All Questions
16
votes
5answers
717 views
What are the most common style manuals?
From Wikipedia:
A style guide or style manual is a set
of standards for the writing and
design of documents, either for
general use or for a specific
publication, organization or field.
...
1
vote
0answers
406 views
Referencing a website in-text using Harvard style
I have the following website page that I need to reference using Harvard style: http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/what-is-genetic-engineering.html
Is this a ...
10
votes
2answers
182 views
What exactly is an editor?
I recently read the assertion that many great works of fiction were chiefly down the contribution of a good editor. I must admit I was a little taken aback by this statement. I had never really ...
10
votes
2answers
340 views
Waiting for response to full MS
About three months ago, an agent that I had queried responded with a request for the full manuscript of the novel that I had written to her about. It's now been nearly three months, and I haven't ...
8
votes
4answers
759 views
Software for analyzing a manuscript?
I would like to get a better picture of a manuscript I've written, especially in regards to word usage patterns and potentially overused terms.
I'm curious whether anyone can recommend a document ...
27
votes
7answers
2k views
How can I write an attention-grabbing first line?
So, the beginning of any story needs to capture the attention of the reader, so he continues and wants to find out what's happening.
A Confederacy of Dunces starts "A green hunting cap squeezed the ...
4
votes
3answers
226 views
How to achieve a dark and nostalgic feeling/setting in a novel?
I don't want to scare the reader, but I would like to produce a dark and nostalgic feeling.
Pretty much the feeling that gives you this video (both image and music).
The setting of my novel is a ...
3
votes
0answers
158 views
Are there any techniques to arrange or list ideas from a short text? [closed]
For example I wrote this:
!Paying! for exams, and also books
to pass them is only a small price /
to give poor people the opportunity /
...to contribute for the MANSIONS of the people in ...
4
votes
3answers
207 views
Simplicity is fundamental in design. How about in writing a novel?
I'm a web designer. The first rule in design is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
How about writing a novel? Is simplicity fundamental or just an option?
0
votes
0answers
81 views
Poem theme connect to Mao? [closed]
I have read and annotated the poem, but seem to missing the big(if there is one) pictures/themes? Does any one have any ideas? Thanks!!
Delivering Newspapers
Who believes in the mask’s weeping?
...
7
votes
3answers
377 views
What are the key skills for a new technical writer?
For those that are just starting out, what are key skills they should have or learn to be a good technical writer?
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Know any metaphors about women that…?
... are very skilled in getting men to like them, men really easily fall in love with them, but they (the women) are not interested in anything more than a sexual relationship?
10
votes
3answers
189 views
Is it a good idea to write a summary of a plot before writing the full version?
Sometimes when I write a plot I get confused about the motivations of the characters and how events connect as I change elements.
Is it a good idea to write a summary first in order to organise ...
7
votes
4answers
214 views
What to do if I end up confused by my own plot because of 'trying to be original' or 'trying to make the story more deep'?
Sometimes, I find myself in the dilemma that I come out with a plot that tells exactly what I want to say. But then, I try to modify it in order to make it more original (at least, less similar than ...
0
votes
2answers
804 views
Sample Metaphor for Cycling
Can you please give me a sample metaphor for cycling specially if you used to pedal in an uphill and its a bit tiring and your sweat are flowing.
Also, when you used to ride in downhill wherein the ...
9
votes
2answers
176 views
What exactly do I do to get published?
I'm interested to know what the publishing process exactly entails for future reference. I'm in my last year of school and I recently finished my first substantial piece of creative writing (a subject ...
5
votes
2answers
191 views
How can you build an interactive tone into articles?
I was wondering about tone in articles lately. My articles don't tend to be interactive. It feels like most of them are just flowing one way.
How does actually tone contribute to the quality of an ...
1
vote
1answer
915 views
Rhetorical devices in Frankenstein
I wanted clarification on what techniques are employed in the following quote:
I was benevolent and good but misery made me a fiend.
Is this an example of high modality, antithesis - or is there ...
1
vote
0answers
132 views
What are good dialog writing tips? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should dialog be formatted?
Writing dialogue has been a challenge.
From the punctuations to the tags, it all still very confusing for me.
Some stuff I want to know:
...
0
votes
3answers
129 views
How to reword this: repeated back on him?
I don't know how to reword this:
Along the way, we see how the faults
Jacob made earlier in life are
repeated back on him.
I know
repeated back on him
doesn't sound correct, but I ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Is Mac OSX Lion's Revision Control System useable by writers?
The upcoming Mac OSX Lion operating system is touting a new file revision control system called Versions (demo video here).
What I'm using for version control right now is rather rudimentary - I ...
8
votes
6answers
894 views
Hardware-based Word Processor
Do they still make hardware-based word processors? I would like a portable, no-frills dedicated machine for writing. The Neo from Alpha Smart looks close but $150 seems excessive for calculator ...
9
votes
3answers
117 views
How does one go *back* to editing an older piece?
I have a longer work that took me a lot of effort to get through, and the moment I finished it, my life went crazy. That was about 6 months ago, and in the intervening time I haven't been able to ...
7
votes
4answers
315 views
Does giving away free stories boost sales?
Is it worth it for writers to give away free short stories (or entire novels)? I've heard people say that having freebies on your site can boost sales of your books. I'm not talking about giving away ...
10
votes
9answers
310 views
Sympathetic portrayal of devout, rule-abiding characters
I'm having trouble portraying religious, devout characters as protagonists or viewpoint characters. When I try, I get the sense that the reader - not sharing the characters' beliefs - will have ...
