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How does one write a misanthropic character likeable? Let's say the character has over the years grown to dislike humans because he had many negative experiences with them, and is disappointed in humanity itself. How does one write such a character without making him too edgy or unlikeable? <Q> If the structure of your...	Often what makes a misanthropic character likable to the audience is their sympathetic behavior or expertise in worldly matters. Some great misanthrope characters in TV and literature are: House MD, Sherlock Holmes, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Pay rate and terms for writing book series under contract I have a guy that runs a very successful punk/oi! record label in LA. He has asked me if I'd be interested in writing a series of books for him. 60,000 to 80,000 words per book in the series. I am new to the lengthy writing game... His offer is to pay $600 per...	A publisher who can't demonstrate the ability to sell a lot of books and get you a lot of exposure is therefore bringing less to the table and so needs to offer you a bigger cut of the sales they do make for it to constitute a good deal. If anything there should be provisions for both parties to end the contract.
How to show time lapse between two chapters? I have a ten year time lapse between an event in my first chapter and the second chapter. The first chapter has an event that takes place during the protagonist's teenage years that lays the foundation for the rest of the story, and the second chapter continues ten years a...	If you try to indicate the passage of time indirectly, you may confuse the reader. Sometime in the chapter's first sentence or paragraph, simply state that there has been a time jump, either by stating the difference (10 years later...) or by stating the new date (or both). Have the character look at a calender, while ...
Copyright of a book which is out of print I have a question on a book which its last edition was published about 50 years ago and its author died about 47 years ago. Now it is out of print. The last edition of the book I am interested was translated to English (in 1965). I have sent email to its publisher about this bo...	I am not a lawyer, I doubt anyone would prosecute you for reading an illegal copy even if that's a technical violation.
How to describe a kiss between the protagonists in third person? I'm writing in third person because I want to express the standpoint of both of my characters. Everything's running smoothly except for the part where I want to describe their kiss. I'm in conflict with the idea that in whose POV should I describe the emo...	The author is able to report each character's inner state by describing what their mate senses through the sudden intimacy. Only if they're seriously different do you need to describe both. The representation of emotions from a third person point of view is usually done be describing the outward expressions of the emot...
Should each book in the series be a similar length? A very short question. I'm writing a trilogy. Book 1 was 88,000 words, but book 2 is probably only going to be 75,000 words. That's over 10,000 words less. Should I find a way to make it longer? Is there anything to gain by making each book in a series a similar l...	However, the range between unsalable and too risky changes greatly if you already have a successful book. Artistically, each book should be as long as it needs to be. "Similar", I'd say yes. There is no 'rule', nor anything to really be gained, by making your books match each other in length. No, it doesn't have to be....
Is it a bad habit to reveal most of the information still at the beginning of the story? This is a habit I have with my stories, and I think it's a bad practice. The story I'm writing isn't of the suspense genre, it's a mix of fantasy and realistic fiction, but a bit of "I wonder what/who/how would that be?", and showi...	If you can reveal a lot without boring the reader, that's great!
How to add more details to a novel I have discovered that I am most definitely not a pantser, especially when writing longer pieces. The last couple of times I've tried to write a novel, I didn't feel like I was writing enough. I didn't plan either novel. For my latest attempt, this time a sci-fi novel, I have an outl...	Finish your story, work through your plan and then put it down for a while. A book, a good book, will never be finished after the first draft, no matter how good your planning is. Perhaps it would be helpful to read Middlemarch by George Eliot, and think about all the different characters and subplots that could be goi...
How can I make my roleplay sentences more interesting, and less lengthy? For the past four months, I've been writing back and forth with a friend of mine in a form of roleplay. Depending on what's happening, our replies range from a few sentences (usually with dialogue) to a few paragraphs. While I've gotten much bette...	The Writer's Options is a terrific book of exercises for exploring different ways to combine ideas into sentences. First, break down your sentences into individual propositions --teeny, tiny sentences, each of which makes a single claim.
Where to break paragraphs in dialogue? I'm going through an editing something I wrote and am stuck on where to break paragraphs containing dialogue. I know I need to break when a new character speaks, but I'm not sure where to start a new paragraph when there is description mixed with dialogue. For example: He nodde...	You should follow normal paragraph rules, which are, essentially, that a paragraph contains a complete thought. In works from a century ago, when lengthy sentences and paragraphs were more fashionable, the place to break would be where the speaker changes.
is thematic character naming off putting? Is naming a character to go with a theme or setting of a novel off putting for the reader? Does this pull them out of the story? For example:A character named digit in a cyberpunk future or one named Alaster on a novel about Demons and the Devil? or a whole slew of characters...	Another good idea is to keep such thematic names subdued. It's all about immersion. There's so much being revealed about them via their name, for so many reasons. Voldemort is a great name. Characters with memorable names almost always endure in the imaginations of people long after the end of the novel.
