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1500 questions
24
votes
11 answers
How to write a PG13 Succubus character?
I am currently writing a character that represents Lust and is a demonic entity... but to tone it down for a YA audience.
I thought of trying to make them "Love-based" instead, but I always envision Love as a virtue.
This character is not a bad…
user31145
24
votes
2 answers
When documenting Python, when should I use docstrings and when should I use comments?
Python programming language provides two mechanisms for documenting a function, a module or a class:
Comments and
Documentation strings (or Docstring).
Both can be accessed by reading the source code, but the latter is also available by calling…
DYZ
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24
votes
10 answers
How to handle a massive info dump post-ending?
I know this question has been asked a few times, and I’ve read all the helpful answers, but can’t implement them in my situation. So, would love some further assistance.
I’ve written a psych thriller which ends on a single line and a massive twist…
GGx
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24
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7 answers
How do I know what I'm writing is interesting to the reader?
I'm starting to wrap up the gestation period of my first book - right now I have a notebook filled with a lot of observations of life and topics I want to deal with in my book. I'm now starting to piece these bits together into a bigger picture, and…
jack gallerdude galler
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10 answers
Should I defend my character's appearance?
I'm in talks with a publisher about my comic book. In it, the main character is a hunter who hunts monsters, but in a way inspired by how real hunters hunt. My editor suggests that the character wears a hoodie whenever he is sneaking, to inform the…
M Arif Rahman Winandar
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24
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16 answers
Can You Mix Readers of Fantasy and Sci-Fi?
In his book How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, Orson Scott Card mentions the differences between fantasy and sci-fi readers, and even says that an author should stick to only one genre, as the readers of the other genre will not know who he…
Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron
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24
votes
7 answers
Submitting a novel for publication: do editors still expect Courier font?
About ten years ago an agent told me not to submit manuscripts in fonts other than Courier (or Courier New) and to double-space lines. He said editors were prejudiced against manuscripts that looked like they were written on a word processor (as…
Robusto
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24
votes
7 answers
What is the difference between writing in the first and the third person?
What kind of story is better suited for each point of view? Are there advantages or disadvantages inherent to them?
For example, writing in the first person you are always following a character, while in the third person you can "jump" between story…
juan
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24
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5 answers
How to describe the point-of-view character without using mirrors
In fiction, the main character is often the first person we meet in the story. Given that the story is written from his/her point of view, how would you describe what they look like? The classical tricks (they look in a mirror or see their…
Koen Van Damme
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24
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10 answers
What can I do to make my writing fit the 1950s?
I'm working on a project (for a game) that needs to have a strongly 1950s feel. I, however, was born in the 1980s, so my writing has plenty of things that would sound out of place in the 1950s.
For example, I used the work "backpack" in a piece set…
Joe
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24
votes
7 answers
Keeping track of multiple plot lines
How do you track several plot lines woven together?
I usually run 2 or 3 plot-lines in parallel, so I detail those plots each in a separate document. But as the book goes on, it is sometimes difficult to make sure all those "threads" are woven…
Ido Tamir
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24
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14 answers
How does a code monkey become a novelist?
I have always loved creative writing, but honestly do not see software engineers that write fiction all that often. Heck, I do not see software engineers that read fiction all that often either.
To those who have done it:
Did the transition from…
Victor123
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23
votes
15 answers
How much swearing is TOO much? (And how much is not enough?)
I've noticed that some of the most successful writers refrain from using profanity, such as Stephanie Meyer and Norman Mailer. Are readers turned off by swearing in books?
More importantly, is it wrong to use profanity? Is it bad writing?
Should I…
Ethan
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23
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3 answers
What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?
Ok, I'm starting to get a feel for this, but I'm hoping someone can explain it more clearly for me.
I learned in all my English classes that sensory imagery is important, which naturally involves a lot of adjectives and adverbs. I also learned that…
brianmearns
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23
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8 answers
What can I do with a part that I feel is necessary to a story but it's an absolute drudgery?
I've just written such a paragraph:
He turned around and started walking to the nearby store. He bought a
bread and a yoghurt. Then he came back and gave the groceries to the
homeless guy.
There are several points to this text:
I feel like all…
Rico
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