Fiction Writing Q&A: Ask Me a Question
This is the place to come with any fiction writing questions you might have.
Ideally, the information here at Novel Writing Help would be so comprehensive that there wouldn't be a single thing about writing fiction that you didn't understand.
Meantime in the real world, things don't work out like that.
So if you need a nudge in the right direction right now, simply ask a question about any aspect of writing fiction that you like and I will get back to you in a few days. (Scroll down past the questions for the form).
Writing Questions I've Already Answered
(Click the links to read the answers)
What Is the Point of Creative Writing Exercises?
I've noticed you don't provide any creative writing exercises at the end of each section. Do you think they are a waste of time or do you plan to add them in the future?
A Question About 1st Person Point of View
"In 1st person point of view, what is the best way to describe the main character's physical appearance?"
Overwhelmed By the Writing Process?
"The thing that struck me most about your Novel Writing Process is there is so much to think about! Everything you said makes perfect sense but it makes my head spin too. Part of me wants to ignore it all and just WRITE! Any advice?"
Books For Writers - Any Recommendations?
"Hi. Just wondering what books for writers you would recommend?"
Writing a Plot Outline
"What is the best way to outline?"
A Question About Metafiction
(Short and sweet this one!) "What Is Metafiction?"
More On "Deus Ex Machina" Endings
"I have a question about deus ex machina endings. In my story the main character ends up a quadriplegic, but with the aid of stem cells and lots of physio she walks again. Does that constitute what you call a contrived ending?"
Writing a Novel Synopsis
"When is the best time to write a novel synopsis and how do you construct one?"
Character Emotions and Character Thoughts
"How do you write character emotions and thoughts in a novel? Do you write reaction before action?"
Avoiding Plagiarism In Your Writing
"I'm 18 years old and all I know is from influence. I love writing but sometimes when I'm writing I feel as though I am stealing those ideas even though I have completely changed the idea around."
Writing Novels While Reading Novels
"I read somewhere that it is not a good idea to read novels whilst writing novels. Is there any truth to this?"
Plot Structure and Percentages
"Hi Harvey. I have a question about overall plot structure and pacing of the action."
Are Novel Themes Like Novel Blurbs?
"Is there a difference between what is written on the back of the book jacket and the theme?"
Having Confidence In Your Fiction
"I have finished writing my first book. Actually I am on my third book. It is a series. The first book is almost ready to go live. All of a sudden I am now extremely nervous, almost to the point of having a panic attack. What if my book actually sucks?"
Which Is Best - Narrative or Dialogue?
"I wonder what type of fiction novel would you like to read; the one with more narrative or one with more dialogue; and why?"
Should You Pay For Writing Research?
"If I'm to approach experts as part of my writing research, is it conventional to pay them? If not, exactly how much of their time can one expect to take up?"
My Top Novel Writing Tips?
"First off, love the site - so much great fiction writing info. Just wondering what your best tips for writing a novel are - like if you had to pick just 3 things?"
Manuscript Editing Services
What services do I recommend for having you fiction professionally edited?
How Reading Novels Helps With Writing Them
Fairly self-explanatory, this one.
Setting and Description - Who Is Doing the Describing?
This one takes quite a technical look at descriptive writing - in particular, whose eyes are you looking through?
Choosing a Novel's Protagonist
Usually, the choice for leading man or woman is obvious. But not always...
Writing Your First Novel to the Right Length
Another quite technical question looking at using "showing" and "telling" to help you gauge your novel's finished length as you write it.
How to Handle the Passage of Time in Fiction
Again, another answer all about how to show and how to tell.
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