All Questions
12,681
questions
2
votes
2
answers
122
views
When should I start thinking about chapters?
I'm putting together an editing plan for myself for my novel, and someone said something that made me think of chapters. For my first draft, I hadn't ever thought about chapters that much, only ...
14
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How to clearly distinguish the settings of different scenes from each other, and make them "feel" different?
Background
I've been working on doing nitty-gritty editor revisions of my detective novel in preparation for publishing, going over sentences and picking through details. In the course of the story, ...
3
votes
1
answer
108
views
How to develop ideas?
I participated in a weekly challenge prompt app and many asked me to continue writing and to make it a book but I can't find a good idea to develop that short story.
-2
votes
2
answers
108
views
Is it correct to write: "Your payment's being processed"? [closed]
Is it correct to write: "Your payment's being processed" ?
1
vote
2
answers
140
views
How do I write someone in an enchantment?
I'm having trouble writing a scene in my book where the main character is about to be pulled into an enchantment before her friend saves her.
A bit of backstory- the item that is about to enchant her ...
1
vote
3
answers
170
views
Making the mutants in my setting more unique?
Okay, so I’m writing a post-apocalyptic story, and what’s a post-apocalypse without mutants? So, I decided I’d create a few. There’s just one problem.
So, after reviewing my writing for them, I feel ...
0
votes
2
answers
629
views
When applying to Literary Agents do you attach the query letter or paste it into the body of the email?
I'm applying to agents, most of whom want a query letter and most of which want applications via email. I'm confused by the format. Do they want the query letter attached or pasted into the email, and ...
1
vote
3
answers
220
views
What are some good (free) writing communities?
I'm new to writing, I just finished the first draft of the first novel I've written (yay!) and I'm looking for writing groups or communities that I can benefit from. Is there a community that helps ...
1
vote
1
answer
112
views
How can you add light, quirky, humor or sarcasm into dialog?
Looking back at my book, I'm realizing how flat the dialog is. I'm not known for being funny and I don't consider myself naturally funny, so this is hard for me. How can I make the characters talk to ...
5
votes
4
answers
735
views
What are the stages to self editing?
I just finished writing my first draft of my novel, and I don't quite know the states of self-editing. Right now, I'm not looking for advice on professional editors/proofreaders, I just want to know ...
1
vote
2
answers
55
views
When should I bring in beta readers? [duplicate]
I just finished my first draft and I am new to writing. I'm currently researching how to self-edit a novel and came across beta readers. When should I bring in beta readers? After second draft and ...
2
votes
1
answer
157
views
When writing the first book in a series, do you need to plan the next book also?
I am just finishing my first book in a series that I started, and I'm wondering if you need to plan all the books in your series. For reference, I'm not quite sure if my series is going to have two or ...
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Should I write a foreign character's dialogue in their language? [duplicate]
When it comes down to story writing, it's always nice to have variety in characters. Such as a character who speaks Spanish more than English or is bilingual with both languages. But say if the ...
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Are the Arthurian legends freely available for use?
I put a bit of Arthurian fantasy into a short story I wrote. I originally thought that this was perfectly acceptable, as many books do so, and the original stuff is ancient. But after reading this, ...
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
Will a copyeditor refine both dialogue and plot?
I am a big-picture kinda guy. I have ideas and I love details, but I hate to get stuck up in the microscopic level grunt work - managing accents, tones and environment details that are not so central ...
1
vote
1
answer
135
views
Use of commas with non-dialogue-tag verbs before and after dialogue
I've recently found myself second guessing a convention I've followed for a while where with a piece of dialogue, for instance:
"Hurry home" came down the front stairs behind her.
I'm ...
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Phrases used to refer to “a large number/amount of something.” How do you choose one among many others?
I always ask myself, when writing, which word or phrase to use to describe a large number/amount of something because the English language has a huge variety of expressions as in the below examples.
...
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can the first-person narrator use both past and present tenses?
My first person narrator is telling his story in the past tense but there are present tense realities too that get me confused what tense to use.
