamy play of imagination and passion!