Resources that one may wish to ask about on Writers include style guides, instruction manuals, podcasts, blogs, articles, and other means by which experts provide writing information.
14
votes
7answers
447 views
What are some online guides for starting writers?
I've always wanted to start writing (in a totally amateur way), but whenever I want to start something I instantly get blocked having a lot of questions and doubts.
Are there some resources on how to ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
Background speech with foreground dialogue
A few days ago, I stumbled upon an issue of the type; meaning I had two characters talking between themselves and another character talking in the background; actually delivering a speech.
What the ...
2
votes
2answers
111 views
Where can I find lists of commonly used words to avoid?
I have a theory that good prose style comes in part from avoiding complicated, abstract, and pretentious words. Are there any good lists of words to avoid, preferably with suggested alternatives? I'm ...
4
votes
7answers
1k views
Books to improve writing skills
Could you Please recommend me interesting non-technical books i could read which will help me improve my writing skills?
6
votes
5answers
156 views
Writing about a subject on which you have no expertise?
So I signed up for a novel workshop, and within a month the first chapter will be due. Problem is I that want to use characters who are well-versed in mathematics, especially group theory or model ...
4
votes
4answers
273 views
Believable (but easy) archaic English
Do you know any "shortcuts" to translating passages of my story into believably sounding archaic English? I mean, without taking a full school course?
A crash course? An automatic service? A phrase ...
2
votes
2answers
78 views
Is it worth reading book to learn more about topic of my story
The story I am writing involves the 10 steps of turning a democracy into a police state. And to make it more real, I thught the people who are doing it should explain it to the main character ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Find Information For Describing A Nuclear Power Plant
I want to start my story connecting the government flaws to the main characters life before he was even born. I thought since the settings a somewhat Communist United Soviet United government, A ...
2
votes
3answers
144 views
How Do You Genuinely Improve The Quality of Your Writing? [closed]
I see a number of things out there that address the issue of writing quality, including some posts here. But I wanted to ask the question of writing quality with a specific eye to my experiences. As ...
3
votes
2answers
322 views
How to convert DOI to citation information
The DOI website will redirect to the article webpage on the journal official website. Is there is a public automated system to translate DOI to citation information?
This can be beneficial for ...
8
votes
5answers
506 views
Is this character generator useful?
After some feedback from this site and a training course, I developed a little tool to help with character generation. It's called "20 Questions" and works just like that: It picks 20 questions (or ...
2
votes
1answer
313 views
How to write time duration correctly
Within a user manual, I need to convey the maximum time period allowed as "365 days 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds" - are commas expected between each component? Is the word "and" expected before the ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Starting Out - Plot + Charaters by Documentaries [closed]
I gues I could say I am decently good at writing, for someone who doesn't write much besides English 101/102 classes.
I have a couple questions, which may proceed some background information to why ...
31
votes
33answers
1k views
What are good reads about writing?
What do you recommend as reading material to improve writing for beginners? If one recommendation is put per answer and can be voted separately a good list of resources should build up.
1
vote
1answer
93 views
What resources will teach me about the state of the art in technical writing?
I've been asked to modernize some technical documentation - user manuals in particular. I have some guidelines, but a lot of free rein to take it in whatever direction I think is worthwhile. Where ...
1
vote
5answers
255 views
Is the following piece of text comprehensible and written in good style?
I am a PhD candidate and I am having difficulty in communicating effectively in writing. Specifically, this post is a piece of text submitted for critique and, in addition, explains what I am trying ...
-3
votes
2answers
140 views
Need a resource for creative writing
I'm already quite good at writing and putting together words and sentences. However, I would like to improve myself to the level that I can write a nice entertaining novel or several short stories to ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
Phonetic Dictionary
Does anyone know of a phonetic dictionary (such as this one http://www.writeexpress.com/phonetic.html) that works for Mac or is available online?
0
votes
1answer
149 views
Tools or communities for word association?
Are there any tools or online communities that deal with word association? I'm looking for a resource where I could poll for common associations for a particular word. If you do know of such a tool ...
0
votes
0answers
85 views
death by poisoning? [closed]
I am looking for the easiest way for one protagonist to kill another one. They are acquaintances and do spend some together drinking coffee or tea, so I was thinking poisoning would be the easiest ...
8
votes
5answers
549 views
A rhyming dictionary worth bookmarking online or purchasing?
Has anyone come across any really good rhyming dictionaries? If so, what makes it worth having/bookmarking? (eg. completeness/ease of use/absence of really sketchy suggestions)
2
votes
0answers
32 views
Where to get critiques? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Internet communities where I can read/rate/review short fiction, and post my own?
Where can I get feedback on my writing? I have just begun learning about writing novels ...
8
votes
2answers
202 views
A Polish manual of style.
English language has a number of popular manuals of style. There's Chicago Manual of Style, Elements of Style etc.
Do you know any such resource for the Polish language?
0
votes
1answer
134 views
Incorporating diagrams and equations into text when writing
I am looking to write a book on Physics/Mathematics.
Of course this book will need to include mathematical equations and diagrams.
Are there any writing softwares that have devices such as TeX and ...
3
votes
2answers
320 views
How can I search for words by meaning/definition?
Where can I search for words using descriptive sentences? For example, now I'm looking for a word meaning "to purify (by hand) a quantity of grain and take away anything that isn't good grain."
How ...
