Questions

Okay, I’m writing a murder mystery novel. It’s about this serial murderer who is a hot-dog vendor in NYC. He kills people and uses the meat. (YES I know, it’s gross)
Should I come up with a name for him and use it (like Jeffery Dahmer) or should I come up with a fancy name like what the police came up with for the Vampire Killer or the Zodiac Killer?

Help please! I did come up with main charcter’s name:

Amilyn Nicole Hotchner-Wade, age thirteen

Also give ideas for the name of the killer…I need serious help
Thanks!
- Cara Arlene

I want to be able to talk about novel writing, character development and to sell the book at the back of the room.
- denniger

National Novel Writing Month 2007. Are you ready and willing to try to write a story of at least 50,000 words in 30 days? November 1 to November 30th NaNoWriMo.org
- Barbiq

For many people, writing ebooks would be as difficult as writing a research paper or even a novel. Writing digital books can make loads of money though, unlike the majority of novels and all research papers, and can be done in a much shorter time period. Many writers can be intimidated by the empty space of the entire page and can easily get stuck within the very beginning pages.

When you enter the digital publishing business there’s no need to go through that experience of getting stuck on the initial page. Typing away during long nights with the fuel of caffeine, you can be on your way to gaining an ample return and making money for your efforts, if you follow the few tips below:

“The Proper Topic to Choose”

No one knows it all and surely not everybody that does know about a proper topic will be ready to starting typing about it in a Word document or text file. Nevertheless, an infinite number of successful ebooks are sold everyday on the internet and are about many different topics. This is a result of hard work by people who put in the effort to produce these books.

On the internet, not all of the topics will do well, however. Topics that are ever changing will never do well like search engine optimization or stock market advice, because by the point in time that they do finally come out, much of the information will have change quite a bit, making the books outdated and pointless. Ebooks, however, can be quickly published unlike the printed works. The truth is that ebooks come out as soon as you finish writing and formatting it properly. Valuable ebooks are ones that contain rapidly changing topics.

“Write the Talk if you can Walk the Walk”

If you haven’t the slightest clue about a subject it will definitely be hard to begin writing about it. You cannot say something, when you have nothing. A viable solution is to do your research and continue researching. Information about your chosen topic can be easily found with a glimpse through Yahoo, Google, Wikipedia and similar sites so that you can start writing ebooks with confidence. Checking these websites also lets you get accountable and accurate information for your ebook. Many people believe information when someone puts it on the World Wide Web.

“What are you saying and to whom are you talking?”

The most important factor for the writer is to discover exactly who the target audience will be. Different terms and speech patterns are comprehended by different audiences. For example, Harry Potter fans would most definitely know the terms that are associated with that universe. You cannot mix terms of Harry Potter with oldies music facts in an ebook or it will surely have an unfavorable outcome. Think instead, of what types of people would enjoy your ebook and who will be buying it.

When you start writing ebooks and creating digital masterpieces, these helpful tips will be important to keep in your mind while you work from home. Time, consideration and a lot of thinking will go into this venture to do well, just like any other book written. While writing ebooks might begin as a difficult task, it will get easier and will be well worth the effort and time that you put into it.


- Scott Boyd

Writing a novel is dream that many of us hold in our hearts, your novel does not have to be your dream. All you need is to dedicate some time to learn how to bring out that novel inside you. A new e-guide, Bring out the Novel Inside You, has been written to help you make your dream come true. Here is some great advice from this e-guide.

One can be a good writer, but not be able to spell correctly.

I found this to be one of the largest deterrents for conveying any situation or scene to the reader, because the student has an inability to recognize his lack of correct spelling.

Many rely on the way they have spelled everything (no matter how wrong it is), simply because that was always the way they always had spelled it. It just seems natural to them.

One can’t allow the misspelling of a word when there is the slightest feeling that it doesn’t look correct. This is being careless. When that occurs, use the dictionary to be sure, and accurate.

No publisher, should you rely on them to publish your book, will read your manuscript when they detect misspelled words. There is no situation where it is acceptable.

Today, there should be no excuse for misspelled words with computers. In fact, if it’s your real desire to misspell a word your computer will have a fit.

Don’t be afraid of words, but don’t be too snobbish with them either. It doesn’t harm anyone if you use a word of four syllables which covers a full sentence.

