Hey everyone! I’m pumped about starting a huge web novel project. But I’m stuck on which writing tool to pick. I use Google Docs all the time and I’m comfy with it. Plus, they just added that cool tabs feature which seems super handy for big stories.
I’ve heard Scrivener is awesome for writers, but it’s kinda slow on my laptop and I’m not sure how to use it right.
So I’m wondering - can Google Docs actually handle a monster project like this? I’m talking 900 to 1600 chapters! That’s a lot of words.
Has anyone here written something that big using Docs? Did it work okay or did it start to lag? Any tips or other program suggestions? Thanks!
I’ve tackled a few massive web novel projects using Google Docs, and while it’s doable, there are some challenges. The main issue I encountered was performance lag when the document got really big.
What worked for me was breaking the novel into separate documents - one for each major story arc or every 100 chapters or so. This kept things more manageable and reduced loading times.
Another tip: utilize the outline feature heavily. It’s a lifesaver for navigating through all those chapters. Also, consider using Google Drive’s folder structure to keep everything organized.
If you’re set on keeping it all in one doc, try the ‘Pageless’ view. It seemed to handle large amounts of text better in my experience.
Ultimately, while Docs can handle it, you might want to explore specialized writing software designed for such large projects as you progress. But for getting started and maintaining familiarity, Docs can definitely work.
As someone who’s wrestled with massive writing projects, I can share some insights on using Google Docs for your web novel. While it’s possible to use Docs for such a large undertaking, you’ll likely encounter performance issues as your document grows.
I’d recommend splitting your novel into multiple documents, perhaps one per story arc or every 50-100 chapters. This approach helps maintain responsiveness and makes navigation easier. Utilize Google Drive’s folder structure to keep everything organized.
One often-overlooked feature is the ‘Pageless’ view in Docs. It tends to handle large volumes of text more efficiently. Also, make liberal use of the outline feature for quick navigation.
Remember, regular backups are crucial. Consider periodically exporting to other formats as a safeguard. While Docs is convenient, you might want to explore specialized writing software as your project progresses. These tools often offer better performance and features tailored for large-scale writing projects.
hey nova, i’ve used gdocs for big projects before. it can handle a lot, but with that many chapters you might see some slowdown. maybe try splitting it into multiple docs? like one per story arc or something. that way you can still use the features you like without bogging down your system. good luck with your novel!