Need help titling my book? So... I'm writing a book that takes place in an alternate world. In this world, there are a bunch of islands that align with the star sign constellations (Ex: Gemini, Sagittarius, etc.) the island Scorpio is known for being criminally populated and basically the "evil" island. On Scorpio live...	You are likely to find a relatively unused and target-age specific title just by have a few minute conversation with a few of your future readers. " Constellation Islands " sounds cool/magical and somewhat spooky to me.
Choosing between first and third person I'm not an author, but I often wonder if I was to write a novel would it be best in third person or first person? I like being able to delve into the main character's thoughts in first person, but I also like the "all knowing" omniscient view that comes with third person. Is ther...	Third person limited may be what you are looking for. As I see it, the sole advantage to first person is that you can exaggerate or lie.
Why do typesetters capitalize the first few words of a new chapter? Something I've always wondered. You've probably noticed that in some newspapers or books, the first few words of a chapter/story are bolded or capitalized, similar to initials . For example: This image isn't from a real book, it's from an SE puzzle...	Some authors have a catchy lead-in for each chapter.
How do I know when to include subplots? Disclaimer: This is not a duplicate of this question . That question deals with subplots being necessary to a story's success, and also loosely how to create them. This question is aimed at knowing when to include subplots, and how many I need. If any. Let me open by saying t...	Think of subplots as stories that exist within the overall plot of your book.
How to get a character that knows he's the main character to follow the authors agenda? I'm writing a story where at some point the main character is going to realize he is the main character of a story (like in Redshirts, but different). Now if that character was of the hero type, there would be no problem as heroes...	Doubt is going to be your best tool for getting him back onto the hero quest. Your MC might not want to play the authors games, and there is a limit what you can do to them , but you can certainly ruin his friends/family/love interest.
How much character development is necessary beyond what the story line provides? Critics of my screen play tell me that I have done a good job of developing the story, less so in developing the characters. A couple examples follow: The main character is a woman who is the "fifth" partner in an advertising firm, for wh...	What is really needed is to provide the "why" behind a character's actions and expanding on a character's background is a good way to do to this.
Will bookstores order a self-published book if customers request it? If a book is not returnable, has a wholesaler discount of 45% and costs £10.99, does a book store sell this book if a customer comes into a store and wants to order it? In short: Is a book still available in a book store if a customer requests it, ev...	It would need to be available through a standard distributor; for example, I believe Lightning Source distributes books through Baker & Taylor. Whether your local bookstore will do it is up to the store.
What are some good strategies to use when naming a fictional city? I've read a lot of the questions on here concerning naming characters and deciding on whether to use a fictional city. I have already decided to use a fictional city in the piece. But, my problem with naming concerns finding names for cities. What are s...	I like to use a naming generator to help me get an idea of what sort of names fit my story.
Is this an example of an unreliable narrator? I've been writing a mystery story recently, but I've run into a problem concerning themajor plot twist, and was hoping for some guidance from more experienced writers. Here's the scenario: Person A (the narrator) and Person B are twins, and thus are very close. Recently, ...	An unreliable narrator is one who knows the truth but doesn't reveal it to the reader. The Pícaro : a narrator who is characterized by exaggeration and bragging, the first example probably being the soldier in Plautus's comedy Miles Gloriosus.
Is there a widely accepted standard for representing simultaneous ongoing events in a screenplay? Let's say I'm writing a scene where Arnold and Jo are arguing over whether to go out tonight or not. While they do this, though, Rupert is also in the process of constructing a house of cards, and Gertrude is quite noisi...	Have him flick the cards so they collapse just before the conclusion of the argument.
Not sure if my idea for a conclusion is introducing a new argument I hate conclusions, but one thing I know about them is that you're not supposed to introduce new arguments. The theme of my essay is about how the class of characters in the work I'm writing about influences what happens to them, or more plainly: How...	If your introduction and main body are strong, the conclusion should write itself (by just reiterating them).
What are the keywords of fantasy that might deliver the feeling of fantasy I am asking about the keywords that could make anyone feel fantasy. it will be better if every one who will see this post could tell me what their feelings are or express their feelings in one keyword that delivers fantasy.Thanks in advance :) ...	It depends on many factors, and you should decide for yourself.
Issue with flow of dialogue When I'm writing dialogue, I have a problem figuring out what is the appropriate thing to say in the conversation. Could you please help? <Q> Dialogue consists of two characters trying to get something from each other. <S> Each has a desire that they want the other to fulfill. <S> Each has s...	Limiting yourself to the meaningful, important, interesting bits of conversations might help you get through them.
