Communities

Writing
Writing
Codidact Meta
Codidact Meta
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors
Photography & Video
Photography & Video
Scientific Speculation
Scientific Speculation
Cooking
Cooking
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Judaism
Judaism
Languages & Linguistics
Languages & Linguistics
Software Development
Software Development
Mathematics
Mathematics
Christianity
Christianity
Code Golf
Code Golf
Music
Music
Physics
Physics
Linux Systems
Linux Systems
Power Users
Power Users
Tabletop RPGs
Tabletop RPGs
Community Proposals
Community Proposals
tag:snake search within a tag
answers:0 unanswered questions
user:xxxx search by author id
score:0.5 posts with 0.5+ score
"snake oil" exact phrase
votes:4 posts with 4+ votes
created:<1w created < 1 week ago
post_type:xxxx type of post
Search help
Notifications
Mark all as read See all your notifications »
Q&A

Posts tagged creative-writing

This tag doesn't have any usage information yet.

This tag doesn't have a detailed wiki yet.

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Craft group exercises or chapters in critique groups?

I am an aspiring writer who feels blocked in terms of writing a novel because I am lacking knowledge of craft. I have taken two continuing education type writing courses in the past five years: ...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by user9885‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Is it a bad writing practice to end a paragraph with question?

I'm not sure where I picked up this habit. Here are two examples: I pictured An-Mei’s slim fingers running across their smooth surface, her hand, and then the body connected to it. But try as...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Is it OK to have two different POVs in a same paragraph (third-person omniscient narrator)?

This is my first time writing a third-person omniscient narrator. And just got stucked in a dilemma. This is the opening of the story: Once again Kuo found himself standing face to face with Me...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A What can I do to make my writing less choppy?

Recently and in the past I have been practicing writing as a hobby. I enjoy the creative pleasure it provides, but am hitting major road blocks in the process. My trouble is in seeing the big pic...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Aaron‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Question creative-writing
60%
+1 −0
Q&A How does the placement of transition sentences affects the meaning/tone of a piece?

Example: Finally, I began questioning the kid. What was her name? Where were her parents? And most important, what was she doing outside in this horrible weather? She replied to none of tha...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Should I make the gender of the narrator more obvious?

This is the opening of a short story I'm writing: 1996 was the year I became obsessed with animal suicide. I guess you can say it became my reason to live—the sun in my sky, the very air I ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A What are the Criteria that Distinguish a Thriller from Horror?

The criteria that come to mind are not exclusive to horror novels, so I'm a little confused and annoyed (annoyed because I find horror novels scary, and yet just cannot define it logically when I t...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by user3422153‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How to invoke my creative side without investing too much time?

I suck at writing. There, I admitted it. More often than not, I find my self staring at a blank moleskine page, or the blinking cursor. You see, the problem lies not in writing itself, but wri...

6 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by user8256‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Multiple characters without names: how to address

First off, the answer might be pretty much obvious (that there is no clear way to distinguish these characters) but I would still very much like to have perspectives (and perhaps even get an answer...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Pravesh Parekh‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A I feel my protagonist is too "detached" from the main plot. What should I do?

Here's a summary of the plot: The main character goes to a mountain to visit his half-sister. He hasn't seen her in years. She went there to undergo a spiritual healing. Later he discovers her w...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Character development in a story?

I am working on a book for fun and have thought a lot about character development. Is character development as important as the actual dialog of the story? For example, I was reading a book this ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Doug Hauf‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Question creative-writing
60%
+1 −0
Q&A Writing in between dream sequences

I am writing a story in which a set of events occurred that the main character cannot remember, but they come back to him in his dreams. Basically the entire actual story takes place in his dreams,...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Devon Muraoka‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How can I get myself writing again?

I have authored a particular fanfiction, which has garnered a moderate following on the fanfiction website I published it to. As of now, the story has 279 users following it for updates, as well as...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Brian S‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How can I get rid of the "things" in the following passage?

“Good. You've done your homework.” The girl turned around and started inspecting a decaying tree, as if checking its health. “Funny, isn't? How nature can make us do things that don't benefi...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Using "he/she" instead of "it" for animals

I'm writing a short story. The main character is visited by a strange black bird during the night (first draft): I glanced around but there was no sign of the bird. I didn't spot it in any ne...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How to highlight a main character among several points of view?

After some time outlining quite a complex story, I came to the conclusion I need more than one point of view to tell it all. However, I need to have one of those points of view's character as the p...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Marc Wolvesheir‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Is the following extended metaphor/group of metaphors too overwhelming?

I bought a box of sushi, and sat at the round table beside me. Opening the plastic container made me feel as though I was unlocking a treasure chest. I peeked inside to admired its conten...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Is having a specific town for a setting in a young-adult novel a bad thing?

I'm writing a young-adult story, that is quite clearly set in my home town, because this is where I grew up as a young adult and it is easier to write about. Everyone speaks English, but speaks Fre...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Seanny123‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How do I evaluate an unwritten plot/story?

I'm working on a full, detailed outline of my planned book series before I have much of it written down. I'm not a pantser, I must have a clear idea where I'm going before I can get far. In the pr...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Travis Christian‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Should I italicise when the protagonist quote other character's words?

For example in a story I'm writing a character says the following: “Be careful,” An-Mei said, ignoring my question. “No matter what, don't get close to her.” Later on the protagonist thinks...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Techniques for creating a bridge between protagonists from different generations

I'm working on a short novel that has two main stories. These stories belong to relatives from different generations, but of the same age. So, although the book spans through 20-30 years, I'm more...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Yisela‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Create and using a custom version of a part of an existing mythology

In my story, I've decided to create some legends, myths, and prophecies for one of the species I used. I don't think there is any problem with this even if I haven't created this species. But one ...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Shkeil‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Should I use present or past tense when the narrator talks about an universal/most-often-true statement?