But, doing it continually only makes the statement that your ego is showing.

 

To be sure, many a writer is enlightened by the meaning of a new word to add to his vocabulary, but overuse will deter the reader’s interest. This is a read and not a lesson in the English language.

 



 

Contractions

 

Anyone who reads is aware of the use of contractions. There was a time in the history of writing where these were frowned upon. It was considered laziness on the part of the writer.

Today, contractions are used in all forms of writing.

Example: He can’t do it because it’s not acceptable.

 

This would have been written like this in earlier writings:

Example: He can not do it because it is not acceptable.

 

It’s (it is) (its – without an apostrophe – is the possessive form.)

 

I’m (I am).

 

I’ve (I have).

 

We’d, (we had).

 

We’ve (we have).

 

You’ve (you have).

 

You’d (you would).

 

Weren’t (were not).

 

Mustn’t (must not).

 

Can’t (can not).

 

He’d (he had).

 

Won’t (will not).

 

Wouldn’t (would not).

 

Couldn’t (could not).

 

Wasn’t (was not).

 

Weren’t (were not).

 

They’d (they had).

 

They’ve (they have).

 

Wouldn’t (would not).

 

Shouldn’t (should not).

 

She’d (she had).

 

Notice in today’s writings:

 

Should’ve = should have

 

Could’ve = could have

 

Would’ve = would have.

These are all acceptable uses in today’s writing, provided it isn’t overdone. People speak this way, therefore most readers feel right at home when they read contractions.

It’s most acceptable in dialog, although I find contractions being used in ordinary text as well. I find no fault with that. After all, we are writers of today, trying to please readers of today and contractions are legitimate.

Some writers make the mistake of using “it’s” when, in reality, they mean “its” - the possessive form where no apostrophe should be used.

Example: It’s time for the class to go home – is correct. “It’s” means “it is”.

 

This book is not in its proper place – is correct. “Its” is the possessive form.

 



 

The Possessive Form

 

Names requiring the possessive form are the nemesis of many writers. Names that end in “S” are the worst.

Example: We met Charles’s friend tonight.

 

Somehow it just seems funny but it’s correct.

 

It would attack the ear to write something like: “Moseses, Laws” whereas changing it to: “Moses’ Laws” would work.

 

Most names ending in “S” should be made possessive by adding the apostrophe and another “S”. Other names ending in “S” need to add “es”.

 

But, when it becomes a struggle to pronounce it, use the apostrophe only.

Examples:

 

That’s Myers’ umbrella.

 

The Joneses house is beautiful

For more detailed information on how to get started on writing your first book you should order this great e-guide called Bring out the novel inside of You. This guide will walk you through every aspect of writing a novel and getting your book published within weeks! Start making your dream of becoming a published author come true today.

 


- Elizabeth St Denny Mfa

i’ve lost interest and the want to continue writing the novel i’ve started.

its very hard work.
and i WANT to start writing the novel again and actually finish it and publish it.

can people give me tips and your experiences so i can enjoyfully (if thats a word) continue my novel writing.

and just some general tips on novel writing.

thanks alot,
Levi.
- Levi L=]

I want these people to get stranded on an island and i want them to live their for the rest of their lives. would that be dumb and would that be possible to write about without it sounding to stupid? And is it possible that they are never found on their deserted island and they just live there for the rest of their lives?
- Teresa

Is anyone did this challenge at net?

National Novel Writing in Month starting in November, and the challenge is to write 50k words (50,000) you can do it more if you finished the words limit.

Would you do it in this year?
- sivan325

I’m having my main character live in portland, Oregon and I need some information about Franklin High School. I’d prefer the information to be from people who have attended the school because I feel that google doesn’t give me enough insight. I would like as much information as possible. Thanks!
- Taylor

I’m currently on the hunt for novel-writing freeware, downloadable and accessible to both a PC and Mac OsX platform. I’ve been doing dozens and dozens of Google searches and haven’t been able to successfully find something that is either free and/or supported by both platforms. Any help or link to a download is appreciated!

**Please, do not just post a response suggesting a Google search. As previously stated, I’ve already been doing that and have gotten nowhere. Only serious responses, please.
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