Careers: Writing/Inapplicable

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Question
Ego (a comic character)

Below is his stats with number defining its abilities and word describing its ability:

Intelligence:  Immeasurable (10/10)
Strength:  Incalculable (12/12)
Flight Speed:  Warp speed (12/12)
Stamina:  Godlike (9/10)
Durability:  Godlike (13/14)
Agility:  Inapplicable
Reflexes:  Metahuman (7/7)
Fighting Skills:  none

From the stats above, one can see that under Reflexes, Ego's abilities is metahuman and received a score of 7/7.  So, my question is:

What does the word inapplicable means?  Under Agility, it says that Ego agility is inapplicable.  Does that mean he get a zero for that particular ability or does it means something else?

Answer
Hi, Henry!

Well, this isn't really a "writing" question so much as a definition issue. But my best take on it is this:

Ego has no fighting skills, so that score is a zero.
But agility doesn't apply (is inapplicable) because he's tough, not flexible (which is what "agile" means.)  It's not a zero score---it's more that the question doesn't exist. Reflexes aren't the same thing as ability to move with grace. He can be fast without being flexible. Generally, fighting causes flexibility, and if he's not a fighter, he's not agile.

Does that help?

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Cathy Clamp

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I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)

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I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.

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Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.

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Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others. Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.

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USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.

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