Thanks guys! Congrats to you, George and Elspeth 
I really enjoyed this contest. Thanks for the opportunity.
1 2022-08-26 23:07:25
Re: Monster Prescription Drug Job Contest Winners (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
3 2022-07-04 19:05:55
Re: Contest Updates (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Ah, thanks for clearing that up for me dagny!
4 2022-07-04 18:32:13
Topic: Contest Updates (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Hi all,
Does anybody know about this? I wanted to add my email for contest updates but when I type it in and hit submit, it says it's unsecure and my info will be visible to others. Is there another way for me to do this? Or are contest updates also posted in this forum?
Thanks,
Serra
5 2022-07-02 23:05:31
Re: Next Generation Indie Book Awards (10 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Woot! Congrats, you deserve it
6 2022-06-27 14:44:16
Re: Hiding some of a POV character's thoughts? (15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Memphis Trace wrote:
Serra K Deacon wrote:Memphis Trace wrote:You don't write every thought. Only those thoughts that pertain to the story.
The dear reader should know what the characters are thinking at the same time the narrator knows them.
Memphis
An good example to keep in mind is Eddard Stark's secret in Game of Thrones. This secret was withheld from readers for a very long time, even beyond his death. I don't think the reader needs to know everything the narrator knows. Many stories would fall flat if this were the case.
If the reader didn't know Eddard Stark's secret in Game of Thrones, how did the secret serve to heighten the suspense in the story?
That is to ask, why would the story have fallen flat when the secret was made known to the reader?
Was the narrator privy to Eddard Stark's secret?
Memphis
**semi-spoiler**
Hi Memphis, I'm not sure if you're familiar with the story of Jon Snow (Eddard's secret). It's a rather complex scenario and I don't have time to do a deep dive, but to answer your question at least partly: if the reader had known the truth about Jon from the outset there would have been no revelation, no AHA moment, King Robert's pain would have meant nothing to the reader, Jon's pain would have meant nothing to the reader. We got to know Jon through his actions and interactions, freed from any titles or privilege. There is so much more that this hidden secret did to increase drama and tension, it's almost impossible to list it all here.
About falling flat, the timing of the reveal is so important. Being able to draw out tensions, drama, and mystery to an intoxicating degree and then releasing the tension at just the right moment is the stuff of skilled writers. Genres like thriller and mystery depend on this, but it's not limited to these.
But anyone familiar with this story will appreciate that a well-kept secret can be a powerful thing in a story.
Oh and the narrator is anonymous, deep third omniscient POV
7 2022-06-26 14:09:56
Re: the earth/Earth trembled? (1 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)
You would use 'earth' in this sentence. It's similar to when and why you would capitalise titles like: 'Dad' and 'dad', 'Mum' and 'mum'.
If 'Earth' is used as a proper noun, then it is capitalized. If used as a common noun, then the word 'earth' is lowercased.
8 2022-06-26 14:00:40
Re: Hiding some of a POV character's thoughts? (15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Memphis Trace wrote:
dagny wrote:Memphis Trace wrote:For me, this would be the writer violating the contract between the narrator and the reader. If you want the narrator and the writer to keep secrets between them for the sake of a plot twist, make them the same entity. The dear reader should know each pivotal secret the narrator knows before anyone else in the story knows it.
Memphis
IMO as a mystery writer and a reader of mysteries, I find that keeping certain thoughts from my reader is essential in keeping the reader interested. Also, writing every thought a character has would be exhausting to both writer and reader.
You don't write every thought. Only those thoughts that pertain to the story.
The dear reader should know what the characters are thinking at the same time the narrator knows them.
Memphis
An good example to keep in mind is Eddard Stark's secret in Game of Thrones. This secret was withheld from readers for a very long time, even beyond his death. I don't think the reader needs to know everything the narrator knows. Many stories would fall flat if this were the case.
9 2022-06-26 13:55:11
Re: 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
That's fantastic Randall, congratulations!
10 2022-06-25 01:46:34
Re: Hiding some of a POV character's thoughts? (15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I recently asked my writer friends a very similar question because I have an MC with a big secret also. The responses I got were insightful and helped me to work out the best way to approach it. I'll summarise what they told me.
1) It is reasonable to withhold a secret from the reader if it is in keeping with the MCs character to withhold the secret. How deep is the POV? Does the MC usually share his/her thoughts with the reader? Is the secret at the forefront of their mind or is it something they suppress or ignore?
2) Be sure to leave some clues or foreshadowing so that the big reveal is satisfying for the reader, OR, if there are no clues/foreshadowing, make sure that the reveal is in line with what readers will expect from the character.
3) Have a think about what might create the most drama. If the reader is aware of the secret, could this knowledge add more tension to the story as they watch the MC trying to keep his/her secret?
Hope this helps
Serra
11 2022-06-21 15:01:23
Re: The New Members Thread (5 replies, posted in Religion & Spirituality)
Hi all,
It's taken me a while to introduce myself properly in this group. I'm Serra and I am currently working on a fantasy trilogy with philosophical themes. The story world is all make believe, but there are a multitude of religious and spiritual cultures within the world which I have modeled on various belief systems in the real world.
My connections to religions and spiritual pursuits are a little complex, as is the case with many people, and I look forward to reading your WIPs and interacting with you all.
12 2022-05-04 05:36:56
Re: Welcome (296 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Hello all! I'm Serra, happy to be here. Looking forward to reading as much as I can here on The Next Big Writer.
