Activity for Richard Stanzak
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit | Post #32260 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #26454 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #24905 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #24712 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #24632 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #23415 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20922 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20844 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20808 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20442 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20363 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20359 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #20311 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19961 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19800 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19765 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19685 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19526 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19474 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19444 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Edit | Post #19425 | Initial revision | — | almost 5 years ago |
| Question | — |
What keeps most authors writing after receiving multiple rejections? Last year, I completed a heavily researched 95,000-word novel about an emerging pandemic that targets primarily children. I am a former scientist and current nurse and wanted to do teaching about what to expect if a serious pandemic emerges. My novel leans heavily on actual historical incidences and... (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is it acceptable to have the theme of a story remain hidden to its characters? I am trying to expand the depth of my writing beyond simple storytelling. Although my previous novel was an action/adventure, I realized it has a deeper point than entertainment. Dean Koontz offers this definition of a theme: > “Theme is a statement, or series of related observations, about some asp... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
The Good, the Bad, and the Semicolon I completed my novel and an editor friend graciously offered to assist me with formatting. As a former scientist, I am more familiar with technical or academic writing, so formatting fiction can be a challenge. My friend stripped out my semicolons and replaced most with a simple period. I asked why, ... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Are there any free sites for testing beta 'book cover' designs? The LONG road to publishing a novel is nearing an end. But writing a novel is actually only the beginning; editing, formatting, compiling and marketing the novel makes the initial task of writing seem easy at times. But I am the type who enjoys the creative aspect of each stage and refuse to hire 'pr... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Why are clichés discouraged in fiction writing? Every writer knows the rule: Avoid clichés like the plague! Wait I can't say that, it is a cliché. Let me try again, I hate to beat a dead horse but... No that won't work either. If you have ever listened to actual dialogue, it is filled with clichés, colloquialisms and generally poor grammar. I liv... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Are words like 'cunt' too provocative for use in the current fiction market? Let's face it, I like edgy writing that borders on inflammatory. I read less for entertainment than I do for expanding my world view. I don't have to agree with the points or even like the style of writing as long as it is well articulated. Current fiction seems more focused on commercial success tha... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Are idioms in query letters a bad idea? I am writing a logline sentence of a query letter for my novel and used the idiom 'cat and mouse' as follows: > A military bioweapons collector is forced to engage in a game of ‘cat and mouse’ with his Russian counterpart as he seeks a cure for the epidemic he inadvertently created. I was told it i... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
Is a single main character really important in a novel involving a team effort? I have had several people ask me who is the main character of my thriller novel. But, the novel involves multiple characters working as a team who rise and fall as the need occurs. At first I thought it doesn't matter if there is a main character in a story about a small group working together. Do th... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
How to know the quality of query letter critiques? Having nearly completed the second draft on my 135,000 word novel, I am now seeking critiques of my query letter before I submit them to agents. I did find a forum at AQ Connect - Query Critiques but I don't know how good it is. How do I know if a site's critiques on a query letter contain good advi... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
| Question | — |
How are opening chapter expectations affected by genre? I used to call my novel a techno-thriller but most readers stated they wanted to see more action in the very first chapter. At first I thought of complying, but then realized why would I reveal more about my characters or even the plot if I was writing suspense. Suspense is called suspense for a reas... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: Where would I find a Critique Partner or Group? The good news is I found a great site on Goodreads that matches writers with people willing to be their critique partner:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18443955-searching-for-critique-partners The bad news is my partner is spot on about my novel I have worked on for 4 years and says it is well... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Where would I find a Critique Partner or Group? Programmers often collaborate over code by using pastebin. They drop sections of code for others to read and assist in improving or removing errors. Does anyone know if a similar app exists for writers? I have a Wattpad account but that focuses more on whole stories or serial chapters, not on portion... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Does spending time on Self-Publishing take away from improving my writing skills? We all have read about the huge successes of self published authors.http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2015/04/17/mark-dawson-made-750000-from-self-published-amazon-books/#611bdb2a35e3http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2013/03/20/the-fast-track-to-making-a-million-dollars-from-writing-... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
How many rewrites should a writer expect for a novel? > "By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this." — Roald Dahl Well, I am not quite this bad b... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Are there any legal restrictions on using the actual names of famous people in a historical novel? I am writing a novel that contains spy elements. Although the plot is based in the near future, it alludes to recent past historical events. Specifically, it discusses the 1985 'Year of the Spy' and its implications. Mole hunts resulted in the arrest of many of our own officials and case officers. Bo... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
To Cut or not to Cut, that is the Question I have previously mentioned in other posts that I was a molecular biologist and ICU nurse. Sadly, that means I am bedeviled with a double dose of bad writing habits: academese and medicalese. Just write simply may be the response of many to this post. But, this is a real and possibly incurable condit... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Am I guilty of bad 'as' writing? I am trying to use more action tags to supplement the 'He said. He asked.' dialog tags. But, now I have read several blogs suggesting although 'said' is invisible and can be sprinkled as liberally as desired, the same thing can't be stated about 'as'. Apparently use of 'as' is the sign of a weak or a... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Why is there such strong objection to the use of said-bookisms? I am surprised by the vehemence of many writers' objection to said-bookisms -- the practice of using a verb other than "said" or "asked" in order to convey dialog. Writers are told you can't hiss an entire sentence nor laugh one either. I feel like this is crippling writers in terms of semantics and... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
Why are writers so hung up on "show versus tell"? I write primarily science, which I readily admit can be very bland. On occasion I read fiction, but have found over the years that my tastes have changed considerably. Overly descriptive scenes leave me wanting less; I don't read many newer novels because they spend way too many pages describing thin... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Answer | — |
A: What kinds of skill does writing require? Even bad writing requires skills. I read my earlier efforts and think how badly I suck, so I edit and move on. Often, I return to revise my revisions only to wonder why I had changed my initial draft because my revision sucked worse than the original. I finally decided writing is like a bucket of san... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
| Question | — |
How much science/medical detail is too much? I am a former Molecular Biologist and also worked for years as an ICU nurse. I personally liked Crichton's style of writing about science/medical mishaps but found his presentation of science/medical facts was appallingly minimal. Most of his scenarios were simply fiction on the same level with Steph... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |