Activity for System
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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A: What would a reader like to know about a character first? As a reader, the first thing I want to know about a character is why I should care about this character. In an action-adventure setting, without knowing more about what's going on, I'd suggest letting me (the reader) know what is at stake with this meeting. Where is the suspense? What can be gained b... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: To read or not to read similar works before write my own? This is a difficult question to answer, as, in my opinion, this is largely a matter of opinion. The short answer is to do both and see what works best for you. (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Do too many scenes exhaust the reader? What are various ways to reduce reader fatigue by adjusting scenes? 1. Make sure there is a point to the scene. Does the POV character have a goal? If not, consider adding one. A scene with a goal will give the reader something to look forward to. Will the character achieve the goal? 2. Make sure th... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Can justifying "boobplate" armor in the fantasy genre damage its credibility as a serious setting? If you are trying to convince readers that women are an important part of war in an alternate world, is sticking them in costumes designed to titillate instead of protect damage the worldbuilding credibility? How could you balance the rule of cool with realism? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How to create tension during a conversation As author Eric T. Benoit once said, your job as a writer isn’t to convey emotion, but to invoke it. Trying to convey emotion more often than not leads to tired clichés of clenched fists and sweat dripping down the characters’ brows, etc. The only emotion you’re likely to invoke in your reader is that... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How can you utilize taboo themes in a setting without alienating a modern audience? All of reality exists inside the cosmic womb of the goddess. People, planets, animals, etc, were all created when she bled into the universe, birthing life to all things. The faith honors this event in a week long celebration which takes place once a year during the growing season. The religion in q... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Moving between a narrator's memories of the past and the "literary present" The rule is simple in general: use the present tenses when discussing events in literary works. One situation where this gets more complicated is where you have to switch timelines because, for example, we enter events through a narrator's memories. I set an exercise about this in an academic writin... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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What tense do I use when talking about a character that has died? When analysing a book and speaking of a character that dies, do you still you present tense as you are still analysing a book? If I were to make up a quick example: "Despite Anna's death, the plot continues. [...] Riley says Anna wanted to die, but how does he know? Anna (was/is) a beautiful girl wi... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How can I write God with a more feminine aspect and introduce it into my culture's mythology? I want to write a religion similar to Christianity but with God represented as feminine. It is meant to highlight the differences between the sexes and emphasise traits associated with women over men. This goes beyond changing pronouns, as there are many parts to a religion, including rituals, sacram... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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What is the difference between character-driven stories and plot-driven stories? I have googled this question several times but I'm just not clear on the answers I'm getting. For example, I know that screenplays/plays/books such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Enough Said, The Spare Room and Little Miss Sunshine are character driven - I know because of the feel of them. But there is... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How to tactfully inform readers of differences in the book world to the real world? I want to write a fantasy novel, but there are a few issues that I have with the way that I should write it. One of my questions lies in the problem of how I, the narrator/book-writer, can inform my readers about my book world without stating it outright. For instance, if my book people had seven fi... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Do I always need to use linkers and connectors? I have a question on linkers and connectors. I'm from Spain, so I learnt English at school and all my English teachers have told me throughout secondary school that we always have to use linkers to connect the ideas in our writings. However, do I have to use them all the time? I mean, what if I want ... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Does Microsoft Word give a correct Word Count? Different tools use different algorithms to count words in a document. For example, Apple's Pages counts `2-7 mg/v` as four words while Microsoft Word counts the same string as two words. Or if for some reason you have a space between a word and the punctuation that ends a sentence: `Bla bla !`, Wor... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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What paper stock should I use for the soft cover of my book? I do soft cover books and laminate the top side, and therein lies the problem. The cover keeps curling up too much. I have tried Ningbo 350gsm which works perfect except that now it's too stiff and tends to crack and peel. What type of paper stock should I use for the cover? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How does one cite a print chapter in a textbook without the exact page? Example of citation: Doe, Jane. “The House.” World Literature. Ed. John Doe. New York: Penguin, 1986. 25-30. Print. What I have in the text is the quote from the chapter in the textbook, the quote is "blah blah blah" (Doe) Because The House is an original print source and I found it online, how wo... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: In searchable documentation, what function does a glossary serve? Some thoughts: - I would ask the users instead of guessing whether they use the in-page popups. Do a (small) survey. - Some users may not use the glossary because they are unaware of it but would if they knew. Ask in the survey. - While I don't often use a glossary, the one time that I do it is usua... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Use of real organization in fiction It is legally unproblematic to use institutions that are of a quasi-timeless nature such as the catholic church, the United States, or the egyptian pyramids. If you have "a president of the USA" in your novel, this person will be understood to be a fictional president and not the current one (unless... