World Wide Web novels: Stories Found Only Behind a Screen

JAYIA MATREE explores the growing literature sphere of web novels and considers whether it's a beneficial tool for readers and writers

When picturing novels, does the fiction section in a bookstore come to mind? Timely classics such as Pride and Prejudice, or To Kill a Mockingbird or probably The Lord of the Rings — the usual titles? Or perhaps you’d be scouring for a hidden gem - those are always hard to find, right? 

And if the search for that elusive story ends up fruitless, why not turn to the internet? It’s infinitely wider than any bookshop, and it’s there at your fingertips. 

Web novels are largely a 21^st century phenomenon thanks to the rapid expansion of internet technology, but they may be the future for adventurous readers searching for something new to read and ambitious writers curious about publishing stories online.

Origins and Genres

We all know what novels are - a long form story consisting of fictitious characters.

The genesis of the British novel dates back to the origins of the printing press, invented in 1440 Germany imported to Britain in 1476 by William Caxton. This generated a wider supply of reading material for the literate classes by the 17th century and the boom and popularity of the novel continued to rise in the 18^th and 19^th centuries (Walter Scott, Henry Fielding, The Brontës, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy etc.).

Sir Walter Scott's first major novel, Waverley (1814)

Web novels (stories published originally on websites) are in fact quite new in the timeline, with the earliest known form coming from China around the early 2000s. A culmination of Japanese and Korean online literature culture also contributed greatly. As an Anonymous user stated in a WebNovel Q&A: “Online novels first appeared in 1997... In the year 2000, online novels became popular in China and gradually developed into a huge industry.”

This became an upward trend as technology developed, and translations of these novels were spread across Asia and eventually into the West, for example, Sylver Seeker and Beware of Chicken (written by a Canadian).

Webnovel genres

One of the differences between traditional print novels and web novels is the way their way of labelling genres.

For example, instead of categorising with single words like ‘romance’ or ‘fantasy’, the community of web novel writers/readers tend to rely on real time sharing of preferences and clichés. 

So main genres including ‘alternative history’, ‘game fantasy’, ‘martial arts' and ‘modern talents’, are just a handful in the long list. There are also detailed sub-genres, which are just more specific to what you might be looking for in a novel, such as 'zombie', 'evil woman possession', apocalypse water' and 'card battle'/

Therefore, you can always find something that will be your cup of tea.

Authors and readers galore

If you are aiming to write fiction, web novels provide more flexibility of content and greater publishing opportunities. Sites such as Webnovel, Wattpad, Royal Road and Scribblehub host works, and if your story becomes the talk of the active web novel community, it can grow into a very profitable hobby, since many of these sites have dedicated readers willing to pay for every chapter or for a subscription to get newly released chapters earlier than anyone else.

Webnovel is a good beginner's platform for those learning to write semi-professionally or if you’re looking to make money from it. But if you know anything about websites that prioritize quantity over quality, it is competitive and contracts are less than appealing. This is the norm and as the popularity of web novels rises each day I cannot blame it for what it is, since Webnovel is a well-known site amongst the community. I don’t have much experience with Royal Road and Scribblehub, though I expect you will find similar pros and cons.

On one hand, web novel websites like these pressurise writers to release chapters and keep up with demand. However, it also give you storyline flexibility, as readers can often comment on each chapter and praise the storytelling or provide advice if they’re feeling bold. 

As a writer, I feel more connected with my readers in the little community we have made, discussing stories we like. Since my readers and I are not hiding behind a barrier of professionalism, it encourages me to write more so there is more for us to talk about. And as a reader, a small comment about liking the protagonist’s actions can be the bare minimum of praise, yet it can also become the catalyst for the writer to create the next ten chapters.

In my experience, being able to have such an insightful experience by simply making an account and pressing ‘Create story’ on a webnovel website is one of the best things the internet could offer for anyone who wants to write a story or enjoy one. 

From one writer to another

If you consider yourself to be an up and coming writer, writing web novels might be a perfect opportunity to practice your art. But it's not all plain sailing.

If you are lucky, you may get a few reads on the first day, but don’t assume your story will be picked up immediately. Consistency, discipline and passion are vital. Readers will notice and will appreciate the effort you put into it.

From someone who got an offer to join the Wattpad Creators Program but had to decline due to personal reasons, writing on these platforms takes more effort than it seems on the surface. Thousands of chapters are published every day ranging from amateurs to well-known web novelists globally, with many works shoved under the radar because of trending algorithms. 

It isn’t easy to stand out in a sea of rainbow fish. So here are a few tips that helped me:

#1 – Everyone likes attention, and so do I. Utilise that in creating a unique plot that coincides with the trends currently happening, especially in this community where trends switch constantly. The best kind is writing a genre you enjoy, meshed with a trending genre, which I did for my first story that stayed in the top five ranking for a month.

#2 – If you’re unsure what writing style suits you, read other stories. Writers are born from reading after all. Find stories you enjoy and study how their style. Take inspiration, and practice, practice and practice! Being comfortable with writing is one of the first steps in creating a story.

#3 – Consistency, engagement and creativity are vital web novel writing skills. But equally important is knowing when to take a break and not pander to the demands of readers. When that happened to me I was in danger of hating the very story I created. Sometimes all you might want to do is to continue to eat your favourite food, but too much and you develop an aversion.

Its important to remember that effort is key, especially in a competitive community that tends to put the best web novels on pedestals which are then fought over like children ranking which of their parents are the best.

From one reader to another

Naturally, I was a reader before I decided that I wanted to write.

To the readers, the web novel rabbit hole is massive and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to East Asian inspired genres. Don't be put off if the first one you read is filled with plot holes and characters you may genuinely hate

It is highly unlikely you will never run out of web novels to read and not pay a penny as most sites have free stories to help ease you into the genre. However, readers may find themselves being blocked by a paywall as writers need to earn a living. So if you get hooked on a story behind a paywall be prepared to pay for it chapter by chapter.

And if you’re still anxious about exploring this new sphere of online literature, the web novel community is always friendly to newcomers, since we were all started off in the same way.

Webnovel Recommendations

Here are some web novels I personally like. There are many forums with other recommendations if none of these don’t appeal!

‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ - This is a modern/low fantasy fiction Korean web novel that blends far too many genre elements for me to list. A novel called Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World (written by the anonymous author tls123) has been written and published over the course of a decade, and Kim Dokja is the sole reader who has followed it to its ending. When the real world is plunged into the premise of Ways of Survival, Kim Dokja's unique knowledge of the novel becomes vital to his survival. The complex interaction of stories is an analogy of the relationship between author, reader and protagonist. The detail in this web novel makes it my all-time favourite. There is also a webtoon (comic-style storytelling) and a live-action movie (I do not recommend it. At all.)

‘Lord of the Mysteries’ - This is a western fantasy ('xuanhuan') Chinese web novel that beautifully incorporates steampunk, Lovecraftian horror (cosmic horror focusing on existential fears and ideas of human insignificance) and mystery into the Victorian Era. It involves the 'isekai' genre (protagonist transported into another world), has been adapted into an animated series, and a game is being developed based on it. 

‘Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work’ - A Korean web novel I’ve been spying on, so I haven’t read it personally yet. Here’s a review from a user who rated it five stars: “It’s not just a mystery, or horror, or comedy. It’s a survival story wrapped in performance, layered with human psychology, and sprinkled with just enough chaos to make it unforgettable.”

Written by JAYIA MATREE (BA Creative and Professional Writing student, University of Chester, UK)