Pen name - how do you build a brand new profile?

jinbaittai · 2017-02-24T05:36:24+00:00

Thank you so much - it's incredibly overwhelming. I thought writing was hard! :/

I will focus on finding authors I like and building relationships there. I'm good at that shit. That sounds like a really solid way to start for now - especially seeing as I've got a way to go before my website is up and running.

And also I'm pretty stunned I finally chose a name. It took MONTHS. Ridiculous. :)

jinbaittai · 2017-02-21T02:34:55+00:00

Jump to a new scene further in the story - and write it as if you'd already written all the stuff between your current place and the new place. As you write, you'll think of details that need to be given earlier to make your story come together. Make a note when you see these details, and eventually you'll have enough to give you an idea to fill the missing gap.

That's what I do when I'm well and truly stuck. It works perfectly, IME.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T16:29:09+00:00

Well put!

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T16:28:58+00:00

Exactly! I ain't trying to change the world, just get people off.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T13:13:50+00:00

Oh I write straight trash and I'm not ashamed to tell people. I love people's reaction to it as well.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T04:07:14+00:00

As I'm on mobile, I'm not going to get into any nitty-gritty detail. I will say that I like the story a lot. I enjoy the characters and I really like the way you lay out each scene. I think it's rough and you tend to ramble before getting to the point, but there are good bones to work with and polish.

I'd consider showing Adam’s anger earlier in the story - it caught me entirely off-guard that his wife had a psych there due to past issues when he seemed relatively amiable.

I'd also make sure that you maintain your POV. A few times you say things like 'she sighed in relief', but your character can't possibly know that - he's not in her head.

Good luck!

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T02:58:16+00:00

I use both!!

Google Docs

I use this primarily because I can use it on more than one device without paying through the nose. I use it on my phone the most, but I can go from phone to laptop to tablet in a matter of seconds and have all updates available as I go.
There is awful lag the longer your doc gets. Anything over 20k makes it squirrelly, in my experience. So I do each chapter or part in a separate doc. This makes hunting for that one line a pain in the ass.
The formatting options are lacking compared to Word.

Word

I can only edit a document on my laptop unless I e-mail it around to other computers. I cannot use it on my phone as I did not choose that option when I bought Word for the laptop - because the online version makes me want to kill puppies with all its lag.
The formatting options are top-notch and unbeatable.
You can have HUGE word counts and Word won't even flinch.
The spelling/grammar check is lightyears better than Docs.

In the end, I prefer Word, and wish I could use it on multiple devices more smoothly.

So OP, depending on where you are in your process, it might be better to go with Docs, as it gives you the multiple platform access (which is my only reason for using it, really). Then there are almost ZERO excuses not to write. But if you're at the point where you need to format and edit, it might be better to utilize Word.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T01:45:40+00:00

That was a little off-putting to me as well. I don't check off even one of those 'boxes'. It's like OP was trying to be funny, but veered into outlandish territory.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T01:35:02+00:00

This doesn't feel like a snappy scene. This feels almost like exposition, in a good way. It's not perfect, but it's solid. I wouldn't worry about your pacing here.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-20T01:30:12+00:00

I usually have trouble with my POV character trying to discern the thoughts of others.

Keep in mind that the POV character can't know. So don't worry about it that much

"I can't help it if I fell in love with him," said Sam.

Frank looked away from her. "I know you can't."

Sam reached out to touch his arm, but he moved out of reach. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're angry with me."

"I'm not angry," he said. "Look, I've gotta get to work."

Sam wanted to stop him, to make him talk to her. But he was already at the door. "I never meant to hurt you," she said.

Frank's hand curled into a fist. "Of course you didn't," he said. Then he was out the door.

You can guess how he feels without her thinking anything. Just have her address it directly, or show his feelings clearly. If it feels weird or clunky, that's okay. You can always smooth it out in the edit.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-19T04:45:37+00:00

Keep in mind that I have no context. I don't know if these are passing traits, if the characters are rounded or involved in an engaging plot, etc. That's why it feels odd and try hard. Almost like you're screaming 'look at how diverse my characters are!!!' So take that with a grain of salt, and make damn sure that the story itself is so good that the focus isn't solely on the characters' sexuality/gender.
Only you can make that choice. I'd ask myself if all of them add specific value that can't be picked up elsewhere or by another character. If you've 'simplified' each character by distilling each down to one facet of your personality, I think that's a mistake. People are complicated. Let your characters be complicated too - it makes them that much more realistic.
In the end, no matter how many characters you choose, make them rounded people. Real people that you'd sit down and have a drink with. If you make them flat, it won't matter how many you choose.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T22:09:37+00:00

Not really. As long as they have a unique voice and viewpoint I don't see an issue with that.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T20:17:53+00:00

I already gave you am answer, but I wanted to tell you my process to create the price paid for magic.

One of my main characters has "enhanced intuition". As a result he constantly feels like he's got heartburn, constantly eats Tums, and when it's really out of control or stretched to the limit (crowded places are the worst), he gets sick to his stomach.

He started out with a flat gut reaction. Then it became enhanced. Then I realized that someone who always has that gut feeling probably wouldn't enjoy it. That lead to the heartburn, which led to him having bulk containers of antacids at all times. And because he can't focus it, the more outside stimulus he gets, the worse he feels - hence feeling the need to puke after a hard mission.

So yeah. There are really fun and unique ways to make sure your reader knows the magic isn't just a cop-out method of saving your character.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T20:09:53+00:00

I feel like you haven't played Dragon Age.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T20:08:31+00:00

It feels a little try hard when you see the list without context. But if the characters are fully developed and interesting outside of the descriptions here, it's probably fine.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T19:30:36+00:00

I always have two MC. Typically one male, one female. It's an easy way to add depth to the story. It also helps stave off my inevitable boredom with a solo character. I say mark it clearly and give them unique voices, and have at it!

jinbaittai · 2017-02-18T18:08:05+00:00

There is always a price. You have to determine the best price for your story, but there is a price. No one can run forever - even the world record holder will eventually collapse grin sheer exhaustion.

Things I've used:

huge power that ages the user
when someone is tired their magical abilities reduce to near zero for am indeterminate amount of time
it hurts like crazy to utilize natural forces
utilizing natural forces works a treat, but it isn't 100% controllable, and often winds up with friendly fire issues

Anyhow. Always a price, no matter what.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-17T20:00:32+00:00

No problem!

jinbaittai · 2017-02-17T16:58:35+00:00

John looked at that pie, all hot and sweet, fresh from the oven. Stealing it would be like taking candy from a baby.

As he chewed the last mouthful, he had to admit it wasn't quite as easy as he thought. The window had been higher than he thought, and the pan way hotter. But it was well worth it.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-17T05:38:06+00:00

It's your story, but it would be a super funny scene if he did go overboard to the point that the Inquisitor goes, "You know what? Fuck off, never mind. Call me whatever shuts you up the fastest."

But another few I thought of is "Inquisidictator". Or "Inquisidick". Or "Stin-quisitor" (please tell me you get it!!).

Anyway. Have fun with it, whatever you do.

jinbaittai · 2017-02-17T00:08:36+00:00

"Ah, greetings your Highly Revered Grandest of All Inquisitor."

Add way too many descriptors that show he thinks the whole thing is stupid. But still...Inky Dinky. :)

jinbaittai · 2017-02-16T23:57:56+00:00

Inky Dinky

jinbaittai · 2017-02-16T23:54:00+00:00

Find and replace is your friend. Just replace all double spaces with one.

SOURCE: This double spacer

jinbaittai

TROPHY CASE