For instance, here are two paragraphs:
When I came ...
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Managing alien languages in Sci-Fi creatively
I’m writing a story where alien races are in constant communication with humans, but I don’t want it to be awkward or have to use language tags like “...he said in x language.” Maybe I could have a ...
3
votes
1
answer
122
views
This is a PREREQUISITE of that, so that is WHAT of this?
Anyone have a sensible word to finish the title above? I'm creating a semantic web, and some of the flip-sides to directional relationships are hard to track down due to their scarce usage. The ...
0
votes
1
answer
98
views
What does someone mean when he asks, "are you a writer?" [closed]
There is a phenomenon in the Western world consisting of a person being often asked, "are you a writer?"
The question is asked without any context whatsoever, often within seconds of initial ...
0
votes
4
answers
93
views
How to call a paper or book holding charms/incantation/magic formula? [closed]
Hope the title is clear enough. I'm also looking for any vocabulary related to the act of writing magic ( 'runes' as a magical writing system for example).
5
votes
3
answers
222
views
Should I practice writing novels before starting the novel I want to write, or plan to do a lot of editting?
tldr: Though I've been writing fiction for a long time, I have no real training or experience. I've put a lot of thought into a fantasy novel idea (we'll call it the Hail Mary) and am excited to write ...
2
votes
1
answer
120
views
Is there a good reference for improving my penmanship?
Over the years I've used the traditional Palmer method for writing different things. However I often developed confusion when trying to integrate this with mathematical formulas and other technical ...
0
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How do I punctuate a slogan?
I have the following slogan:
I sell, I build
I want to make sure it's clear and concise. I did not add a period, because I know it's not a full sentence. However, I want to make sure it's ...
0
votes
1
answer
157
views
When vs. If vs. In situation where
An excerpt from Microsoft Writing Style Guide, which I'm trying to follow:
Use if to express a condition, use whether to express uncertainty, and use when for situations that require preparation or ...
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are fictional town names trademarks or protected intellectual property of their author?
If a town name in a popular fictional work is widely associated with a particular fictional work, can the name be freely used as a name for a new nonprofit organization even if the nonprofit is ...
1
vote
1
answer
173
views
Am I telling or showing?
I'm having some trouble with "Show, don't tell" when come to writing, so I'd like some advice.
I'm trying to highlight the relationship and personality between these characters, but I'm ...
0
votes
2
answers
146
views
What do you call a person with a master's degree?
I'm from Sri Lanka. and I'm trying to translate a Leaving Certificate. The Principal of this specific school has a master's degree, and in Sri Lanka we give the degree holder the honor of addressing ...
0
votes
1
answer
129
views
What Are Some Practical Ways to Write a Sequence of Actions?
I am writing a scene where a character is performing a series of actions but for some reason the sentence flow isn't quite working for me. The problem is over-reliance on "Then". This is a ...
2
votes
1
answer
57
views
Can I publish a book with the poems on my website?
I have posted my poems on my website. For a long time, I have been doing this. Now, can I publish a book with the same poems which I had shared on the Internet.
4
votes
1
answer
272
views
How do I write a character with gender dysphoria?
So I'm partaking in a DnD 5e home brew game, and in the near-ish future my male character is going to be turned into a female character without knowing and without willingness. My question is, how do ...
1
vote
1
answer
60
views
Are there better chances of being more credible by a grantor if you write about yourself in the third person?
I was told that because I have a good eye for detail, I could do reasonably well as a grantwriter for several nonprofit organisations.
I have previously applied for personal grants by writing about ...
2
votes
1
answer
166
views
How do you format dialogue within a paragraph?
He made his way over to the crimson red telephone box that basked in the afternoon sunlight. Ted knew she was hiding in there. “You can come out now." He swung open the door, with a callous look ...
2
votes
3
answers
201
views
Would incorporating a constructed language into my story this way cause confusion later?
