Writing a Crowd-Sourced Novel with Your Readers
A novel approach to writing a novel
A novel approach to writing a novel
Writing a novel is typically seen as a solo endeavour, a pursuit of individual creativity and determination. But today, traditional boundaries of authorship are expanding, making way for collaborative projects, and I want to explore the world of collaborative storytelling, focusing on creating a crowd-sourced novel with your followers.
The Power of Community
The beauty of crowd-sourced novels lies in the sense of community and shared creativity. By inviting your followers to participate in your novel-writing journey, you foster a strong sense of belonging and collaboration, and this is not just a storytelling project, it’s a bonding experience that connects readers on a deeper level.
Before getting into your crowd-sourced novel, it’s important to establish a solid foundation by
choosing the correct platform. Decide where you want to host your crowd-sourced novel. It can be on your blog’s main page or within a dedicated section.
You then want to set some clear guidelines by explaining the genre, tone, and general theme of the story. Decide on any rules or limitations for each submission.
From there, provide a basic character outline and setting for the story’s world and then decide how frequently you’ll post new chapters or segments of the story.
The fun now begins as your readers submit their ideas and contributions and you encourage your followers to participate by starting with an opening line or paragraph.
For example:
“In the dark alley of an old, forgotten city, a shadowy figure emerged from the mist, clutching a tattered map that promised to lead to an unimaginable treasure…”
Readers can then build upon this opening, adding their own paragraphs or sections.
As submissions come in, it’s important to curate and edit contributions to maintain the story’s flow and coherence. Always be respectful of contributors’ ideas while ensuring consistency and readability.
Manage the Plot
The story can take unexpected turns, challenging your readers to adapt and explore new creative territories, and as the project’s leader, it’s your role to guide the narrative while keeping the story exciting.
It is also important to encourage interaction and collaboration among your readers/co-authors, and provide a platform where participants can discuss the story’s development, brainstorm ideas, and resolve creative conflicts.
Don’t forget to show your appreciation for your readers’ contributions by featuring their names or usernames with each segment they write, and to recognize and celebrate their imaginative contributions in a dedicated section of your articles.
I know that collaborative writing projects can have their challenges, so try and address potential issues, such as writer’s block or creative differences, by providing guidance, encouragement, and gentle reminders of the story’s overarching theme and tone.
Here are a few tips to keep readers and co-authors engaged throughout the project, you can:
Host interactive polls or surveys related to the story.
Share occasional progress updates, revealing the number of words contributed or the geographic locations of co-authors.
Offer small incentives or prizes to active contributors, such as a dedicated chapter written by you or a personalized thank-you note.
Nearing the Winning Post
As your crowd-sourced novel nears its conclusion, celebrate the collaborative spirit that brought it to life by considering the creation an e-book or printed version of the novel, complete with contributor names and a foreword reflecting on the journey.
This is also the time to reflect on the experience of writing a crowd-sourced novel with your followers. Highlight the lessons learned, memorable moments, and the power of storytelling to unite and inspire, while inviting your readers to suggest future collaborative projects or ways to build on the momentum of your crowd-sourced novel.
Finally, hosting a crowd-sourced novel project is a unique and rewarding way to engage with your readers and unleash their creative potential. It’s a collaborative journey where you guide the narrative, and your readers become co-authors in a storytelling adventure like no other.
As the final chapter unfolds, you’ll not only have a one-of-a-kind novel to cherish but also a community bound by the love of storytelling and the joy of shared imagination.
There are several tools available for collaborative writing. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Google Docs: A free and easy-to-use tool that allows multiple people to work on a document simultaneously. It also has features like version control, commenting, and Markdown support 12.
Quip: A platform that allows you to write, edit, review, and approve content before publishing. It also provides a single source of truth and flexible exporting options.
Draft: A standout writing tool that allows multiple collaborators to edit a document at the same time
Etherpad: An open-source tool that allows writers and editors to collaborate in real-time. It also has a feature that highlights changes made by each person working on the document.
When choosing a collaborative writing tool, it’s important to look for features like simultaneous access, easy commenting, and version control 1. You should also consider your team’s specific needs and the type of work being done.