Search found 41 matches

by sldwyer
July 22nd, 2012, 11:10 am
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: The Fantasmagorical Forest - opening chapter
Replies: 2
Views: 3760

Re: The Fantasmagorical Forest - opening chapter

Thank you for the suggestions. I also struggle with painting an image of the characters with descriptions.I usually fit it into the story as I write, but this time I wanted a vivid image of what these kids looked like since it is YA and I don't want to use a lot of prose. I will relook at this chapt...
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 2:14 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: How do you know if your writing is any good?
Replies: 24
Views: 9246

Re: How do you know if your writing is any good?

One criteria is if they ask to read more. Granted the total package may not be the greatest as far as technical ability, but that can come with experience and great editing. It's the story that is important. If that is coherent and interesting, takes the reader from the first page to the last, then ...
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 2:04 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: My thorny plot mess .....HELP!
Replies: 9
Views: 3412

Re: My thorny plot mess .....HELP!

The first question I would have to ask is whose POV are you going to use to tell the story? That should be where you start and plot the story. How much is he/she going to know about what the "others" are doing? Does he/she have people to keep him informed? Is he/she just going to be going ...
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 1:52 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Writing Tips
Replies: 10
Views: 7502

Re: Writing Tips

I keep a sign over my computer that says

WHAT IF.......AND THEN.....

It keeps the ideas flowing and makes me think
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 1:46 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm High Right Now (because they like my book)
Replies: 6
Views: 2709

Re: I'm High Right Now (because they like my book)

When you've gotten such good response to your writing try to remember which part of the writing they exclaimed most on. Reread that portion and see how it differs from the rest of your writing. Take that as an example of how to write forward.
What do you write?
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 1:40 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Sacrificial Kingdom - Epic Fantasy
Replies: 4
Views: 5869

Re: Sacrificial Kingdom - Epic Fantasy

Very good. I agree that the description of the dragon was a little much and can be shortened. Most of us know what a dragon looks like but the colors gave me a picture of her. The prose is fine. In fact, I felt the cold air and the motion of the ride. Her reply to being able to hold showed her perso...
by sldwyer
July 20th, 2012, 1:25 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: The Fantasmagorical Forest - opening chapter
Replies: 2
Views: 3760

The Fantasmagorical Forest - opening chapter

First attempt at YA Fantasy. Would love some feedback. Chapter One “Mom, you can't mean that.” Katelin slouched against the doorframe to her mother's bedroom, arms crossed, a scowl on her face. “It would be like totally not cool. You're kidding, aren't you?” Katelin’s short blonde hair, now accented...
by sldwyer
July 6th, 2012, 12:29 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Help! My main character has no character
Replies: 9
Views: 3559

Re: Help! My main character has no character

Sometimes when a character is not working try visualizing a major incident with the MC. See in your mind how you would l ike her/him to react to the situation. You may come up with a surprise, especially if the reaction is way over the top. You can always tone it down but you might have some new ins...
by sldwyer
July 5th, 2012, 3:21 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Dirt .... New beginning
Replies: 2
Views: 4088

Re: Dirt .... New beginning

Thanks so much for taking the time to go through this excerpt. You have pointed out some very important errors. To begin with - yes this is the opening of chapter 1. I put those first few sentences in to set a tone. It was not intended to divulge specific information but to let the reader know that ...
by sldwyer
June 11th, 2012, 11:48 am
Forum: Social Media and Book Promotion
Topic: Do you have a new blog post?
Replies: 2655
Views: 818919

Re: Do you have a new blog post?

I have a new blog on my (new) website. I try to blog about things that have to do with writing. Just started this new one last Friday.
www.sldwyer.com
by sldwyer
June 11th, 2012, 11:38 am
Forum: Nominate Your Query or First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Topic: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Replies: 720
Views: 451967

Re: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog

Title - Dirt Genre - YA (Could be crossover to adult) Words - 238 Chapter 1 Weathered board’s muffled their footsteps. A soft swoosh broke the silence as the rope swung across the beam. Trembling hands secured one end of the rope. The old timbers creaked and threatened to snap against the sudden wei...
by sldwyer
June 11th, 2012, 11:28 am
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: First 500 Words of a Sci Fi Short
Replies: 8
Views: 8345

Re: First 500 Words of a Sci Fi Short

I like the story and found myself imagining the world this "Steve" lived in. The line about the percentages of probabilities caught my attention and a title came to mind... THE LAW OF PROBABILITIES.

Nice story. hope you finish it and keep posting
by sldwyer
June 11th, 2012, 11:17 am
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Dirt .... New beginning
Replies: 2
Views: 4088

Dirt .... New beginning

With all the great comments on the original opening, I decided to take out the first two chapters and start with this... Weathered board’s muffled their footsteps. A soft swoosh broke the silence as the rope swung across the beam. Trembling hands secured one end of the rope. The old timbers creaked ...
by sldwyer
October 21st, 2010, 3:04 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Which opener grabs you the most? Women's fiction.
Replies: 24
Views: 12971

Re: Which opener grabs you the most? Women's fiction.

I really like the second one. It gives me a feeling of seeing this unfold through the characters eyes. One thing that did catch my attenion- In the begining she has a crumpled piece of paper with the directions on it, but at the end she has a GPS. If she has the GPS why does she need the paper with ...
by sldwyer
October 3rd, 2010, 3:29 pm
Forum: Excerpts
Topic: Dialog critique please
Replies: 7
Views: 3566

Re: Dialog critique please

I wouldnt worry too much about the minor characters unless they add any impact to the story or the main character. Most readers don't care about minor characters - they come and go and do not do anything to move the story forward - usually. When you use dialog to bring out information about a charac...