This is part of the story I'm working on:
“Imikagaw” a feminine voice called out as she put her hand on the back of the man in cape. “Usamiakusta ow ihsataw aw amas Enna “Uoyustih ag imikagaw aw nah ...
7
votes
2
answers
195
views
Is a Critique Group More Often Helpful or Not When Writing a First Draft?
I am currently writing my first draft, and also happen to be in a critique group. It's my understanding a first draft is going to have lots of issues. This is where I am confused. While a critique ...
0
votes
1
answer
283
views
How to write a time skip without indication like "a moment pass" or "a few hours later"
Here is a short of what been stuck in my head lately
“CUFFS”, shouts the man as he grows tired of the woman’s protest, using 2 pairs of handcuffs, both of the woman’s wrist fuse with her ankles, ...
2
votes
6
answers
294
views
Is it sometimes okay to info dump to enhance your story even if it's not necessary to the plot
I am writing a YA novel in 3rd person limited.
The first scene of the chapter opens in a high school classroom. We don't know the name of the school or where it's at just yet. The character does, but ...
5
votes
1
answer
686
views
Which manual of style suggests using parentheses within parentheses?
When it comes to nested parentheses, there are two options. (The first is to use square brackets for the inner text [like this]. The second is to simply use parentheses (like this).)
I believe that ...
1
vote
1
answer
55
views
How to write a book based in many different books?
I'm writing a book about the different stories from religions that existed in my country some centuries ago.
In order to learn more about them, I had to acquire over 20 books. Each of those has ...
0
votes
0
answers
81
views
How do I make a love story, that isn't cliche but different from others? [duplicate]
Okay, so I just wanted to know what is the less cliche way of making a romantic fanfiction.
I know this question is short, but I just want to know.
1
vote
1
answer
87
views
Citing both a paper's draft and published version in Chicago style
Summary: I have a draft of a paper and its later published version. I correctly cite the published version, but I want to know `how I can add a citation to the draft version(?)' in Chicago style. See ...
2
votes
1
answer
442
views
Is There a Term or Description For When the Narrator Inserts their Own Personal Perspective Into a Third Person POV?
Occasionally I have read stories where the third person Omniscient/Limited POV Narrator will describe a scene and feelings from a characters POV, but sometimes it seems like the narrator is presuming ...
1
vote
3
answers
101
views
Authenticity and writing under a pen name [closed]
My question is about marketing and using a pen name. Ofc I want to connect to readers, but I wonder if it's possible to be authentic if you're not revealing your 'true' identity. Is this a matter of '...
0
votes
3
answers
139
views
How should I write two huge evil reveals in one climax? [closed]
I am only plotting my story as of right now, and I'm trying to put together a good climax. So far, A's parents were murdered by C. A is best friends with B, who actually works for C. Evil reveal #1: B ...
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Should I rigorously follow 15 beat structure for writing my novels?
I am a novice writer with one novella published on Amazon. Recently I undertook a MOCC on Udemy called Write a Bestselling Novel in 15 Steps. Then I also googled and researched the the 15 step ...
3
votes
3
answers
349
views
How to give out a character’s backstory without info-dumping?
In my story, I follow a group of characters traveling across a post-nuclear wasteland. I’ve written all the characters (there are 7 of them in the group) their own unique backstories and whatnot, and ...
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
Use of "set down" in a formal document
I was recently asked to translate a Spanish letter of recommendation into English. Not being an English native speaker, I was bound to make a few mistakes. According to a reviewer, one of these was ...
1
vote
1
answer
142
views
If unstated, do literary magazines generally publish work submitted by minors?
Unless a literary magazine/journal is looking for work from a certain age range (ex. the teen experience, 20 to 30-year-olds), I rarely see age restrictions under submission guidelines. If unspecified,...
21
votes
11
answers
8k
views
How do I write "fantasy counterpart cultures" without being accused of cultural appropriation?
In my book series, the various planets of the galaxy are inhabited by different cultures, most of which are based on or inspired by, at least to some extent, by real-world cultures. For example:
...