I Am No King's
316.2 – Webnovel vs Print Novel
Hi Haiii…..
So, this announcement chapter is more targeted to other authors who want to make novels. Many people want to write novels. Many people ask how to make a good novel. For those who are not interested can skip immediately because it is very long.
There are 1001 ways to make a good novel starting from the plot, characters, and so forth. However, what the author will discuss this time is the media. Different media, of course, require different approaches. And, at present, the medium of reading novels there are 2 kinds, namely the web (platform) and print. This difference also affects the presentation of the story and, indirectly, will also affect the number of read.
The content of this paper is not fixed, only the conclusion of observations read web novels and printed novels. The main references are******** (both japanese and chinese), light novel, and qidian. So, just personal opinion. The focus of this review is more on the writing component. So, the writer will not discuss the origin in detail. And, since this is not scientific writing, there is no bibliography or reference yes :P
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What is web novel? What is a printed novel?
Well, simply put, a web novel is a novel that is published on a website (internet) or platform while a printed novel is published in a publisher (print). Genres also vary, ranging from drama, slice of life, action, horror, etc. What distinguishes these two types of writing? Clearly, the media publication. However, the media differences of this publication also gave birth to other differences.
If you use the analogy of known forms of writing, web novels can be analogized as manga or comics while printed novels. Hahahaha, somewhat ambiguous huh? Yeah, simple as that.
Okay we review one by one each element. Ah, because this is a review, not a story essay, the first pronoun use the term writer. Author is usually used for authors (applicable to fiction writing such as novels, comics, short stories, etc.) while Writer is used for writers (applicable to non-fiction writing such as biography, reviews, etc.)
The first element that the writer will discuss is the number of words. On a media website or platform, the author has a hurdle on the number of words that will be loaded in one chapter. The word count barrier is not caused by the limitations of the platform or internet media, but rather the convenience of readers. If the chapter is too short, the interest of the reader may diminish. However, if it is too long, the interest of the reader can also be reduced.
What is the ideal number of words for a web novel? On the internet, there are many questions about the ideal number of words. Some say 1,000 – 2,000. Some say 2,000 – 3,000. The majority of the time, between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Less than 1,000 words are considered interlude chapters. More than 3,000 words is considered a special chapter.
However, the number of words was made at the time of****** and wordpress is in power. Currently, there is a new trend of paid platforms. Take this mangatoon for example. The number of words that are often encountered is 700 to 1,000 words. More than that is considered redundant because it is considered not able to contribute to a lot of views.
In Web novels, indirectly, the number of words is related to the frequency of updates. The more frequent updates, the less word count does not matter. However, if the old update is 2 weeks once or once a month, the number of words is more often used.
Print novels also suffer from the same dilemma, the absence of a standard for word count. However, if the number of words in question on a web novel is per chapter, on a printed novel is per volume. The number of words per volume cannot be determined by the author. It is entirely the authority of the publisher.
Overseas, novels generally have a word count of 40 – 60 thousand. In Indonesia, novels are commonly found in the number 30 – 40 thousand. For teenlit or chicklit novels, in Indonesia the majority are under 30 thousand words. So, for the number of words, it also varies.
The second element that the writer will discuss is the chapter or chapter. Generally, one article or publication in a web novel is considered a chapter. In web novels the term sub-chapters is rarely known. One publication, one chapter. And, one of the toughest challenges in web novels when it comes to publication is giving the chapter a title. The title in the web chapter of the novel will give an idea of the content of the web novel. If you read "I am No King", each chapter will have its own title. Like manga, right?
However, this is different from a printed novel. In one volume, a printed novel has several chapters, and each chapter can have subchapters. An author has no obligation to title each chapter or sub-chapter. Not infrequently also writers reading printed novels only write "prologist, chapter 1, chapter 2, epilogue".
Then for sub-chapter\, writers rarely see sub-chapters of printed novels that are titled. So\, for the sub-chapters in the\print novel, it is usually only written "part 1\, part 2\, part 3" or simply given an asterisk (***) or another symbol.
On the other hand party\, an asterisk (***) or other symbol on a Web novel is usually used if there is a time skip\, or a point of view shift\, or location. Some say this asterisk shows the difference in sub-chapters in web novels.
The third element that the writer will discuss is Arc. Simply put, Arc is a kind of one conflict or discussion that connects several chapters. Broadly speaking, the Arc on Web novels and printed novels is the same, but the way it is presented is different.
The presentation of Arc on printed novels is usually much more organized than Web Novels. What the writer means is not a matter of planning, but a matter of order and structure of presentation. If you use an analogy, consider Arc Web novels like nasi soto campur while Arc printed novels like nasi soto split. Hahaha, a bit strange is the analogy? Let the writer explain why using soto rice as an analogy.
This time, the writer began discussing the printed novel first, which was simpler for Arc's explanation. In printed novels, generally, one volume includes one Arc. In a single volume of a printed novel, the writing and presentation will be structured quite simply from introduction, problem recognition, conflict, peak (usually the peak of the battle here if the combat type print novel), to, and resolution or resolution.
