| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Using existing streets, towns and villages. | 7/9/2009 | Vincent M. Wales |
Q: I read the question that you answered about using existing companies and shops in a fiction novel ...
A: It's all fair game, Anthony. Using actual towns, streets, and events can give a very nice ...
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| Character Names | 7/8/2009 | WordChannel |
Q: I am writing an autobiography of myself with hopes of getting it published. Can I use actual names ...
A: Please forgive my tardiness in replying; I quite honestly have been ill, over the holidays, at ...
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| Using quotes in books | 7/3/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I am writing a book that occasionally references scenes from movies - and I need to insert quotes. ...
A: again, Larry! Sorry, I was under the impression you were writing a novel where quotes appeared. ...
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| Using quotes in books | 7/2/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I am writing a book that occasionally references scenes from movies - and I need to insert quotes. ...
A: Larry! Yes, this is a copyright issue, and yes, you would need permission to quote this the way you ...
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| How do I get started? | 7/2/2009 | Susan Rand |
Q: For a senior project, I've decided to write a fictional novel. I feel very passionately about ...
A: Here is a definition of "realistic" fiction:" ...
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| Getting over the hump... | 7/2/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I was wondering if you have any advice for getting "over the hump?" I have several novels begun, ...
A: If you have "several" started, then you aren't committed and don't like the stories you have begun. ...
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| Getting over the hump... | 7/2/2009 | Susan Rand |
Q: I was wondering if you have any advice for getting "over the hump?" I have several novels begun, ...
A: You have not given me enough information to answer your question. Why do you get stuck? Are you ...
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| How do I get started? | 7/2/2009 | Susan Rand |
Q: For a senior project, I've decided to write a fictional novel. I feel very passionately about ...
A: You have a lot of potential subjects here, and while that is good in a way, in another way it is ...
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| Question | 6/30/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I'm ariel, I'm curently writing a book and I have it all out in my head. It's about these teens who ...
A: Actually, I think you misunderstood me. 1. Dead killer's spirit is killing people 2. First VICTIM's ...
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| Getting started with an intersesting beginning | 6/29/2009 | Dorothy K Morris |
Q: Dorothy, I am so excited for the idea I have for my novel, but I feel like my storytelling is ...
A: I come up with exciting grabbers when they are needed. I don't try to get them. They just happen. My ...
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| Question | 6/29/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I'm ariel, I'm curently writing a book and I have it all out in my head. It's about these teens who ...
A: Ariel! Well, one thing I can think of is to make the spirit killing them the KILLER rather than the ...
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| Getting started with an intersesting beginning | 6/28/2009 | Dorothy K Morris |
Q: Dorothy, I am so excited for the idea I have for my novel, but I feel like my storytelling is ...
A: I will answer this by sending you a long paragraph or two about the way I write and how my ...
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| Any opinion or advice for me? | 6/28/2009 | Bobbie Christmas |
Q: Greetings, I have posted samples of my work online. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you ...
A: As a full-time editor who gets paid to read manuscripts and evaluate them, I don't read manuscripts ...
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| Any opinion or advice for me? | 6/28/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: Greetings, I have posted samples of my work online. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you ...
A: From what I assumed from the web site, you have two published novels already. You also had a ...
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| Help on Publishing | 6/24/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I am currently in the process of writing a young adult fiction book. My grandfather has connections ...
A: Kaylee! I saw your question in the pool and thought I'd offer to help out. Your age really has ...
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| How to format two accounts of story | 6/19/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I am copy editing a memoir that switches back and forth between a husband and wife telling the ...
A: Never italicize anything in the book exept maybe a thought, or some type of empathize. Use normal ...
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| Thriller writing. | 6/19/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: Im 17 and I'm really interested in writing either a thriller play or a thriller book. At my school ...
A: I recommend joining a writers workshop group. Google them and see. Then pick one. But, I highly ...
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| Compiling material for my project. | 6/17/2009 | Susan Rand |
Q: I've been toying around the idea of creating a book based on information received from the American ...
A: You do not need a website to gather this material, but I don't see how you are going to contact ...
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| Protagonist&Antagonist | 6/16/2009 | Vincent M. Wales |
Q: The new show nurse Jackie makes me ask this question. Can a single character or lead character be ...
A: Sure. Since you mentioned TV shows, I'll point to another one: Frasier. Frasier Crane is the lead ...
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| publication | 6/16/2009 | Bobbie Christmas |
Q: My name is Eleanor Cole, and I am currently working on writing my own poetry book. It is 100-120 ...
A: Congratulations on working on your own poetry book! My first response to you if we were meeting ...
