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1500 questions
12
votes
1 answer
Can I Copyright My FaceBook Status Post?
Can I copyright my Facebook status updates? In the terms and agreements I didn't see a clear statement stating that Facebook owns my material.
Secondly, if I can't copyright the material I post on Facebook, should I use Facebook at all outside of…
AAH-Shoot
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2 answers
How does one go about successfully getting their movie script, or screen play, into the right hands?
How does one go about successfully getting their movie script, or screen play, into the hands of top level Hollywood producers?
Does one need a literary agent?
If so where does one find one that will get the job done?
How much can one expect to…
classer
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12
votes
7 answers
How do I create the rest of the story when I only know the ending?
I know the ending of the first book I want to write but, I'm not sure how to start it or what will happen in the middle. I know I am completely working backwards on writing a story but, every time I sit down to brainstorm ideas I either find my mind…
Cameron Suchy
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12
votes
2 answers
What are common attributes of the Steampunk genre?
These attributes could be character archetypes or traits, attributes of the setting, characteristics of plot or pacing, and broader themes. Essentially, I'd like to build a definition of the genre by identifying its basic components.
Please provide…
sjohnston
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12
votes
5 answers
Should you "Show, Don't Tell" when your character is recounting events?
"Show, don't tell" is a popular ethos amongst writers, and one that is very important to writing engaging stories. However, I'm in a situation whereby my protagonist is recounting an event from a previous chapter, revealing something specific that…
Dan Hanly
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12
votes
8 answers
Why do heroes need to have a physical mark?
It seems that a lot of authors want their heroes to be marked in a special way.
It is not enough that these protagonists are going to be heroes, no; they seem to require having a mark that makes them special be it golden eyes, a red streak of hair,…
Reed -SE is a Fish on Dry Land
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12
votes
4 answers
How to share the work, if writing fiction in a team?
How should one split up the work between two people? Should one write the even-numbered chapters and the other the odd-numbered? Does each person tell the story from the point of view of a different character or write different story-subarcs? In…
Mnementh
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12
votes
6 answers
How to write good erotic scene?
I am thinking of adding a sub-plot to my story where we have say, Adam and Eve. They do not quite like each other but one thing leads to another and they have sex.
After that, Adam wonders if he should do something for Eve, influenced by the fact…
Pavel Janicek
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12
votes
9 answers
Where to find some good examples of combat or action scenes?
I always learn a lot about about writing by reading other works and following their examples. Right now I'm very bad at writing action scenes; the best I can do is write around them, describing the situation and the outcome without ever delving into…
user608
12
votes
6 answers
What is the proper way to write time in a manuscript?
I haven't been able to find an answer to this question for a while now. What is the proper way to write time in a manuscript? I'm referring mostly to A.M. and P.M. Should it be written in caps? With or without the dots? Should it be omitted all…
Ralph Gallagher
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12
votes
3 answers
Techniques for writing internal monologue
I've seen the thoughts of a character written in a few different ways:
Example 1: Indirect
Ender liked it better, though, when two boys played against each other. Then they had to use each other's tunnels, and it quickly became clear which of them…
sjohnston
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12
votes
6 answers
How do you visualize plot structure?
I want to visualize the internal structure of my plot. I noticed several contradictions, and want to better understand what's going on in my tale.
I'm not talking about different characters doing parallel stuff in different places. My plot has one…
user5645
12
votes
1 answer
How to show that something is different than in real life?
I'm writing fiction set in the near future (~15-20 years). The world is still mostly the same and thus familiar to the reader, but an important part of the story is that a few things are radically different in subtle ways.
I wonder what some ways…
Michael Stum
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12
votes
7 answers
What is the purpose of version control?
Just that: What do you need version control for?
I've never had the feeling I needed to undo any changes in my (fiction or academic) writing. So what is version control good for? How do you write that you need it? (I am not asking about backups,…
user5645
12
votes
1 answer
Do publishers use LaTeX to produce books for the blind?
What software tools do publishers use to produce books for the blind, i.e. containing embossed Braille?
Is LaTeX one of them? There is a braille LaTeX package, which can be used to print Braille, but I'm not sure it can be used to emboss Braille. If…
jub0bs
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