I'd like to get a general consensus on thoughts regarding prologues. Do I include a prologue or not? I've been told it's fine and I've been told it is equivalent to original sin. Needless to say, I'm a bit confused.
I am starting revisions on my novel "Lady Silver" and I'm considering a prologue to get in some backstory. So I need the bottom line: include a prologue? Or is doing so guaranteed to land me on the "do not read under any circumstances" list?
Thanks in advance!
Bobbie
A newbie question here.
I notice there are lots of recent postings of chapters in books that are way up there in chapter count, like Ch. 29 or something. Does it really do the author any good to have someone come in and begin reading at that point in the story? Unless the review is grammar, spelling, etc., how helpful can it be to have someone review it who has no idea of what's going on?
Keeping that in mind, is it a waste of time to start back at the beginning of such a project, even if Chapter 1 was originally posted over a year or more ago? It may already have 100+ reviews. Is it helpful to the author to have someone go back and start at the beginning?
I'm wanting to start several projects from the beginning but I don't want to waste my time if doing so isn't going to help or will just be summarily dismissed. So...what's a girl to do?
Thanks!
Thanks, Vern.
I fear my techno ineptitude is showing here. Apparently my geek gene is dormant.
Bobbie
HAHAHAHAHA!!
I think I got it figured out.
I copied my chapter from my MS Word file, then pasted it into another blank Word file as "text only." I made whatever formatting corrections I needed to in that file, then copied it and pasted into the system. The formatting came out great when I saved the chapter to the site!
And there was much rejoicing.....
Well, poot! I guess I jumped the gun. Formatting still isn't the way I put it. Oh, well....it is readable.
HAHAHAHAHA!!
I think I got it figured out.
I copied my chapter from my MS Word file, then pasted it into another blank Word file as "text only." I made whatever formatting corrections I needed to in that file, then copied it and pasted into the system. The formatting came out great when I saved the chapter to the site!
And there was much rejoicing.....
Hi everyone. Nice to meet everyone. I've been on the site for less than a week now and I'm loving every minute of it!
I do have a question:
In a sci-fi novel, does the world I build have to follow the laws of physics of THIS universe? I'm building my own multiverse; can the laws of physics there work according to MY laws?
I am working on my first novel. It is the first in a series that I envision. It is set in a multiverse (17 known layers or dimensions) with everyone running around from solar system to solar system, planet to planet in space ships, etc. You know the drill.
I also have a race of people in my novel who are innate magic users. They are born this way (shoutout to Lady GaGa.) I've been told I can't mix technology (aka science) and magic. My question is: why not?
I would love some input from any and all who may have an opinion on this.
If you want to see what I'm talking about, I have chapters of my VERY RAW first draft up: "Lady Silver: Warlock Chronicles, Book 1"
Thanks!
~Bobbie~
I'll give the system a big ole' hug and we'll sing Kumbaya.
Thanks, Vern 
I copy from WordPerfect into Word. Then from Word, I paste into the site using the little button on the toolbar for that purpose (the clipboard with the small W in it). Most of my formatting comes out intact. The only issues are my section breaks. I have to go back and re-center them. Otherwise, that's the process that works bestest for me. Once the text is in the box, you can select it all and apply a new font and point size.
I don't do WordPerfect so I don't know that I can go that route. I'm a Word kind of girl.
I have re-centered my section breaks only to have them jump back to the right side margin when I post it. The system hates me. That's it. Now I'll be in therapy for years.
~Bobbie~
Thanks, jack.
I guess I'm not the only one so it must be the system more than me. That's a good thing to know. I freely admit doing the techy thing is not where my talents lie!
I'll keep playing with it and if I find something that works, I'll post it here.
~Bobbie~
Okie dokie. I'll just have to play with it a bit, I guess.
Thanks, Dirk!
I lose the indentions on paragraphs and my breaks ( *** ) come out on the right side margin rather than centered, which is where I put them. If I fix it, when I save it, it goes right back to blocks with no indents and my *** at the right margin.
I got dinged in an review for having my *** on the right margin. I don't want to get dinged again! LOL
Am I the only one having formatting issues? I paste me chapter into the square and it looks okay. I tweak it a bit to make it look better and when I save it, BAM! All the formatting disappears!
Help an old lady out?
~Bobbie~
Bobbie.R.Byrd wrote:Hi everyone.
