All Questions
40
votes
13answers
1k views
What are good places to post your work where it will be read by others?
Seeing this site and reading some of my ridiculous stories that I wrote a while ago makes me want to start writing again. I know I'll be more enthusiastic if I have people reading my work and ...
64
votes
18answers
2k views
The “Rules” of Writing
There are a lot of axioms that get tossed around in creative writing courses, books on writing, and of course, the internet. Often, these little gems are explained to new writers as though they were ...
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.
7
votes
16answers
393 views
Help! I've got Writer's Block
I really want to write, but as soon as I sit down and set pen to paper, my mind goes blank.
I can't think of anything to write. Sometimes I stare at my screen for hours; doesn't help.
If I do think ...
16
votes
5answers
719 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.
...
13
votes
11answers
935 views
Internet communities where I can read/rate/review short fiction, and post my own?
So what active internet communities are out there where I can post my own short fiction, for others to read, rate, review and discuss?
(Note that I'm not asking about local writer's groups, or ...
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, ...
11
votes
7answers
220 views
Are there any places to have community story development?
Are there any places or ways a group (general public or individually invited) of people can individually contribute to a communally developed story?
For example, a website or collobaration tool ...
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 ...
8
votes
5answers
431 views
What is a discovery writer?
From an answer to this question: How do I successfully structure a long fiction piece?
I think I can infer the meaning from the usage but some elaboration would be helpful.
26
votes
18answers
2k views
How to name the characters of your story?
I find it hard to name my characters. Every normal name sounds funny if applied to a product of my fantasy. If I take a common name, I may get the image of someone I know into my head. And that may ...
20
votes
5answers
910 views
Writing first programming book
I was recently asked if I was interested in writing a book for a pretty reputable publisher, which of course I accepted. I am not a writer by trade, I am a software developer with some technical ...
12
votes
3answers
241 views
How to create space
Recently, a few snippets of my fiction have received critiques along the lines of 'Does not give a sense of space'. Or 'needs more description, sights and sounds'.
I think where I am going wrong is ...
14
votes
9answers
6k views
What is a normal length for a chapter?
I've always had trouble determining whether my chapters are within the same size realm as chapters in standard books. Since it isn't exactly feasible to count the number of words in a chapter of ...
12
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the difference between writing in the first and the third person?
What kind of story is better suited for each one? Are there advantages or disadvantages inherent to each form?
For example, writing in the first person you are always following a character, while in ...
4
votes
2answers
170 views
Does anyone know the average number of times a new author has to submit before acceptance?
I can't find any authoritative citation for this. As an example, I know that the average entrepreneur has to be involved in 12 new businesses before he has a successful enterprise. That is the ...
53
votes
16answers
2k views
Do You Use Any Version Controlling Software/Methods As Writers?
As writers, do you use any version controlling software to track and monitor what you write? For example, if you accidentally deleted or overwritten a paragraph that you'd like to have it back?
...
34
votes
19answers
2k views
How to overcome the fact that I can't write?
My problem is that I basically suck at writing. Especially prose.
Part of it is basically because I don't practice as much as I could.
Part of it is because I'm just not talented in that way.
...
17
votes
11answers
277k views
How to write a polite reminder email?
What guidelines and language should be used to write a polite reminder email. Ideally I would like it to be:
Respectful
Not too formal
In particular I am thinking in terms of business, and ...
16
votes
10answers
524 views
How do I construct a plot out of my many setting/character details?
In my creative writing, I typically am inspired by short interactions between things: An overheard conversation. A person's jealousy of a friend's talent. A humorous misinterpretation...
I tend to ...
16
votes
10answers
995 views
Organizing your Universe?
When writing, I always have tons of ideas about the universe I'm creating as a whole: People, Places, Timelines.
I'm just struggling to organize it. I'd like to avoid inconsistencies in later ...
16
votes
10answers
870 views
Where is a good place to find writing prompts?
I love using writing prompts to come up with story ideas. I'm looking for good sites that have a lot of good writing prompts. One that updates fairly often would be best. :)
19
votes
6answers
902 views
Getting Inside Someone Else's Head
A common problem for novice fiction writers, and one that I feel that I myself haven't quite graduated from, is always writing characters who are like the author. Each character is merely some facet ...
16
votes
12answers
510 views
How much planning should go on before beginning writing?
I really want to begin my first novel, but I'm just not sure how clear of an outline I should have before I start. Is a detailed synopsis of each chapter really necessary, or is it enough to just go ...
10
votes
5answers
232 views
What can one do to get the most from limited writing time?
