WackyGirl1234 wrote:

How important do you think planning is? Specifically creating character profiles?

PrincessFlowerTV wrote:

I've finally finished the book that I started in February(Hallelujah!). Do you have any tips for editing? :3

PrincessFlowerTV wrote:

I've finally finished the book that I started in February(Hallelujah!). Do you have any tips for editing? :3

thegamer2005 wrote:

Umm, help. Every time I come up with a novel concept, (and I've come up with quite a few) I always lose interest in it and ditch it in a week! This most recent concept has held on a little longer because I shared it with a friend and she gave me some very encouraging words: ‘This concept has great potential and I can’t wait to see what you do with this.' Those words are literally the only reason why I'm still holding on to this story. Can you guys suggest some ways to help with this ditching the story after 7 days problem?

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

cheese-duck wrote:

Huh, interesting point.
I was wondering about something specific, so if this is fine to ask:
In my book, there's magicians living hidden among non-magicians, like in Harry Potter, and I think the reason they're hidden is to eliminate any problems arising from this difference– like accusation for being ‘freaks,’ or jealousy, or overall just a feeling of tension between the two kinds of people because one has something the other doesn't. Does this create any plot holes like the ones you mentioned in the tip, and does it seem too much like Harry Potter?

Thanks :]

Firstly, I don't think it's too similar to harry potter from what you've told me- magicians living amongst humans isn't a particularly original concept.
Secondly, The only main problem with your current reason for the wizards hiding is that it sounds like there has been some kind of general group consensus between all the wizards that they should hide. This is only really noticeable as their reasons for hiding are more opinion-based than based on a need for survival (e.g: vampires hiding because they don't want their prey to be frightened is opinion-based, vampires hiding because they don't want to be killed by angry humans is survival) which makes it seem less likely that a large group would all agree to and support it.
This isn't a major plot hole or anything, but if you want to make it a bit more plausible you could either have a small wizard population (so it would be more likely that everyone would agree on this), or have genuine consequences that could happen if they were discovered, and not just theoretical things.

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

Tip of the day
I'd like to expand on a point I briefly covered earlier while reviewing PrincessPandaLover's story extract-

Jim turned to face Mary, angry
“You're always criticizing what I say and do!”
“What else should I do? Let you make a fool out of yourself ?!”
“It's none of your business what I do! Who's life is it, mine or yours?”
“Fine, if that's how you want to be.” Mary began to walk away. “I'll leave you to you're own devices.”

cheese-duck wrote:

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

Tip of the day
Just because a weapon/tool looks cool doesn't mean it's actually any good at it's purpose or that people would choose it over it's more mundane alternatives. Before you deck out your assassin with some intricately designed daggers, you might want to consider whether the carved shapes would snag on things. Or if they're actually any good at stealthily taking out enemies. Or if it'd just be more cost effective to use some rope near the target instead rather than specially ordering some expensive, funky knife.

<in the midst of stalking someone> <knife snags on clothes for the 1000th time> “Curse you, author, why'd you force me to buy these inconvenient things that aren't even a good deal”

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

Challenge of the day
“two word horror story- no wifi”: make this common youtube comment section joke into an actual horror story.

I've decided to give this a try myself and do something loosely based on my own prompt. I know I usually give out all the feedback here, but I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me any advice or point out any problems with this. It's just a quick singular draft thing, so I'm not expecting it to be much.

Franklin stood on the platform, bound. He looked at the crowd, staring at him. His doubts surfaced again. Why had he been such a fool all those years ago? A pit formed in his stomach. No, he wouldn’t allow his doubts and fears to show. He would die honorably. He looked up at the noose that would end his life. Then back out at the crowd. He could say or do whatever he wanted. There was nothing more they could do to him. In a flash, he made a decision. He would publisize the cause. His last words would change the country. He had nothing left to fear.

He looked at the gaurds standing on either side of the platform. His words would be limited. As soon as he began to speak, they would be upon him.

He thought about what he oculd say, what would have the biggest impact with the least amount of words. After one last glance at the gaurds he opened his mouth. Then closed it. He couldn’t. It was too scary. What impact would his words have anyway.

No, he would do it. If he could only impact one person, so be it. It would be worth it.

“Citznes!” His words brought a gasp from the crowd, and the gaurds began rushing towards him. The words rushed out of his mouth. “Remeber what democracy was like? The power you had to influnce your country? It’s not too late! You still have that power. rise up and take back-” The gaurds were upon him. One slapped a hand over his mouth.

Franklin saw nervous, flabbegasted looks being exchanged in the audience.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarled. To the audience he said “see what is about to happen to this man? that is what will happen to you if you revolt!”

From his perch, franklin saw a few men whispering in the back. The guards were too distracted to notice.

Another grabbed the noose and lowered it over Franklin’s head. The last thing Franklin saw as the noose tightened was the men rushing forward, pushing through the crowd. And then, his world went black.

WackyGirl1234 wrote:

Heres the last scene from a novel I'm in middle of writing. I feel like the whole scene is too short. The protag, a rebel, is about to be killed, and its just like… idk?
Any ideas to make it more realistic?

Franklin stood on the platform, bound. He looked at the crowd, staring at him. His doubts surfaced again. Why had he been such a fool all those years ago? A pit formed in his stomach. No, he wouldn’t allow his doubts and fears to show. He would die honorably. He looked up at the noose that would end his life. Then back out at the crowd. He could say or do whatever he wanted. There was nothing more they could do to him. In a flash, he made a decision. He would publisize the cause. His last words would change the country. He had nothing left to fear.

He looked at the gaurds standing on either side of the platform. His words would be limited. As soon as he began to speak, they would be upon him.

He thought about what he oculd say, what would have the biggest impact with the least amount of words. After one last glance at the gaurds he opened his mouth. Then closed it. He couldn’t. It was too scary. What impact would his words have anyway.

No, he would do it. If he could only impact one person, so be it. It would be worth it.

“Citznes!” His words brought a gasp from the crowd, and the gaurds began rushing towards him. The words rushed out of his mouth. “Remeber what democracy was like? The power you had to influnce your country? It’s not too late! You still have that power. rise up and take back-” The gaurds were upon him. One slapped a hand over his mouth.

Franklin saw nervous, flabbegasted looks being exchanged in the audience.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarled. To the audience he said “see what is about to happen to this man? that is what will happen to you if you revolt!”

From his perch, franklin saw a few men whispering in the back. The guards were too distracted to notice.

Another grabbed the noose and lowered it over Franklin’s head. The last thing Franklin saw as the noose tightened was the men rushing forward, pushing through the crowd. And then, his world went black.

WackyGirl1234 wrote:

I need an idea.
So a scene in my book is the protag joins a rebel group. How would the rebel group know that new members are really on their side? The only idea I could think of would be new members are not brought to the real hideout, let in on the real plans, etc (but their not told that)..
After few months of them being trustworthy, they are brought to the real group.
Or is the reality of rebel groups that there might be a double crosser involved?

TheRealNetherBefore wrote:

Tip of the day
Paragraphs- one of the most important literary tools, but also one of the hardest to understand. I'll admit it, I didn't even know exactly when you're supposed to use them before I googled it for this tip, so don't feel bad about it.

You should always start a new paragraph when:

• Dialogue occurs. You should always start a new line when a different person speaks as it makes it easier for the reader to tell who is speaking.
  
• You change location or time. If we're moving from the kitchen to the dining room, skipping forward to the end of the evening or having a flashback while on the toilet, you need to separate it up with a new paragraph.
  
• The topic changes. This is the big one, guys- there's a whole bunch of things that can be classed as a change of topic. Basically, whenever we switch focus from one thing to another thing and they aren't closely linked, you should probably break it up.

cutepuppies458 wrote:

These tips are really good, I write a lot and so do my friends. We are currently writing a series together about a group of kids and a gorilla. I hope other writers can find these as they are helpful and simple to understand for younger people.

thegamer2005 wrote:

cutepuppies458 wrote:

These tips are really good, I write a lot and so do my friends. We are currently writing a series together about a group of kids and a gorilla. I hope other writers can find these as they are helpful and simple to understand for younger people.

AAAAAAAAAAAA I love your profile pic
Ahem
Do you write?