Alexandro Chen‭

Example from my own writing: "Please take care of yourself," she replied. "Health is the most important thing in life, remember that." "I know, Mom." I had already lost count of the numb...

5 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by Mark Baker‭

I'm writing a novel. I also have good drawing skills. I would like to add illustrations of the setting, locations, and characters. I may include 8 or 10 illustrations (the novel is approximately 20...

5 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Sometimes I can't decide whether to use a semicolon or a em dash. Usually, I start with semicolons and, once I notice there are too many of them, I start replacing a few with em dashes (as I read s...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

I recently noticed I use "after all" very often. But unlike other phrases, I never seem to find a way to replace it. Some examples: Like the books, they hadn't moved a single inch. Erin found t...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 1y ago by Mithical‭

For example in a story I'm writing a character says the following: “Be careful,” An-Mei said, ignoring my question. “No matter what, don't get close to her.” Later on the protagonist thinks...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Once again, I traveled three hours only to eat sushi, alone. Cars passed by and people streamed along the sidewalk. Hanging in the air, I could feel the faint scent of spring. Or maybe it was ju...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

I think there are two reasons you might be procrastinating on the scene: You are afraid of doing it wrong (in that case follow Lauren Ipsum's advice). It's boring and you don't feel like writing ...

posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

This is a quote from one of my favorite movies: "There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They're all the leads of their own stories." - Synecdoc...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

I bought a box of sushi, and sat at the round table beside me. Opening the plastic container made me feel as though I was unlocking a treasure chest. I peeked inside to admired its conten...

3 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

I just noticed I tend to use "but" and 'however" in almost every paragraph. Examples (all of them are from the same story): I almost let everything out. But, funny, I didn't. I didn't want him...

0 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

I'm writing a short story. The main character is visited by a strange black bird during the night (first draft): I glanced around but there was no sign of the bird. I didn't spot it in any ne...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

This is the opening of a short story I'm writing: 1996 was the year I became obsessed with animal suicide. I guess you can say it became my reason to live—the sun in my sky, the very air I ...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

What sort of criteria should I consider when listing items in fiction? For example: He was wearing a knit cap, a flower-patterned shirt, and faded jeans. I ordered the items from top to botto...

0 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Example: Finally, I began questioning the kid. What was her name? Where were her parents? And most important, what was she doing outside in this horrible weather? She replied to none of tha...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Examples: Mary sat in front of the computer and fired up Google. Mary sat in front of the computer and fired up the search engine. Jack started up his old car. Jack started up hi...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Alexandro Chen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