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1500 questions
21
votes
7 answers
Stories with multiple possible interpretations: do you plan for it?
There are many stories out there that are open-ended, up for different interpretations. Many theories spawn around such stories, most of which sound possible/plausible, but are nevertheless only theories.
I want to create a story like that myself,…
user23083
21
votes
4 answers
What constitutes misleading the reader
I'm as novice a writer as one can get so please bear with me. I have read many times that a writer shouldn't mislead the reader otherwise the reader will lose trust in the author and lose his engagement to the story.
Near the very start of my book…
Mikailo
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21
votes
2 answers
Are Names of Characters Copyrighted by Authors?
Are names of characters copyrighted by authors? For example, the character "Eragon" from the Inheritance Cycle series, or a name that you've generated using an online name generator that you'd like to use (Which, could be copyrighted if names of…
JFW
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21
votes
6 answers
Should I start writing my novel or first learn on short stories?
As a new writer, Is it okay to dive on my idea of a long story (a novel) or to first try short stories? I am very excited to start on my concept but am not sure if it is better to first try smaller projects to gain confidence.
Dev
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21
votes
11 answers
Do 'text walls' scare off readers?
A comment on a recent question of mine claims
Right, so that's [large unformatted text blocks scaring off some readers in certain contexts is] a myth. This is how I know: Harry Potter. Big long books. Lots of text. Lots of readers. People come to…
Please stop being evil
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21
votes
7 answers
How much detail is too much?
I've read a few amateur stories online and sometimes the author will include so much detail that the reader gets a little bored or distracted and forgets what the actual story is talking about. How do I know whether I am using too much, not enough,…
M. McGarry
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21
votes
9 answers
What methods can I use to revise my writing?
Background
I am finding it challenging to transform an early draft into a finished product. My biggest challenges are putting the prose in the proper order and using topic sentences and transitions so that the reader can easily follow my train of…
David LeBauer
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21
votes
12 answers
Can basic grammar rules be skipped when writing text for machine safety labels?
First of all I'm completely against this idea but a few people who contribute to the technical documentation project constantly suggest that to attain a short, quick, economic, comprehensive message some basic rules can be broken. Things like…
Montag451
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21
votes
7 answers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing in first person?
A lot of people are either on the side of first person or the side of third person. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of writing in first person for fiction?
Ralph Gallagher
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21
votes
12 answers
Which techniques can I use to become a better editor when editing my own writing?
I'm looking to improve my ability to edit and correct my own writing. What are some techniques I can use to help me with this?
blueberryfields
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21
votes
3 answers
Do you bold punctuation directly after bold text?
Do you bold punctuation directly after bold, linked or italic text?
GiantCowFilms
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21
votes
4 answers
As a non-native English speaker, Is it better to get translated or get copyedited for long texts?
My English level is average. I can write fluently and my vocabulary is not too limited.
With the thought in mind that the end result must be perfect, is it better for me to write my long text (100 pages) in English and then get copyedited by a…
Pierre 303
21
votes
6 answers
Best Way to Develop a Daily Writing Routine?
I would like to go about making a habit of writing to a journal or blog on a daily basis. What techniques or patterns have been the most useful in accomplishing this task?
Urda
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21
votes
7 answers
How to deal with common Earth references in a non-Earth setting?
Until now, I have mostly written in settings similar enough to Earth, mostly with human beings. For the first time, I am writing a short story set on a different planet, where the protagonists are not human and will have no interaction at all with…
Cristol.GdM
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21
votes
6 answers
Are there any places to have community story development?
Are there any places or ways a group (general public or individually invited) of people can individually contribute to a communally developed story?
For example, a website or collaboration tool (besides Word files emailed back and forth).
Reverend Gonzo
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