All Questions
4
votes
4answers
57 views
What paragraph style should I use for an e-book?
I have often heard of the advice that "use a style that works best in your situation".
In regard to paragraph styling for an ebook, there are a few options:
A single space (between paragraphs) and ...
5
votes
4answers
84 views
Demo data in screenshots! What are the best practice?
My question is related to best practices of making screenshots for end-user documentation. Particularly, is there universal information for filling in forms in the software and after that making ...
4
votes
2answers
46 views
Is it a bad idea to use a culture-specific word in the title of a story?
I wrote a short story long ago called The End of the World. I thought the title was too common so I renamed it to The Kid with the Gigaku Mask and the End of the World. But then, I found that title to ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Writing a newspaper article summary
First of all, I'd like to apologize in advance for my horrible English, but it's not my primary language and I still can't help but make some blunders.
I have been assigned to write a newspaper ...
1
vote
6answers
70 views
Is the following allowed under the ungrammatical exceptions in fiction?
I wrote the following:
Under the shelter of the inn, a barbecue was taking place, red coal
glowing in the dark and tiny sparks fluttering around from time to
time.
or should I change it to:
...
3
votes
2answers
88 views
Creative writing use and abuse
I am wondering what is the limit, if any, of justifying one's writing style as being creative.
I have often seen the use of a single word or phrase as a 'sentence' for creating impact. Example: "It ...
4
votes
2answers
47 views
In end user documentation, should screenshots come before or after the text that references them?
The end user documentation I'm writing makes use of screenshots (and partial screenshots) to show the user what I'm referring to in procedural instructions for or conceptual explanations of the ...
7
votes
3answers
132 views
Techniques to write for a wider audience
Many years ago, I wrote a short story that used specific information from my cultural background e.g. a belief that if you dream something, it is a form of a vision (superstition, some may say!). This ...
-2
votes
0answers
35 views
Writing an email reminding an employer about my internship [migrated]
I was interviewed last week Thursday, the interviewer said I passed and she asked me when I could start and discuss about my internship but she didnt contact me probably because she's only an employee ...
5
votes
2answers
159 views
Is it better to make clear immediately in which country/continent the story is taking place?
I'm writing a short story, and nowhere in it I explicitly mention the country in which it is taking place. The only time I mention something about the country is when I refer to a historical event ...
4
votes
1answer
70 views
Can a title be copyrighted?
Is there any such thing as copyrighting a title?
A title of a novel / short story is usually short, up to five words or so. The words are chosen after much thought to reflect the contents of work. ...
-4
votes
0answers
36 views
Completed New Novel [closed]
I have written a novel,and am thinking to get it published or at least get some reviews about it.I am planning to go on with the next one,but i would like to know how the first one is. This is my ...
0
votes
2answers
26 views
What is the correct location for page numbers in a report?
I am writing a report on our project in school, and we were discussing what would be the best place for the page numbers. It seems obvious, at least to us, that the page numbers should be ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Where do I fit in the future of publishing? [closed]
So I'm at that awful point in life where I've graduated college, painfully unemployed and no real direction in life. Trying to get it together currently. Computers, code, software, apps, web, ...
0
votes
2answers
81 views
When developing a stage play, whose gender matters more? The characters' or the actors'?
When striving for gender balance in a play: What is more important, balance among the characters or among the actors? (Given that all characters are written as individuals, and not as stereotypes.)
...
3
votes
5answers
88 views
How specific should I be when outlining the plot?
One problem I often run into when trying to make a general outline of the plot for a story is how specific I am in the descriptions of events. Generally, this happens when I have written a portion of ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Wait for the results of writing contest or try other means
I submitted the manuscript of my first, never yet published, novel to a big writing contest whose outcome will only be revealed in December, and may lead to a publishing.
Now, I'm unsure of what to ...
3
votes
2answers
103 views
Is it correct to use verbs like “sighed” and “laughed” as dialogue tags?
In other words, is it correct to write something like this:
"Oh," he laughed. "Sorry, I'm not sure what's with me today."
(Every time I see something like this, I think: "How is this peson ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
Book Plot Sugestions [closed]
Does anyone have a good plot suggestion for a children's fantasy? Maybe about a 13 year old girl in the 1500's. Anything will do.
3
votes
1answer
53 views
Screenwriting: Help with paragraph length.
I have a descriptive paragraph, at the beginning of a scene:
INT. VICTIM’S BASEMENT - NIGHT
------, a professional criminal, and serial killer, is hard at work in the basement of an ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
How to do dialogue?
Whenever I'm writing, I use this style:
•"I don't see why I have to put up with this nonsense." I muttered.
However, I see this type of writing in books:
•"This room is full of idiots," he ...
-3
votes
1answer
73 views
Free stock photos for ebook cover [closed]
Following my question here, I am wondering what are the pros and cons of using images/photos from websites that offer free stock photos. I am aware of MorgueFiles.
My goal is to use the images/photos ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Is it appropriate to list my website as the publisher of my stories?
Following my question here, I am planning to establish a personal website. It will have basic personal details and synposis of my short stories. The overarching goal will be to use the website to ...
1
vote
2answers
43 views
How do you keep up with all the ebook formats?
There are three main ebook formats that I'm aware of, which look like this:
PDF (you have full control over layout)
mobi (Amazon - fluid...not much control)
epub (Nook, iBookstore...not much ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
What republication rights do I have?
My book was published by Melrose Books, Ely, U.K., in 2008. It was not self-published/vanity published, though I did have to pay toward publication. It is only available online; but despite knowing ...
4
votes
4answers
174 views
How long does it take to write a 1000-word news articles?