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| Non fiction Crime Novel | 6/15/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I am interested in writing a crime novel that involved two homicides. What are the legal ...
A: If you really want to write this story, from whatever angle, if you can get his permission, and ...
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| Disclaimer | 6/15/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I have written a fiction. The story is based on a true story. To be exact, it's the fascinating ...
A: You can copy the disclaimer that appears on the television show Law & Order or the like. Something ...
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| I'm interested in writing and publishing a book | 6/14/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I am a teen and I love to write. I have an anxiety disorder and I'm interested in writing a book to ...
A: You can not just simply "publish" a book, unless you self-publish, which does cost $1,000's. In ...
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| grants | 6/14/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I am currently writing a science fiction book, I'm only sixteen and I do not have a job, and so I ...
A: Abby! What are you trying to accomplish that you believe you'll need money for? Grants for writers ...
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| Part of the Writing Process | 6/13/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I'm writing a novel right now. It's an adventure/horror/comedy/romance novel. The thing is when I ...
A: Chelsie! I'm not sure who told you that there's a "proper process" for writing novels, but you'll ...
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| Copyright Page | 6/12/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I'm self publishing a book that I had copyrighted with the Library of Congress a few years ago. Of ...
A: On the inside- first page to the left is the original copyright date, the publisher and publishing ...
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| synopsis | 6/12/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: i have just finished writing my first book in what i think will be a trilogy, it will definitely be ...
A: Naomi! First, congratulations on finishing your first book! That's a milestone all by itself. :) ...
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| First Novel | 6/11/2009 | Bobbie Christmas |
Q: I am 18 years old and just passed out of high school. I am currently working on a novel and I have ...
A: Although I have never heard of a writer who successfully wrote the last chapter first and then wrote ...
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| having trouble with plot | 6/11/2009 | Susan Rand |
Q: I have written 16 chapters in my fiction story and its about a girl who is surrounded by vampires, ...
A: Congratulations on finishing 16 chapters of yur book! I am having a little trouble understanding "I ...
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| How do I get published? | 6/8/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: I am a 17 year old girl who's been dying to write a novel since the age of 8. I remember sitting ...
A: Kayla, It takes years and years and years to become a writer. Join an Online writers group and ...
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| real life story not mine | 6/6/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: How can I write a story about a real person, places, and events and have it be a work of fiction?
A: Darlene! The only way to make real events into fiction is to fictionalize them. By that, I mean ...
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| Use of School's Name in Fiction | 6/6/2009 | Vincent M. Wales |
Q: I would appreciate your help in understanding whether I can use the name of a state school in my ...
A: Well, I recall Philip Roth's protagonist in Goodbye, Columbus had attended Penn State. This sticks ...
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| editing your own work | 6/6/2009 | Rhonda Campbell |
Q: My question is in regards to editing your own work before sending it to a publishers. I was just ...
A: CONGRATULATIONS on your writing! That's HUGE! CONGRATULATIONS over and over again! 1 Option - To ...
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| Using Mythology in fiction | 6/3/2009 | Cathy Clamp |
Q: I am currently working on a piece of writing - romance - and am using Greek mythology heavily in my ...
A: Zoe! Stretch them as far as you like! Just make your *characters* aware of the current myth---then ...
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| Disclaimer | 6/2/2009 | J.L. Slipak |
Q: How do you write a disclaimer for a childrens book,and is there a free publishing service to get a ...
A: Not entirely sure why you feel you need a disclaimer for a children's book. If you are using ...
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| Using an Encyclopedia and Reference Materials | 5/31/2009 | Vincent M. Wales |
Q: Can you please tell me when it is necessary to request permission for using an encyclopedia as a ...
A: You're quite welcome. And it depends on what you mean by "derogatory." If you're referring to the ...
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| The use of historical characters in fiction | 5/30/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: My book is in production with a publisher. Since this is my first novel, I want to make certain that ...
A: If the information is history-- then it belongs to anyone to source and use. It's our own heritage. ...
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| How to become an Editor? | 5/30/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: ! This is not about publishing a book, but please advice as this is regarding your profession. I ...
A: You can send out your cover letter and resume to prospects, but since you have no professional ...
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| Grammar question | 5/30/2009 | Dorothy K Morris |
Q: I am writing a book and I have a question-- or maybe a few questions. I don't understand how to go ...
A: There is no professional way...just a choice of more than one correct way. Either way you ...
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| The use of historical characters in fiction | 5/30/2009 | Jannie Balliett |
Q: My book is in production with a publisher. Since this is my first novel, I want to make certain that ...
A: Your publisher's editors advise on these things and ask you, the author, to make changes. Have ...
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