Here, the writer will take the example on To Aru Majutsu no Index. In volume 1, Arc To Aru majutsu no In Index focuses on Index recognition. In the initial chapter, it is told about the daily Life MC (Kamijou Touma), residence, abilities, and meetings with the Index. The point is the introduction of setting. Some authors consider this one part to belong to the Sub Arc.
The next chapter in volume 1 To Aru Majutsu no Index deals with Stiyl Magnus and Kanzaki Kaori. Each of the characters brings another exposition and begins to introduce the conflict that the MC will face. So, all were prepared for the peak of his conflict, when Kamijou Touma was forced to choose whether or not to let the index memories disappear. After the conflict, of course the conclusion and resolution.
The groove is the one often used in printed novels. Because one part will not be mixed with another part, the writer says like rice soto split. Writers say often, but not all, like printed novels like durarara.
Because the number of words is already determined by the publisher, the Author must be smart to divide the portion of each sub arc and section. The further back, usually, 1 Arc in a printed novel will consist of several volumes. Then on one volume only discusses 1 Sub Arc. Under each sub Arc, there is a sub Arc. This will only happen after a few volumes and the printed novel is already quite popular.
Although 1 volume is only 1 sub Arc, each volume still has a complete component ranging from introduction to closure. Introductions of new conflicts are generally only presented in prologues and epilogues, as foreshadowing and subsequent introduction of sub-arc/volume.
Then, for the Web Novel Arc, it can be said to be quite messy when compared to a printed novel. Because there is no such thing as volume, the length and shortness of a single Arc is irregular, ranging from a few to dozens of chapters. In addition, the normal plot as in printed novels is rarely used on Web Novels. Because of this mixing the writer says Arc Web novels like nasi soto campur.
If in the early part of the printed novel is presented with an introduction and a little plot (or conflict), in the early part of the Web the novel needs more plot and less introduction. This is because Web novels usually update weekly or every few days, in contrast to printed novels where readers have bought 1 volume.
Even if the reader of the printed novel is rather bored, he can “curang” by peering into the middle of the novel. “cheating” this provides additional motivation for the reader to continue. However, this does not apply to web novels where the reader cannot cheat. The reader can only read as published.
So, in order for the reader to return in the next chapter (which may be next week), the plot and conflict must be presented early. The motive for returning readers is what makes a Web chapter of a novel almost always ends with a cliffhanger.
Still in Web Novels. Generally, a new web novel will present a more detailed explanation of the plot and its world (world building) is somewhat behind, inserted between the plots. Because of this, often in the middle, the plot of a Web novel appears to be undeveloped, explaining the plot.
Writer will use I am No King as a web novel reference. In Arc 1 (chapter 1 – 13), I am No King is divided into 3 sub-arc namely the meeting with Emir, battle royale, and application. In chapter 1, I am No King gives an introduction. However, still in chapter 1, the plot and conflict are presented in the middle. It's still chapter 1, but only half are in conflict. And in chapter 1 Cliffhanger was already played. Chapter 2 is almost full of plots and conflicts, chapter 3 new explanations and introductions to the world (world building) more than chapter 1 and chapter 2.
Sub Arc 2, battle royale, does not directly bring up the plot, but gives introductions and explanations first. At the middle and end of the plot a new focus. Sub Arc 3 is the conclusion of Arc 1. From this example, it looks quite different writing arrangement compared to a printed novel.
The fourth element that will be discussed is plothole and plothook. Lho? How about plothole and plothook? Are those two things not so different, right? Plothook who makes a good novel, plothole who makes an ugly novel. Well, it's normal that way. And, print novels and Web Novels also adhere to a good story is a minimal plothole and many plothooks.
However, here, the writer has a personal opinion. According to the writer, plothole and plothook is something almost the same. You guys may read often think "kok gini anyway. weird." Well, if that keaneah is explained at the end, then it is a plothook. But, if left unanswered, it becomes plothole.
For discussion, the writer will focus more on plothooks. So, plothooks are often installed with one purpose. Whatisit? Of course to make the reader curious and hope the volume or chapter or even the next Arc discusses the plothook.
Plothooks have two categories, plothooks that will be completed on that arc and plothooks for future supply or investment. The first type of plothook is pretty obvious. Usually, this type of plothook appears at the beginning to the middle of the Arc, then in the middle to the end is used to explain the plothook. In the first category, Web novels and printed novels are quite similar.
Then, the second category, plothook for supply or future investment. This plothook is deliberately left and will only be discussed in another volume or arc. His goal? It keeps the reader loyal. If one investment plothook has been explained, will be put a new investment plothook that replaces it.
In printed novels, investment plothooks usually appear in the middle and are discussed at the end (epilogue). In the midst of an enemy that is not killed. Usually, at the end, this enemy will appear again, giving foreshadowing that in the next Arc/volume he has a role.
