25
votes
If I wouldn't want to read the story, is writing it still a good idea?
Why to abandon an idea
In considering the question of whether or not you should write an idea you don’t like, my instinct would be no. If you don’t like it, it will show in the writing. If you are ...
- 9,923
11
votes
Accepted
Need guidance on my writing method
There are plotters, and discovery writers. You sound like a plotter. There's nothing wrong with that. Take the time you need to outline your story so you feel comfortable with it, and additionally ...
11
votes
Accepted
Where do I start?
As everybody else says, all options are viable. You can start from a scene that's bright in your mind and write to it and from it, you can throw scenes on paper and then connect them, you can start ...
11
votes
If I wouldn't want to read the story, is writing it still a good idea?
It's often a good idea to note your ideas down the moment you have them and then look at them at a later point. This makes sure that you have an interest in it that lasts long enough to actually get ...
- 5,736
8
votes
How should a writer use version control to track drafts, rewrites, and revisions?
Just to play devil's advocate a little bit, I think a case can definitely be made for not using a software version control tool in writing.
As a writer who also works in the software development ...
- 1,581
8
votes
Where do I start?
I start on Page 1, Line 1, Word 1: The main character's name.
If you know this much about the characters, the first scene introduces the main character and her status-quo world. You have 5% to 10% of ...
- 100k
8
votes
Concentration whilst Writing
There is a natural tendency in writing to get into flow and allow words to just start falling. It's actually quite good. But, as you said, when you are attempting to write in a focused manner it can ...
- 6,467
7
votes
Is it better to repeat steps listed elsewhere in a manual, or to refer the reader to where the steps are listed elsewhere in the manual?
This is a close duplicate of Does DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) Apply to Documentation?
My short answer is do what's right for the user, not yourself. That's probably repeating the code, especially if ...
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7
votes
How to revise your "setting bible"
Let me second what @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere says, and elaborate.
Fiddling with a setting is an endless task: you can delve into sociology, millennia of history, technology, geography, geology - all ...
7
votes
Accepted
How to revise your "setting bible"
One thing to keep in mind is that your setting bible is an internal document. Your players (or readers or viewers or audience) will never see it. As a result, the moment you spend a single second ...
- 2,149
7
votes
If I wouldn't want to read the story, is writing it still a good idea?
That's a really interesting question.
What springs into my mind is wondering why you think it would be interesting to you as a writer, if not as a reader? I'd like to hear more on this, maybe with ...
- 3,537
6
votes
What software can I use to synchronize corrections and modifications over similar documents?
WinMerge can help you manually merge documents. It can compare two text documents, highlight similar lines and lines that are slightly different and it allows you to quickly choose which version to ...
- 61
5
votes
Database for Characters?
If you like the way Wikipedia is organized with respect to the information of the real world and you'd like something akin to that for your world (even if you choose to restrict it to characters only),...
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5
votes
How to effectively document a product composed of complex microservices?
What you just described is almost every Web based REST API. Those are nothing more than a series of calls, sometimes into the hundreds or thousands, that the developer has to put into a meaningful ...
- 389
5
votes
Where do I start?
Short answer: all three options work, so experiment.
James Scott Bell wrote a whole book on how to write from the middle. I haven't read it yet, so I don't know how good the reasons are for doing so, ...
- 9,577
5
votes
Where do I start?
Whatever feels right. You could also write the start of each chapter and slowly fill each one out. This way you start with the rough outline, then move to a roadmap with small steps, and then you just ...
- 5,736
5
votes
Concentration whilst Writing
The greatest challenge for new writers is not poor word choice or clumsy sentence construction. First drafts don't die in obscurity from wordiness or inconsistent voice. The great killer of ...
- 10.8k
5
votes
How to revise your "setting bible"
Selecting one thing from a list of five as being most important is usually tricky and often subjective, but I think this list has an easy answer.
While consistency in the in-book universe is ...
5
votes
How to write a joint book with each writer writing a character?
I am currently publishing a comic series with a co-writer, and have worked with other writers as well.
We always start with a general outline, so that both of us are in agreement regarding what ...
- 751
5
votes
Accepted
Planning story using layers, compartmentalization, and time
You might find Scrivener to be useful. Scrivener is a writing program which allows you a lot of control: organization, nesting files inside folders inside folders, tags, summaries, highlights, links, ...
4
votes
Searching for character relation map software
The description of what you're looking for immediately brought mind maps to mind (no pun intended, but WOCKA WOCKA WOCKA!). I'm not sure if they'll fit the bill, but I thought I'd toss them out for ...
- 1,465
4
votes
How do I organize my writing process?
There is no One True Way. Every writer is different. Even the same writer may have two different approaches to two different books (or series).
JK Rowling plotted out the entire seven-book Harry ...
4
votes
How to effectively document a product composed of complex microservices?
Much depends on how the microservices are packaged for the consumer. If users can mix and match, you need to document each microservice separately, but include “meta” information for the user to ...
- 738
4
votes
Accepted
How to effectively document a product composed of complex microservices?
I've worked on a few doc sets like that. While API reference documentation is one case where you see this problem, the problem occurs at the "module" level too.
Your question is about microservices, ...
- 21.4k
4
votes
Are there tools/software for planning your story using nested mindmaps and references to characters?
All software is limited by
a. what the software creator allows you to do with it, and
b. screen real estate.
Like you I am a person who needs to organize their notes both visually and spacially. ...
- 41
4
votes
Where do I start?
I would say: There is no perfect start. In my opinion, starting where your (Writers-)Instinct tells you to start is the best option. If your Instinct is telling you: Start at the opening, start there. ...
- 2,621
4
votes
What software can I use to synchronize corrections and modifications over similar documents?
You might consider using R-Markdown. I can imagine a process where you:
Convert all of your current documents to separate markdowns in plain markdown text
Identify the components you wish to keep ...
- 605
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