Question. I have a scene where Connor startles a mother superior, currently written as:
The mother superior gave Connor a startled look.
Is that the same as saying:
The mother superior startled.
I don't know if the latter is a valid use of the verb.
Thanks
Dirk
John, if you want it appear in the exact same place in the book (same chapter number) and with the same chapter name, then increment the version number only. You can also make the existing chapter/version inactive (unless you want both old and new to appear simultaneously for readers). Don't forget to cough up points for the new chapter/version, otherwise it won't show.
Work is ongoing. This week I've been making suggested edits to my older scenes. Picked up a new reviewer with excellent ideas (Ray). Unfortunately, he finds the site toxic/useless, so he's leaving. For some reason I can't delete that obnoxious thread. The rules for Premium must be different than for our group.
I settled on keeping the longer prologue. I don't want to make the reader wade through 200 pages before getting their answer to how the scene ends.
Next week I start writing the exorcism!
This is useful info, penang. Thank you for posting this. And cross-posting to Marketing will make it easier to find later.
How about the winner(s) get their main work spotlighted on the home page for a week? Could have a Contest Winners section up temporarily. Not too long since that would annoy Temple and Vern. Leave the cash in the bank to pay for ongoing enhancements.
I agree, Temple. If they're not willing to shell out $9, then they're either not serious or they didn't see enough in the week-long trial to join. I'd still argue for a longer trial.
I was curious about other sites, so I did a comparison. I won't name the competitors, but the best one didn't support the concept of books, putting the onus on users to keep it organized. Also, chapters only remain readable/reviewable for thirty days. Then you have to gather more points to republish. That's ridiculous. Like us, they have a lot of dead groups, although more active forums. They also allow users to donate points to others. Hint. :-)
I disagree with expanding the free trial period.
Of course you do. :-) Look around, Vern. This place is a ghost town. I'm worried this site will become unsustainable for Sol. Beyond a longer trial, I would add a monthly paid rate to allow new members to see just how great this site is, then decide to buy a longer membership to save $.
One trend I've noticed is that new users leave the site right after their trial period is up. I've lost count of the number of users I've tried to get up to speed only to have them disappear days later. I've always thought that the trial period is too short for such a complex site. Perhaps it could be lengthened to a month? It's not like someone is going to use the site in that month to write and publish a novel without eventually having to pay to continue to workshop here. Let's give them the full tour.
So this is what it's like to have a real smartphone. Just upgraded from a six-year-old Moto g1 to a Moto e6. The screen is awesome. The speed is incredible. Sadly, there is no longer a version of Swype on Google play. SwiftKey sucks in comparison. Too bad the phones are so slippery. The g1 had a rubber-like back that stayed put in your hand.
If anyone knows of a good swiping keyboard, please let me know.
Welcome back, Linda. What's the WIP about?
Thank you, both. Very helpful.
I have a question about the use of two names in my book. The book was inspired by the Connor character from the Angel vampire TV series. The central character in my book is also named Connor, although my book is set in Italy, not the U.S., and is not about vampires. My other character is named Michaelangelo, but his close friends call him Angelo. I also have a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Angel TV series. Other than the names, there are no similarities between the show and my book.
Is it permissible to have two names inspired by another story? I assume so but figured I would ask.
Thanks
Dirk
Interesting. There's an international website for victims of Alström Syndrome, which comes up when you search for ASI disease. I'll punt the acronym entirely and only name the illness once early on. After that, I'll refer to it as his disease.
Idiopathic Acute Systemic Inflammation (IASI)
That works as the disease name, but the acronym is meh. If I take idiopathic out of the acronym, that leaves ASI. Not much better.
The other option is to give him throat cancer to explain why he coughs up blood, and have the chemo play havoc with his immune system, exacerbating his gold allergy, causing the severe rash around his neck. Seems rather complicated.
Thoughts?
Coconuts, not handkerchiefs.
No, I want no reminders of that *sshole in my book. Hinkley Syndrome might work. :-)
Sadly there was such a kid. Grade eight was a nightmare.
I've decided to make a change with De Rosa. His rash/coughing varies in intensity from day to day, but I need it until the end of the book. It's already annoying me, so my readers will probably hate it going on that long. Instead, he'll have a few really bad days throughout the book, and no symptoms on his good days. Still mulling over what the illness will be - a made up name (e.g., Holzberger Syndrome) vs. something that can't be diagnosed.
I'm sorry to say that Amy passed away several weeks ago after a two-year battle with colon cancer. She was a terrific author, writing about five books simultaneously. More importantly, she was a wonderful friend and human being. Her Medieval/Fantasy Magic group, where many of us used to hang out, has fallen virtually silent without her. She will be missed. (We were waiting for her husband to post here, but he may not have access to this site. He posted a message on her Facebook account.)
Thank you for the feedback, everyone.
Let's see. Too much description is when you get bored reading it.
I recently received reviews on my latest chapter. General consensus was that it read more like a how-to manual for soccer than a thriller. Managed to rip out most of it and replaced it with an attack by the forces of evil. :-)
I'm curious what people think of setting descriptions. How much is too much? I think mine are mostly too light, which I hope to address in the next draft. How many paragraphs do you dedicate to describing a room so that you create a certain mood?
Also, how much time do you spend describing clothing? A sentence? A paragraph? None? I have inspectors from two police forces in Rome, but haven't described their uniforms yet, although I do mention they wear police caps, which implies a uniform. Does anyone care what the uniform actually looks like? Even if it doesn't move the plot forward?
I put up a short story for free feedback elsewhere to see how it compares to what I received here, and people told me it moved too fast and they couldn't picture much of it. I had about eight reviews from here and no one raised that as a concern.
Thanks
Dirk
Dirk nods and smiles. Guilty as charged.
No, it's a names bible, not merely a character bible. With all the Italian people, places, and things, it's essential. I can't believe I forgot I had it. Galaxy Tales, though, had one hundred characters, including names from history.
