A Guide to Authoring by Ren Wo Xiao
A Guide to Authoring by Ren Wo Xiao
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Sunnnyy32.79kviews·781collections
Aug 11,2020
Hello, Webnovel authors, I'm Ren Wo Xiao. The author of "I Have Countless Legendary Swords!"
Here are some tips on novel writing for Novice Writers.
Topic Selection
1. Story background:
Authors who like Modern Urban may select Modern Urban. This theme has the strongest ability to generate empathy, as it has a connection to real life so that the reader is easily drawn into the story. Within this genre, Urban Superpowers enjoys great popularity. The reader develops a high from identifying with a protagonist who displays supernatural ability in ordinary life, much like how superhero movies and comics are wildly popular.
Those who like Alien Fantasy will have to pay attention to the power system of the world and the protagonist's cheat system set-up. Usually, this theme focuses on adventure and counterattack revenge. The advantage offered by this theme is that you can write to great lengths, and because it's an unknown world, it is more relaxing to handle than the Modern Urban genre.
Normally I'll think about the specifics of the world background according to the genre of story I wish to write. For example if I wish to write a Urban story, I'll think about the sort of disagreement or conflict situation that could be my springboard. Then from a conflict situation that people can generally empathize with, I'll start to unfold the set up of this world. If I wish to write an Alien Fantasy story, I will first consider the power system of the world and what it might be like after the improvement. Then I will begin to develop the preset story.
2. Market research:
You can draw elements of your story from the current trends. Most of the time, the core elements of popular online entertainment products in the market will be similar. Apart from the innovation around the power and world perspectives, the plot normally centres around counterattack, revenge and invincibility. Internet literature is usually explicit from the opening, using the most direct way possible to attract readers.
Outline
1. Objectives system
Generally, the protagonist's objective is vengeance or a treasure hunt. A treasure hunt is simple, you may design a legend. And the opposition's objective is an essential element in a web novel. The disagreement or contradiction set up in a web novel is something very prominent, and often, right from the beginning of the story there will be the presence of an opposing character that suppresses the protagonist. This character may be very strong, or very wealthy. During the time when the protagonist is strong, you may depict other characters who are more powerful than the former. It may be someone whom the former depends on, or it may be a renowned influential figure. You can create a deep impression in the reader before the target personality makes an appearance. A common approach is to have some walk-on characters play up the greatness of this target character, making it seem as though the protagonist would surely not be able to defeat the target character. This way, when the protagonist actually manages to do so, it creates a greater high for the reader.
2. Map design
Map development in web novels, be they of Fantasy or Urban genre, mostly begin with small places, then progress into bigger places. This sequential approach allows the preservation of a sense of novelty. The most popular method currently is to re-create a certain period in history. For example, you may create magic, or a fantasy world, that ordinary folks may not know about in a period of the Central European history; or you may create a world of great eastern martial arts in ancient China.
When I write Fantasy, I will usually re-create a certain dynasty in ancient China. Although it doesn't square with its actual history, it attracts readers nevertheless.
3. Characterization
Generally, there are two ways to design a character in web novels. One is a character that doesn't change from the beginning right through to the end of the story; the other is one that changes drastically, for example, from being a timid person to one that is arrogant and conceited; or from a jovial person to a cold and callous one. The former might better suit a modern background. It's happy and relaxed. A protagonist is more likable when there is a dark side to him or her. The latter might better suit an alien world background. The change in the protagonist's personality may create a deeper impression of your story in the reader. When a chatty and optimistic protagonist evolves into a cold and ruthless character through his sufferings, it will trigger the reader's empathy.
Apart from the protagonist, the other character that should be made outstanding would be the villain. The more distinct the villain's character is, the more interesting the novel becomes. After all, web novel readers focus on the protagonist most of the time, hence the role of the protagonist's opponent becomes very important.
4. Disagreements and conflicts
The most common types of opening disagreements would be parental misunderstandings, or being despised by fellow students or relatives, as well as the very classic break-up-with-girlfriend routine. These are enduring routines that never fail to draw the readers' empathy.
Main Body
1. Opening
Start with a simple introduction of the protagonist's identity, it's best that the character has the qualities of an ordinary person. Normally the disagreements will surface right from the first chapter. At the same time you may drop some hints of the possibility that the protagonist's fate may change. For example in Spider Man, the super spider's message made an appearance very soon after Spider Man was bullied in school. This leads the audience to make a connection between him and the super spider.
2. Moving into monetized chapters
The chapter that transits into monetized chapters is eminently important, in fact no less so than the story opening. You may stop just before the climax of the plot or during it. When you arrive at this chapter, you will need to draw your readers' desire to know the story's subsequent development. At all cost, avoid inhibiting the protagonist at this point of time. Allow him to fall into a suppressive situation. It could be the villains doing an evil deed, injuring the protagonist, for instance. When everyone thinks that this is the end of the protagonist, the protagonist's great power suddenly awakens within. You may end before the manifestation of this great power. After this awakening, the paid chapters will kick in.
Packaging and Later Stages
1. Title
In the context of this fast-paced world that we live in, a book title has to be eye-catching. It has to be able to highlight the core attraction point of your novel which, mostly, is the manifestation of the cheat system.
2. Introduction
Like a book title, the introduction of the story has to highlight its point of attraction. On top of this, its type setting has to be clean. Rather than a single paragraph containing all the information, it's better to break the content into short paragraphs. The first paragraph may be a simple introduction of the story background. For example, in my novel "I Have Countless Legendary Swords!", I put it quite directly that the prince had suffered calamity. There is no need to provide details of the calamity. You may mention outright the protagonist's cheat system. This is the best way to attract readers.
3. Interaction with readers
It is very important to interact with your readers. At the end of a chapter, you may leave a note to reveal your recent state of mind as you are writing. This can close the gap between you and your readers, it can also spark off a discussion of the plot among your readers. Ultimately, it's a good thing to be close to your readers.
At the end, I'll promote my novel "I Have Countless Legendary Swords!". The background of this story is like a fusion of many dynasties of ancient China, there are classic scenes of mortals vs. immortals. The protagonist receives a legendary sword each year of his life, and he is able to control these legendary swords perfectly. When the protagonist turned ten thousand years old, he had that corresponding number of legendary swords. He was able to take on the immortals and so earned himself the reputation of being the unparalleled King of Swords.