I do make an effort to write every day, and usually succeed, but I just have too much going on in my life right now to give my writing the time it would like to have. When I do have time, blog posts, ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
Dialog, just what's the best way to write it?
I've come across the following conventions:
"What’s this for?" asked Jake.
Sue replied, "None of your business."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it looks darned funny sitting here."
"It’s ...
14
votes
5answers
958 views
What book review sites allow authors to send a copy of their books for reviews?
Since I'm published with smaller publications, getting reviews is often one of the best ways to make sales. But what professional book review sites out there will write a review in exchange for a copy ...
9
votes
5answers
317 views
How do I balance work with my love of writing?
I'm a programmer and an aspiring writer. I love writing. Over the past year, I had been working on my first novel. Making the plot, dimensioning the characters, integrating conflicts etc. And when I ...
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
1answer
653 views
Referencing a website using Harvard style
How can I reference a website using the Harvard style?
How would this be different if no author was listed?
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 ...
5
votes
6answers
647 views
The opposite sex in first person?
I have been writing about not just one, but two females; sisters. I've toyed with different methods/persons in this, but it seems I've come to an obvious roadblock. I wouldn't call it "writer's block" ...
0
votes
6answers
341 views
Does my story beginning hook the reader? (dialogue + narration)?
The following is the opening of a short story I'm writing:
Erin stared at Ruth, eyes narrowed. "There was
an earthquake last night?"
Ruth nodded. "Around 9p.m. The news says it
was a 4.3 ...
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 ...
15
votes
6answers
337 views
Writing discipline
In today's frenetic, fast-paced lifestyle (especially if writing is not currently your career or means of earning an income), it can be extremely difficult to "make" or find the time that can be set ...
22
votes
8answers
658 views
How does one deal with world builder's syndrome?
I am a planner in the extreme. I tend to drift toward fantasy oriented novels when writing; it's just what comes out. This means that I do quite a bit of planning for the world that the story will be ...
16
votes
11answers
760 views
How do you track random thoughts and ideas?
If you're like me, you get story ideas anywhere and everywhere. If I'm at a computer, I'll write down the idea in onenote or outlook or scrivener (depending what's open). If I just have my phone, I'll ...
15
votes
7answers
917 views
What's Essential In A Combat Scene?
I've just been reading a bunch of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books. Although they were the most enjoyable read I'd had in ages I always found myself skimming long segments that described involved ...
11
votes
4answers
613 views
I'm getting tired of “he said” “she said” in dialogue; how do I get around it?
I get tired of "he said", "she said", "they replied". Is there a better, but still reasonable way, to indicate dialogue?
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 ...
24
votes
7answers
559 views
When is it okay to tell?
One of the major mantras of writing fiction is "show, don't tell".
Is it ever okay to tell? When?
10
votes
4answers
351 views
avoiding making all your characters sound the same
We surely all have little quirks to our speech. Like my daughter once criticized my writing for using the word "surely" too much. (See, I used it on this post.)
So how do you keep all your characters ...
24
votes
8answers
1k views
How does the 10,000 hour rule apply to writing?
The 10,000 hour rule, popularised by Malcolm Gladwell, says that:
the key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours
...
14
votes
2answers
348 views
When modifiers should be avoided?
I've come across the Mark Twain's quote:
"When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them -- then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close ...
13
votes
9answers
521 views
How can I catch more errors when I proofread?
I have a problem where I often proof my own writing and I don't catch all the errors while I am reading through it. I often miss entire words out of sentences or find myself repeating words. I can ...
12
votes
9answers
472 views
Is there a rule of thumb about the number of pages a work of fiction should have?
To be considered a "real" book, is there a rule of thumb about the number of pages one should have? If it has too few then people call it a short story (e.g., Fahrenheit 451) and if it has too many ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Pitfalls of writing a main character of different gender to the author, specifically first-person perspective?
This is my first question on here, so bear with me, if you will.
My question is in two-parts:
a) When writing in first-person, is it wise to choose a main character of a different gender to yourself ...
7
votes
3answers
288 views
Pros and Cons of different styles of publishing
I was reading on the meta site that someone thinks we're hostile to self-publishing, and I read over some old questions looking for evidence. I didn't really find signs of hostility, but I certainly ...
13
votes
5answers
557 views
Can I shop an unfinished novel?
I've been writing a novel that addresses some very current themes. My belief is that if I can get it out there quickly, it will succeed well. I'm working on it frantically, but will agents consider ...
12
votes
3answers
296 views
How to avoid hearing “that's me!” from your friends when they read your characters?
I recently asked about getting inside of someone else's head for writing good characters who are noticeably different from myself and received some great answers. One answer suggested that you should ...
