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1500 questions
18
votes
7 answers
How do you track submissions to publishers/markets?
What tools (software or otherwise) or procedures do you use to track the progress of submissions to publishers or other markets? How do you reduce the chance of accidentally (and embarrassingly) submitting the same thing twice to the same market?
Ash
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18
votes
8 answers
How to make clear what a part-humanoid character looks like when they're quite common in their world?
How can I describe an unconventionally part-humanoid character, so the reader knows clearly what they look like, while in a world where these people are normal and it's not unusual at all for characters to see (or be) such a person?
The…
Nadeshka
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18
votes
8 answers
Is there a good project management software for writers?
I would like something in which I can set targets - like write/edit 10,000 words a week, set a final end date for the project, set mini targets, track any lag etc.
The only PM software I've used in Ms Project, and in my limited experience, is not…
Shantnu Tiwari
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18
votes
6 answers
How do I justify a mansplainer/misogynist?
I have a male character who is coming across as patronizing and mansplain-y.
He has several scenes where he tells a (different) female protagonist how she should behave, or assumes she doesn't understand and corrects her. I've been using him as a…
wetcircuit
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18
votes
6 answers
How to give cartography information in a fantasy setting without being too precise?
I'm writing a fantasy story set in an imaginary world. For the first time, I'm giving geographical information and... I don't really know how to give it, actually. My alpha reader told me it was hard to use my current information to visualize…
Daneel
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18
votes
13 answers
Resources for character development
I'm weak at building characters.
What resources are there to create rich characters? I'm thinking beyond name generators: Quirks, biography, diseases like allergies, hobbies and jobs, wealth, omens, ...
Aaron Digulla
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18
votes
7 answers
How to describe a mythological creature that English has no vocabulary for?
The term is 妖精, which can be translated into English as "fairy", "elf", "goblin". As noted, the Japanese literature uses 妖精 to describe the European fairy. The English translation of 白骨精 in 西游记 (Journey to the West) is "white bone demon". So, this…
Double U
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18
votes
10 answers
Is genre ever relevant to the writing process?
I'm a strong believer in genre being largely a thing that's used for marketing, an easy shorthand for book stores to know where to place your book and sell it better. It's also, unfortunately, a shorthand for critics who are predisposed to hating…
Matthew Dave
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18
votes
7 answers
Are there any general rules or guidelines for using neologism or newly coined word (Cutease)?
Recently, I came across a beautiful word 'Cutease', defined on Urban dictionary as:
Cute, sassy, saucy and cheeky. ends up being a tease.
I found this word on one of the social networks and I loved the way it was used. Later, I found it on Urban…
CaWo
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18
votes
3 answers
Other options for "had had"?
Although the use of "had had" is grammatically correct, it doesn't read well and seems awkward to me. Take for example the following sentence:
I had had enough of this nonsense and was ready to move on.
What is a better alternative to using "had…
Steven Drennon
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18
votes
7 answers
What are the differences between narrative and descriptive writing?
What are the differences between narrative and descriptive writing? What should we keep in mind while writing it?
user2234
18
votes
7 answers
How to address family members solely by relationship in dialogue?
Most English speakers probably just care about You, Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents and Ancestors, Children, Grandchildren, etc. That's great... as long as you are writing about a monolingual English-speaking…
Double U
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18
votes
4 answers
What's a typical trilogy structure?
Is there a typical structure for a fantasy trilogy?
To be more specific, would they usually follow the three-act structure, with an act per book? And would each book need a self-contained story arc with a proper beginning and ending? Or could you…
Lexi
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18
votes
9 answers
Avoiding Slang whilst Writing
I sometime express my personality too much in my more creative fiction. When I get going, I include slang words and phrases that sound fascinating and are comprehensible to me, but may not be interesting or understandable to my readers.
I'd hate to…
robertcday
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18
votes
5 answers
How do I write a shriek?
I'm trying to write a shriek, something like "AHHHHH!" or "AAAAH!".
However, I don't really want to use all caps and repeated letters.
Does anyone know any other techniques of showing a scream occurred besides what I stated?
Mikester919
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