All Questions
0
votes
2answers
29 views
How best to format a novel written in Markdown
I want to use a text editor (Emacs) to write a novel because I don't want to consider page layout and other similar issues. I want to use the Markdown format so that I can convert it to the docx ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Is dialogue in a novel necessary, or just padding?
I can usually tell the story I want to in less than 10,000 words. I'd really like to accomplish writing a novel and I have a complex idea I want to use and explore, but I am worried I won't need ...
-1
votes
1answer
37 views
How do you Open with an Anecdote in a persuasive writing? :'( Or maybe in the middle? [closed]
I'm very eager to get high grade in my English exam which is seriously so close :)...Anyway we're going to do persuasive writing (no surprise there) but I want to try something new and this year it's ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
What factors to consider when choosing an e-book platform?
Some students that I mentor have written a number of short stories that they want to publish now.
I am totally new in this area. I did preliminary research which indicates that there are now a ...
-1
votes
1answer
43 views
Forming a tagline for customers, drivers and software [closed]
We are designing brochures for attracting possible vendors to use our software platform to attract/retain their customers.
The kind of vendors here are the hardworking type, with not necessarily any ...
10
votes
3answers
148 views
Do publishers really need to translate between UK and US English?
Is there really a need for a book to be translated from UK to US English? I'm nearing completion on my own great work, and just want to know if it is truly worth doing a British and an American ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
How does one involve people in writing non-fiction?
I haven't written anything serious in a while, but I would like to get back into writing non-fiction. In particular, I want to write about "big ideas" that interest me; however, I realize that ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
APA: how to cite a translation of an old work in a compilation that has been reissued
This might seem to be a strange question, but I can't seem to get my head around it.
I am trying to cite from Anselm's "On Truth", which is part of a compilation.
I have read it in Oxford World ...
0
votes
0answers
151 views
Short exclamation to mean: “This is driving me crazy.” [migrated]
(Edit: The exclamation should be a "word" instead of a "sound" because it is the first human word uttered by the protagonist (the chimp). I don't really have much choice with the phrasing since it's a ...
1
vote
2answers
77 views
Best Grammar checking software
What is best the grammar checking software to check the grammar errors in novels and screenplays?
1
vote
1answer
105 views
How many words in 350 pages typed and double spaced?
How many words in 350 pages typed and double spaced? I want to know because I am 66 of those into my first novel, and I set my goal at 350. I'd like my word count to be epic novel sized.
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Mashery vs. Apigee
I was wondering if anyone could lend some advice as to the pros and cons between using Mashery versus Apigee for documenting an API? I have do some evaluating and have about 2 weeks to come up with a ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
How do I quote a song from Youtube? MLA format
I need to quote a song from Youtube. I don't own the song and the artist who sings it hasn't put an official version on YT.
How should I do this? It needs to be in MLA form.
This is the song: ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
When quoting a person's informal speech, how much liberty do you have to make changes to what they say? [duplicate]
Even during a formal interview for a news article, people speak informally. They say "uhm", they cut off sentences half-way through, they interject phrases like "you know?", and they make innocent ...
6
votes
4answers
101 views
When quoting a person's informal speech, how much liberty do you have to make changes to what they say?
Even during a formal interview for a news article, people speak informally. They say "uhm", they cut off sentences half-way through, they interject phrases like "you know?", and they make innocent ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Maintaining the consistency of voice and spontaneity throughout a piece
So straight to it, I don't write very long pieces. Usually poetry or flash fiction and a smattering of short stories whenever it needs to be longer, though I have aspirations (mostly just dreams) of ...
4
votes
2answers
105 views
Placing similes at the beginning and at the end of a sentence
Would the following sentences have different effects on the reader?
He washed his hands thoroughly, like a surgeon after an operation.
Like a surgeon after an operation, he washed his hands ...
5
votes
9answers
273 views
What do you do if you enjoy writing, but have no ideas?
I've done some writing in the past - mostly short descriptive pieces, although I once wrote 9000+ words of a story idea I had.
What I enjoy about it are the technical, intellectual, creative ...
8
votes
6answers
402 views
What is the term for an accessible character that knows nothing?
In a lot of books, movies, or TV shows, there will be a character that knows little to nothing about the subject at hand. Most cop shows and medical shows will have someone who doesn't know very ...
-1
votes
0answers
32 views
Peter Abel biography [closed]
I have been reading a great and famous book IBM PC Assembly Language and Programming by Peter Abel. But I didn't find his biography or any info about him. Who know who is he in IT world? It's very ...
-1
votes
3answers
45 views
Which one is correct? [closed]
This book will expand your knowledge of Italian food and allow you to surprise your friends and family with authentic home-cooked meals that taste delicious.
or
This book will expand your knowledge ...
1
vote
3answers
72 views
Create automatic index from text document
Is there some software which can automatically do a basic index from my Text document (MS Word) for me?
I have written multiple speaker text's (each 2-3 MS Word pages in german language) for videos I ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Is it possible my book could be taken off-line for sale if there is a cease and desist letter?
I have written a true story on my experience with some individuals and major corporations. The book has factual proof throughout story. I am afraid that they may get angry and send cease and desist ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
When self publishing, are there benefits to making a company to represent your books? Is that then a publishing house?
Is it possible to create a company that acts like a publishing house?
I imagine registering a company and contracting the novels I write under its name, and then putting them on Amazon and ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
My Reviews for Free Books?