I write tech articles for my blog and for a news outlet here in my country (mostly in French).
I've been doing this for years, but I've always thought that I was slow in readying my stories. I am ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
First Chapter for Free?
I am currently working on a novel, and am approximately 45% of the way through (~37,500 words / 100 A5 pages).
Working full time, I am unable to finish my story within the next month, and I plan on ...
6
votes
0answers
4 views
A word for something that's done only half-consciously [migrated]
In writing fiction, I find myself using the word "absentmindedly" a lot, but I don't think it's really the word I'm looking for. I'm not looking so much something done in a distracted manner, but ...
6
votes
1answer
61 views
Should I include my email address in an ebook?
I am wondering if it is appropriate to include my email address on the title page of my short stories on Amazon Kindle.
If so, is it wise to use one obtained from say Yahoo because it will not change ...
6
votes
2answers
97 views
What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?
Ok, I'm starting to get a feel for this, but I'm hoping someone can explain it more clearly for me.
I learned in all my English classes that sensory imagery is important, which naturally involves a ...
4
votes
2answers
72 views
Punctuating dialogue with oneself
I am wondering what is the convention for punctuating dialogue with oneself.
In particular, if a character speaks to himself, does the words need to be put in open and closed quotes. Note that the ...
0
votes
2answers
56 views
Manipulating standard stock photos for ebook cover
I have decided to self-publish some short stories I wrote years ago.
I understand the importance of a good cover. I have known for years that "Don't judge a book by its cover" does not work in the ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Formatting lists for ebook format?
For lists such as:
Topic 1
xxx
xxxxx xxx
xxx
xxx xxx
xxxx
Topic 2
xxx
xxxxx xxx
xxx
xxx xxx
xxxx
is there some different way to represent them since they won't format well in mobi and epub?
...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
An adjective relating to the circus?
I'm looking for an adjective which essentially means "of or relating to the circus." My context is:
As they stood in the doorway, taking in the circus-like activities around them...
But ...
0
votes
2answers
78 views
Do short stories have to be of a particular length?
I have often wondered what determines the optimal length (number of words) of an effective short story.
I am asking the above in the context of epublishing e.g. Amazon kindle.
In the era of ...
2
votes
2answers
56 views
What is the better job for an English major: copy-editor or editor in chief?
I am a recent college graduate with a Bachelor's degree in English. I have been asked to join a new startup online magazine as an editor. I have the choice to be either a Copy-Editor or Editor in ...
4
votes
3answers
121 views
Is it better to omit phrases like: after a moment, after a while, for a moment, etc?
I also find myself writing stuff like this:
(dialogue)
They remained silent for a moment. A dog barked at the distance.
(dialogue)
and this:
His stomach started to growl after a ...
-2
votes
1answer
42 views
How to write a summary of an article or any text print?
For example I am given an article and asked to write a summary for money; where do I begin?
Do I just read the article, and kind of pull material out of it, re-arrange some of it, change some words ...
-1
votes
2answers
52 views
how to use `and so on` or `blabla` in the middle of a sentence?
in the following sentence:
We forge such concepts like agent's IP, agent's port, agent's sequence number
and so on for ease of explanation.
We forge such concepts like agent's IP, agent's port, ...
6
votes
6answers
270 views
Avoid blending Fantasy and Sci Fi
In the world I'm writing, there's a decent amount of magic - mages, spells, healing, etc. There's also a few aspects - hoverboards, strength/speed enhancing experiments - that don't quite fit into the ...
1
vote
2answers
56 views
How to indicate that it is a single short story
For Kindle Direct Publishing, the minimum price you can set is $0.99.
I published a short story and wanted to price it at $0.49. This is because it is a short story of about 500 words. Its short and ...
2
votes
0answers
34 views
Is this typical for the Present Simple? [migrated]
I have noticed that there are some phrases which are typically found used with the Present Simple while it is not impossible to use them with the Present Continuous. And I am talking about such ...
5
votes
1answer
80 views
Ebook publishing
In my search to publish my short stories, I came across a number of sites, each offering overlapping services.
Is it possible for someone to clarify the difference between Kindle Direct Publishing, ...
4
votes
6answers
94 views
Dream analysis research
I am currently writing a short story/novella. This piece of fiction describes a child who has vivid dreams. His dreamworld starts to blend with the real world by him being able to manipulate his ...
2
votes
6answers
140 views
How to better describe “jet-black (pitch-black) darkness”?
I'm trying my hand at translating a few Korean literary texts into English. Something I come across often while translating is the phrasing "jet-black(/pitch-black) eyes(/night/darkness)" which ...
1
vote
2answers
81 views
HTML Formatting for ebook
I uploaded my short story on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) yesterday. All went well and I am excited, given this is my first attempt to publish anything!
I did some research prior to making the ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
Offer to publish - should you accept or wait?
We have received an offer from a US-based publisher (new company, good concept, good marketing strategy, good royalties, no fees) to publish a novel in print, eBook, and audio format. We (the author ...
3
votes
4answers
72 views
Basing fiction on personal life
I had in mind to use threads from my own life as a foundation for work, keeping much of the incidents, traits and all, but building upon them in a potentially different direction. What are the ...
1
vote
6answers
133 views
The street is filled with cars and people
The street is filled with cars and people.
I tend to write simple, straightforward sentences, like the one above. Can you suggest ways I can write more interesting sentences? What books (with ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
Co-authoring, brainstorming but not writing
I'm the brainstorming phase of a new manuscript.
Normally I do that on my own, but this time I I want to ask a few friends to help me with ideas.
I'm sure you all know how the brainstorming process ...
