Standback's user avatar
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Standback's user avatar
Standback
  • Member for 13 years, 1 month
  • Last seen more than a month ago
17 votes
Accepted

Why is "It was a dark and stormy night.." not a good opening?

16 votes
Accepted

In what order should I describe a setting?

16 votes
Accepted

How often do writers develop characters before plot, and why?

16 votes
Accepted

Can I be a good writer without reading a lot?

15 votes
Accepted

How to demonstrate an evolution of magic without it seeming like it is improvised?

15 votes
Accepted

How far into a speculative novel should one go before introducing the central conflict?

15 votes
Accepted

How do authors incorporate languages they don't speak?

14 votes
Accepted

The ethics of multiple contest submissions

14 votes
Accepted

Would a paid-for review from Kirkus give me real insight into quality of my manuscript?

14 votes

Spaceships - It or She?

14 votes
Accepted

How can I break up a lengthy explanation?

14 votes

What is Literary Fiction?

14 votes
Accepted

Will my readers feel like they are reading a children's storybook if there are illustrations in my novel?

14 votes
Accepted

How to make a debate/discussion between characters less dry?

13 votes

How to derive a first sentence from a story?

13 votes

Why is character lifetime proportional to character development so often?

13 votes

Dialog, just what's the best way to write it?

13 votes
Accepted

How can I strike a balance between setting and plot?

13 votes
Accepted

Mixing topics in a blog

12 votes

How does the 10,000 hour rule apply to writing?

12 votes

Are fantasy books expected to be trilogies?

12 votes
Accepted

Does anyone know the average number of times a new author has to submit before acceptance?

12 votes
Accepted

Should a short story be submitted to a publisher in order to know if they would be interested in a book based on it?

11 votes

What sort of details do potential short story beta readers need?

11 votes

Should mystery stories have resolutions?

11 votes
Accepted

Should I create my own ConLang for my story?

11 votes
Accepted

Submitting a partially complete draft?

11 votes

Do you need to get author's permission to quote him in a non-fiction book?

11 votes
Accepted

Are there any techniques that make complexity work?

10 votes
Accepted

Does giving away free stories boost sales?

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