If you want to scare your readers, in the spirit of Halloween, I’ve come up with a few ideas that people don’t usually think of which I’d like to share. Whether or not your story is full of blood and death or not doesn’t actually make it scary, at least to most people. Lots of people aren’t fazed by some grotesque things if they’ve seen it before, and can see it coming. If your goal is to surprise your readers and leave them with a lasting impression, you’ll have to think outside the box. If you want to make a story scary, there must be some psychology in it somewhere. Hidden or obvious, you’ll
Strong Characters but a Weak Plot? by OokamiKasumi, literature
Literature
Strong Characters but a Weak Plot?
----- Original Message -----
...I have very strong characters, but a very weak plot. While my story is primarily character driven, I feel I feel I put them in a place where there's not much plot, or that the plot itself is uninteresting. How do make my plot stronger? Furthermore, how do I find a balance between plot and characters? Or is it okay that my plot isn't gripping, as long as I have strong, well-developed characters?
What should you do when you have
Strong Characters but a Weak Plot?
First, I think we should clarify what Character-Driven means.
Character-Driven does NOT mean:
A story that focuses on the characters.
Character-Drive
So, You Want a Critique? by OokamiKasumi, literature
Literature
So, You Want a Critique?
WARNING! Incoming Rant!
A Critique...? Really? Are you sure that's what you want?
From the responses I've gotten on many different forums, and the responses I've seen others get, plus the resulting peanut gallery commentary, I'm not so sure a Critique is what some of you are actually looking for.
Let's start at the beginning.
Do you even know what a Critique actually is?
cri•tique
kriˈtēk/
noun: critique; plural noun: critiques
1. a detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory.
synonyms: analysis, evaluation, assessment, appraisal, appreciati
What to do Before you Publish Your Book by ML-Larson, literature
Literature
What to do Before you Publish Your Book
A guide to increasing your sales before your book goes on sale
The whole point of offering a book for sale is to make money. There are many people who will say they’ve only published their story or book to get it out there for people to see, but if that’s the case, there are countless ways to publish for free. So if you’re going to put the time and effort into submitting the book for publication, you might as well make it worth it.
Realistically, the chances of making a sustainable income off of indie publishing are slim. If you go through a larger house, and happen to be one of the lucky few who get pick
2014 Prompts January - June by ezradeacon, literature
Literature
2014 Prompts January - June
More detailed information for the prompts that we post each week in our 2014 Prompts journal.
Prompt Rules
:bulletblack: Prosé word count limit is 3,000 words or 40 lines for poetry (except where stated otherwise).
:bulletblack: Except where stated, all forms of literature are welcome, including visual lit.
:bulletblack: Please make sure to put in your artist comments, "Submission for :*devApocalypse-writing*: (remove the *) prompt" and include which prompt it is for.
:bulletblack: Except where stated, submissions must have an apocalypse theme (pre, current or post) and should be submitted to the PROMPTS FOLDER.
Week 1: First Line.
"
Character Outline
The Basics
First Name:
Last Name:
Nickname or Alias:
Gender:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Hair Color and Description:
Eye Color and Description:
Birth Date:
Death Date:
Previous Residences (Include childhood home):
Residence:
Brief Physical Description:
Clothing:
Is the way they dress unusual?
Distinguishing Features:
Personality
What are this person's ?
Tendencies:
Hobbies:
Quirks:
Are they ?
Optimistic or Pessimistic:
A villain or a hero:
What are three traits that would best describe this character?
Why are these traits useful descriptions?
Did these traits come about during their life, or w
Proofreading Tips #7: Introductory Clauses by GoldCoinComics, literature
Literature
Proofreading Tips #7: Introductory Clauses
As the name implies, an introductory clause is a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. The preceding sentence, in fact, contained such a clause. Use commas to separate introductory clauses and certain phrases from independent clauses. Introductory phrases of more than five words or phrases containing verbal elements also require commas. Dependent clause openers include:WhenIfAsAlthoughBecauseAfterThoughDuringBeforeWhile
Some examples are:
"As expected, she could not turn in the homework on time."
"In the fall of last year, we held a family reunion." (use a comma after a phrase containing five or more words)
"To decide, they held a