Search found 587 matches

by bcomet
March 30th, 2018, 5:59 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Thoughts on a male protagonist written by female
Replies: 8
Views: 13685

Re: Thoughts on a male protagonist written by female

This is a good question. It shows up for me glaringly when the writer doesn't get, or doesn't like or relate to the opposite sex. Examples are guys that make women overly sex-oriented or egotistical or women that make men gruff, etc. And, instead of asking the good question, like yours, they just as...
by bcomet
July 18th, 2017, 1:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Monsters - A Survey
Replies: 4
Views: 9429

Re: Monsters - A Survey

So I wanted to report that I've been thinking a lot about this. I was thinking about Darth Vader. Even the name sounds evil. And how he was portrayed through the original movies as this dark thing–entity–that you knew nothing about–encased in metal and breathing with his deep, deep voice and it was ...
by bcomet
July 15th, 2017, 4:21 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Monsters - A Survey
Replies: 4
Views: 9429

Re: Monsters - A Survey

Thanks for chiming in! All your thoughts are helpful. When I think of monsters, sometimes those around the shadows are super scary as I get to fill in with my own imagination about what a monster is. On the other hand, sometimes that is just too vague and I really want the writer (or filmmaker) to l...
by bcomet
July 14th, 2017, 6:27 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Monsters - A Survey
Replies: 4
Views: 9429

Monsters - A Survey

Hi. I have a survey question:
In fiction, do you prefer a monster to be fully, visually described or do you prefer to imagine him/her?
Thanks for any input.
by bcomet
May 1st, 2016, 5:56 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Last Names in High Fantasy
Replies: 11
Views: 37337

Re: Last Names in High Fantasy

I like what Oscar Scott Card writes about names in fantasy and sci-fi: do not use unpronounceable names (such as: Dhjfjhfduyfye or Rhwhhejrhhrej or Ra-Hfdjjd) as such tongue twisters (considering also that a majority or readers read aloud in their minds) drive many people insane. (And especially whe...
by bcomet
May 1st, 2016, 5:07 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Semi-autobiographical Novel
Replies: 8
Views: 31317

Re: Semi-autobiographical Novel

In much of my own writing, I might start (and that is start only) a character based on someone or someone's profession that I know. Then I can go back and ask that person for research help in intelligently writing about their profession. But after that, I like my characters to become totally fictiti...
by bcomet
April 15th, 2016, 4:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Adverbs and Adjectives
Replies: 0
Views: 22950

Adverbs and Adjectives

I've recently immersed myself, studying of the use of adverbs and adjectives in novels. The grammar police, as well as many seasoned writers, often say: "don't do it!" However, I've found way too many examples of dry, empty, boring work without adverbs or adjectives. Books missing wonder o...
by bcomet
January 11th, 2014, 7:04 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Technology - i-pad neck
Replies: 0
Views: 2365

Technology - i-pad neck

I just noticed that there isn't a place on the index here on technology. I think it would be helpful. Anyway, here is my question: My husband and I bought ourselves our first i-pad mini this Christmas and we LOVE it!!! However, in less than a week, I have come down with a case of something called &q...
by bcomet
September 15th, 2013, 1:31 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: What's Up with Form Rejection?
Replies: 13
Views: 9676

Re: What's Up with Form Rejection?

"It was the best of..." would never say it for me. Maybe, sometimes you can get a whole novel from the first line. But sometimes, many times, there is a build up. For what it's worth, I looked at the first five words in the beginning of this thread: "You've poured your soul" Then...
by bcomet
June 7th, 2013, 4:09 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: World Wide Developers Conference June 10-14, 2013
Replies: 0
Views: 7245

World Wide Developers Conference June 10-14, 2013

Hi! Anyone going?
Anyone excited about this? I am (not going but) definitely excited!
by bcomet
May 28th, 2013, 1:38 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Italics
Replies: 8
Views: 9510

Re: Italics

Thanks again, Polymath!

Now, after two hours of inserting unnecessary italics, for another two hours of changing things back the way they were before...

(I should have asked before!)

Again, you provide such a wealth of information. Thank you.
by bcomet
May 27th, 2013, 1:39 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Italics
Replies: 8
Views: 9510

Re: Italics

Thanks Beethovenfan and Polymath (was, like Beethovenfan, hoping you'd answer this too)! I am wondering if you can clarify on a couple of things: Is roman essential or can italics work for names of bands, restaurants? What about a social club? (I had read that these days roman and italics are inter-...
by bcomet
May 25th, 2013, 3:16 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Italics
Replies: 8
Views: 9510

Italics

I have a question to throw out here:

In a novel, when naming restaurants, bars, ships' names, or a band's group name or a club's name, do you use italics? If so, do you continue to use it throughout or only once?

Thanks!
by bcomet
May 4th, 2013, 3:09 pm
Forum: Connect With a Critique Partner
Topic: writing coach partner
Replies: 7
Views: 7616

Re: writing coach partner

Perfect! We are just getting started, but I love having partners in the cue too.
I'll PM you about that time as it approaches!
Thanks!
by bcomet
May 3rd, 2013, 8:36 am
Forum: Connect With a Critique Partner
Topic: writing coach partner
Replies: 7
Views: 7616

Re: writing coach partner

Hi. Perfect timing. I'm about to start a new eight week round of this, which is a pretty good focus.
I'll PM you.