Newest writing Questions | Wyzant Ask An Expert

06/26/19

Why is Learning Phonics Important?

Phonics is one of the stepping stones for students of all ages and levels to improve their reading comprehension. It's also a great aid in spelling.

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Writing Plot

06/25/19

Should a reader have enough information to deduce the twist?

When building a twist into the ending, should I leak enough information such that astute readers could predict the twist if they stopped and mulled it over or should I withhold key elements to... more

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Writing Creative Writing Acronyms

06/25/19

Should I use acronyms in dialogues before telling the readers what it stands for in fiction?

There are occasions where you basically just start a chapter with a short descriptive passage and go straight to dialogues, so in those situations I am not sure how to deal with acronyms in... more

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Writing Creative Writing Novel Fiction

06/25/19

What are character flaws and what makes a good one?

I mean, what exactly defines a flaw for a character? I know that the character's flaws should have at least some impact in the story, instead of being just a mere detail, but what makes flaw X... more

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Writing Plot Fiction Pacing

06/25/19

Problem: Scenes that are unavoidable, but boring?

More specifically: Two of my book series' main characters are (temporarily) diplomats. It's unavoidable to the progress of the plot. But diplomacy is inherently slow and boring. So, the general... more

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Writing Plot Structure Fiction

06/25/19

Would it be wise to make the turning point of a story coincidental?

I've written a fictional story and the way my characters are coming together and forming a bond seems way too coincidental to me.>A lady lives on the first floor while her tenant, a guy, lives... more

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Writing Style Description Narrator

06/25/19

Should a narrator ever describe things based on a character's view instead of facts?

There is something I find myself doing often while writing, and I don't even know what to call it, but I would like to know if its good practice. It happens when I'm writing from a third-person... more

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Writing Terminology Audience Character Development

06/25/19

What is the term for an accessible character that knows nothing?

In a lot of books, movies, or TV shows, there will be a character that knows little to nothing about the subject at hand. Most cop shows and medical shows will have someone who doesn't know very... more

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Answers •2

Writing Style Dialogue Narrative

06/25/19

Striking the balance between dialogue and narrative?

I am participating in [National Novel Writing Month](http://www.nanowrimo.org) this year. I have never in my life written so much of a single story. Although I am supposed to tell my inner editor... more

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Writing Series Plot Fiction

06/25/19

What techniques are used to plot long (multi-novel) story arcs?

As a very visual person, I have always considered plotting a story to be somewhat like knitting or macrame. How do series authors handle multi novel story arcs? Do they just keep throwing out... more

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Writing Plot Structure Fantasy

06/25/19

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... more

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Writing Style Exercises Technique

06/25/19

What helpful writing exercises do you use?

The two I do most are dialog and description related. When I meet a person or I'm just sitting people watching, I try to write their description in my head as if I was describing a character in a... more

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Writing Setting Fiction

06/25/19

What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting a story in a made up country, compared to a real one?

I have story ideas that involve civil wars or revolutions happening while a character is travelling. I was wondering what would be the advantages and disadvantages of setting such a story in a made... more

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Answers •1

Writing Copyright Publishing

06/25/19

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... more

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Writing Style Technique Description

06/25/19

What are the limits to description in story writing? How do I know if I have crossed them?

Time and time again, I have been told that my unfounded focus on description distracts from the main story line. I mostly write stories in English, which doesn't happen to be my first language but... more

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Writing Creative Writing Novel Fantasy

06/25/19

What's the benefit of using invented languages in-story?

I'm working on a fictional story set in a fantastical (although coherent) universe. I'm used to seeing invented languages in works like this: Tolkien's languages for The Lord of the Rings, or... more

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Answers •3

Writing Novel Description

06/25/19

When is a lack of long, sophisticated words to describe an otherwise simple concept bad?

Reading books of Dan Brown and that sort (pardon my inability to produce any other relevant examples off the top of my head) gives off the impression to budding writers that novels need to have a... more

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Answers •1

Writing Openings

06/25/19

Why is "It was a dark and stormy night.." not a good opening?

Also, why has it spawned an award for bad writing?

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Answers •2

Writing Fantasy Genre

06/25/19

What are the standard genre characteristics of contemporary women's fantasy?

I want to write a fantasy novel with a female protagonist, and I want to familiarize myself with reader expectations. Is there still a tradition of (medieval-type) fantasy by and for women, and... more

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Writing Creative Writing Novel Process

06/25/19

Overcoming "Possibility Paralysis"?

I don't often experience writer's block these days. Instead I struggle with a different sort of impediment in my writing: I call it Possibility Paralysis.I have to quickly acknowledge that this is... more

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Writing Characters Viewpoint

06/25/19

Sympathetic portrayal of devout, rule-abiding characters?

I'm having trouble portraying religious, devout characters as protagonists or viewpoint characters. When I try, I get the sense that the reader - not sharing the characters' beliefs - will have... more

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Writing Grammar Essay Style

06/25/19

Why does using this "-ing" verb construction make my writing weaker?

I had to write a scholarship essay, wherein I wrote this sentence:> Over the ensuing years I read as much as I could, *trying* to increase my knowledge and understanding of my own language.I... more

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Writing Language Technique Fantasy

06/25/19

Will using real-world cultural vocabulary in a fantasy setting disengage readers?

__If I have certain minor rituals/garments/culture tidbits in a fantasy setting that mirror those of Earth, and I describe them using the real-world vocabulary, will that disengage readers from the... more

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Writing Novel Process Fantasy

06/25/19

What are the signs of accidental self insertion?

I am currently writing a novel where the main character will be far more powerful than most of the people in the world and I am worried that I will end up losing sight of what I am writing and... more

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Writing Creative Writing Fiction

06/25/19

What is considered "childish" in fictional writing?

There are some people who have read some of my book so far and they think it is childish and then some say it's somewhat morbid. What are your views on what each of those terms means?

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Answers •1

Why is Learning Phonics Important?

Should a reader have enough information to deduce the twist?

Should I use acronyms in dialogues before telling the readers what it stands for in fiction?

What are character flaws and what makes a good one?

Problem: Scenes that are unavoidable, but boring?

Would it be wise to make the turning point of a story coincidental?

Should a narrator ever describe things based on a character's view instead of facts?

What is the term for an accessible character that knows nothing?

Striking the balance between dialogue and narrative?

What techniques are used to plot long (multi-novel) story arcs?

What's a typical trilogy structure?

What helpful writing exercises do you use?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting a story in a made up country, compared to a real one?

What are those "countdown" numbers on the copyright page?

What are the limits to description in story writing? How do I know if I have crossed them?

What's the benefit of using invented languages in-story?

When is a lack of long, sophisticated words to describe an otherwise simple concept bad?

Why is "It was a dark and stormy night.." not a good opening?

What are the standard genre characteristics of contemporary women's fantasy?

Overcoming "Possibility Paralysis"?

Sympathetic portrayal of devout, rule-abiding characters?

Why does using this "-ing" verb construction make my writing weaker?

Will using real-world cultural vocabulary in a fantasy setting disengage readers?

What are the signs of accidental self insertion?

What is considered "childish" in fictional writing?

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