How important is owning the copyright on illustrations as a first time author of a children's book? I am a first time author looking to publish a children's book which I need to have illustrated. I have a contract offer from a well-known vanity publisher, and they have offered to produce the illustrations. The contrac...	You should be cautious about any dealings with a vanity publisher, they make all their profit by selling you overpriced services. If you do want to self-publish, I would strongly advise commissioning your own illustrator.
How to portray a passively arrogant character? How can I portray a character who does not actively seek attention, but is still vain and self-superior? Since I don't know how much information you will need, I will list everything I think might be relevant below, so you can choose what you think matters to read: Plot ...	Passive arrogance, as others have mentioned, is about believing they know more than others and more than they really know. Define your characters in terms of their desires.
What would be a good way of electronically organizing my aphorisms? I have been writing aphorisms for the most part of my life. Up to now, I noted them down in (real-life, paper) notebooks. From time to time I copied them to a MS-Word-file, which has now swollen to about 100 pages. To cut it short, since I keep on prod...	I use Neo Finder because it sorts almost anything and is just a beast.
Would it be possible to create a character without substantial motivation? The character I describe is in fact reflective of somebody I know in real life--a kind of nihilist who finds all pursuits and goals "hollow and ridiculous", as the person says. This inevitably implies that the person in question live day by day ...	You can create any kind of character you wish–you are the author, and this is your story. If nothing has value or meaning, there is no point in creating anything, and, for that matter, no point in trying to convince anybody of anything, including nihilism. A reluctant protagonist is, in fact, a rather common type of a ...
How to deal with nameless characters? In the novel I'm planning the human characters that inhabit the world are all clones of each other. Man and woman. They aren't given names when born, instead they are given serial numbers that also work like IDs. But given the fact that they still have diferent personalities and ma...	I'd guess that in real life, people would give each other names of some sort. If they show a particular interest or aptitude in some sphere of endeavour, that would give them a name. Other examples in fiction: Star Trek 's Borg use designations which specify where each drone (individual) is in the hierarchy of its grou...
How is a dialog interruption actually shown? Let's say two characters are conversing and one character interrupts the other in mid-sentence. How would that actually be shown in dialog? I have seen some use a hyphen at the end of the sentence but I have also seen an ellipsis used as well, but which is the most appropria...	In most word processors, you can insert an em dash by using two hyphens (it will be converted to a single em dash). Interruption, either by being cut off, or by a sudden event, is always shown by an em dash.
How can I describe nervousness? Becoming nervous in the heat of a situation. Perhaps you witnessed something not for the faint of heart. Like, how would I describe shaky legs without being so boring about it. <Q> Well.. There are simple and less simple answers to these kinds of questions that will give you differen...	Talk to people about what happens when they get nervous
Is there any standard regarding the minimum length of a novel? I have a plot of a mystery/thriller, and I want to start writing a novel. What should be the minimum length of a novel so that a Publisher becomes interested? <Q> I recommend reading this article: https://jerichowriters.com/average-novel-wordcount/ <S> T...	In general there's no hard and fast rules, like a novel must be at least 40,000 words, so if your story is 39,998 words Realistically, if you write a story that is 50 words long and submit it to a publisher as a novel, they're not likely to be interested.
Do you need to have an introduction at the beginning of every book in a series? A series I am working on deals with an underlying storyline that progresses through each book. I'm afraid of confusing a reader if they decide to start reading a book somewhere in the middle of the series and end up being a bit lost as to w...	You want just enough information to orient the reader without spoiling or rehashing the previous book(s). I'm currently writing a fantasy series and I don't have an introduction.
Longer or shorter chapters? This is not a question asking if I should add more or less to my chapters in terms of descriptions and so on to make them longer or shorter. It's more about grouping an already written story. I'm trying to choose between having a larger amount of short chapters or a smaller amount of long c...	You could have long chapters, with breaks within the chapters. This is really all about cadence. Longer chapters visually promise a more complex, more immersive read, but also run the risk of dragging down the story pace to the point that the reader just gives up for good.
What do you do to prevent dips during which you're not writing anything? I'm currently a student and I write non-fiction every day. I've committed myself to writing 1000 words every day, and I am successfully doing this. However, I'm trying to improve a particular aspect of my writing process: almost every day that I...	Write about whatever comes into your mind, until you get your creative juices flowing again. One is called the Pomodoro technique in which you use a kitchen timer to time your work sessions and breaks. : Write about something else, on a separate piece of paper (or separate file if you're typing). There are even techniq...
Is it more effective to lead with a physical conflict rather than an emotional one? I currently have the choice of two routes with my novel - to lead with a knives-and-poisons main conflict, with reference to the protagonist's emotional conflict, or to lead with him conquering his inability to manage his peculiarities ...	If you start with an emotional conflict or backstory, you gamble a little with their interest in that plot line.
