Activity for Aspen the Artist and Author
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question | — |
What are some effective ways to gain readers? I seem to be having trouble finding any readers. I have my work in progress on Wattpad right now, but I only have 527 reads. I don't know what I'm doing wrong with my promotion. I post my story on Wattpad (as stated above). But I also try to send a link to as many people in my contact list as possi... (more) |
— | about 5 years ago |
| Question | — |
Glossary in my book While writing my book, I have noticed that not a lot of people, that read my draft understand half of the things I'm talking about. So I added a glossary at the end that they could reference via a link directly there. I do tons of research for this book, many of the things I have included into it in... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Are characters' internal thoughts written in past or present tense? I would like to say that the thoughts take place in the present, given that they are narrating what is happening around them. (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
| Question | — |
Describing something that doesn't exist I'm in the middle of my first draft for my novel, and I can't seem to properly convey to my audience the image I'm trying to describe. That's what I want to show my readers, but it's coming across all wrong, like, I'll say that it's sleek. But a lot of cars are sleek. I'll say it's silver, but tha... (more) |
— | about 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Descriptive words to slow down the pace of the story? Is it true that to slow down a story, you add descriptive words in place of an action? I feel like the pace my story is going at, I'll finish it in less than 200 pages. It just doesn't feel right to end it so short. I just made the MC meet the MV and I feel like the last time the villain was mentio... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
How does a person go about describing a place/experience that they never personally experienced before, like a circus? I've never been to a circus, and all the shows and videos I've seen about them don't give off the full effect. How does a person go about describing a place/experience that they never personally experienced before? Is there a specific feel that a writer should get into in order to write about somet... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Having an acronym for a villainous organization I have this organization in my working book called NOVA. And it means National Occupation Variation Association. they basically take people from their homes and families and force them to work on re-building the world. pretty much killing the ones that don't want to work. Is it appropriate to use ... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Ideas for short story - not sure how to proceed I don't want to take a break from writing my novel, but this other idea for a zombie apocalypse short story keeps invading my brain. The questions is, should I halt my book progress to write this short story or keep the novel top priority? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Character feelings? I have 2 characters that I want to have a romantic tension with. The feelings are unrequited. Can I have it so that 1 chapter basically introduces and then ends the conflicting feelings or is this something that should be drawn out? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Chapter size matters? My chapters are usually 10 or so pages long, but I've been reading this one book with chapters as small as 2 pages. Does this affect the story progression at all? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
How is an antithesis used in creative or formal writing? I'm struggling with how to present an antithesis in a setting. I understand the definition: > NOUN > > 1.a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else: > > "love is the antithesis of selfishness" > > synonyms: (direct) opposite · converse · reverse · reversal · inver... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
side story breaking off from my main one about side character? Just a general question, but would anyone actually read a side story to my main novel about a side character? He plays a big role in the story actually, but he doesn't get much recognition in the book because it would stray from the plot if I wrote him in with detail. (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: I'm not sure where to start with writing a horror story To be fair, writing horror is where I struggle most in writing as well, but I do listen to a lot of very creepy stories online. One thing I am certain about is with all of the stories, they all have 1. a protagonist, 2. an enemy force or person or thing, 3. and they all have a twist of surprise. My... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
What raises the stakes and suspicion in a plot? I was just reading about how when a character has something they truly care about, that the stakes are raised more now that they can lose it, which leads to suspicion. But what really drives people to do things? Is it the thought of dying when being pursued or is it loving someone enough to die for... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
One of my characters laughs a lot Okay, so I have noticed that my one character, Liam, laughs a lot in my novel, due to something he thought was hilarious or to ease his mind. But he laughs too damn much. Would you guys like a character like that or is it too much for readers to handle in a "serious" book? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Using direct references to Marvel without being sued Can I make a low-key reference to a Marvel movie in my book without anyone noticing? And if they do notice, can I get sued? (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it okay to have my family edit my book? Okay, I don't really have any friends who write. (or in general) And I wanted to know if it was too biased for my family to edit my writing. My mom likes to read my stuff and I let her fix grammar mistakes all the time , but would their opinion be biased towards me if they do this and I won't receiv... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
What are ways to describe feelings of fear? What are some ways to write feelings of fear, such as: - losing a loved one, - almost dying, - getting lost, - getting yelled at by your overprotective mother and - almost losing someone close to you. I have this idea in my mind of writing a character almost dying in a fire, but he only got burned... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it a good review tactic to go back in the story and ask deeper questions about a scene, to be answered in the story? I have this system of going back in my story so far and asking deeper questions about that scene. I plan on answering these questions in the actual story. Is this a good tactic because it makes me think more about what is actually happening in the novel. (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Plotting My Story~ I have no idea what to write for this certain chapter in my book, and I don't know how to plot it out. I have a general idea that the character somehow betrays another, resulting in him being kicked out of the house, but I don't have any way for him to betray his friend. What steps do I need to tak... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Making a blog for my book? Is it possible to get better critiques on a blog than showing my story to family members in real life? I have a blog where I post the progress of my story without posting the actual thing, would it be beneficial to just post the chapter being worked on each post or to keep doing what I'm doing? (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Gathering information online? How do I get correct information when looking something up for reference? I would go to google, yes, but how to get proper intel. I have this system where I get some general Idea for a "thing" and write about how much I already know about it. Then I try and research the details. But how do I get in... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: System for Coming up With a Good Title I would make the title close to the plot. My story is called "Secrets" because it is full of the characters having held secrets from each other. They all don't want to reveal something to the other or something. So you see, it doesn't need to be complex at all. ` (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it okay to have made up words/slang in a story? In my story there are some words in there that even Grammarly couldn't understand, but they make sense in the story. They're slang, or things teenagers might say. Here is an example of what I am talking about: > Hank was wearing his sweatpants and a flimsy t-shirt, Haku wore his white gym shorts an... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Getting out of writers' block? How do I cure this? It's driving me crazy. I keep thinking of ideas to write but I either am too lazy to put it to paper or forget it and then randomly remember a few days later. I'M TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!!! It's not really a block, just a lack of inspiration. How do I get inspired to write when I do ... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
When to stop the story line? Okay everybody. When is the proper time to stop the actual story and move on to a different part of the "world"? I need to know about what is going to be the proper way to end this story and move on to "pert two". This is a really long story line and I'm thinking of all of this stuff to go in the st... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Where do I write 'The End'? The end of the main story. This is where all of the other authors put theirs, even if they have an epilogue. (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it too late to change a character in the story? I have this chimera-type character whose name is Ryu, but at this point I think it best to change his name. But I've already grown used to his name, and I've written it all over my book pages. Is it too late to completely change his name? (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
What is considered "childish" in fictional writing? There are some people who have read some of my book so far and they think it is childish and then some say it's somewhat morbid. What are your views on what each of those terms means? (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it too cliche to have the villan of my story from a different planet? I need to know because all of the anime that I watch have at least one character or more from another planet, and they're not usually friendly. I don't want to come off as one of those who "follow the crowd" but I don't really have any other ideas. (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Should I add more detail to my story, or just leave it vague and add it all in later? I am having a hard time with adding detail, I feel it may leave a good chunk of the story out, but I don't know for sure if I should really add it or not. If I do end up with too much detail, my readers can get easily bored and not want to read anymore of my story. (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |