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1500 questions
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
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
- 1,504
- 12
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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
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
votes
9 answers
Can I be a writer, with a mental illness?
I want to be a writer, but I have struggled with Schizoaffective Disorder for quite some time. Some of the symptoms of the disorder are amotivation and trouble with initiation (Getting things started). I have written many, many incomplete short…
Jared Eli Walsh
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25
votes
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
- 1,127
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25
votes
1 answer
What are those "countdown" numbers on the copyright page?
On the copyright pages in many books I find the following "countdown" numbers and I am wondering what the significance of this is?
In a non-fiction book I have, "The Call of the Mild" it looks like:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
But in a fiction book,…
Cyberherbalist
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24
votes
13 answers
Software for developing and organizing characters
I'm looking for a software that helps me develop and organize the characters for my novel.
What I want:
something like a filesystem, with a file for each character
it should have or allow me to create categories like name, gender, age, backstory,…
user5645
24
votes
10 answers
What is Literary Fiction?
I keep hearing about literary fiction, and how it is so much better than genre fiction. What exactly is literary fiction?
Elizabeth Schechter
- 1,504
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- 11
24
votes
9 answers
Is it okay to kill off a main LGBT love interest?
I'm a young writer and have only recently figured out about the "bury your gays trope". I'm writing a book and the main character is a lesbian and gets a girlfriend. Shortly there after the girlfriend gets killed for some plot important reasons. The…
Strawberry
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