How difficult will writing a novel be for someone without formal training? I almost asked the question "Can someone without formal training write a novel?", but the answer of course is yes. To get a better answer, I ask the following question: How difficult will writing a novel be for someone without formal training? ...	The 'How difficult ...' question is impossible to answer, but consider that most novels aren't written by people with formal training: they are written by those with the motivation and persistence to actually complete a project.
Is it permitted to mention a real life work of fiction in your story? I am working on a new project that draws influence from a currently running television show. What I want to do is make a reference to that show in my work. Almost as a joke to say, "We're nothing like that show." Is it appropriate to use the name of...	The answer is YES, you can do so. Basically, it is permitted to mention a real life work of fiction in your own work of fiction. What you suggest is actually a very time-honored form of homage.
Is it okay to keep my drafts unread by others? I got the idea of writing a novel, I'm just afraid to show it to other since It's not yet done. Is that okay? thanks <Q> Yes. <S> In fact, it's better that way. <S> But when you do, have a thick skin about it. <A> It is your choice. <S> But I would recommend you only show ...	Keep it to yourself until you've revised and revised and revised before you show it to anyone. So yes, it's okay to keep your drafts to yourself, giving it to a select few will benefit you and your work a great deal.
A subplot becoming another novel I'm writing a novel where I imagined two or three subplots (or storylines).Now I found that one of the subplots has evolved and grown so big that It can be an independant plot itself and could (or could not) lead to another novel. It's a bit annoying for me, because now I have to decid...	If your subplots are doing that for you main plot, then they are enriching the reader's experience and they should stay.
Length of Children's Books I have just completed my first manuscript for a children's book. It is a long traditional bedtime story to be read over several days or weeks even! I don't really understand why I must limit the number of words. Please can anyone advise?Many thanks. <Q> Because bedtime stories are about getti...	The reason there is now a loose publisher/agent imposed word limit on most picture books is children have a much shorter attention span than they did in previous decades.
What makes a personified force of nature? You guys may have heard this term before. I often see critics talking about it in some Studio Ghibli's movies where the reviewers say that the antagonist is the force of nature itself. But I also see stories where people say that the force of nature is personified. It is sai...	The phrase "force of nature" refers, properly speaking, to a natural phenomenon outside the control of human beings. Talking about Studio Ghibli films, I'd say the characters are sometimes less 'forces of nature' as I mentioned above and more 'representations of nature'.
How to casually reveal the relationship of two recently introduced characters? I have two characters near the beginning of my story, who are brother and sister. I want the reader to know right away, as the two are talking (they are alone), that they are brother and sister, but I'm not sure how to do this naturally with...	Failing that, just give one of them a chance to talk about the other with someone else.
Can I have a character make a quote from a real life figure? Can I have a fantasy character make a quote from a real life figure? For example, can I have a villain make a statement spoken by let's say, Adolf Hitler? <Q> I would not do that, in general. <S> For example, see this article: http://www.latimes.com/nation/...	It comes under "fair use". Although some famous books used epigraphs from contemporary (copyrighted) sources, there is no right to do that: It would have been with written permission from the copyright holder, which a small, unknown author is unlikely to get. Joe Abercrombie often pre-pends his book parts with quotes f...
Can success create its own crisis? I am writing a story with a three crisis structure. The first is an external crisis that has the hero rushing to the rescue of the heroine. Then their relationship develops at a brisk pace, in the manner of "too much, too soon." The novelty wears off, and one or both recoils at seeing...	Success breeds pride and from there overconfidence and contempt.
Is stating the feeling in the action that describes it a sign of bad writing? This is a bit hard to explain so here's are are two examples: She let out a sigh of relief . He arched an amused eyebrow. My theory is this: you only need to directly state the emotion when the action doesn't describe if well or clear...	Generally speaking, the actions should convey the emotions, but let's be honest: an action can signify different emotions. Yes, some people would say that it violates the "show, don't tell" mantra.
What is the difference between Literature and entertainment literature The question grammar for describing plots had a few comments that touched upon the differences between literary novels and entertainment novel which made me think. So I searched the SE for any previous questions pertaining to the difference betwee...	Literary fiction, for this purpose seems to mean works that are more contemplative in nature, or that focus more on character or place than on action.
Is it okay to have a character that has the same first or last name as another famous character But not like having the same full name but rather same last name like for example having a character named Kevin Snow which has the same last name as Game of Thrones character Jon Snow Other examples would be having same fi...	Ordinarily, it would be ok, because first and last names are mostly interchangeable. It depends how distinctive the name is.
What is the Purpose of an Inner Conflict? I've long known what the purpose of inner conflict is. Indeed, it was one of the simplest concepts for me to grasp when I was learning about it. Now I'm not so sure. I seem to have developed a dual understanding of inner conflict: what I used to know, and what I now know. Nei...	Inner conflict, as I define it, is simply a character's conflict with themself, rather than a character's conflict with the outside world.
