All About Writing an Online Novel

Publishing 2005

Just My Best, Inc. plans to publish 6-8 books in 2005. We enjoy working with new authors who have finished their first manuscript. Since we work directly with authors they don't need an agent.

The author should do two complete edits on the manuscript before they submit it. Submit the entire manuscript via email.

Once the manuscript is submitted allow six weeks for a response.

We are not publishing books on poetry, religion, or erotica this year.

All About Writing an Online Novel

by Janet Sue Terry

Recently, online novels (text-role-playing or rpg games) have become popular with writers who enjoy creating characters, and sharing their fantasies with others. The exercise can be likened to a soap opera. Much like a soap opera, the writer's story is ongoing because he/she makes regular entries into it. The entries are critiqued by fellow writers (players).

Problems and misunderstandings arise. Writers are advised to have a clear understanding of the rules before they get involved.

There has to be a head writer who will take charge. This person (leader) should pen the part of the commander, king, queen, business owner, detective, or whomever else the star may be. This places them in an ideal position to interact and support other writers.

The head writer needs a vivid imagination and must be willing to give freely of their time. This person has to be a stickler for detail, consistent and attentive with their story line. They must to be creative enough to pull bits of the disjointed story together.

In addition, the head writer has to keep track of the novel, see where everyone is in the overall plot, and plan the chapters so the story flows smoothly. They also have to edit the story, hold support meetings with their fellow writers, read every entry and offer feedback and encouragement to all.

More importantly, the head writer needs to be prepared to have their own contributions ignored, since many amateur writers take, but seldom give anything in return.

The head writer automatically becomes the mentor, and as such must post every week, and sometimes even more often. There is little appreciation for the hard work one puts forth. It takes a special self-sacrificing sort of person to offer such support to others. The lead writer must plan the plot, lay out the story, and create a world with believable characters. Next, they should draft writers guidelines. For instance what can the new writer write about? Is there a limit on how much they should post per day? Will porn be tolerated? If not, what draws the line between a romantic love scene and raw porn? How much freedom will you give your writers? Can their characters impulsively hit others? Or curse them? Or even kill them?

A good rule of thumb is to make the writers honor and respect each other just like they do in real time. Advise them to think before they act and follow the golden rule. Would they like to be treated the way they are planning to treat someone else?

Another fine point to consider, is how much is too much when it comes to imagination? Are you open to vampires? Shape shifters? Spacecraft filled with aliens who shoot up your world? How about animals that are intelligent enough to act like people?

Believe me, you have to set guidelines and limits. You literally have to police your novel.

Back everything up so other writers in a fit of rage cannot delete the posts, or a computer crash does not wipe the story out. A good backup system is essential.

Lastly, we need to discuss copyright. If the story turns out to be a potential best seller, and there is a possibility that it will interest a publisher, how will the rights be divided? Since the head writer does the planning, mentoring, editing, and advising, should he/she hold exclusive rights? After all, there are web sites that charge hundreds of dollars for proof-reading and critiquing services.

In view of everything concerned, it seems reasonable that intelligent men and women would agree that the person who conceives the idea, kicks the story off and then maintains it, should have full rights. After all, did the writers not benefit from the head writers guidance and advice?

Unfortunately, greedy people exist. They will demand their share of any preconceived profits if the story is published. Decide how the rights will be divided before the issue flares up, and put it in writing.

There are several ways to divide the rights to an online novel:

You can claim exclusive rights to the entire work since it was your idea and your time and energy was spent in the process.
You can return full rights to the authors involved once the story ends and create a new book from your own entries by writing fillers.

Writing an online novel can be a fantastic experience. It provides an outlet for creativity and feedback on creative effort. Still, it takes time and dedication.

Remember to protect your work by creating guidelines and disclaimers before you get involved. Once the terms have been drafted, post them publicly for writers who are interested in joining your group to download, read, sign and then return.

To get involved in an online novel you can type a search for `text based role-playing games,' into your favorite search engine.

by Janet Sue Terry

Contemporary Romance Author

of Possibilities and Resolutions

President of

Just My Best, Inc.

JMB Book Publishing Company

http://www.jmbpub.com

email jsueterry@yahoo.com

email jst@jmbpub.com

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