Questions tagged [novel]
Novels are long-form prose fiction, typically over 40,000 words. Questions that use this tag can relate to writing, editing, publishing, formatting or technique as applied specifically to novels. If the question applies to more than just novels, it should probably use the Fiction tag instead.
25 questions from the last 365 days
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How to avoid wasting reader investment with a thematically disappointing ending?
I'm drafting a story around chasing dreams and facing the possibility of said dreams being a lie in the end. For this, I have a main character doggedly chasing a goal that's extremely hard to achieve ...
- 195
11
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5
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Ramifications of having each chapter be a different 'episode' in a novel?
I was thinking about how readers would feel about reading an episodic story that instead of having a different story per book, having a different story per chapter. Not an anthology, but like same MCs,...
- 325
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2
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A foreword, but in the middle of the story
I'm writing a story that is a fiction within a fiction, presented as a written story compiled from oral sources by a fictional character who was a main character in a previous book.
Within this story, ...
- 593
0
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0
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How do I find sales data for my book? [duplicate]
My book is currently for sale online. The last sales data report from Amazon covered only through June, a date earlier than we started to sell (July 31, 2024 would be the earliest sale date based upon ...
- 1
4
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6
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How to write an Antagonist that is hot, manipulative, but has good reasoning for being the 'villain'?
I am writing a dark romantasy novel that I hope to publish. I have a character (the ML[male lead]), Ace, who is the prince of the shadow side. Ace is the son of the king and queen of the shadow realm ...
- 41
4
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5
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1k
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Writing in first person for fiction novel, how to portray her inner dialogue and drag it out to make a chapter long enough?
I am writing my first novel. I have wanted to write a book since I was 12 years old. I am no expert when it comes to writing, but the I'm loving the ideas I have. Currently, I am struggling with ...
user67800
2
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3
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891
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Is it fine to call a 26 year old character a young adult? [closed]
I wa wondering does 26 fall under the category of young adult. I hear its 18-24 or 25 but does 18-26 exist and is that valid?
- 21
3
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6
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189
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Getting a book published at age 12
So, I'm 12 years old but I'm turning 13 in December. I live in Canada and am currently writing a novel.
I love reading and everyone in my class said that I am very good at writing. I got an Extending (...
user67025
12
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3
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Is it bad to have similar themes in my novels?
I wrote two novels as a novice, and I'm on the third right now.
As I began writing it, I noticed my stories tend to revolve around two things (my genre being sci-fi):
An AI. Not the typical evil AI ...
- 223
3
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2
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Can a superhero story work in novel format?
I have an original idea for a Marvel type storyline with a few sub-plots that you would see in a typical romance/contemporary drama narrative. Would something like this work in novel form?
I can't ...
- 31
2
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2
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Regarding the rule of introducing a narrative change of character with a new paragraph: Does this still apply if the action is minor?
I am editing a novel. I generally follow the widely endorsed rule of using a new paragraph when introducing a change in dialogue, action or subject.
However, would this still apply when said action is ...
- 23
4
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4
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519
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How and where do I start writing my novel?
I've been creating stories in my head since I was very young. When I was around 8 I started writing it in a notebook (didn't go anywhere), when I was around 12 I started typing up a story with my ...
- 902
2
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2
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470
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When writing a blurb, can I refer to my characters using descriptors instead of their names?
I’m writing a blurb for a novel with three main characters. Can I refer to them as “a young man”, “his lady friend”, and “the nurse” instead of their names?
- 23
5
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5
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Cliffhanger ending?
I'm writing a first book in a series and so far I have planned out the plot for the first and second book, not sure if I write more after that. The thing is all the issues in the first book are solved ...
- 51
1
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1
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76
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Tetralogy order sequence novel series
I'm writing a novel series based on my life experiences. Not a memior. I'm starting on a time that is in the middle of my life story. My next book will be about a time prior to the story in my current ...
- 11
3
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4
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How can I keep my writing consistent?
I struggle with keeping my writing consistent and fear this is hampering my ability to finish my novel (currently in the editing stage).
Some scenes are brilliant, they add flavour to the story, the ...
5
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4
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2k
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How long should it take you to finish a page on average?
I take a very long time to write anything. Is this natural? I don't have a block or anything, but I feel like this is taking too long per page. On average, how long should it take to complete one page ...
- 51
1
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2
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163
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How to efficiently mislead readers and catch them by surprise
I am working on a murder mystery and want to mislead my readers and create a false sense of security for them as to who the murderer is, but I have absolutely no idea how to start.
- 13
3
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6
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197
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How to get over a long break from writing?
I'm wanting to get back into writing and work on a novel or a collection of short stories. In the past, I've done creative writing and I've written a full-length novel, however it's been over a year ...
- 1,664
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3
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In my polytheistic world, how should I prevent people fighting over which god to worship? [closed]
Remember when I set the protagonist, Berta Newton (Issac Newton's incarnation into isekai), as an angel? As the accepted answerer aptly said, people will be interested in her magics themselves, rather ...
- 173
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1
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Can a stream of consciousness be successfully maintained in the first person in a long novel?
I think there are stream of consciousness writings in the third person, but was wondering about the first person. No other dialogue with other characters, just the thoughts of the protagonist as he/...
- 223
2
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2
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842
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In my story, a girl discovers who murdered her best friend and descends into madness. What is the genre?
The story I'm working on is about a girl whose best friend was murdered and how she is dealing with the aftermath. The main character is trying to figure out what happened, but it's not a murder ...
- 285
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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
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3
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Is it cultural appropriation to write historical fiction with a character from another culture, using elements of that culture and language?
I've been thinking about writing a historical fiction novel about the Korean War. It is told from the perspective of a Korean character and includes many elements of Korean culture and language. I am ...
- 31
3
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4
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What language could I use to write spells or names of things in my fantasy novel?
I'm writing a fantasy novel and would like suggestions. I would like to write spells/incantations in a foreign language, preferably a dead language such as Anglo-Saxon. I also would need a translation ...
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