How to make the reader feel like the protagonist is not a single character, but the group/squad? Im writing a fictional dieselpunk story based on the WW2 era in a world of my own. The protagonists are two squads (one from the "Axis" and the other from the "Allies") with the characters within the squads. Those are Spec ...	You might want to read some works that have multiple characters that are fully developed, with no one the "star" and see how those authors were able to balance them.
Can there be multiple translated versions in the same language of a public domain book? I was thinking about a translation of a book that is in the public domain. The author is Adam Smith. There is already a French translation of some of his works. Does this mean that I cannot publish my own French translation? Does th...	Public domain books are no longer under copyright protection and can be used by the public as they wish without fear of copyright infringement.
Opening statement doesn't match conclusion. Is this count as plot loophole? I wrote a story that starts like this: My girlfriend, Hitomi, is in love with my elder brother. But refuses to accept it. Not in the sense that she doesn't want to reveal the truth---she doesn't know the truth herself. Then in the final s...	It's perfectly acceptable for the tale to open with the character/narrator believing something only to reach the end and discover they were wrong in their initial belief.
Is it illegal to imagine a real person for a fictional character? There are times I meet someone for a brief time, maybe a couple hours, and their personality impresses me enough to create a fictional character about them. Obviously I am adding my own attributes to the fictional character, and I don't know them well e...	Even the same person can be an inspiration for multiple characters.
How should I plan blog content and themes for the best reader experience? I have been blogging for 6 months now. I have a general theme of the month but I find it very hard to organize my writing, as these themes are all very broad. I want to ask fellow bloggers how do you plan ahead your writing, for the best experie...	If you plan to have a scattered approach: writing, movie critique, botany, chicken rearing, space exploration, and more, then find a name/theme to your blog that is encompassing "A Lady's Interest" or
Getting my 4 aliens in the same ship? In my story/solar system there are 4 alien races. They recently discovered one another maybe 10-20 years or so ago. There is a metaphorical sword in the stone type of space station/ship in my story that no one can gain access to because the races won't co-operate with one another/h...	Space makes a great prison Prison hulks are a longstanding tradition hear on earth, and a space-hulk to hold POWs from the first interplanetary war would be an extremely secure location. They can play nicely together for the trip while at the same time each one planning their coup and expecting that the others are doin...
Is blending genres well received by readers? My writings tend to be a blend of multiple genre's. I know some can work well together, like sci-fi and fantasy, but are there genre's that should not be blended? Also, is it confusing to reader's when there is not a clear genre? <Q> Lots of people have done it. <S> The r...	You can very clearly blend elements of genres.
Reusing a scene in epilogue and future chapters I'm writing a fantasy which stretches over two volumes. At the end of the first book, a complex plot comes to a conclusion with a war but it results in the death of many major characters, one of them close to the hero. The hero also, falls into a temporary coma after the ...	You probably need to at least summarize or restate what happened in the epilogue during the sequel, or you could add more detail to it the second time around to make it more interesting to those who so remember it. You might want the coma to last a few days or weeks, during which things occur while the hero rests. The ...
Finding someone to publish, in the digital age I've asked a couple of questions on this site over the past year or two about publishing. I've been thinking about going the self-publishing route. It still seems like the quickest and easiest way to go, though there are obviously disadvantages (thanks to all who've brou...	Check magazines that may have articles on agents (such as "Poets & Writers") as well as those magazines websites. Personally I would go the lulu route as it cuts out the agent, but I would perhaps recommend having someone proofread and edit for you
Who should I share my writing ideas with I'm too scared to share with my family My online friends only know of Star Wars I got an idea stolen I don't really know anyone in real life I would like to know if there is a way to contact anyone on here one to one like a Direct message. I haven't found out how. I need...	In other words, hang out with writers.
Is there any financial advantage to translating my book myself? I can speak a few languages and I am just about done with my first manuscript in English. Since I found the translation fun and not too difficult, I translated it into French, German, Spanish and Swedish. I read the versions to some of my friends who are b...	There are some financial advantages to translating a book yourself, but IMHO, the main advantages are moral advantages. Leaving aside the reason why would you want your work translated, the short and simple answer is, of course, yes.
Use of Regional Diction in Writing Let's say a piece of writing is being composed. That piece of writing can, of course, be crafted with a slew of different techniques and artistic choices, but, one of those is the language used. How does the use of regionally-diverse diction, such as that used in "The Adventures of Hu...	First, make sure it really makes sense to use this type of writing.
Finding fantasy genre a bit too complex Although I like reading fantasy / adventure I am finding it too complex for me to write. I also like watching murder mysteries and I have read a few too. I find this type of genre a lot of fun. The problem with me is that I give up too easily. Like for instance I started plannin...	You would find it far to complicated, not simply because of its size, but because of all the different elements of software and system design that would be involved in making it all work. The older you (the writer) get, the easier it is to write this genre, since you have a large stock of experience that you can use. F...
