Chapter 3 "white album"?
After learning of the other party's aspirations.
"Since you've decided to become a light novel author, have you decided on your debut work? You're not going to tell me you haven't decided on the genre yet, are you? If you haven't prepared at all, then I'll have to evaluate your determination!"
Eriri adopted a very professional attitude and said seriously.
"According to market trends, harem-type fantasy works are very easy to sell well, but with my personal style, I'm not keen on them... So I prefer slice-of-life works."
Izumi Chihiro said methodically.
Similarly, in this world, he also had a considerable fondness for two-dimensional culture, and like Eriri, they were both genuine otaku friends, so they naturally had a sufficient understanding of manga, anime, and novels.
"It seems Chihiro, you really have a good grasp of the current market; our many years as fellow enthusiasts haven't been in vain! However, it's true, as you said, that the 'otherworld reincarnation' trend is the easiest to succeed with nowadays. If you insist on choosing slice-of-life works, it will indeed be somewhat difficult."
Eriri immediately followed with an analysis, speaking eloquently.
Slice-of-life works include inspirational and comedic ones, but most importantly, they are romance-harem-like works. It's very difficult for this type of work to stand out, but compared to other similar works, they still have more room to make a name for themselves.
In the current situation, fantasy harem works, as long as they are a bit explicit and have rather suggestive illustrations, can sell quite a lot, even become bestsellers. This is where the advantage lies.
Of course, for other works, good illustrations and pretty girls can also attract a lot of attention.
"Although it's difficult, this type of work still has a sufficient market. The sales ceiling of recent light novels are mostly in this category. The 'otherworld' trend can only be said to be easy to get into, but it's rare to leave a deep impression on people."
Izumi Chihiro agreed wholeheartedly.
"So have you decided on a theme yet?"
Eriri asked again.
"It'll be a romance work with faction struggles."
He said softly.
"Huh, a light novel with romance as its theme?"
A slightly unnatural expression appeared on Eriri's face, her gaze subtly changed, and she stared at him, "Let me confirm, you haven't secretly fallen in love, have you?"
"Hmm? Of course not. If I were in love, how could you, as my childhood friend, not know?"
Izumi Chihiro looked utterly bewildered.
"That's true. If you ran off secretly, I'd definitely find out. Besides, a dummy like you probably wouldn't have any girls falling for him."
Eriri muttered to herself.
She then raised an eyebrow and continued, "You have no romantic experience, yet you want to write a romance novel? Isn't that just asking for trouble! A dummy is a dummy after all."
"Who says you can't write a romance-themed light novel if you haven't been in love! Do works with an 'otherworld' theme necessarily require you to have been to another world!"
Izumi Chihiro retorted, unwilling to show weakness.
He paused, then glanced at Eriri.
"Are all adult manga authors perverts?"
Eriri felt offended.
That look was clearly hinting at her!
Although she was the irresistible 'Kashiwagi Eri', she was still a pure-hearted girl!
"Chihiro, you're clearly just making a specious argument! Fantasy themes are inherently born from fantasy, but romance naturally needs to be based on reality. Otherwise, it's definitely not real, and it will eventually show its flaws."
She said, her face flushed.
On this point, Eriri was naturally more reasonable.
Fantasy works are fantasy works; even if they are not real, even if others have objections, they will automatically fill in the illogical parts.
However, ordinary slice-of-life works are not like that; their selling points are different. Because the main themes are all feelings that can be experienced in everyday life, even if there are beautiful fantasies in one's heart, inconsistencies are more easily noticed.
"You're right."
So, he didn't try to argue.
"But to avoid this flaw, it's actually achievable. I have enough confidence."
However, Izumi Chihiro had already decided on the theme, so he naturally wouldn't change it.
"You stubborn idiot. Since you've said it to this extent, there's no point in trying to persuade you anymore. So be it."
Eriri sighed.
She had accepted the fact.
"Since you've thought this far, you must have thought of a book title, right? Tell me, let's see what it's like."
The title is very important for a work, so Eriri's attention immediately shifted to this point.
"I have indeed thought about this."
Izumi Chihiro nodded lightly.
"It's called 'white album'."
"white album?"
Confusion arose in Eriri's heart.
This title is a bit difficult to analyze.
"What do you think, Eriri?"
Izumi Chihiro looked at her expression.
Considering the naming style of recent light novels, such a name is quite unconventional.
"Although I feel very annoyed about 'the fact that adding quotation marks makes it sound like a light novel title,' this naming method does have some merit; at least it can attract some attention."
"If you name it like this, under the current trend, it's really a bit incomprehensible. But you never know, after all, when everyone else names their works similarly, you might stand out as unique."
Eriri couldn't judge whether the title was good or bad, so she could only analyze it this way.
"Ultimately, why did you choose such a name? Does it have any special meaning?"
Actually, it doesn't have much meaning.
It's just that the plot of this work refers to the anime adaptation of the game 'white album 2' from his previous life, so he didn't want to change the name.
This point was impossible to explain.
He could only explain: "This is related to the theme of my work."
Because this world was a fusion of various anime worlds from his memories, he had specifically checked beforehand and only decided after confirming that the original work did not exist.
"Then it seems we can only win by content and illustrations."
Eriri fell silent.
"Then it's settled. I plan to finish the content of the first volume first. I'll come find you then."
Izumi Chihiro made an agreement with her.
"Preferably the first Saturday of next month. Dad happens to be hosting another banquet... I'll find an excuse to come see you."
Eriri suggested.
If she stayed at home, she would have to socialize, so every time there was such an occasion, if she had the chance, she would escape to Izumi's house under the pretext of 'wanting to focus on drawing.'
"Alright."
Izumi Chihiro understood and turned to leave.