Search found 322 matches

by Beethovenfan
March 14th, 2011, 1:11 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Pronunciation Guides in Novels
Replies: 17
Views: 5486

Re: Pronunciation Guides in Novels

Wow. There's such a disparity in the responses that I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. But you given me a lot to consider. As it stand right now I have been spelling the names and words out as phonetically as possible, but sometimes even that gets in the way. My main character's name is Nahavi...
by Beethovenfan
March 12th, 2011, 9:59 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Pronunciation Guides in Novels
Replies: 17
Views: 5486

Pronunciation Guides in Novels

I was reading in the ALL THINGS BOOKS part of the forums under character names we don't like . Someone mentioned that if you have to have a pronunciation guide in order to get through the names that perhaps the names should be changed. I am in the middle of a historical fiction that uses a LOT of Na...
by Beethovenfan
March 12th, 2011, 12:39 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The Harry Potter effect in my MG/YA writing
Replies: 9
Views: 6508

Re: The Harry Potter effect in my MG/YA writing

The comparison between Star Wars and harry Potter... Awesome.
by Beethovenfan
March 12th, 2011, 12:26 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Reader Poll: Sex in Fiction
Replies: 21
Views: 12317

Re: Reader Poll: Sex in Fiction

I began to wonder about this when I noticed a blog discussion about how 'people' prefer fade to black sex scenes. That isn't my experience so I thought I'd ask here. I'm pleasantly surprised because I expected a range of absolutes similar to the range of genre bias. 'I would never read a romance/fa...
by Beethovenfan
March 10th, 2011, 9:49 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Reader Poll: Sex in Fiction
Replies: 21
Views: 12317

Re: Reader Poll: Sex in Fiction

I read historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi the most. Some YA. When it comes to sex in a story, like others have already said, it has to be purposful, not gratuitous. But (and call me old fashioned) I get more out of it when the actual sex is down-played and the build up to the sex is expounded. ...
by Beethovenfan
March 9th, 2011, 4:01 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: I'm stuck
Replies: 14
Views: 4069

Re: I'm stuck

Sounds like good 'ol Dad has screwed himself. But perhaps that's a good thing. Maybe the son can't make his dad out to be a good guy. Instead, make the son coming to terms with his father's misdeeds a subplot to the story. Lots of angst to be written there!
by Beethovenfan
March 4th, 2011, 10:49 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What medium - techno or old school?
Replies: 31
Views: 14340

Re: What medium - techno or old school?

There are a number of books that talk about how different parts of the brain are switched on when using computers, compared to writing by hand. Two of my favorites are Hamlet’s Blackberry and The Shallows. Then I found The Phenomenology (aka “personal experience”) of Writing by Hand by Daniel Chand...
by Beethovenfan
February 27th, 2011, 10:48 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: Forum game: Random facts about you
Replies: 123
Views: 57825

Re: Forum game: Random facts about you

Quill wrote:God I love this thread.

It's like the Ripley's Believe It Or Not of Bransford Forums.

Hey, I've contributed. I'll try to think of some more.
Freaking. Hilarious! Quill, you are too much!
by Beethovenfan
February 27th, 2011, 2:32 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The Harry Potter effect in my MG/YA writing
Replies: 9
Views: 6508

Re: The Harry Potter effect in my MG/YA writing

I came across this problem too, and found myself changing characters and scenery to avoid the appearance of anything Harry Potter. However, I think it has mad the story much better because I required myself to think beyond what was familiar. I now have something quite unique (at least I think so!).
by Beethovenfan
February 27th, 2011, 2:27 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What medium - techno or old school?
Replies: 31
Views: 14340

Re: What medium - techno or old school?

When NaNo ends, I go back to edits in pen and paper. I have found that I usually can bust through the mental block much easier, quicker, and cleaner, when I go back to the old school method. Trixie, that's what I have just recently discovered about myself. Since this seems to be the norm for you, w...
by Beethovenfan
February 27th, 2011, 2:55 am
Forum: Books
Topic: Favourite characters' names?
Replies: 43
Views: 17476

Re: Favourite characters' names?

There's something to be said for short names. I can't imagine Puck, from A Midsummer Night's Dream, being called anything else.
by Beethovenfan
February 27th, 2011, 2:23 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: What medium - techno or old school?
Replies: 31
Views: 14340

Re: What medium - techno or old school?

Beethovenfan, what genre do you write in? I've been thinking of drawing one of my crit partners main characters for them, hoping it will give them the same inspiration . Cookie, I write historical fiction and fantasy. All my stuff has a bit of romance in it but usually not enough to actually label ...
by Beethovenfan
February 26th, 2011, 6:53 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What medium - techno or old school?
Replies: 31
Views: 14340

Re: What medium - techno or old school?

I also visualize scenes as if they are from a movie. I then try to capture in words what I'm seeing in my mind. I wish I were more artistically inclined - the brush and paint kind as I am artistic in other ways - but I can't draw a face to save my life. However, I do have a graphic design friend who...
by Beethovenfan
February 26th, 2011, 2:12 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: What medium - techno or old school?
Replies: 31
Views: 14340

What medium - techno or old school?

When I first began writing everything I did was with pencil and paper (or pen - didn't matter). I have stacks of old folders and notebooks of stuff I've written. Then I would take a day or two's worth of writing to the computer and type it. However, I slowly adapted to the technological age and bega...
by Beethovenfan
February 26th, 2011, 1:49 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Realization Crisis
Replies: 17
Views: 4255

Re: Realization Crisis

I wonder if you are thinking about this too hard. It sounds like you are trying to write according to a formula, making sure every part and parcel is in its place. I realize some things absolutely MUST be there, but you also have to go with what "feels" right. From what I've read of your p...