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1500 questions
27
votes
9 answers

Plot twist where the antagonist wins

I’m putting together this story and its formative stages are almost complete. However, I am genuinely interested as to how the ending would appear to the reader. My protagonist is a skilled character whose powerful traits allow him to succeed…
Jesticulator
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13 answers

The unknown and unexplained in science fiction

Science fiction has been defined as a genre where the "incredible" elements are "recognizable as not-true, but also as not-unlike-true, not-flatly- (and in the current state of knowledge) impossible" (According to Darko Suvin, from Wikipedia link).…
Liquid
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27
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14 answers

Non-trope happy ending?

This is in the idea stage, but I was wondering... In stories involving multiple protagonists (4 or more) that make and end relationships, date each other, etc. during the course of the story, the typical happy ending happens when everyone has found…
Tom
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27
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15 answers

Is a lawful good "antagonist" effective?

In my post-apocalyptic novel, my protagonist is not necessarily "good", and although the antagonist is an honest and kind person, my protagonist perceives her as "evil". My antagonist is the leader of a group of survivors, and cares deeply for her…
user34214
27
votes
14 answers

How to write a chaotic neutral protagonist and prevent my readers from thinking they are evil?

I've come across a problem with one of the main characters in my book. The "heroine" of my story starts out as an apathetic self-absorbed hacker, who seeks adrenaline thrills to find meaning in her life. With that in mind, I tried to show this kind…
Joe-You-Know
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27
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8 answers

Best tool to create ebooks?

What is a recommended tool for turning a completed manuscript (a Word document) into an ebook (specifically, an EPUB file or Kindle-compatible Mobipocket file)? I would prefer something that: recognizes chapters and generates a table of contents…
Cliff Hangerson Page
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27
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8 answers

I feel like my book is too small and I’m kind of just throwing all my ideas out too quick. Does this mean filler might be necessary?

My book seems like it’s going to be way too short. My goal was 300 pages but it seems like it’s barely gonna make 100. What should I do?
Angel
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27
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6 answers

Writing discipline

In today's frenetic, fast-paced lifestyle (especially if writing is not currently your career or means of earning an income), it can be extremely difficult to "make" or find the time that can be set aside and dedicated to writing. Not only that,…
Zayne S Halsall
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27
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10 answers

Does everything have to be accurate?

Do I have to make everything apply to logic, physics, science, etc? The Harry Potter series has been a major hit, and it is nowhere near to being scientifically possible. But I've noticed that I can't seem to just "let things be" in my writing, as…
A curious writer
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6 answers

Is it Ok to make up places if I want the reader to think it’s set in the real world?

What I’m doing is making a story in the medieval times and I wanted to make up a village and have my characters be there and travel around there but do I have to make everything around there in the book like how it was in real life? For example if…
Angel
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27
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1 answer

Pantsing a story?

I heard a writer talking about pantsing a story. What does that mean?
Elizabeth Schechter
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26
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19 answers

How do you make a super villain's plan smart enough to outwit genuinely intelligent heroes but still have the heroes win?

Even if they are not super-geniuses, many villains are portrayed as cunning, charismatic, and manipulative, staying three steps ahead of the heroes at every turn. But creating a good villain plan is difficult for both the villain and the writer. If…
Nyctophobia457
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18 answers

Is having antagonists who believe in Christianity potentially offensive/harmful?

Brought this question from Worldbuilding SE, and still not sure if I’m asking in the right place. If anyone knows a better place to ask, any advice would be appreciated. The world I’m building revolves around a (albeit heavily exaggerated) religious…
Mark Price
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16 answers

How can I write a bigoted narrator while making it clear he is wrong?

Edit: I'm a bit new to the site so I'll be fumbling around trying to respond properly, but thank you all for so many great responses! xxx This is a bit of a touchy one for obvious reasons, but the narrator of this story is a haughty academic who…
dweeblet
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12 answers

How do I define smells I have never experienced?

I am a lifelong writer, who was also born without an ability to smell. I have been trained to engage the reader by applying the five senses, or as many of the five as is practical without becoming excessive. My problem is that I am straight up…
PastAndFuture
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