12
votes
11answers
775 views
Is touch typing skill important for being a good writer?
Yes, I know - it is important. But my question is: does it influence the speed only? Do "two finger typing" and "peek typing" eat part of writer's attention and destroy creativity?
Does the method ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
How should I approach possibly unfamiliar pop culture in fiction?
So sometimes I get an idea that forms specifically around some aspect of pop culture. They're often song lyrics. If the reader knows the song, they appreciate the symbolism and allegory or whatever ...
7
votes
4answers
121 views
Formatting for stage, television, and the silver screen
What are the formatting rules for scripts? Are there significant variations? What differences are there between stage plays, television, and movies?
9
votes
1answer
207 views
How long can I expect to wait between accepting an offer and signing?
I accepted an offer from a publisher recently on a non-fiction title. It's my first book and naturally I'm excited. My agent negotiated a good deal since which time the publisher has not been in ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
Signs of Bad Character Development
When creating a character, what red flags would show me that I'm creating an unbelievable or unsympathetic character? I know that to be believable and sympathetic a character must not lean too much ...
5
votes
1answer
370 views
Techniques for minimizing redundancy in a document, paragraph or sentence?
Can you provide me with some techniques for minimizing redundancy in English sentence structure on three levels?
The Document Level
The Paragraph Level
The Sentence Level
I'm trying to get better ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
Character with extreme manners
My objective is victorian style tea-drinking "upper class" lady characters. (it's more of a writing challenge)
Does anyone have any useful resources or tips for creating such a character? ...
4
votes
3answers
118 views
Analogies, pitfalls and guidelines
Analogies can be powerful tools in both explaining and misrepresenting a complex topic. What methodology works well for finding good analogies and how does one figure out whether an analogy is well ...
10
votes
2answers
278 views
Getting emotional while writing, good or bad?
Once in a while I get really emotional when writing.
Writing about love, jealousy or even thinking about a simple scene in which a father plays with his child can get some strong emotional responses ...
17
votes
7answers
318 views
How can one effectively organize scenes and snippets?
I tend to write bits of stories out of order. If I have a great idea for a scene, I want to get it down it while I have it, even if it doesn't come until three chapters later than the part I'm on ...
3
votes
2answers
139 views
What's a good program for tracking submissions?
What's a good program or technique for tracking submissions? I need something that'll keep track of who I've submitted to, when, if they've replied, and preferably tell me how long it's been out. Any ...
5
votes
2answers
87 views
Other than find a publisher for your work, what do agents do?
A lot of people recommend agents. I've heard advice that an agent's job involves a lot more than just finding a publisher for your novel, but no one really says what else their job entails. What else ...
7
votes
2answers
473 views
Finding the 'voice' of a character
This is a very general question that I want to throw out there just to get some insight into different approaches used. I have my own, but am intrigued to know what others might try.
I'm wondering ...
3
votes
1answer
128 views
How does one go about writing “official” fanfiction?
There are tons of "official" fanifction books out there for a lot of popular TV shows and movies. I've seen Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Criminal Minds, The Unit, and probably a ...
8
votes
4answers
789 views
How does one implement effective foreshadowing?
I am a "reread reader" - that is, I like to read the same book more than once. The books I have the most fun reading again are the ones that effectively foreshadow what comes later in the book. This ...
5
votes
2answers
503 views
How to make a letter interesting?
I have a question regarding the art of letter writing.
I believe in the old-fashioned way of maintaining pen friendships (not necessarily a relationship, but could be) through hand-written letters, ...
16
votes
9answers
848 views
Tips for expanding my vocabulary?
Looking back through my texts, I noticed that I often use a lot of the same words and resort to using quite a basic vocabulary. I was wondering if there are any good exercises or anything else for ...
1
vote
6answers
191 views
Where are the best places to promote tech books?
Where would you recommend a new author of technical books (operating systems, programming, networking, etc) to go to in order to get help in promoting his work?
Are there any good reviewing services ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
How do you come up with non-fiction story ideas?
My biggest problem is that I'm often at a dearth of ideas. I can target a publication or radio show or whatnot once I've got it, but I'm just not good at coming up with them. Tips?
7
votes
7answers
366 views
Are there good tips on being a better *creative* writer?
I'm a student at Case, and while we of course have an English department, it seems the only kind of writing classes/courses available are for learning to be either a "literary" writer, or a ...
5
votes
4answers
97 views
Should one blog in a few languages?
Greetings. I've been blogging for a while now and I do it in Russian. But, some of my English-speaking... AHEM "Internet-friends" are unable to read my personal blog, 'cause they're just not familiar ...
2
votes
0answers
167 views
Is Strunk and White's “The Elements” full of “stupid grammar advice?” [closed]
In a previous question I asked about The Elements, RegDwight posted a comment containing a link to this article by Geoffrey K. Pullum:
50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice.
There is also a lengthier ...
11
votes
3answers
265 views
At what point does an author deal with an editor?
I'm just wondering: at which point do you have to deal with the editor, and what are the (possible) consequences? That is, when is the editor's involvement greatest? After or before a deal?
I'd ...
2
votes
2answers
480 views
Which edition of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style?
I'm interesting in picking up a copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. Unfortunately I'm a little overwhelmed by the minor variations. Amazon lists 12 different paperback formats, plus a ...
7
votes
2answers
281 views
Who pays for lyrics or quotes?
Occasionally, novels will include song lyrics in the story, or start out chapters with songs or quotes. In many cases, these lyrics or quotes are from copyrighted materials and would presumably ...