I would like to provide reviews in exchange for a free copy of the book. I have a great blog website with excellent SEO and social media following. I'm happy to provide the review on my website with a ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
The manuscript Summa Logicae (William of Ockham) [closed]
The Summa Logicae (Latin, in English it's the Sum of Logic) is a textbook on logic by William of Ockham. There are articles about the Summa Logicae in Wikipedia and in Logicmuseum.
It was published ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
in text citation for handbook
I want to do in text citation of my "DK Handbook",
In other words, I don't want put it's citation in 'work cited' section as it would be short and so obvious
I searched internet and MLA handbook but ...
4
votes
3answers
105 views
How to format dialogue with an embedded long monologue
I use the following formats for dialogues:
dialogue
dialogue - describing action (if any)
dialogue - describing action (if any) - more dialogue (if any)
There is a chapter in my book that is ...
4
votes
4answers
150 views
Does writing in a certain mood change how a writer writes?
I'm not sure if this is right for this part of Stackexchange, but since there is no psychology section, here we go:
I'm currently writing the same short story several times with the intention of ...
1
vote
2answers
50 views
Words for Sounds in Screenplay
Is there any list of words use in screenplay? Like below. What word I can use to describe the sound of metal gate and a sound of a tower built in metal?
THUD - body fall sound
BANG - some blast ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
Chopped sentences with too many conjunction, and repeating the subject again and again
I have tendency to write chopped sentences with too many conjunctions, repeating the subject again and again. I don't want that but I'm not skilled in English.
For example how do write the following ...
0
votes
2answers
59 views
Writing style — comma, period and re-referring the object of the first sentence again as subject in second sentence
Alex look around the room, it's almost empty except few small empty boxes and few clothes.
Alex look around the room. It's almost empty except few small empty boxes and few clothes.
Alex ...
2
votes
0answers
37 views
How to cite a Terms of Service in APA style
I need to cite a Google condition using APA style.
I have the following paragraph, but when I pass it through Viper I get plagiarized. How shall I do?
0
votes
2answers
71 views
Tips For A Good Medieval Fantasy Novel [closed]
I'm thinking of writing my first fiction novel based on a medieval fantasy setting and I know nothing about writing. Any pointers for this type of genre? I think I read somewhere that you need a hero, ...
4
votes
1answer
37 views
What is the proper format/style for using and properly citing code in an APA paper?
I'm working on a paper that covers concurrency in Java, however to properly explain many concepts I feel code samples are basically needed.
However, I don't know how to properly cite code I've ...
5
votes
5answers
164 views
How to come up with a good title?
I'm done with my first novel, and I'm about to start writing to agents/publishers. The only detail I don't have yet is a good title!
I have a couple of ideas but both suck. I had the illusion that ...
-1
votes
0answers
36 views
Absolute cheapest Print-on-Demand service? [closed]
Hopefully this isn't too off-topic. It should probably be a Community Wiki if anything.
For the purpose of this question, consider pricing INCLUDING SHIPPING AND ALL FEES for:
10x of a 20 page ...
4
votes
4answers
154 views
Is it strange if a novel starts the first chapter without one of main characters?
I'm writing a novel with the following structure (I'm not very sure what's the technical term):
Chapter One (based on the POV of Character C): C sees B for the first time
Chapter Two (based ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
1
vote
7answers
208 views
How to assure your plot isn't a carbon copy of another story?
In what case is it justifiable for your own story to differentiate its plot from another, similar plot? For instance, I'm writing a story with a serial killer who whose motive sounds akin to the ...
4
votes
1answer
93 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 ...
-3
votes
0answers
71 views
a distraction-free, digital portable typewriter [closed]
I am looking for a portable, digital typewriter. A Kindle with a keyboard, aimed at quickly-distracted blokes like me.
I'd love to hear if anyone has already pursued this idea further.
Features of ...
-1
votes
0answers
39 views
Introducing a character [closed]
JOHN MICHAELSON, in his late 40s, is sitting in a couch, reading a
book. He is lean and hard. His eyes look tired and depressed, and
there is a vacuum in his life; we see that in his face.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
What literary tools can be used to make stories more immersive?
That question derived from my previous critique question. That's one of the problems I think is more obvious in my own writing right now and would like to know of ways to address it.
What I know so ...
3
votes
3answers
88 views
How can I get my students to better integrate their sources into their writing?
A common problem I observe in student papers the use of source material in a sequential as opposed to an integrated fashion.
For example, the first paragraph will be based on source 1, the second ...
4
votes
1answer
133 views
Why Use Excessively Short Chapters?
Some of my favorite Frank Herbert books go 70 pages between chapters. All the James Patterson books go 2-3 pages between chapters.
I know non=fiction uses chapters to help navigate, which means ...
1
vote
0answers
19 views
A comma followed by “and” rule [migrated]
I'm not a native english speaker. I have been taught in school that if you use a comma, you should not use and after it.
I went to university, my university teacher said the same and if he said that ...
0
votes
2answers
71 views
Visual methods of plot development?
My 9 to 5 job is in an office, which has made me very adept at using flow charts and graphs to plan out my projects.
Are there any writing methods which employ charts, graphs, or other visual ...
1
vote
2answers
77 views
Is there a reference for “dumbing down” material?
I've noticed some fiction authors (James Patterson, for instance) over time "dumbed down" their writing to include less obscure words and less poetic descriptions.
It's my understanding that this ...
5
votes
4answers
161 views
Best Practices To Learn By Reading?
I've been browsing writers.se for a while and I've noticed a lot of folks state you have to READ to be able to write. I'm currently having trouble working time to read fiction into my daily routine.
...