What should I do if I know the antagonist but too many options for protagonist? I have decided on my antagonist for my first novel. They are pretty much being brought back to power by traitors in an otherwise squeaky clean institution. It's the protagonist I'm not sure about. I have several options and two in particu...	Now that you have your antagonist, you may want to experiment with writing two "partial" stories with each of the two candidates as the protagonist. Write the story and see how it evolves. Effectively your antagonist is the tragic protagonist and your protagonists are now antagonists (it's all a matter of perspective a...
How do I turn a "screensaver" into an actual story? I am capable of dreaming up interesting settings and even placing things in a world, but I have trouble dreaming up characters and plot. Example: my first aborted attempt at a steampunk story ended when I realized I had literally asked for help coming up with other st...	Just look at it and start writing the words that fit the scene.
"just telling the tale" - does this work? I know (I think) many stories that have a point they want to present to the audience. However, I wanted to focus on the excitement of the adventure first.The result always seems to devolve into a dry style as though reading a manual. On the other hand, focusing too much on "pr...	"Just telling the tale" doesn't work. A novelist may have a point they want to push, but if the point overwhelms the story than the result can only appeal to the people who already agree with the author's point.
Can publishers accept spacing between paragraphs? Reason I ask is because every time I use indents the paragraphs end up all on the left side in a straight line but if I space the paragraphs it doesn't. <Q> Many publisher will have a format they want material in, conform to it. <S> If you are a writer, I would recommen...	Often a publisher will have a specific manner in which they would like your manuscript laid out.
How to: descriptive writing I've been writing for a while now, and everyday I feel I'm getting more serious about it. But the quality of my fiction stories are straightforward and blah. I notice I'm not using enough descriptive words and even when in trying to it never turns out. Like here is an example. What I wish...	Write down everything you recall about a particular moment in time. The holy grail to your quest is to show the reader per the character’s point of view as opposed to telling the reader what is taking place.
Are there any body snatchers in the present? I'm thinking of an occupation for my protagonist but being a body snatcher is from the past. No more body snatchers caught up digging graves and selling corpses to scientists, right? <Q> Wrong. <S> There is a market for body parts and tissue for transplantation. <S> Biomed...	In the UK body-snatching was the primary source of bodies to medical schools (this was made unprofitable as an occupation with the Anatomy Act, which made it legal for the bodies of criminals, the unclaimed poor, etc.
How do you handle slang with questionable spelling? Imagine the following common conversation: Q: What are you up to? A. The usual Now imagine it spoken by certain kids these days: Q: What are you up to? A: The yooooshj. My question pertains to the utterance "yooooshj," which is a shortened form of "usual" ma...	I advise you to avoid the slang spelling, unless it will be commonly understood.
Where do I write 'The End'? Background Woohoo! I literally just finished right now my masterpiece trilogy that I have worked on for what seems like, ages... I'm a bit vexed as to where I should write 'the end'. The epilogue plays a huge role in my story so I wasn't sure whether to write it at the end of the epilog...	The concept of an Epilogue is that the story is over.
Right approach to introduce a character on a script I'm writing a script for a short film so I'm trying to keep the things that are kind of dispendable, away. The story of the script starts at a bar, with the friend of the main character, a boy, having a small talk with a random girl. Only after that, the main charac...	As long as the content prior to the "important" characters appearing is pertinent and the viewer can understand that it is that is fine. It could surprise the audience and justify why he was seen in the beginning. No good came of trying to fix something before it was written.
How much of a character's past/background should I let on? I've been starting something really interesting lately, which is writing each of my main character's back story before writing the main book (If anyone is having the dreaded block or is looking for a way to know their character's better I really recommend it). ...	A backstory should be interesting by itself; A backstory should be relevant to the main plot, or at least provide some important answers to the questions the reader would have about the characters; Backstories should not hijack the main storyline. Only put in what is necessary for the plot.
How to: More Words I want to be able to have at least 2,000-3,000 words per chapter. But when I finish my chapter outline, it comes to around 1,000 words. I then go back and it is about 1,300 after edits. I want to know if there are any ways to add more words, WITHOUT adding a lot of events, because then it would be...	Add more dialog & expose more of personalities.
When writing a 1000 word short story...? There's this contest that I'm entering and I have to write something with only 1,000- words in it. Is it better to shorten phrases or to cut out details to meet the quota? <Q> Although it is unclear from your question I'm going to assume you've surpassed 1000 words and are looki...	Personally, what I do is I write the story as a first draft to the point where I can say that was what I wanted to write.
Question regarding narration and 1st - 3rd person swaps I'm currently in the process of writing my first novel, and I'm a little unsure about one of the main features of my writing process. To summarise quickly, what i intend to do is have a short section at the beginning of each chapter where the late husband of my ...	Any scene in a first person story where the first person is not present is third person.
