Under Construction!

Column

(Well, kinda' column...)

Due to a variety of reasons (most of those boiling down to me being stupid) I had (and still have!) to re-create a number of posts. I'm updating bit by bit all the broken links, but that's taking some intensive manual labor, so several links might still be broken for the upcoming weeks / months / years 😕

My apologies... this is a work in progress...

(I'll keep moving this post around until most of the links have been repaired...)

Wattpad 'Vertical Framework' - Pitfalls

Writing + Reference

Even if you're not interested in Wattpad, then the following links still provide some interesting reading, especially because it addresses  a specific subject: Pitfalls.

- Writing
- Paid Stories Verticals
- Vertical Framework
- Trends, Tropes & Tips

Self-Publishing Checklist by Jane Friedman

Writing + Reference

Source: https://janefriedman.com/

Direct link: https://janefriedman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Self-Publishing-Checklist.pdf

She seems to be looking at things mostly from the viewpoint of a more experienced (self published) author, but otherwise this should offer some help to all aspiring writers. One suggestion: get your editing and your covers arranged a bit earlier...

Closed versus spaced Ellipses, and spaces around Em-dashes

Writing + Reference

If your work uses any em-dashes (—) or ellipses (...) you may have considered the following conundrum: should you enclose them with spaces, or not? And should you space out the ellipse . . . or not?

Well... it depends.

The (Dis)honest Romance Writer

Writing + Reference

The following is a completely dishonest, biased, male-viewpoint, misogynistic, unfair and unhinged :-) approach to writing romance. So, take it for what it is: a very cynical outlook on (broken) hearts.

And before I start: there is nothing wrong with reading or writing romance! If you like it, go for it! It's not better or worse than other genre, in any way.

You Know Nothing About Writing, Language, nor Grammar!

Writing + Reference

I know nothing! Indeed I don't! You are absolutely right!

So, here's a collection of links that are way better than anything I can ever come up with...

(Of course, I added all these links in my Touch Portal setup, so they're only a tap away, but you could just as well store them as links on your desktop. I keep a somewhat curated selection here as well.)

Formatting, Punctuation and Spelling - Programming the Brain

Writing + Reference

This post is pretty much a rehash, but I just can't stress it enough: formatting, punctuation and spelling are more important than you think.

I know I'm a bit contrary to the larger group who stress that it's all about content. About story and plot and characters and worldbuilding, and in the end it is.

But... if the basics are not there, even the best story doesn't matter! Read on why...

To Smart Quote or Not to Smart Quote (also known as 'Curly' quotes), and reflow Ellipses and Em-dashes

Writing + Reference

On a computer, you typically use 'straight quotes', whilst in (real) books you mostly find 'curly quotes'.

In both Google Docs and Word you can let the word processor (is anyone still old enough to recognize that expression?) handle it.

The Edit Loop

Writing + Reference

Every writer has a different approach to writing and editing. Every successful writer is probably going to tell you editing is an essential.

Every great writer without the money to afford an editor has to edit him / herself. It is my firm belief that if you don't edit, then you'll get nowhere. Period.

So, here's my current approach, until I'm rich enough to afford a real editor...

Things to look for whilst editing your story

Writing + Reference

You've finished your novel, and now comes the dreaded part... the editing.

Here are some of the things to look out for (not in any particular order)... I'll add links where I touched upon the subject, or found a better explanation elsewhere.

All tensed up today...

Writing + Reference

Many beginning writers understand the concept of present and past tense, but fail to properly apply it. They 'mix' tenses, often with horrible results.

I've been trying to find a good explanation to help ease the pain, but thus far I haven't been able to write up some decent explanation, sorry.

Below's the best I could come up with thus far.

Writing - Frequently Asked Questions

Writing + Reference

There are no stupid questions. Only lazy authors 😎

The same questions show up time and time again, on Discord and in Fora. So, I'm compiling the ones I ran into, and I'll add some of the answers I could find...

Chapter Size and Reading Speed

Writing + Reference

(This is a follow up to Book And Chapter Sizes)

Do you need chapters, and is chapter size related to reading speed? I think it is! Read on...

The Retro-Plotter part 1 - Notes and pseudo-script

Writing + Reference

Plotters plot, pantsers invent on the spot. I'm a bit in between.

Yes, I plot a bit, but I also make up things as I go. So how can I keep track of things?

The 'why' game

Writing + Reference

Solve prompts for short stories, work out mini-plots for your chapters, avoid (stupid) mistakes, and expand your chapters. All that by simply applying the 'why' game, using just five (5) simple words, that's all it takes...

Streamline your novel - remove unnecessary words

Writing + Reference

Vivien Reis suggests to remove 29-ish words from your novel (if possible, of course 😁).

Blindly stripping them out isn't the way to do it, but you might want to go through your writing, and see where you do not need them.

Book And Chapter Sizes... in words

Writing + Reference

The optimal chapter size is driven by your audience and publication platform. The size of the book is just all those chapters together. Too little words and people are going to be unhappy. Too many words and they'll get bored.

This means you either have to adjust your chapter size to the target, re-chapter before publication, or simply don't give a damn 😁

The writing process

Column + Writing + Reference + Mindmap

Writing is hard. It's very hard. People have no clue how hard it actually is. Even writers themselves are clueless.

So, I set out to document the writing process. Read on (besides, it was about time I created another mindmap)...

Converting and formatting manuscripts

Writing + Reference

Every writer has their own preference. For example, I prefer to write with empty lines instead of indents. (There are some disadvantages to that method, but I just find it easier that way.)

Still, you might want to go for the 'official' 'manuscript' format when submitting. Unfortunately, there's no such thing...

Non-native speakers writing in English

Writing + Reference

A non-native English speaker runs into problems that may not be that obvious to a native speaker. To a native speaker, some of these mistakes may look funny, or stupid, but then I would like to invite the English speaker to try his or her hand at Dutch or Chinese.