How to Wattpad

 

First, sign up
for an account. You only need an email address. Enter a username (how you will
be known on the site) and your birthday. The site is for users thirteen years old
and over. The birth date verifies content limitations as well as age.

Next, tell
Wattpad what you like to do: Read, Write, Both. If you chose Write or Both,
pick the statement that best describes your intent about writing. Each response
will prompt another question. It will also ask what pronouns you prefer. The
response is private. If you chose Reader or Both, you will be prompted to select
three genres you enjoy reading. Choose your categories and hit done. Wattpad
will take you to a suggested reading page based on your preferences. Click on
any title to start reading.

As this post is
for writers, I’ll focus on the writing and posting of stories.

Click on your
account name on the far right top of the screen. The drop-down menu will take
you to Notifications, Inbox, Settings, and Profile. Click Profile to view your
home page.

On your profile
page, you will see your name icon in the center of a large colored rectangle.
We’ll talk about customization later. Underneath is the count of your works,
reading lists, and followers. Below that, your personal description (bio), your
reading lists, and a list of your works. There are also buttons to share your
Wattpad work on various social media platforms. Let’s add some content.

Click on the word
Write at the top of the page and select Create a new story. The new page asks
you to enter information about your story. Here you can give some details and
tags to help readers find the content. Add a title, blurb (description), and
main characters (not required).

Next are Category
and Tags. These are essential for readers to find your work. Even if your story
is mixed genre, assign at least one. Use the tags like hashtags from Twitter to
zero in on your story’s message. Add things like #romance, #fanfiction,
#historicalcomedy, or whatever your story embodies. Use several but not dozens.
Not sure what to tag your story? Check out other stories on Wattpad that have similar
themes. Check out Amazon keywords on tales similar to your own, too.

Now choose your
target audience. It will get the right eyes on your work. Audiences range from
middle-grade to adult. Select your primary language and your copyright
statement. If your book has adult content, be sure to mark it mature. Remember,
we are trying to get these stories to the correct readers.

Back at the top
of the screen, you can a cover for your book. Click on the cover and either
update or be taken to Canva to create an easy cover. (See my posts on Canva.)

When you’re happy
with the data, click Next at the top right and start writing. Wattpad allows
you to either write in the app or post previously written material on the page.
Be sure to give each section/chapter a title. If it’s a one-post short story,
then a title is essential. Even if it’s a multi-chapter story, section titles
will help readers find what they have already read. Add more pizazz to your
section with a picture header. Click the icon on the top and upload. For video
headers, add a YouTube link for the video. Again, be sure of copyrighted
material before uploading. You can add more media in the text section.

Once you are
finished writing, either for the day or the section, save your work. Save is on
the top menu. If you’re ready to put your work out there, press Publish (after
you save). The first time you want to publish (rate, comment, etc.), you will
need to verify your mail for the account. If you click on your profile page,
your new work will be listed and available for everyone to read (age-appropriate,
of course).

If you return to
the Write menu, more options are listed. Create a new story and My Stories are
still available. There are also Helpful Writing Resources, Writing Contests,
and Wattpad programs and opportunities.

Back on your
profile page, your stories will have your title, tags, and publishing status.
Below the title, there’s a small row of icons. The eye shows how many reads
you’ve had. The star represents how many readers clicked the Like button to rate
your story. The list icon tells readers how many parts are in the story. Click
on the cover to read what you wrote (as another reader would see it). The pop-up
tells readers the blurb and if it’s a finished or ongoing story.

If you need to
edit, on your profile page, click the gear icon on your story. The gear will
take you to a list of your stories, each inviting you to Continue Writing.
Click that button to add more. To edit a section, click on the Title of the
book. Wattpad will display Story Details, Table of Contents, and Story Details.
Click on Table of Contents and then the title of the chapter to edit. (Another
reason to make sure each section has a unique title.) On this screen and the
previous one, the three dots allow you to view as a reader or delete the
section.

Story Details
will allow you to add or edit the initial information about your work. Perhaps
you’ve changed a name or the heat level. Story Details will allow you to change
that info at any time. Story Notes will give you space to add more about the
protagonist. It’s a great character sheet to fill in details and ensure your
character has a goal or a conflict to overcome. As it’s right there with your
story, you can always double-check yourself. Be sure to hit Save whenever you
enter additional details.

Chapters out of
order? It’s easy on this page to drag the chapters to a new spot. In Table of
Contents, click on the three lines to drag the chapter up or down.

Have you
completely finished writing and editing the tale? On your profile page, click
the gear, then the Story Details tab. It has a new edition. Move the Story
Status slider over to complete if you are finished. It will tag the work, and
readers will see the entire story is posted. (Some don’t mind reading an ongoing,
but some only pick the finished ones.)

Want to write a
new story, press the gear on the profile page again and click New Story. You
are ready to begin anew with a fresh blank slate and a spot for a cover.

Remember that big
blank screen behind your avatar on the profile page? Let’s add a graphic for
it. Click on the Edit Profile button with the gear. This will give you editing
options for the top splash bar. You can edit your name, background banner, and
profile icon. You might have to log out and in again to view changes.

A not-so-short
intro to Wattpad. I tend to over-explain for those unfamiliar with these apps.
Let me know if you have any questions. Next week, we’ll look at the Wattpad
writing programs and how best to use this app as a writer.