Activity for GGx - Reinstate Monica Cellio
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
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A: How does a writer go about consulting experts? I had to do the same thing for my novel only instead of a doctor, I needed a vet. It was only one scene but it was very detailed so I needed to get the information bang on. I think the key to consulting experts is to respect their time. To that end, I started with Google and did as much research my... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How to Write a Good Metaphor It's a brilliant answer from Amadeus (as always). I'd like to add a technique for when you cannot find a metaphor/simile that hasn't already been overused: distracting with detail. For example, say I want to describe a man listening to me intently. If I were to write: > I’ve never met anyone with s... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: What ages should I market my book towards? In my personal experience, the advice you have been given is correct. I had your exact problem and was told by two editors that my story was too dark/complex for children and my protagonists too young to appeal to an adult audience. I was told I had pitched it mid-market and would struggle to sell i... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Using profanity I think the answer to your question lies in the very problem you're having. You say you've created a character whose language is so clean it's almost comical, and you yourself feel awkward when you write profanity, so use that to your advantage. Have the MC refuse to use profanity while the other c... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Should I focus on ideas which the market enjoys, or ideas which I enjoy? Writing a novel means: Planning, drafting, editing, submitting, finding agent representation, editing again, submitting again, finding a publisher, editing again, approving cover designs, typesetting, final proofing, pre-release advertising & reviews, and waiting for the publisher's release slot (wh... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Will traditional publishers force you to remove brands? I’ve read the other questions on this topic but the answers seem contradictory and somewhat opinion-based. Some posters have said you ‘don't want to risk the wrath of corporate lawyers’ (or trademark lawyers) others have said that using brands is good for specificity. What I want to know is what act... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Writing a Novel Set In The Future I’m a little confused by your question and it may be worth providing more information if you want more answers, but these are my initial thoughts: As per the link that @J.G. has provided suggests, futuristic fiction is set apart by its distinctive setting. If your future is exactly the same as the p... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How to refer to characters in a non-repetitive way in the third person? @LHH I'm posting an actual answer in response to your comment above. Firstly, I gathered it wasn't the actual scene. There's nothing wrong with posting your actual writing so long as you are asking a valid question (which you are) and not expecting an edit of that sample. I would change your questio... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How do you deal with Chapter 2 when Chapter 1 is a volcano opening? I know the logic behind volcano openings and why they’re problematic (they set the expectation that that level of action and excitement will continue; they’re a hard act to follow; they make a promise you can’t possibly fulfil; etc.) but it is the natural place for my story to start: the moment my pr... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: What is the most fundamental advice when it comes to writing? One of the best pieces of advice I've read, which I didn't believe at all when I first started writing (I think it was either Natalie Goldberg or Anne Lamott who said it, and either way every writer should read Writing Down The Bones and Bird by Bird) was don't hold onto your writing gems because you... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Can your narrator talk to the reader of the novel? Clarifying as per discussion below: It depends on how far you are planning to go in terms of addressing the reader. As pointed out, it is quite common in a first person narrative for the narrator to address the reader directly in terms of expressing thoughts, musings, questions, and so on, when the ... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How do you avoid smiling, head-bobbing characters? Posting on a question about word frequency data, I read an excellent answer from @DPT about avoiding words that become so frequent, they're problematic. In a snippet of that answer, they wrote: > But, you end up with bobbing heads, smiling at each other, and it's neither realistic nor enjoyable to r... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: What's a shorter way of saying, "If you had asked me, I would have said, 'I suppose'"? > With "I supposed", I'm trying to convey that if you had asked the narrator, at the time the story takes place, whether Rebecca was one of his closest friends, he would have said, "I suppose." But the way I've written it makes it sound as though this was something he was actively thinking about at t... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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How to handle a massive info dump post-ending? I know this question has been asked a few times , and I’ve read all the helpful answers, but can’t implement them in my situation. So, would love some further assistance. I’ve written a psych thriller which ends on a single line and a massive twist that makes the reader go, ‘Huh?? What?? How on ear... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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A: How can I introduce languages that will be spoken in the long term? Do you know any Japanese? Peppering your work with local language, when done well, can add character, authenticity and ambiance to a novel and you don't have to tell the reader outright that the characters are speaking Japanese. For example, Troppo by Madelaine Dickie won the T.A.G Hungerford award.... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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Inside your character's head - when does it become too much? I've read that leaving your character alone for too long can spell death for your novel. That you should put them out there in the world so they can interact with other characters. That you shouldn't leave them inside their heads thinking aloud. But there's an element of that that doesn't feel real t... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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How do you communicate to people that writing is a job and prevent interruptions? I’ve been a writer for fifteen years, five as a full-time writer, and still haven’t figured out how to get the people in my life to view it as a job. Right now, I’m editing a novel to a very tight deadline (in force due to timings with the London Book Fair and they aren’t going to move that for me ;)... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Is show not tell less useful advice in first person Amadeus has given an excellent answer to your conundrum and the article by Palahniuk is excellent. I just wanted to add one little point from experience that I hope will spur you on (can't comment as too new to this branch of StackExchange). I sympathise, because scenes like this are difficult to sh... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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