You write a web novel much like any other novel. What sets it apart is that you publish it online, chapter by chapter, so you need a schedule you can keep, chapters without typos, and a plan to find readers.
The internet offers a lot to aspiring novelists. There are communities where writers share tips, tricks, and ideas, workshops where you can hone your skills, and groups that give constructive criticism on your work. The internet is also an excellent place to share your work, and web novels have become quite popular. If you are thinking about writing one, read these tips first.
Writing your first web novel
Writing a web novel is not much different from writing an ordinary novel. You need to:
- Come up with a great story idea.
- Establish the characters.
- Create the settings.
- Craft the conflicts and resolutions.
- Choose the point of view.
- Draft the structure and outline.
- Start writing the novel.
So what sets a web novel apart? Mainly the way it reaches its readers: one chapter at a time, on the internet. Here is what every web novel writer should know.
Keep a schedule
Some writers aim for a consistent publishing schedule, such as once a day or twice a week. Others post whenever they finish a chapter. Which one suits you best?
Look at it from the readers' point of view. Most of them will prefer a regular schedule to an irregular one. If you publish every Sunday, for example, your readers know when to expect their next chapter.
If you choose a regular schedule, it is best to keep two or three chapters in reserve as buffers, in case life gets in the way and you cannot write as often as you would like. With buffer chapters in place, your readers still get their regular chapter, whatever your circumstances.
How does that work? Say you have just finished the first chapter. Instead of publishing it right away, schedule it for a month later. As you finish the following chapters, schedule each one a week after the previous one.
Think the schedule through from the start. Take a good look at your daily life: can you commit to a schedule at all?
Don't be discouraged if you cannot commit to a fixed schedule. Many aspiring novelists have day jobs that keep them busy, so they publish a new chapter, or even part of a chapter, whenever they have one ready. The key is clear communication with your readers. Let them know that you have a living to earn, but that you will do your best to keep the story going.
Proofread every chapter
Make sure you have proofread everything before you press the Publish button. Being an amateur writer is one thing; looking amateurish is another. A proofreading checklist helps you check each chapter the same way.
That said, even famous works of literature, especially in their first editions, were not free of typos. So if you have done your best and a few errors still slip through, take it easy. One of the best things about a web novel is that you can fix an error at any time. A printed book cannot be corrected once it is out.
If your readers spot an error and let you know, thank them. A reader who makes that effort is a good reader, and you want to keep them.
Let everybody know
"Build it and they will come," as the saying goes. For a web novel, it is not true.
Publishing a story online is like opening a shop on a dead-end street. You cannot rely on passers-by, because there are practically none. Your only choice is to go out, speak up, and let people know that a new shop has opened that might interest them.
Go where readers look for new stories: web fiction directories, recommendation sites, and reader forums for your genre.
Don't be discouraged if you only have a few readers in the first weeks or even months. It takes a long time to build an audience. Be persistent, and keep publishing on time.