How to expose a reader to the rules of a fantastical world? I am currently in the process of re-writing my play Black Tape as a novel. Because of the change in format, more needs to simply happen - which I am entirely okay with. Main feature of the universe in which it is set is that death (and by extension afterlife, ...	Adding another character that gives you a low-down often amounts to an info dump and can make the resulting narrative heavy and tedious to read.
Are authors who self publish respected in the writing world? From what I have researched anybody can self-publish. So it is an easier route than traditional publishing. However, since anyone can publish, that means even poorly written novels can be published. In general, do authors who have gone the traditional pu...	If your book is both well-written and successful, people will eventually judge it on its merits, not its publishing method.
Is Ice/Fire opposition too stereotypical? I'm writing a story where a secondary story-line (it's about a companion of the main character) is basically about a fire mage and an ice mage. It fits well in the story and the fire/ice elements aren't coming out of nowhere, but I wonder if it will bother the reader? Does it d...	Fire and Ice magic is fine, but don't make the people personifications of their powers.
I am looking for statistics on the percentage children's books versus other genres in self-publishing I have tried doing searches for this and can't seem to track down the exact numbers. The sources will list the top selling genres but that doesn't include children's books. <Q> Since you don't specify which market you ...	Middle Grade books are subsumed under the children's and adolescent fiction categories.
How To Define The Compelling Need Of My Reader I am in the process of revising my book and I started reading a little about marketing. I got this wonderful e-mail by Jeff Bullas, who explained to me the basics of selling: It is not trying to convince someone to buy something they do not want. Selling, true selling is ...	No matter what is inside your book, if you want to sell it you need to give them a reason to want it.
Examples of books advocating for political/educational reform? I've had an idea in my head for a while to write a book advocating for political and educational reform in Canada, but I'm unsure whether or not it's even worthwhile to proceed because: I don't know of any other books that exist solely to advocate for pol...	There are many many books about political and educational reform.
Is it strange/confusing to initiate/introduce a dialogue without a dialogue tag? In other words, is it strange/confusing to do this? For the next few seconds, I watched Aiko read the letter with her lips agape---lips that steadily curled up into a smile. A contagious one. Because before realizing it, I found myself...	It's certainly not strange at all, and if you pick up any random novel and flip through it you'll see that dialog without attribution is used all the time. Authors are advised to use simple dialogue tags such as "said" and "asked" There are plenty of authors who do not use tags. It is slightly confusing, but in a good ...
Brainstorming Techniques to use when running out of ideas? alrighty, I'm trying to come up with a finale for my 17th chapter, but I don't know how to plot it out. I have a general Idea of what's going in it, I just don't know how to map it out or put it into words. any advise? <Q> Write the finale with your general ide...	By time you get to the final chapter, you should have a pretty clear idea of how you want the story to end and what is going to happen. I am a believer of brainstorming, talking it out with someone or multiple trusted writers.
Ways to replace "Then, ..." I find myself writing "Then, ..." a lot. Example: As soon as she found my letter---or rather, Kiyoshi's ---she widened her slitted eyes and pressed the letter against her chest. Then, as though she were handling a delicate glass sculpture, she opened the envelope. Mr. HSC squinted h...	As the other answers have noted, you can rewrite the sentences to remove the need for "then" (or possibly just omit it without any rewriting at all).
Can I use prominent people in history to as characters in my fiction? I am a little puzzled. I want to set my story in a real era that happened; like say, the American civil wars during Lincoln's time, and involve the then prominent figures like Lincoln and McClellan as some of my major characters, though portraying th...	Yes, you may use prominent people in history pretty much any way you choose.
Is character arc or character development more important (assuming they are in conflict?) A "character arc" represents the changes in the character in different parts of the story. That is, how the impact of story events brings about changes in the character. A "character development" is a description of a character...	A character arc is unimportant. To provide an in depth characterisation of a character at any point in time would require a massive and tedious infodump.
What country do I use? I'm writing an original story about figure skating . Problem : I have no idea what country to use for my main character. I need a country that: Actually exists Does not take part in the Winter Olympics English-speaking (it's part of my plot) Is probably very cold and/or has many ice s...	A country that has many skating rinks likely means that they love to skate and therefore will have people who are good enough to perform in the Olympics. Another way (often used too) is to create a fictitious setting in a real country, where your character would have a full freedom of development.
Why am I not motivated? I feel like I want to write, but when I do it just gets boring.I begin thinking, "Oh, I'm probably just gonna start a new draft. What even is the point." I really do enjoy writing, I'm a person that keeps my feelings inside and when I like something or have an obsession the only person I talk t...	For me boredom is usually a sign that I'm lacking focus and the easiest way to force myself to focus is to have deadlines. If you're clearly not interested in what you're doing it is a sign you need to change your method.
