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1500 questions
25
votes
9 answers
A torrent of foreign terms
I am writing a short story, about a particular field with multiple specific terms, none of which are in English. (Specifically, I'm writing about bullfighting, but the question could apply to other fields.)
My POV character lives that particular…
Galastel supports GoFundMonica
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25
votes
10 answers
Can a successful book series let the bad guy win?
I have a five book series and I have plotted them all out. The main bad guy wins in the end. My problem with this is my girlfriend keeps telling me that bad guys winning will make readers upset that they invested in the heroes only for them to die…
icefire
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25
votes
3 answers
Chekhov's gun, but it's just "useless" background info
We all know how Chekhov's gun works: in short, it's the "rule" that whatever is explicitly shown to the audience should be important later, otherwise you should get rid of it. Don't show us a gun if it doesn't get fired at some point.
I don't know…
user23083
25
votes
15 answers
Should I add racism in my book's world or have my world have no racism?
I've been writing a children's novel inspired by action cartoons, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, paganism/Wicca, mythology and Harry Potter. It's a very dark children's book I'll admit, but Harry Potter was dark for a children's book and it's…
Willfire Z Tiger
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25
votes
9 answers
What is a discovery writer?
From an answer to this question: How do I successfully structure a long fiction piece?
I think I can infer the meaning from the usage but some elaboration would be helpful.
One Monkey
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25
votes
4 answers
How do I write a synopsis?
I have to write a synopsis to submit to an agent. Are there any guidelines for writing a good synopsis?
Elizabeth Schechter
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25
votes
4 answers
How to Write an Eldritch Abomination?
My trilogy features an otherworldly monstrosity called Fenrisúlfr as it's primary antagonist, whose characterisation takes cues from Nyarlathotep, Sauron, Showa!King Ghidorah, Sutekh, Makuta Teridax and the Gravemind. It is single-handedly…
user29299
25
votes
18 answers
What should I do when I am stuck on names during freewriting?
If I get hung up choosing a name for a character, should I come back to it later? Or should I try to figure one out? I feel like sometimes I have some momentum going forward and taking too much time to select a name stops said momentum.
Luke Snell
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25
votes
9 answers
Should beta functionality be mentioned in a training manual?
I write training manuals for a software product. When that product is next released one of the tools in it will be marked "in beta". i.e. that functionality is is included only as a technical preview.
Product documentation will surely include that…
Mark Ireland
25
votes
15 answers
How to derive a storyline from a beginning?
I have an idea for the beginning of a story. I have the setting, the protagonist, and the events that set the story in motion, including the inciting incident and the first plot point. I have, in short, what might become act one.
But I don't know…
user29420
25
votes
6 answers
When my story has a powerful phrase but that loses its power when I read it again in the next day, should I keep it or remove it?
Sometimes I have a great idea of sentence (usually for a dialogue) and it is just so nice, beautiful, epic, badass, powerful, or whatever other positive impression. However, sometimes I read it again in the next day(s) and it is just flat, cringey,…
Yuuza
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25
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4 answers
How to know if your own story is surprising?
After much world building I begin to feel the need to write short stories set in my world. In other people's fantasy novels I particularly enjoy twists and surprises. I have started paying attention to those twists that manage to surprise me. Beyond…
Ludi
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25
votes
13 answers
What makes writing emotional?
Over the years, my English professors seem to have agreed on one thing: that I'm a superb technical writer, but terrible at eliciting emotional response in something like a story or an argumentative essay. The last paper I've received back had a…
Corey
25
votes
12 answers
How much planning should go on before beginning writing?
I really want to begin my first novel, but I'm just not sure how clear of an outline I should have before I start. Is a detailed synopsis of each chapter really necessary, or is it enough to just go in with an outline and key events?
bennybdbc
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25
votes
9 answers
Why are papers printed in a two column format?
Is there a reason or is it arbitrary/tradition?
juan
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