Activity for John Smithers‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Sample Metaphor for Cycling Imagine the situation: You pedal uphill, your muscles are aching, your face is a grimace of pain. There is resistance (called gravity) which does not want that you reach the top of the hill. Where do you feel resistance in other situations? Where else is a force you have to overbear, to conquer? Use... (more)	—	over 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should be in a cover letter for short story submission to a magazine? Two tips for submissions (no matter how short the story is): - Write just a letter/email and ask for permission to send them your story. - In this letter (like in every cover letter) you should describe your story and yourself shortly and you should put in there, why they should publish your story. ... (more)	—	almost 14 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to figure out if an agent is "on the straight" or "shady"? From my own experience to discover a black sheep: 1. If you've found and agent, google him. 2. Google harder! 3. If you think, he is reputable, change your keywords and google again! No, not kidding. I found an agent who was very promising. Professional homepage, listed all the things you look for ... (more)	—	almost 14 years ago
Answer	—	A: When should one *not* present events in chronological order? Just be aware, why flashbacks are considered bad: Many people cannot follow them. Take as example the movie Pulp Fiction. There is a character which is shot during the movie (I do not want to spoil). Later in the movie you see him alive again for an (for me) obvious reason: the movie is now showing ... (more)	—	almost 14 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I write a synopsis? Most important part is, reducing the story to the core plot. Some say you should only need three pages to summarize your story, some say one page should be enough. But if you can reduce its core to three sentences, then you are on the right track. Impossible? Only three sentences? Imagine a friend a... (more)	—	about 14 years ago
Answer	—	A: Choosing character names is a constant difficulty So Sméagol, Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins do not sound silly? Honestly, don't care too much, if they sound silly or not. First, you can change them, second, I've read some great stories with very silly named characters. If you want make up fantasy names and have no good idea how to start, here is what ... (more)	—	about 14 years ago

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