70 Answered Questions for the topic fiction

06/18/19

All of a sudden... ?
I am writing a manuscript for a novel. It's my first attempt, and often I find myself wanting to write "suddenly" or "all of a sudden". I do this when I want the scene to change in an instant, or... more
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06/17/19

How to avoid turning dialogue into Q&A session?
I noticed a problem I have in my fictional writing. My dialogues quickly turn into interrogations. Here is an exaggerated example.> "How did you do it?" he asked. > "..." > "Will it kill... more
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06/05/19

What is the correct way to switch dialogue between two or more characters during a conversation without it being confusing for the reader?
When I use dialogue within the stories I write I have a bad habit of writing dialogue after dialogue without indication as to who is talking. An example is when I do this in a story> “Arden!... more
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06/05/19

When is the best time to add detail?
Is it better to fill your first draft with excessive detail and edit the unneeded parts out after or if it is better to write simply and go back and add in the details after it is done?
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05/31/19

Style signatures and uncommon formatting patterns?
**_Style signatures_** are bits of words and phrases used consistently throughout the entirety of a work (but not necessarily among my unrelated works). I would like to try using style signatures... more
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05/31/19

First draft Word count.?
Do you find your first draft is longer or shorter than your completed work? I understand that I will be cutting alot of unnessary words, but I also have a list of things I need to add. I haven't... more
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05/29/19

How does the placement of transition sentences affects the meaning/tone of a piece?
Example:> Finally, I began questioning the kid. What was her name? Where were> her parents? And most important, what was she doing outside in this> horrible weather? She replied to none of... more
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05/25/19

What should be in a cover letter for short story submission to a magazine?
It's been about five years since I last submitted any of my work for publication, and my memory of what I was taught then to put in my cover letter is getting rusty. What kind of information... more
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04/08/19

Writing a trilogy and editing?
I planned out to write a trilogy and the first draft of book one is now completed. I want to know if I should edit this draft before starting on the second book.
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04/06/19

How to avoid repetitive sentences? (Describing actions, he/she)?
I was just wondering if anybody had some tips on how to avoid repetitively describing characters' actions in the same way? Here is an example which I'm struggling to reform, mostly because I keep... more
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04/02/19

How much value do publishers and editors place on informative/educational content in fiction stories?
I have heard people say that ‘good stories are educational as well as entertaining’. But how much does it actually matter in the eyes of editors and publishers? For example, if one is writing a... more
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03/31/19

Looking for some tips on how to improve writing?
I have just completed my first draft of a novel. Now the story is completed it's time to capture the style so the reader can engage in the story. I want to make sure the story style is easy enough... more
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03/27/19

Can Extensive Outlining Take the Place of the First Draft?
**Background:** I've been writing fan fiction for five years now. I began when I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so my methods have evolved during those years. By now I have a solid process... more
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03/26/19

What is the standard editorial timeline for genre fiction novels?
I'm signed with a publisher working on my first genre fiction novel. The editor is driving me crazy not getting her work done and putting the rewrites on me at the last minute up against the... more
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03/26/19

Adding breaks in a novel—spaces, asterisks, or a chapter break?
I am editing my first novel and wherever I find a natural break in the story, I add a few spaces. I want to go back and adjust what types of breaks those are, but how best to represent those spaces... more
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03/26/19

What exactly is an editor "summary"?
An Australian literary agent just knocked me back after reading my debut novel manuscript. He advised me to find an editor and said he'll entertain reading my work again but would like to first see... more
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03/18/19

Is it a bad idea to write and edit chapter by chapter?
I am beginning to write original novels after writing fanfictions and posting them online for about six years. My usual process is: write chapter, edit chapter, post chapter, repeat. This means... more
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03/18/19

Revision Process Order?
What would be the best/most fluid/easiest way to revise your manuscript? I've read A LOT up on this and have 2 pages of stuff to revise and check for. Fixing the following things:Main Plot... more
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03/14/19

Can I, as a reader, submit a "Bug Report" for a novel?
I just finished a new release.I encountered a passage in the book that doesn't quite make sense.Just a single sentence that is out of place.Grammatically it is fine, but in context it doesn't seem... more
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03/14/19

How to survive editing?
I am currently trying to edit a one my most recent novel. Trying is the keyword. I asked a few people to read my book as beta readers, but all of them have been busy, so no progress on that front.... more
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