Most Popular
1500 questions
14
votes
6 answers
When is a screenshot really useful in training documentation?
Software products evolve more rapidly each day. Technical documentation for those products must also follow their evolution. One of the biggest challenges is to maintain screenshots when the graphical user interface (GUI) changes.
An easy way to…
Fuhrmanator
- 245
- 2
- 8
14
votes
2 answers
How can a specific (current) event be made timeless?
There are some movies and some stories that are enjoyable when they're released - but they don't stand up to the test of time very well. I've been wondering about what makes a story timeless, one that can be passed on from generation to generation…
Nathan Fischer
- 2,697
- 1
- 18
- 21
13
votes
5 answers
When is a prologue useful?
Prologues tend to get a bad rap on the internet, and sometimes for good reason. They're often used by as an excuse to start a novel with an info-dump. However, it seems to me that people often criticize prologues, but rarely explain when they are…
sjohnston
- 4,765
- 7
- 33
- 47
13
votes
2 answers
What are advantages/disadvantages to use a CC-license for your writings?
What are the implications, if I choose a Creative-Commons-license for my work? Cory Doctorow seems fine with this. Is this exceptional?
Mnementh
- 2,032
- 1
- 22
- 37
13
votes
3 answers
At what point does an author deal with an editor?
I'm just wondering: at which point do you have to deal with the editor, and what are the (possible) consequences? That is, when is the editor's involvement greatest? After or before a deal?
I'd suspect after, since before something is agreed upon,…
Jürgen A. Erhard
- 948
- 1
- 5
- 16
13
votes
4 answers
How do I avoid tech/social errors in near-future fiction?
Not long ago I read a novel set in the near future (mid-21st century). My suspension of disbelief was totally fine with time travel, an implanted "universal translator" of sorts, major medical advances... but balked at plot points that depended on…
Monica Cellio
- 21,459
- 3
- 65
- 109
13
votes
7 answers
What should I do to promote my books?
My publisher currently does a lot to advertise my books, but what can I do to help spread the word?
ETA: Here's what my publisher said they do to promote their books:
"Dreamspinner invests 10% of our income on marketing and promotion. We have tables…
Ralph Gallagher
- 8,706
- 5
- 38
- 61
13
votes
5 answers
Good books on writing for comics?
Me and a friend of mine has been thinking about joining forces and make a comic. She is an excellent drawer/illustrator while I perform better in the story/character/writing part of things.
I guess the best way to start would be to throw ourselves…
erikric
- 2,504
- 18
- 30
13
votes
10 answers
Why can't I write something longer than a few pages?
I write short stories, a lot of short-shorts. I would say the longest thing I've actually finished writing is "Lord of Snakes", which was about 19 pages typed. (And not even very good.) So I've always wanted to be able to write something...at least…
MadameChusi
- 131
- 1
- 1
- 3
13
votes
3 answers
Podcasts useful for improving writing skills
Any podcasts that can help with writing skills?
(One per answer please, I'll add my own fave to get started.)
MGOwen
- 1,939
- 11
- 24
13
votes
7 answers
The polymath's dilemma...?
The main character of a YA story I am working on is fast becoming a polymath, i.e. someone with a broad base of skills and interests across unrelated areas of endeavor. I really like how this character is developing; I feel that the experience of…
HedgeMage
- 4,485
- 1
- 22
- 38
13
votes
7 answers
How to come up with a good title?
I'm done with my first novel, and I'm about to start writing to agents/publishers. The only detail I don't have yet is a good title!
I have a couple of ideas but both suck. I had the illusion that after three drafts the name would be obvious, but...…
ggambetta
- 1,697
- 13
- 23
13
votes
8 answers
Initial Writing Medium
I am curious which is better for a beginning writer (or writer) starting a new story. Pen and paper or the computer?
Pen & Paper is a lot more sketchy (like the layout of this site) which gives the feeling of a prototype and may allow ideas to flow…
Justin Svetlik
- 291
- 2
- 7
13
votes
5 answers
How to write from the middle?
My biggest problem as a writer is that I always get inspired and then start writing from the middle, in particular scenes or moments which I think will be crucial. Climaxes. These scenes turn out really great, but then afterwards, when I try to go…
Alexander Gruber
- 242
- 4
- 10
13
votes
3 answers
Should I remove scenes that I myself find "boring"?
Sometimes, I find myself writing a scene that does everything I think it should do: reveal details about the protagonist, drive the plot forward, show other elements related to the story, etc. There's only one problem: I find the scene "boring"…
wyc
- 12,417
- 19
- 64
- 125