So, suppose you want to become a bestseller not by writing what people want to read but by introducing them to your view of the world, with the stories you feel compelled to create.

Having been around a while, I've gotten some insider knowledge about careers that worked like you want yours to.

John Irving was my first teacher at Iowa, and he impressed upon us that we should not expect to make a living writing. We should accept the fact that (lacking wealth or generous spouses) we would need another career. Our stories should be our passion and avocation. Okay, but a couple years later, The World According to Garp made him a fortune. He's been a bestseller ever since. 

To follow Irving's path, I'd suggest you:  1. have a wild imagination and get over any fear of using it; 2. diligently study the plotting of Charles Dickens, as Irving did;  3. become a master humorist and express your humor in quirky ways.

Richard Russo and I were friends at the University of Arizona. Though he had already finished the MFA program, I read and critiqued several of his stories. Since then, he has become a master. Film adaptations of his novels have starred Paul Newman. His books all become bestsellers. And they're mighty fine books, both enjoyable and thoughtful, as are John Irving's.

To follow Russo's path, you might: 1. seek out advice and when you get it, ponder to glean all you can from it; 2. find an agent who is in the business of nurturing authors; 3. build your stories around unique and colorful characters; 4. place those characters in an environment, such as Russo's Mohawk, that may intrigue folks in the publishing business, in the case of Mohawk, because it reminds them of their weekend retreat.

If neither of those paths seem the one for you, come back. I'll steer you in some other directions.