I have been looking for a reputable, legitimate peer review site where I can help others with their writing and get much needed input from fellow writers on my work. I am working on a novel that I've been floating around in my mind for about 30 years. Now that I'm retired from "regular employment," I have been building my chops as a freelance writer (gotta pay the bills!) That has reignited my passion for writing; thus, a novel in the works.
I have posted the first chapter of my novel "Lady Silver: Warlock Chronicles, Book I" and will be posting the remainder when I can (gotta get those points!) I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it!
Welcome aboard, Bobbie! TNBW is a great place to be!
Thanks for the welcome, Randal. Much appreciated
Maybe you can tell me? Where do I look to get help on formatting when I submit a chapter? I read the "help with formatting" section, which didn't help at all. Me and the formatting in this system are getting ready to go a round! LOL
Thanks!
I don't think I've run into Vern yet but I shall keep an eyeball peeled for him.
Bob
Bobbie, here are some variants of that problem sentence:
Original: "The man, some form of demon, chuckled."
Option 2: "The man -- some form of demon -- chuckled."
Option 3: "The man -- a demon? -- chuckled."EDIT: I went with option 4: "The man -- surely a demon -- chuckled."
Hmm....yeah, I think 4 is probably the best bet. Although my first instant reaction was #3. But on pondering for a moment, I think 4.
On a side note: is there a way to set this so that the current posts come up when I click on the group? I'm having to go to page 18 in the bunch to get to the current.
Hey Dirk. I thought about the dry ice and the foggy demon.
Father got a good dump of dust from the vent before Alessandro's seizure. Dust in his eyes can be very irritating, even causing "spots" and blurred vision intermittently as the eyes try to clear it. Every time he blinks, he's essentially spreading the dust over his cornea again while his eyes are trying to wash it out with tears. Think windshield wipers trying to clear a coat of pollen but your squirter system is only working at half capacity.
If you add in a mention or two that he's having some trouble with his eyes after the dust dump, then when he sees the demon, it makes sense that he THOUGHT he saw fog around the man because of his tearing up, irritated and dusty eyes. But, of course, he knows that people don't walk around with fog surrounding them, so he doubts what he saw and lays it off on the eye irritation.
Just a thought.
~Bobbie~
There may be ladies present, so I won't post the first word that came to mind...
The second, however, was "raining."
Welcome to the site, Bobbie! I'm sure you will like it here.
Thanks, Rachel.
So far, I'm having a blast! And I don't think I've messed up too many times trying to figure it all out!
Hi Dirk. I think I did this right. Maybe.....
Hi everyone!
g
I just joined up for the site and am still finding my way around. Impressive, so far! I am a retired teacher and RN, and have been doing freelance writing on the side since 2015. This has re-ignited my high school passion for writing. I am also working on a novel, the idea for which I've been batting around in my brain for about 30 years. I will be posting the initial chapter with more to follow. I am hoping to have the novel completed in the next few weeks.
I look forward to reading and reviewing your work, and hope you'll find the time to give my a look-see. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on my humble offering.
Hi everyone.
I just discovered this fine website and am super stoked! I'm still finding my way around but so far, I am beyond impressed!
I look forward to reading your work and offering what help I can. I also have posted the first chapter of my novel-in-progress (expect to have it completed in the coming few weeks.) I hope you can find time to give me your impressions on it.
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to getting to know you all.
~Bobbie~
Hi everyone.
I have been looking for a reputable, legitimate peer review site where I can help others with their writing and get much needed input from fellow writers on my work. I am working on a novel that I've been floating around in my mind for about 30 years. Now that I'm retired from "regular employment," I have been building my chops as a freelance writer (gotta pay the bills!) That has reignited my passion for writing; thus, a novel in the works.
I have posted the first chapter of my novel "Lady Silver: Warlock Chronicles, Book I" and will be posting the remainder when I can (gotta get those points!) I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it!
Hi everyone!
I am the new (old) kid on the block. I just joined up and am in the process of finding my way around. I am looking forward to reading your work and giving it a review/critique that is helpful to you. I am hoping you’ll do the same for me.
Be warned! I am a retired teacher and cannot resist applying my “red pen” to issues such as grammar and spelling. So, expect there to be some of that mixed in with my critiques!
Looking forward to meeting you! 
