All Questions
20 questions
13
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How do I properly present dialogue in a scene with two female characters?
When writing a conversation between two female characters, I found myself using their names over and over instead of using pronouns. If I use 'she' for both of them, it's confusing to read because it ...
- 131
2
votes
3
answers
182
views
How do I write a story in which no one can understand each other?
I have this story I want to write where there's different species that each speak their own different language, but none of them can understand each other at all.
Then the main character comes and ...
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
Selectively mute character where language is a barrier
I have a mc that speaks only mandarin and is taken in by pirates that are mostly English speakers. He didn't speak much before being taken by them. So how would I write a character that is basically ...
- 11
2
votes
2
answers
166
views
Handling language barriers
I am trying to write the story for an RPG I will make in the future. The world itself is huge with multiple continents and landmasses, but the current story takes place on the main four continents. ...
- 515
7
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Any tips on writing scenes between characters where there is no action?
I mostly write fantasy, and I need to improve writing scenes between characters that are not action. For example, a scene where two characters are eating breakfast and talking about training later ...
- 307
7
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How do I describe an accent from our world in a non-Earth fictional world?
In my writing, I feel it can give a character distinction if they have an accent; our main character(s) have an American accent, but the newly-introduced one of them has an Irish accent.
My problem, ...
- 127
7
votes
3
answers
234
views
I struggle to make characters emote during dialogue
I often find myself with two (or more) characters speaking, and too often my descriptions would be "he paused," "he sighed," "he rubbed the bridge of his nose," etc.
Too ...
- 171
0
votes
1
answer
136
views
What should I do in this situation?
I get most of my ideas for my novels by watching anime, or listening to the anime op or just music - the idea doesn't always be related to anime but it gives me an idea and with music and anime op, I ...
3
votes
2
answers
103
views
How to a describe a character that is not remotely human?
I am writing a story that involves a creature that is specifically not humanoid. Instead of appearing as a human, it is more of ageless energy that exists in the core of a planet, can communicate with ...
- 31
3
votes
4
answers
391
views
How to make a weak character fight in major battle [closed]
My character is about to fight someone that really strong but he believes that he is still weak. So how can i force him to fight. (For plus note: i make a fantasy story like magic and stuff)
- 31
2
votes
2
answers
275
views
Modernized dialogue in fantasy - stylistically untrue or clever genre subversion?
I find myself using words like "kiddo", "bullshit" and "badass" in the more comedic side of dialogue/thoughts in my fantasy novel. At first it was simply me not paying attention, and not caring as I ...
- 4,053
11
votes
5
answers
828
views
Writing the dialogue of two travelers who dislike each other
I'm currently writing a journey-focused plot arc, and I'm struggling a bit with the character interactions. To give you some background, the protagonist is a lone wolf of sorts whose job is akin to a ...
- 466
30
votes
14
answers
9k
views
Writing in a Christian voice
I'm Jewish. My middle-grade fantasy novel is very Jewish. Most of my characters are either Jews or converts/future converts or people with at least one Jewish grandparent. But some are not.
My ...
- 32.4k
4
votes
7
answers
432
views
Showing friendship between people of different ranks - maintain formality, or drop it?
There is a prince. (Or some other person of high rank.) And there is that prince's good friend, who, naturally, holds a somewhat lower rank.
There are two ways I could show the close relationship ...
1
vote
3
answers
292
views
How to show two characters are communicating mentally
I'm writing a story where my two main characters have been merged together so that they share a single body. They spend a lot of time discussing things and arguing on what actions to take. This has ...
5
votes
2
answers
994
views
How to subtly portray psychological abuse?
I have a family with a highly domineering, mentally, emotionally and physically (but not sexually) abusive father, a complacent and compliant stepmother (the biological mother having died) and a ...
- 323
10
votes
5
answers
880
views
How can I keep my dialogue nuanced and informal without breaking the illusion that the story is a translation (from a fictional language)?
The story I'm writing is in English, but it's set in a constructed world with a range of different languages. The general conceit is that anything the viewpoint character (of which there's more than ...
- 1,525
2
votes
5
answers
12k
views
How would a knight act around a princess?
In my current book, the main character is a knight and in one of the beginning scenes, he interacts with the princess. He's intimidated because of who she is (royalty) and acts very formal around her ...
- 713
2
votes
3
answers
194
views
A question about dialogue and paragraphs?
First question I've asked on here so hopefully it isn't a silly one.
I am a little confused about a certain paragraph/dialogue convention I am using in something I am writing. Occasionally I have a ...
- 75
13
votes
5
answers
877
views
Should a conlang be translated?
Diving (OK, dove) into conlanging for a novel I'm working on. The conlang is atmospheric and allows for some subplot intrigue, but it's not absolutely essential to the story. I've got basic grammar, ...
- 667