Henry Taylor‭

There seems to be some confusion about what is being discussed here. Half of the answers are using the conventional definition of "Formal Writing", which involves the solemn and decorous applica...

posted 12y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

This is a very common problem among writers and I personally experience it in two distinct flavors. Sometimes, I fall in love with a story idea and just charge into writing it without spending a...

posted 11y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Having read lauren Ipsum's comments, I am hesitant to build upon a metaphor you may be abandoning, still confronting obscurity in lyrics seems worthy of some effort. I disagree with the idea that ...

posted 11y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Plots are like skeletons. They're made up of individual bones called plot-points. You can look at any specific plot-structure and see how its plot-points are arranged. You can perceive where the...

posted 10y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Is it possible? sure. It is your novel, so structure it as you will. Is it wise? probably not. Prologues are theives which steal from their creators. They steal the backstory and motivations wh...

posted 10y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Forget looking for your list among the bookstores and libraries. They contain legions of pretty book covers, but within those covers hides the full spectrum of writing qualities. Look instead wit...

posted 10y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

If you're having trouble making the city slang sound natural, or if you can't completely suppress your island slang in your narrative, you could always make your POV character a Hawaiian, visiting ...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Humans are not distinctly rational or logical. If your characters were vulcan from the Star Trek universe, their devotion to logic might shield them from some emotional backlash of their decision'...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

A good way to avoid cliche in romance is to choose unusual characters as participants in the romance. The love poetry shared between a pair of nuclear physicists could be very romantic without ...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I believe the word "temping" is culturally-specific, but not along national lines of culture. An American with experience in corporate environments where temps are common would know the word. A B...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

If your hero can't possibly win, then don't have him win. Have him survive, but just barely! Then apply all of that effort which you were willing to invest in a total rewrite, into writing a sequ...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

An additional option is to shift the moral compass of the story during the telling. If your story begins from a world view that celebrates Al's friendly generosity and warm kindness, but then slow...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Mark has covered your question admirably and I agree with everything he has said. I would offer only a few minor additions. If you want to write a successful book, you need to look at marketing b...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I'm tempted to tell you that writing some short stories is the "right" way to proceed, but the reality is there is not "right" or "wrong" on this issue. You need to find what works for you. The m...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

Check with your publisher and specifically with the editor who worked with you during final polish to see what they think. That editor is probably intimate with the subject matter of your story an...

posted 9y ago by Henry Taylor‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