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If you write about two different people, the two separate lines of action should converge at one point. Although it's fine to have a group protagonist, there should still be one central character w...
Public domain books are no longer under copyright protection and can be used by the public as they wish without fear of copyright infringement. There are classical books that have multiple translat...
I certainly agree with Mark. Not much to add. But always remember POV. Who's telling the story? Without a doubt Emma Richards was the most beautiful girl in the world. A valid opinion if your...
I mean, what exactly defines a flaw for a character? Diseases or personal problems are considered flaws? That's a fun question, isn't it? It's especially amusing when you consider that the answer ...
My view of flaws: A character should not be perfect. They should not be so lovable, powerful, intelligent, etc., etc., that the reader rolls their eyes and hopes that they die a horrible death. A...
If I were to do a daily blog about a general monthly topic, I would make a list of all the important things about that particular monthly topic. Then I would organize the list into an order that ma...
For once, I'll say if both sound good and interesting, write both. Since you've already chosen one path, go with it. Then, when you finish it, if you're still excited about the other path, write i...
This can, and has been done (here is an example of something similar), but it takes your book out of the realm of conventional fiction, and reclassifies it as what is called "experimental literatur...
Putting elements of one genre into a work that is another genre is not going to confuse your readers. The real genre is what constitutes the internal conflict faced by the protagonist. For instan...
There is a snobbery amongst readers (and writers). This is evidenced by the sheer volume of fantasy writers on this site. When they go to the library or the book-store they rarely look past the fan...
Example 1: "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." Classic, or horror? Example 2: "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution." Mystery, or sociology? Example 3: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Sci-fi, or hu...
I was wondering if this edit-as-you-go method is a common way to write (from reading other questions and answers on here, it doesn't seem to be)? Is it definitely to be avoided, and why? I wri...
Remember that terms like "third person limited" are not meant to be jails. They are descriptive. If it works for your story to have one (or a handful) of scenes outside your protagonists' viewpoi...
I really wish we could get rid of the current terminology for describing point of view. First person and third person are not points of view. They are simply grammatical persons. Point of view is t...
You're missing item 4, or 3a: "Here's another Good Thing which will allow us to win!" In your swordfighting example: I can put in the same kind of work they do and become as good as they are! ...
I'd like to add a different perspective to this focus on plotlines and plot formulas. For that, I'd like to tackle the question the OP presented in the comments: I essentially mean to ask "What...
I am not as fantasy orientated as the majority of members. Nor am I a fan of "Disney" plots, stories written for the purpose for being popular. Unfortunately the tribal nature of society does not a...
Consider the possibility of a Prologue, in which someone other than the (subsequent) narrator lays down the essentials. If you do this, be careful with your writing style, since many prospective re...
My first thought would be to add someone who farms these special vegetables as a character in a subplot, giving you all sorts of ways to work in the key information. You would still have to break t...
Standard disclaimer, I am not a lawyer. Having said that, I think there is a difference between reworking an idea that is pretty well known in the subject area (that is, if you pick up five books o...
I've bought a few books for young cousins that are collections of stories to be read around the year... or simply anthologies of stories under a certain theme (princesses, giants, whatever). Parent...
Don't! Nintendo has a history of using legal actions to shut down fan projects. When they come after you, it will be a civil lawsuit, not a criminal one. That means you need to pay the expenses f...
I disagree with the first answer. The core of the problem is the writer's individual style. Essentially, we're discussing the well-worn subject of 'show don't tell'. Showing leads the reader to de...
The phrase "force of nature" refers, properly speaking, to a natural phenomenon outside the control of human beings. The key idea here is can't be controlled because, typically, it's too strong. W...
I wont reiterate what others have already said about popularity, but I would suggest looking for your niche audience and marketing to those interested in reading similar books to your own. When i...