Is writing in a foreign language a brilliant way to shoot oneself in the foot? Normally I never write prose. After much world building I now feel the need to. Ever since I resolved to at least pen down a draft, things get curiouser and curiouser. For when I sit down to write a short scene, I start doing so in English, ...	Writing in a foreign language opens up "alternatives" to you.
How do I blur the line between dream and reality? I intend to write a science fantasy where dream world plays as important role as reality. The dream world stated has quite a distinct feel from the real world, and it is integral to the plot. The dream—although absurd—feels like reality when we dream about it. Only aft...	Give it some events that are absurd - things that happen, have a hidden, plausible explanation, but at a glance are bizarre enough to make it feel like a dream.
How can I write a fictional mythology diary? I have always been interested in Irish mythology, especially Fionn Mac Cumhaill. I also like to write in journals. Is there a way of combining the two? In other words, say, for example, the life of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, but in diary or journal form. I also noticed that there a...	Looking at the setting above, it seems to me that the writing of a chronicle would probably be the best way of uniting mythology and 'journal', since some chronicles detail events day by day, just like a journal.
Resource for rejected novel manuscripts Is there such a thing as an online repository for rejected novel manuscripts? I think it would be a useful and educational resource -- especially to finally see examples of the so-called 'mistakes every failing writer makes' -- but I have yet to find whether such a repository ...	Wattpad hosts a plethora of stories posted by amateur to established writers, where you can actually come across examples of the so-called 'mistakes every failing writer makes' by chance.
Is it ok to make fun of gender stereotypes? Very simple (albeit a bit tacky) example: Him: We're not that different from other couples, are we? Her: Hm... maybe. I mean, you make me sandwiches, for one. Him: Yeah, because I can do them better! Her: laughs That's true, I'll give you that. Now, I don't real...	It is nice to be sensitive to your readers' feelings but don't let it get in the way of your telling your story, your way.
How do I cover many years with little activity without it feeling rushed? In a story that I am writing, due to some time travel issues, the protagonists will have to wait a number of years before the next stage of the story happens. Things that happen between then and now might be very boring (settlement building, gene...	If there's very little going on, just skip - and perform introduction of the changes as a reminiscence, observation, discussion, at the new point of the story. Make each chapter an event that happens. If there's too little to fill the period normally, but too much to just skip, as above, a good method is a change of th...
How to keep consistency of style through a piece of writing? This is something I've noticed in all of my writings, whether it's an essay, a diary, a fiction or anything else. I tend to start writing in a certain style, then at some point, I will realize that I switched to another one in the course of writing. The chan...	Planning well goes hand in hand with this approach: if you have spent time developing your characters and the voice in the piece, you will be less likely to stray from what you've worked to develop. I have had the same problem, and it has been resolved by sticking with what I have put forth at the beginning of my writi...
What's the effect of placing "of course" at the beginning or at the end of the sentence? Example from my writing: Not everything was rainbow and roses, of course . Sometimes rain would fall on my head or a thorn prickle my finger. Of course, not everything was rainbow and roses. Sometimes rain would fall on my h...	Both the beginning and the end of a sentence are prominent positions to emphasize something. But really there is not much difference, if any, in this case, certainly not a difference you could rely on reader's being affected by on a consistent basis.
What to consider when choosing a pen name for a sci-fi novel? I am writing a sci-fi novel with a female main character. My style is lo-tech, more about character development and a beautiful and unusual planet than about descriptions of technology. My target audience is women, and I am a female author. I have already de...	It should be distinct enough that it could not be could not be confused with another author.
Can my character's name match someone in real life? Is it legally OK that my character's name by coincidence matches someone's in real life, famous or not? (For example I am naming a character Aaron Hale.) The character's appearance and everything else is completely different. Probably a silly question but I can't find...	Unless you use a completely made up name, there will be be real people with the same name as your character. Your job is to make your character a different from each of these real people as any of them are from one another.
How can a book get a Kirkus Star, yet have no sales? How can a 3-year-old book receive a positive rating from Kirkus, and even earn a Kirkus Star, yet still have almost no sales? I have a book coming out in a few months, and I thought if I had a positive Kirkus review, I would just promote it, and put everything on r...	Regardless though if a book has an award or not, it's got to appeal to the masses. A good review means the reviewer liked it.
Is there a hack to bring out your "true" voice? I've just approved my typeset manuscript and re-reading the book, I'm aware that it sounds very far away from my internal voice. Whilst it has all of the elements in practice, the colour and fluency feel strained. Is there a practice or hack that anyone uses to help bring...	Only by observing your work over time can you get that sense. If you think it's your voice, you can try rewriting a bit with the filter turned off, the way you would in journal or something else intended for no one's eyes but your own.