However, in Web novels, plothook investments and explanations are not clear when the emergence. It can be at the beginning of the arc, in the middle, or even at the end. As it may. However, it is also not good if the plothook is left too long. If it has been too long, it will be difficult to explain it and eventually abandoned. At the end, this abandoned plothook even becomes a plothole. So, the writer's advice, that's mediocre.
The last elements to be discussed are prologue and epilogue. This is one of the most important differences between a print novel and a Web Novel. In a printed novel, each volume has a prologue and epilogue. The prologue serves to give a little description or exposition of the plot in the volume. The epilogue serves as a cover story while giving the plothook an investment, foreshadowing the volume to come. Or, when it's over, it's over.
There is only 1 prologue on the web. The prologue to Web novels has no clear rules at all. Can explain the actual events that occurred in the middle, can explain the world building novel, can be anything. This prologue does not have to explain the events in the initial arc. It could be in the middle or end arc. However, it could be that the prologue is really just an explanation of the exposition, such as explaining the MC died and moved the world.
For epilogues, Web novels also have no standards. An epilogue can be only 1 chapter, really an (true) epilogue. It could also be an epilogue as the last Arc. The epilogue of the last Arc is usually composed of several chapters that tell the lives of each character after the climax and the highest conflict occurs.
In Web novels, the end of the Arc is not an epilogue, only the ending of the Arc.
In the final section, the writer will give examples of web novels and printed novels that have been published and have the most obvious change, namely "death march kara hajimaru isekai kyousoukyoku" which is abbreviated as desumachi. In fact, almost all web novels and print novels must have different stories because of many of the above. However, according to the writer, the desumachi novel is one of the novels that the Web version of the novel and the printed novel are different from the beginning.
In the web version of the novel, since the beginning of the story there has been a conflict. In Seryuu city, when Satou had just arrived, the demon had already attacked, and Satou killed him. Then, the demon hand that gave rise to the labyrinth was the remnant of that demon. In the web version of the novel, Satou meets Zena after defeating the demon, only to meet Pochi, Liza Tama. If in the printed version of the novel the sequence changes, Satou meets Zena, then meets Pochi, Liza, Tama, just defeated the demon.
The difference between these two versions cannot be separated from the demands of different web novels and printed novels where the web novel needs to present conflict and plot as quickly as possible while the explanation of the world and the introduction of characters as a side. In a printed novel, since the buyer has already purchased one volume, in the early part, the conflict is only a side and the main thing is explanation and introduction.
In web novels, the cliffhanger at the end of each chapter will have the effect of making readers want to know the continuation, so they will read the next chapter either next week or when, like manga. In the beginning of the novel. Cliffhanger'S GOT TO BE, OBLIGATED. No chapter ends without a cliffhanger. Cliffhanger on******** can be reduced in the middle, when the reader has already started collecting.
If in a printed novel, this cliffhanger will be at the end of the chapter or even the end of the book. The end of the chapter to make the reader continue to read the book until it is finished, while at the end of the book to make the reader buy the next volume. Cliffhanger on the books didn't bother much.
Then, lastly, the difference in content. In Japan, often******** and printed novels have different contents. Starting from minor things such as the presence of editors to changes in content.
An example of the difference in Desumachi novels is the death of the character. In web novels, many characters are killed while in print novels many survive. Differences like this usually there is a shift in the target reader or just avoid conflict with the general public.
On the web novel, you could say, there is a system that prohibits or warns if the novel content contains things that are not feasible as public consumption. I am No King also applies this warning to some novels.
However, this is not the case with print novels. Despite the warnings, people can still buy them. And, after knowing the content is controversial, there are many on the internet. This controversy is avoided because it can damage the publisher's good name. And, in addition, the controversial minimal print novels also provide anime adaptation opportunities, so it needs something that can be shown on television, a lighter story.
Take I am No King. Do I want I am No King published on a major publisher and even got an anime adaptation? Of course I want to. Who the hell isn't?
But, of course, I need to be self-aware. Wh why? Because I am No King contains:
- Violence against children
- Murder\, both children to the elderly
child trafficking or Child trafficking
sexual violence even in minors
prostitution of minors
families that kill each other
conspiracy theories - Conspiracy theories
mental MC who considers murder normal
Books like this do not have a promising target market in Indonesia. Notably Indonesia. International is still in question.
And, although published, if this manuscript reaches a general audience who cannot accept the fact that I am No King IS ONLY a fictional story, but, both the publisher and I as the author will be months of netizens. Even if there is a printed version, it is self-publishing. And the circulation is also very limited.
So, for those who want the novel published by a major Indonesian publisher, you need to examine again the contents whether it is in accordance with the social conditions of Indonesia or not.
Well, that's what the writer can say. Again, this article is just a personal opinion that writers infer from various web novels, printed novels, and discussion forums.
The end of the word, thanks :D
