Writing a Story - To Blog or Not to Blog?

Preturbed · 02-16-2009, 07:15 PM

I've got an idea in my head for a really great novel. I've been trying to start writing it for 6 months and just never had the motivation. Well I've got the motivation now and I'm debating whether or not to use a blog and post on chapter at a time, or if I should just write it for myself and submit it for publication when it's through. Do the chances of some sort of copyright violation make blogging less viable as a medium? Do I relinquish rights to my work if I use wordpress? Etc etc.

Mirai Gen · 02-16-2009, 08:16 PM

In my opinion, if you've got a really really great idea you think would be publishable as a novel don't put it out for free online.

If you doubt you're going to finish it or just don't care much and are curious about the feedback of your writing, go ahead and online-ify it.

There's also the fact that blogs can contain your short vignettes and other such otherwise fun short creations, they don't have to contain an entire story.

Marelo · 02-16-2009, 08:20 PM

As Mirai Gen said, if you want to get it published, you probably shouldn't publish it online.

Mirai Gen · 02-16-2009, 08:28 PM

Generally don't publish something online if you have plans to make it sellable. Most publishers don't go for it.

Obvious exceptions are like, Penny Arcade, but I think they're the only ones that actually went through a publisher as opposed to just self-publishing (Shortpacked, Scary Go Round I think, OOTS).

Preturbed · 02-16-2009, 08:46 PM

What about John Dies at the End?

Marelo · 02-16-2009, 08:53 PM

Exception! In general, publishers don't like to accept anything which has been published online.

Mirai Gen · 02-16-2009, 09:00 PM

I was referring to webcomics, but yeah, there's tons of exceptions.

Preturbed · 02-17-2009, 01:06 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I took it. Now here's my blog. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

http://jisaacjohnson.wordpress.com/

02-16-2009, 07:15 PM	#1
Preturbed betrayal! Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	Writing a Story - To Blog or Not to Blog? I've got an idea in my head for a really great novel. I've been trying to start writing it for 6 months and just never had the motivation. Well I've got the motivation now and I'm debating whether or not to use a blog and post on chapter at a time, or if I should just write it for myself and submit it for publication when it's through. Do the chances of some sort of copyright violation make blogging less viable as a medium? Do I relinquish rights to my work if I use wordpress? Etc etc. __________________ sudden but inevitable

02-16-2009, 08:16 PM	#2
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	In my opinion, if you've got a really really great idea you think would be publishable as a novel don't put it out for free online. If you doubt you're going to finish it or just don't care much and are curious about the feedback of your writing, go ahead and online-ify it. There's also the fact that blogs can contain your short vignettes and other such otherwise fun short creations, they don't have to contain an entire story. __________________

02-16-2009, 08:28 PM	#4
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	Generally don't publish something online if you have plans to make it sellable. Most publishers don't go for it. Obvious exceptions are like, Penny Arcade, but I think they're the only ones that actually went through a publisher as opposed to just self-publishing (Shortpacked, Scary Go Round I think, OOTS). __________________

02-16-2009, 08:46 PM	#5
Preturbed betrayal! Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	What about John Dies at the End? __________________ sudden but inevitable

02-16-2009, 09:00 PM	#7
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	I was referring to webcomics, but yeah, there's tons of exceptions. __________________

02-16-2009, 08:20 PM	#3
Marelo Napoleon Impersonator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 816	As Mirai Gen said, if you want to get it published, you probably shouldn't publish it online.

02-16-2009, 08:53 PM	#6
Marelo Napoleon Impersonator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 816	Exception! In general, publishers don't like to accept anything which has been published online.

02-17-2009, 01:06 AM	#8
Preturbed betrayal! Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	Thanks for the advice guys. I took it. Now here's my blog. Constructive criticism is always welcome. http://jisaacjohnson.wordpress.com/ __________________ sudden but inevitable