Eri raised her eyes to the screen again. What a terrible thing it must be for an earthquake to hit right on your birthday. She wondered how often that happened. Maybe earthquakes are complet...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Question creative-writing
60%
+1 −0
Q&A Is repetition justified in the following piece?

Eri kissed her dad on the cheek, and waved goodbye to him. He entered back into the car, and then drove off, disappearing gradually at the far end of the street. Once he was gone, Eri glance...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Third Person Multiple POV in a single scene, how to refer each other if one character does not know the name of other character and vice versa

I am writing a romance novel. I have two main characters, Niranjan (male) and Jennifer. POV is Third Person Multiple (above two). I have a scene where they meet first time in a restaurant. While t...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by user5825‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A How detailed should I be when writing a character bio?

Basically, I have about 7 or 8 characters (excluding the antagonist) who each have important roles in the story. My problem is that my characters tend to develop themselves, so to speak. I have no ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by JMcAfreak‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Can Readers Relate to a Book without Humans?

I've been working on a story idea for a few years now, during which I designed a world (fantasy-based) in which it would take place. The thing is that because this is a different planet, I thought ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Bullfrog‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Is muteness appearing without explicit reason acceptable?

In one of my stories, my main character was once able to speak, but after being alone for 3 or 4 years in his early 20's without speaking a word, he became mute, unable to speak at all. Is this si...

5 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Shkeil‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A When to use semicolons and when to use em dashes?

Sometimes I can't decide whether to use a semicolon or a em dash. Usually, I start with semicolons and, once I notice there are too many of them, I start replacing a few with em dashes (as I read s...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A First person pov with more than one main chars

I really love -- and most of time write in -- first person point of view. The novel I'm writing is somewhat different from what I'm used to. I have four main characters -- I don't see any of them ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Psicofrenia‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Swearing - Censor, allude, or include?

I was reading this thread, but it didn't quite the answer a question I had about creative writing and whether profanity should be used or not, in a way that is best for creative storytelling. Here...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Singular1ty‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Why do authors start a paragraph in an indirect way?

I found that many writers of magazines or novels say something in a way that is not straightforward and to the point. Like this: Dressed like a latter-day Steve Jobs in a tight black long-sleeve s...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Zhiyong Wang‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Question creative-writing
50%
+0 −0
Q&A Variation in paragraph length

I've learned that variation in sentence length is good. How about paragraph length? I always end up with paragraphs like this: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed di...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Does the country matter in a story if it is set in a real one?

So far I've been setting my stories in the country I live: Taiwan. Not because I love my country. In fact, I'm not fond of patriotism. I just figured out it would be easier to describe surroundings...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Does the following piece have too much dry narration (mundane tasks, moving about)?

Tsuki woke up to the morning sun that entered through the window. She yawned and sat on the side of the bed, rubbing her eyes. The clock on the wall said half past ten. She brushed her teeth...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Does writing in a certain mood change how a writer writes?

I'm not sure if this is right for this part of Stackexchange, but since there is no psychology section, here we go: I'm currently writing the same short story several times with the intention of c...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Throsby‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A 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 des...

4 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Soulz‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A 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 dr...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Catharsis‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A 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 la...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A 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 ...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by JMcAfreak‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Opening a story with a reference to what someone just said followed by a setting description

An example: Naomi's words hung in the air as I gazed out of the hotel window. The mountain lay quietly in the dark, like a calm, sleeping giant. A cluster of city lights glittered beyond. I...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A About the Author description

Whether we like it or not, the "About the Author" description is a marketing tool. It contains selective personal and professional information which is deemed to have the potential to create a posi...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Javeer Baker‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Is a glossary needed in a novel?

Is a glossary needed in a translated-novel? or I would only need to put the translation of the native words under the brackets?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by rusticmystic‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Tips for writing sentences like a native speaker

English isn't my native tongue, but I've been writing novels in English for a while. Most of the time, I can be aware of what's grammatically correct and what's not. But making sure that a sentence...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Q&A Gadgets that make the world/story broken

Every so often I see a nice piece of fiction where its author adds something (to save the plot, or to make it interesting, whatever) that makes the story broken (usually it makes the world, setting...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by dtldarek‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Tracing dependencies and emergent plotholes during edits

The fiction I write currently hit a major snag and needs a big overhaul of a major part of the story. A whole, large thread is being injected, a second conflict running in parallel with the main on...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by SF.‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Putting a dialogue a tag before a quote

Sometimes I see stuff like this: X said, "..." "..." X did this, and then said, "..." Is it used to just vary sentence structure? Or to make dialogue more readable or smoother in certain...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A Should dull dialogue be removed completely?

The following dialogue is from a novel I'm writing (first draft): "You're quiet tonight," Erin said to Benjamin, who seemed to be lost in thoughts. He looked up and took a sip of his dri...

4 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A It is a sign of bad writing to have many scenes that are disconnected with the main plot?

So my novel look like this (I took this diagram idea from this site, but I'm not sure exactly from whom): The beginning and end focuses on the mystery that the heroine is trying to solve (main p...

3 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Q&A What is the difference between "creative writing" and "fiction writing"?

My college offers many writing courses. I notice, one course is called "Creative Writing" and another is called "Fiction Writing". What is the difference between creative writing and fiction writing?

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Village‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