http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/-t1.htm Any writing issues not covered in the other forums go here. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:08:04 GMT 10 [url=http://writingforum.smfforfree.com/index.php][img]http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/ http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/-t1.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/professional-blogs-t284.htm Lady Goodman I have been applying for some freelancing jobs in my area and have come across a strange dilema. All but one of these companies would like a link to my "professional blog" rather than any type of resume etc. Now, I'm not dumb, I know what a blog is, but what is entailed in a professional blog? Does anyone here have one, or have a link to where I could find an example of one? I guess if I'm going to get a shot at any of this, I need to get with the times. General Writing Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:08:04 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/professional-blogs-t284.htm#3744 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/professional-blogs-t284.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ways-to-end-a-chapter-t280.htm NaClshaker I was just thinking about how I end chapters and wondering about “rules” or conventions for those writing decisions. I didn't find much advice on ending styles on the internet so here are my own musings: First, what IS a chapter? It is a cohesive length of storytelling that embodies movement toward the book’s main plot. This can take the form of character building, sub-plot development, establishment of setting and/or tone -- or all of the aforementioned --, but no matter what form ... General Writing Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:48:13 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ways-to-end-a-chapter-t280.htm#3650 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ways-to-end-a-chapter-t280.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/are-you-ready-to-edit-t275.htm willow Your MS is finished and you are ready to edit! But how do you do that? What are you supposed to look for? SPaG of course, but what else? The article below was posted on Nathan Bransford's Blog. It is informative and helpful for a new writer. Get the tissues ready, you might not be as done as you think you are! Revision Checklist: - Does the main plot arc initiate close enough to the beginning that you won't lose the reader? - Does your protagonist alternate between ... General Writing Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:07:59 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/are-you-ready-to-edit-t275.htm#3586 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/are-you-ready-to-edit-t275.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-do-you-ever-finish-the-dang-thing-t238.htm Lady Goodman So, I know you're constantly suppose to revise when you're writing, but I've been stuck at chapter 5 for almost a month now. I keep writing and re-writing my first few chapters. Even now that I've gone through and finally printed off the first five chapters to take to my parents this weekend (yikes, by the way), I'm still revising and reprinting pages to replace. I know this is probably a good thing, as my chapters now are almost completely different then when I first started. However, I'm ... General Writing Fri, 29 May 2009 21:22:32 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-do-you-ever-finish-the-dang-thing-t238.htm#3024 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-do-you-ever-finish-the-dang-thing-t238.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ode-to-i-hate-synopsis-t218.htm ebyss For those of you who have written a synopsis, how did you stop it from sounding like a book report? Everytime I start writing it, I end up deleting everything. I can't seem to find my voice as I try to write a condensed version within one to two pages. I have too many characters of different races, seperating into two groups, traveling around a make-believe world, killing seven types of beasts, collecting the hearts of said beasts, coming together, saying a spell, peace happens, betrayal ... General Writing Sat, 16 May 2009 18:01:36 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ode-to-i-hate-synopsis-t218.htm#2869 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/ode-to-i-hate-synopsis-t218.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-to-transition-from-short-story-to-novel-t199.htm Garmar
I know some of you have written novels. Did you use a system to keep it organized?

Any input is most appreciated!

Gary.]]> General Writing Fri, 01 May 2009 15:39:10 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-to-transition-from-short-story-to-novel-t199.htm#2612 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/how-to-transition-from-short-story-to-novel-t199.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/references-for-different-genres-t213.htm Lady Goodman
Also, I figured this could be a beneficial to other people looking for similar recommendations - perhaps just for different genres.]]> General Writing Tue, 05 May 2009 23:45:44 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/references-for-different-genres-t213.htm#2697 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/references-for-different-genres-t213.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/when-is-too-much-too-much-t188.htm ebyss I have a question for anyone here, but it is more for people who read fantasy books. When is too much explanation just too much. I have a friend that looked over some chapters then they started to ask all these questions about magic. Why couldn't they just levitate up to there and why couldn't they just do this or that. Now, I'm asking this because I really don't recall a book (that I have read) that explained every stinking aspect of magic of what they could or couldn't do. That ... General Writing Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:46:07 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/when-is-too-much-too-much-t188.htm#2483 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/when-is-too-much-too-much-t188.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/writing-action-scenes-t181.htm Garmar I thought I would start a few topics for discussion to eventually add to our on-site link library. Eventually, members will ask these questions and we can link to relevant discussions. When writing a scene with intense action, how do you handle these elements of the story? How do you use pacing to affect the scene? What role does the environment have? Also, discuss using it to your MC advantage (or disadvantage), and how do you handle its description? How does different POV and tense ... General Writing Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:02:08 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/writing-action-scenes-t181.htm#2334 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/writing-action-scenes-t181.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beyond-the-keyboard-t135.htm Colonel Marksman One particular hint that always seems to help writing is one that I've known in the back of my mind, but never followed. When working out, your muscles become strained. In fact, your muscles literally split apart and become torn and wounded. Part of the pain you feel are the fluids utilized to help repair the muscles. Improvement in writing is much the same. It's actually unhealthy to sit down at the desk for hours every day trying to write stories. You must go beyond the keyboard. When ... General Writing Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:48:44 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beyond-the-keyboard-t135.htm#1672 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beyond-the-keyboard-t135.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beta-readers-t83.htm ebyss
And if you did, did it benefit you either by doing the reading or having one of your ms's read?

I was reading something on a site, so I was just curious.]]> General Writing Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:57:47 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beta-readers-t83.htm#803 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/beta-readers-t83.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/everyone-s-a-he-what-to-do-t51.htm Anonymous Ok, so in the little scrap of fantasy story that I have already posted, I originally chose the first person as my POV. I like this for very short pieces, as I usually use these kinds of pieces to tell one person's story. Now I am wanting to extend this little scrap into something larger and I am having a bit of trouble with character confusion. Or at least I think I am. Both of my protags are fellah's who are in a relationship, so they have cause to be around each other a lot in the writing ... General Writing Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:11:07 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/everyone-s-a-he-what-to-do-t51.htm#364 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/everyone-s-a-he-what-to-do-t51.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/help-with-layout-t132.htm Lady Goodman Hello everyone. I'm participating in a couple of other online critique groups, but so far as I can see, this one holds the most promise for actual critique. It seems to me a lot of other groups are full of people who like to focus on coming across as the most intellectual, instead of really trying to help someone out. Just wanted to get that out there first of all Okay, now for the true reason of my topic. I'm working on a fantasy/horror/sci-fi novel right now. A short ... General Writing Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:50:04 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/help-with-layout-t132.htm#1648 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/help-with-layout-t132.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/some-sites-i-like-to-visit-t110.htm ebyss
http://wordsarehard.blogspot.com/

http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/

http://www.floggingthequill.com/]]> General Writing Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:57:50 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/some-sites-i-like-to-visit-t110.htm#1252 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/some-sites-i-like-to-visit-t110.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/to-gloss-or-gather-t82.htm Anonymous Me again! (Am I the annoying kid with his hand always in the air??) My story is about to set sail, both figuratively and literally. I see it! It looks grand against the gently curving, far horizon. I know what my characters are going to do, and to what ends, but if the front end of the ship weren't pointy, I might very well sail her backwards!! I haven't the foggiest idea about sailing or seamanship. I was in the Air Force, not the Navy. There is a boatload (sorry, couldn't ... General Writing Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:07:10 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/to-gloss-or-gather-t82.htm#787 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/to-gloss-or-gather-t82.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/backstory-do-you-do-or-do-you-don-t-t68.htm Anonymous When is a gimmick a gimmick, and when does it really help you to write? I found a program the other day meant to create maps for RPG games. Great program as far as creating realistic looking fantasy world maps. One of the maps it generated for me created some interesting topography that gave me some plot ideas. That part is all good. Now, I was playing with this program over the weekend, and as usual, I was totally focused on the creation of these maps. I was all up in it, so to speak. When ... General Writing Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:07:20 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/backstory-do-you-do-or-do-you-don-t-t68.htm#624 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/backstory-do-you-do-or-do-you-don-t-t68.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/what-is-writing-t60.htm NaClmine What is this thing we call "writing"? Is it an art? There are certainly aspects of writing that require imagination and creativity, but all the creative talent in the world will fail if it lacks expression. Imagine, for a moment, that a person with immense musical potential was never handed a violin. Will music result? Maybe "writing' is a technical skill, one that any desiring person can acquire. I've know many English teachers who could correct punctuation but could not ... General Writing Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:32:43 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/what-is-writing-t60.htm#532 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/what-is-writing-t60.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/i-want-to-destroy-earth-s-atmosphere-t38.htm Garmar I posted this on WF and it disappeared in the great 'forum ghost fiasco' a few months back. I lost all of the great ideas from the members there. The premise is this. A spaceship is spotted above Earth's atmosphere. This UFO is seen 'seeding' the atmosphere with an unidentifiable substance that gradually alters the atmosphere to the point that humans can't breathe the air for long. I've toyed with several ideas for this. One that the 'aliens' are actually the descendants of a people long ... General Writing Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:23:37 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/i-want-to-destroy-earth-s-atmosphere-t38.htm#193 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/i-want-to-destroy-earth-s-atmosphere-t38.htm http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/show-and-tell-by-nancy-kress-t28.htm Garmar This is an excellent article I found on writersdigest dot com. Show and Tell February 11, 2008 by Nancy Kress To show or to tell isn't a battle of good versus evil, but the skilled storyteller knows how to play each to maximum effect. If there's one thing that every single writer hears, usually over and over, it's "Show, don't tell." Good advice—but very incomplete. What's the difference between showing and telling? What's wrong with telling? Does ... General Writing Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:35:27 GMT http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/show-and-tell-by-nancy-kress-t28.htm#130 http://review-group.forumotion.com/general-writing-f22/show-and-tell-by-nancy-kress-t28.htm