Writing

Questions tagged [first-time-author]

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Use this tag for questions specifically about issues encountered by authors writing or publishing their first work. DO NOT use this tag simply because you are a first time author.

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3answers
51 views

How to Structure a single-perspective Novel into Chapters?

Now my case is not novel-wide; I have to do this in one part of the novel, but I extended the question to a more generalised one, so that anybody else with the same question will find it useful just ...
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3answers
102 views

What makes a book young adult

I am a young author writing my first series . I’m not writing my books simply because I want to or that I am frustrated with other books, but those are some reasons. The book I am writing is pure ...
29
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16answers
8k views

I feel like people would mock me for trying to become an author at 12, what should I do?

So, I'm writing a few books at the moment. I really want to become an author when I'm older, but I'm much too shy to email a proper author about what to do or show it to many people. I really feel ...
28
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8answers
5k views

Everyone has a book in them, but in most cases that’s where it should stay. Does that apply to me?

Everyone has a book in them, but in most cases that’s where it should stay I'm not an author. I'm retired. The last time I wrote fiction was probably an essay when I was 10 years old. For years a ...
1
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3answers
255 views

How to write a socially awkward, anxious character without them ending up like Bella Swan?

I'm trying to write a character who is shy and awkward and has anxiety so she would stutter or have social blunders etc. but I'm trying to figure out if the way I write her will end up making her like ...
3
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1answer
184 views

Are there any disadvantages of excluding an author photo?

I have two different legal names (it's a weird consequence of dual citizenship). When I'm in Taiwan, I use my Chinese name on official business. When I visit America, I use my American name. I'm ...
3
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1answer
84 views

How can one go about writing with a full time job?

I'm a single working professional who after work, chores, and sleep can manage to find only a few hours to sit down and write each day. I do however try to religiously read everyday. Writing seems ...
3
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1answer
69 views

Third person omniscient or limited?

This is kind of difficult to explain (im sorry if its really long) and I haven't found a question yet that addresses my exact issue. Apologies in advance if this breaks a rule, I can't find them ...
3
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5answers
285 views

Can I use a real person's name as a pseudonym?

I don't want to use my own name when publishing my book - my pseudonym is the name of a German actress. Is it ok to use it? It's not a common name, but my book is in English, and the actress is German,...
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1answer
53 views

Production/edition focus order

Good morning, This morning I have found an ad about a new TV serie, "See", which plot is quite similar (blind civilization with sighted-rare members, although environment and background is different) ...
6
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3answers
187 views

How do I start off in web comics?

I’m a beginner writer planning on learning how to write webcomics. My main one is an adventure/fantasy webcomic and the other is a card battle webcomic (I draw a lot of inspiration from anime and ...
3
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4answers
253 views

What kind of name should a fantasy author go by?

I'm currently in the middle of writing several fantasy books and, even though I'm not done with any of them, I can't stop thinking about how my name will appear on my books once they are finished. I ...
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0answers
49 views

Writing a book in a non native language [duplicate]

I have a fantasy story in my head for several years now. I wrote an outline for a book and draw a crude map of the world. I even started writing the first draft, but one of my biggest problems is my ...
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4answers
227 views

If you are beginner when it come to writing, should you be pantser? Or plotter? [closed]

I asked my friends this question, they say being a plotter is better for a beginner, then once you get good you transition to pantser. I ask here because I hope to get advice from professional (or at ...
6
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6answers
2k views

How can I add depth to my story or how do I determine if my story already has depth?

I am new to writing. I wrote a lot when I was a kid and teen. I wrote my first book at 6 and then again in high school. I was also in journalism. After high school, life happened. I took an almost 20 ...
11
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4answers
2k views

Am I a new writer?

I have a very crudely written book that I self published through Amazon in 2013. I did not do any advertising for the book and it only sold about 80 copies. I am now in the process of a query letter ...
6
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3answers
655 views

Help/tips for a first time writer? [closed]

I’m starting to write a fiction novel. A friend of mine works in publishing and she thinks the plot for my book is great but I’m not sure how to start. I know a lot of the details and I’ve thought up ...
4
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1answer
139 views

Written and illustrated children's book: what now?

I have written and illustrated a children's book and am looking for advice about where to go with it now. My thoughts are: approach independent bookstores, contact an illustrator's agent, approach ...
8
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4answers
144 views

How can I trim my word count and still be proud of what I've written?

I am a new writer. My work is focused on real people. I ask a series of questions and go from there. Its all about their personal journeys with health. I like to capture the feeling of what people ...
7
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4answers
1k views

As a new poet, where can I find help from a professional to judge my work? [duplicate]

I often write short poems and quotes here: https://www.mirakee.com/atd, but I really want to hear from someone professional to give their valuable feedback on my work, so that I know where exactly I ...
6
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5answers
226 views

Consulting experts - why should they talk to someone who isn't a published writer yet?

Whatever subject I am researching for my story, the common recommendation is "talk to the relevant professionals". If I need medical information, talk to a doctor. If I need information about the ...
5
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1answer
151 views

Can using my name as author harm my book sales?

My name is Vinícius Morais, and I'm new to writing books. I have finished my first fantasy novel. But do I keep my name as the author or create a pen name? The main problem is there's a great poet and ...
5
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2answers
139 views

Fictionalizing firsthand accounts from history?

I am currently in the research phase of writing my first novel that is based on a true historical event. Having obtained a ton of sources in more than three different languages, I have come across ...
10
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6answers
603 views

Write now or learn?

I have a story that I wish to write. I like my story and genuinely believe it to be interesting. My issue is that I have never really written anything before. When I have read advice in the past, I ...
11
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5answers
2k views

Can the prologue's POV be different from the POV of main story?

Let me explain my question: I want to write the prologue of the story with the narrator in first person with the point of view of the protagonist. But the story is already written in a third person ...
7
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6answers
879 views

Will the publisher/agent tell me what to write?

I recently read this answer, which suggested that an author's first novel will be rejected, and the publisher will instead get the author to write the novel they want to publish, assuming they feel ...
2
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5answers
186 views

I have lots of ideas to write, what should I do? And what writing groups online that can keep me motivated?

I have three different ideas for three novel series , each one of them needs work on plot holes, world building and reasoning. My problem is that I wish to do them all but I get overwhelmed and I get ...
2
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3answers
186 views

How do publishers expect authors to use social media to promote their books?

I am new to the world of writing, and was initially surprised to read on some publishing advice website (eek) that authors should use social media to interact with readers and promote their books. How ...
3
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4answers
375 views

First-time author…can I publish in English in Mexico?

I'm writing a novel, my first ever, and I hope to finally finish the story and get it published. I live in Mexico, but I am writing in English...could I get the book published here, or would I have to ...
9
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1answer
4k views

First-time meeting with publisher & editors (What to expect)

My fiancée is a first-time children's book author. What should she expect from her first meeting with the publisher and editors? Any advice? They've already seen some samples of her unpublished ...
32
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10answers
1k views

What are some online guides for starting writers? [closed]

I've always wanted to start writing (in a totally amateur way), but whenever I want to start something I instantly get blocked having a lot of questions and doubts. Are there some resources on how to ...