0
votes
1answer
322 views
What are the names of the different levels of English?
In a recent discussion regarding software manuals, we came across the issue of different styles of writing / speaking in English. I am having a hard time finding a list of the different styles, such ...
3
votes
3answers
371 views
A letter of recommendation
I am a programmer/engineer who has been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a colleague, who wishes it to help him pursue higher education.
Since I feel it necessary, to be very ...
3
votes
2answers
161 views
How do I express opinion informed by my beliefs without being hamfisted? [closed]
As authors, our influences can come from many places. Religion is definitely one of many influences on people's work. I believe a work should be a reflection of its author, yet religion can be really ...
5
votes
1answer
79 views
Are there online research resources that cater to writers?
I tend to run into a bunch of domain-specific questions when I'm writing, such as:
What happens to a jet flying at low altitude, at super-sonic speeds, when its cockpit gets breached?
What's the ...
11
votes
3answers
266 views
Podcasts useful for improving writing skills
Any podcasts that can help with writing skills?
(One per answer please, I'll add my own fave to get started.)
9
votes
2answers
183 views
What are good writing newsletters to sign up for?
What are some good newsletters writers can sign up for? I signed up for Funds for Writers and Worldwide Freelance Writers because they have some excellent tips and advice for both freelance writers ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Can anyone direct me to writers' resources on AI or robotic ethics? [closed]
I am in the process of writing a science fiction novel that will involve a large quantity and variety of synthetic life forms. I have been highly influenced by the works of Asimov, and while I may ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Quality examples of 'in medias res' starting sequences in SF literature
You can find my initial trials here, and, based on feedback, version two here.
I was trying to create a sort of 'flashforward' opening (please don't cite Sawyer) for a novel. That is: of the 45 ...
6
votes
3answers
405 views
How to develop a story for a novel?
I am looking for some inspiration on where to start writing a novel. I have a general idea for a plot and characters, but I don't feel it's enough for sitting down and starting to write. It needs a ...
7
votes
7answers
388 views
What linguistic tools do you use?
I've got a Flip Dictionary, a Thesaurus, my trusty Strunk&White, and I use the almighty GOOG(le) should I ever be unsure of the definition of a word. What does everyone else use? Is there some ...
4
votes
2answers
44 views
citation for source from which a list of references was drawn?
I'm writing a paper in which I have reviewed a list of reports and have summarized data from each. I have cited each of those original reports. However, I originally located some of those reports ...
3
votes
3answers
140 views
Picture-based Identification Dictionary
A long time ago, I dropped by a session of a creative writing course where the teacher brought a lot of reference books. One of them was a lovely picture/sketch-based identification dictionary. There ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
What sytles and templates are available to write a brief? [closed]
I want to write a brief on a conference I recently attended. What resources and styles should I consider to make this document effective and professional?
3
votes
4answers
248 views
What are useful resources for a beginner whose eventual goal is to write a novel? [closed]
I am new to creative writing but have been an avid reader for years (mainly SF/fantasy). I have wanted to write fantasy stories for a long time and have recently started to build a setting for them in ...
5
votes
4answers
165 views
Incorporating Military Experience into Fantasy Writing?
I was in the Marines from 2000-2004, and I'd say I have a love/hate relationship with my experiences therein. I'm wondering how I could incorporate them into fantasy writing. Could you tell me where I ...
3
votes
1answer
461 views
Email templates
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but here goes -
I often find myself writing out emails that follow similar themes e.g. I've read through a document and have some questions, I'm ...
9
votes
9answers
380 views
Resources for character development
I'm weak at building characters.
What resources are there to create rich characters? I'm thinking beyond name generators: Quirks, biography, diseases like allergies, hobbies and jobs, wealth, omens, ...
6
votes
2answers
154 views
What's a good resource to find Beta Readers for short stories?
I'm currently in the market for beta readers, particularly for short stories. I've finished an early draft for a contest, and I'm hoping to hear some feedback. I'm open to reading the work of others ...
4
votes
1answer
169 views
What are some helpful blogs for memoir writing?
I am interested in finding more online resources for memoir writing. Any ideas?
-2
votes
1answer
135 views
How to write an academic paper?
I'm looking for resources on how to write an academic paper. The Web really lacks of those.
Edit: Standback's and A. Martin's answers perfectly illustrates what I expect.
1
vote
1answer
364 views
Citing classics in Bibliography
I need to cite in my paper various "classic" works (Russian writers of the XIX century etc). In the text it is relevant to specify the year of the original novel, for example "Dostoyevsky in his 'The ...
13
votes
8answers
1k views
Resources on plotting mystery stories
I'm looking for books, essays and articles on plotting mystery/detective/investigation stories (and novels). The type of story I'm aiming for is in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, or ...
6
votes
1answer
124 views
Is there a good textbook for understanding literary techniques?
I want to really understand literary techniques. I want to be able to say "Ah, I see this writer is making use of assonance," or "I think I will use a simile here instead of a metaphor." There are ...
3
votes
3answers
193 views
Online technical writing classes
anyone aware of or can recommend online training courses for technical writers to improve your technical writing skills? I'm looking for courses that provide video or audio lectures, and teachers ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Does Wiktionary supply what writers need in an online dictionary?
There are actually Wiktionaries for many languages and the English Wiktionary also defines and translates words of many other languages. But ignoring these other languages, have you tried the English ...
