Last Update: April 09, 2009
What is this place?
ReallyNovel.com is an online version of my writer's notebook. Whatever I'm working on -- character sketches, outlines, plot twists, drafts of chapters, revisions -- gets posted here for everyone to see.
Why don't you just post the story?
Because there's more to writing a novel than the finished text. Writing a novel is a process, and writers create all kinds of text, from character sketches to outlines, as part of that process. When I started the site, I decided I wanted to share everything -- everything! -- online.
If you don't like the behind the scenes stuff (character sketches, plot ideas, etc.), I've tried to make it easy for you to ignore these and focus on nothing but the stories by carefully categorizing every post.
How many words do you write per day? How many pages?
It varies. I am trying to spend at least an hour a day on whatever project is underway. Right now, I don't have "words per day" goals; instead, I'm just concentrating on showing up.
Why are you doing this?
For reasons I can't quite put a finger on, writing online feels good to me. At MadeByMark.com, I've been writing almost daily since November of 2000. That's a lot of output -- and a long time to stick with something. In March 2009, it occurred to me to blend my love of writing online with my long-time goal of finishing several novels ... and ReallyNovel.com was born.
Did you get this idea from NaNoWriMo?
I participated in the third-ever National Novel Writing Month back in the year 2001, and posted every day's work to MadeByMark.com. Back then, I sent an email to Chris Batty, asking him if anyone else was publishing their daily output online; he was nice enough to reply and say he didn't know of anyone else doing so. So maybe I started that trend -- though, as word got around, other people did follow suit ... or, perhaps, simply came forward.
As of 2009, the only novel I've ever finished was a NaNoWriMo novel, and a big part of why I stuck with that one was the high-wire walking experience of writing a book in public. (Can he do it? Will he fall? Fall, Mark, fall!) So while I didn't get this idea from NaNoWriMo, I have been inspired by that great program in more ways than one.
Aren't you afraid someone will steal the work?
Every little scrap I publish online gets a date and time stamp and pops into being in full sight of everyone, everywhere. What better way to prove that I had something first? So, nope, I'm not worried about that.
Don't you know publishers won't touch a book that's been published in its entirety online?
This used to be true, but in recent times, a number of blogs have become books ... so this isn't as true as it used to be. Frankly, though, I don't care if a mass-market publisher ever publishes these books or not. My goal is to write them. I want them out of my head. If people love 'em enough to buy 'em in a bound and printed form from me or a publisher, that's strictly gravy.
How are you going to monetize this site? How do you make money off this?
ReallyNovel.com isn't about the money. This site has one goal: to help me get a few books out of my head and into yours. If it helps me achieve that, it's successful, even if it never earns me a dime. (This approach drives my business-savvy partner, Clyde, crazy. Sorry, Clyde.)
Is the work here copyrighted? Can I rip it off and call it my own?
The work is protected under something called a Creative Commons license. Here are the basics:
- The work belongs to me. As such, I can give it to or sell it to anyone I want to, under whatever terms I think are cool.
- You can enjoy the work in a number of ways, including reading it, copying it, sending it to friends, printing it out for reading on the beach ... you name it. If you make a copy of any kind, digital or otherwise, for your use or for use by others, you agree to give me credit for it. (A link back to the original work at ReallyNovel.com, plus noting me as the author is fine). In other words: if you like it, please do feel free to share it with anyone you feel will be interested ... and please do send folks here for more.
- You absolutely may not, however, make copies of this work in any format and distribute them for profit. You may not print and sell copies of the work. You may not incorporate my work into any project you plan to sell or distribute for profit. In short: while I'm very open to you sharing this work with others, you may not do so in a way that makes money for you. I'm giving it to you freely ... so you're expected, if you share the work, to honor the spirit of that decision.
Can I comment on the work in progress? Do you read comments? If you use my idea, will you give me credit or some money?
I'm interested in how writing online changes the writing process, and I'm excited about the potential for this site to make writing into a public collaboration. If you think about it, making an insightful comment now, while I'm actually writing a book, makes a heck of a lot more sense than making that comment in a review, after the book is done.
So, yes, your comments and ideas are welcome, and I do read them all. That said: I don't want to get sued, or lose the rights to my own work because some jerk starts screaming, "You used the idea I gave you, so you owe me 80% of all the money you've ever earned on any project, ever!"
For legal reasons, then, I have to say this: if you join the conversation -- making comments, observations, or suggestions here on ReallyNovel.com -- you are agreeing to offer your ideas freely, with no anticipation or expectation of compensation or acknowledgement of any kind.
I hate having to spell stuff like that out, but some folks are jerks, and I need to protect myself (and my work) from their jerkiness.
What if I don't like the novel you're currently writing?
Stick around. When I finish this one, I'll start another.
How can I help?
The purpose of this site is to generate books, so I'm gonna focus exclusively on writing. I'm not putting a single minute of my time or ounce of my energy into marketing, advertising, or promoting this site.
So, if you like the work, or if you're interested in what I'm doing, please let folks know. If the book I'm currently writing would appeal to a friend, send your friend a link. If you like the idea, tell someone about it. Any effort to spread the word is greatly appreciated!
You can also help by cheering me on. I love to hear from folks who are intrigued by what I'm trying here or who like the story so far. Feel free to send encouragement and Atta Boys to mark [at] madebymark.com.
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