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How to cite annotation in an annotated copy of Shakespeare's Othello When you cite from the Bible, Shakespeare, Homer, and similar texts, which are labelled by book and verse or section or chapter and these labels (and the text itself) remain the same across different editions of the text, you cite these texts by giving the name of the text and the section number (e.g... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: What can I do if I hate my own protagonist? It seems to me that you might have begun to over-construct your characters (and maybe other parts of your narrative as well). Many aspiring writers look for rules and guidelines in how-to books or on the internet and attempt to apply those principles in a very rational manner. As a consequence, they... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Are all writers, readers? No. We always think of authors and other artists as people who were excited by some media experience (e.g. reading books, viewing movies, or playing computer games) and began a career in their medium because of their love for it. But enthusiasm for a medium is not the only motivation to write or ma... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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The use of short, concise sentences to suggest a withdrawn character I'm a beginner writer. I have been focusing recently on giving my characters depth. Making them complex people with complex emotions and motivations. One of my characters is depressed. She's going through a tough time and is feeling pretty numb and disenchanted with the world. I write in the first p... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: I wrote a novel, now what? I'm German. The process of submitting manuscripts is almost identical to the one in the USA. I assume it will be similar in Italy, too. What you are expected to do is usually: 1. Find an appropriate publisher. In your case that would be one that publishes SF, Fantasy, and/or fantastic literature, id... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Would I stand a better chance at recognition and profit if I go to professional publishing? A year or two ago I was leaning towards self-publishing, mostly to have more creative freedom over my work, but with how the market is so over satuated with books, I feel deterred because I see no way that anything I put out would actually get noticed. Also, I have no way to advertise myself. I have ... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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A: When writing a novel where do you start? There is only one correct way to learn how to write and that is by trying out what works best for you. The mistake most aspiring authors make is to think that there is some kind of standard procedure and that they need to learn it, but that is not true. People are vastly different, and no two author... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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Would having a story set in a conworld based on the modern age alienate readers? I know this isn't the conworlding forum, but I'm not asking for a critique on my conworld. I'm asking how people would receive such a thing as a constructed world not based off of ancient cultures, or our fantasies of what the future may be like, but off our own modern world. Let me give some detail... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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A: Can I be a writer, with a mental illness? I think a good strategy is to pick (even randomly) a story you want to write and start sinking some cost into it. In other words before putting anything down, do a number of days of research on the subject. Write small stories connected to your novel. Create a mini universe as a starting point if it'... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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Writing an inverse of sexual shaming toward men I'm working on a matriarchal setting in which sex is viewed less stringently than our world. It is more acceptable, even expected, for women to be experienced in these matters. I am going for an inverse in sexual shaming. instead of it focusing on women for having multiple partners, is directed towar... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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How do you write an evil character without making him "sexy" or "cool"? I notice in a lot of media there is a strong emphasis on the greatness of evil characters. They can often end up more popular than the good guys in the book or on the show, and overshadow everyone else around them. Darth Vader is a good example. He is a despicable human being who has committed genoc... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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Is Ice/Fire opposition too stereotypical? I'm writing a story where a secondary story-line (it's about a companion of the main character) is basically about a fire mage and an ice mage. It fits well in the story and the fire/ice elements aren't coming out of nowhere, but I wonder if it will bother the reader? Does it depend on whether I ... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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Is it worth switching to Dvorak if I already type fast? I am currently learning Dvorak, and I wonder if it's worth it to switch. This question has been asked before, but the criteria were different. In those questions people said they went from 50 to 60 WPM, but when using Qwerty I already reach 95 WPM, and not with touch typing either (I have never had a... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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When writing a novel, is it wise to switch from first-person to third-person? What is the most effective way to do this? In a novel I've been writing, I begin by introducing a character and describing her history and personality from a third-person perspective. Now, I want to start talking about a different character, who is in a different, but related circumstance, later in time. I plan to have their stories come tog... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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A: Is blending genres well received by readers? 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 humor? (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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Grammar for describing novel plots? Many writers find that mastering a genre of writing, such as the novel, requires that at some point they break down other writers' pieces of work in the genre in order to study their structure: to understand the nature of the component parts and the way they are combined. I am not asking for a defin... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: How to work in a piece of information that no MC knows, when writing in 3PLtd? 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 readers will simply glance at the Prologue before deciding whether to read the book. Example: Agatha Chri... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: Longer or shorter chapters? Both Henry and Mark are correct. To their responses, I add: Have a look at The House on the Borderland, by William Hope Hodgson. It is now in public domain, so versions are available online. Depending on action and pacing, the length of chapters is very variable. The main part of the book is suppos... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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Would it be acceptable to write demonic possession as a form of rape? Being possessed by a foreign entity seems very tame in the stories where I have seen it. The event doesn't have the gravity that I feel it should, and the person usually goes back to living a normal life if they are freed. I always felt that being possessed should be taken more seriously as a traumat... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: What English version of the bible should I quote from? Short answer: If in doubt, use KJV. Not that it is the most authoritative, or the most easily understood; but it is well-known, and has the advantage of being in the public domain, as was noted in an earlier reply. I don't know about how things are in England these days, but in parts of the USA, the ... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: In What Way are Most First Drafts Bad? "That's not writing, that's typing." Indeed. I would not say that a first draft is necessarily bad. It likely requires some editing, but that might still make it hard to distinguish from the original. Alas, especially in our era, it is too easy to sit down and type. Unlike Mr. Kerouac, we do not ev... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: Writing differently when following different character POVs - mainly age difference. (3rd Person) Mark Baker's response more-or-less says it all. Let me rephrase some of it: A book always has just one POV, namely that of the author, who is not necessarily a character. Then, the author may pretend to have to POV of a character. But there is no rule saying that the author must pretend. The choice ... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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Is a ghost writer an honorable professional, or a hack? David Jacoby writes: “Some of the best and most rewarding writing I’ve done has been ghost, because (in my case, anyway) the LACK of a byline allows my normally rather, ahem, obnoxious ego to take a nap.” You don’t have to worry about taking the public criticism of your content. You just write. Pau... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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Technical Writing Other Than Software There is a lot of advice on how to be a tech writer for software without a tech background. (That is, skills such as understanding end-users, investigative reporting-type skills to probe experts, etc. as applied to software.) Software has a lot of information available that is relatively easy to pick... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: Where does the "black moment" fall in a novel? The "darkest hour" does not fall at the end, as Daniel Cann claims, nor is it the second turning point, as FraEnrico asserts. The "darkest hour" is usually called the crisis. The crisis comes after the midpoint of the novel. The midpoint, as its name implies, marks the middle of the novel (50%) as... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: How much work does a (nonfiction) ghostwriter typically do? Your question is too broad. I'll narrow it down for my answer. Procedure In the case of coauthored biographies, the coauthor typically interviews the primary author (and other persons), assembles a text from these interviews, and works in feedback from the primary author. That is why such a biograp... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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Copyright of a book which is out of print I have a question on a book which its last edition was published about 50 years ago and its author died about 47 years ago. Now it is out of print. The last edition of the book I am interested was translated to English (in 1965). I have sent email to its publisher about this book, but I didnt receive... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: How feasible is it to write a story without any worldbuilding? The question needs to be rephrased. Of course it is possible to write a story without any world-building. Here are some examples: War and Peace. Pride and Prejudice. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Almost everything Agatha Christie ever wrote. Those books assume that the reader has the necessary cul... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: Do 'text walls' scare off readers? "Text wall" is a term that describes user-generated content in internet forums or on social media sites that take longer to read than the average eight second attention span of internet users. The common reply to a "text wall" is "TL;DR". I never read more than the question title on this site and ha... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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What other kinds of writers are there besides plotters and pantsers? In a comment to an answer of mine Mark Baker has suggested that the common, dichotomous view of writers as either "plotters" or "pantsers" or something of both might not be complete and that there are other types of writers. In their extreme forms, plotters, or outliners, as they are sometimes calle... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: How do I improve "beige" text? Some of the current answers are part of the problem that you have: they provide a cognitive approach. When your writing lacks "color" it lacks emotion. You cannot analyse other texts and consciously construct your own writing based on the results of that analysis to contain emotion. You cannot follo... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Metaphors and other "tricks" in scientific papers 2. The one fundamental rule in scientific writing is clarity. Analogies, metaphors, and other figures of speech are never clear in their meaning but open to interpretation. When I say, for example, that a cell in biology is "like a power plant that burns fuel to gain energy" then that analogy will ... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Writing Montage in Novels I really think people are much too obsessed with not telling. Many of the novels I enjoy most, tell. Lots. If you have, for example, a group of characters recovering from a fight, just friggin' say so: > For the next three weeks we stayed in camp and recovered from our wounds. Really, please don't... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |