RacheDrache

If you want a character bio or questionnaire that's actually insightful, run them through the Proust survey: Otherwise, I really only use other character bios for procrastination. Or, if my ...

In answer to the titular question: There is much debate and no consensus. Some writers are meticulous planners who outline everything. Some writers start with a kernel of a thing--a ...

For motivation for your lawyer, you're looking for a tipping point. Why did he start working for the mob in the first place? Greed is the obvious one. If you're ...

B.A. in Linguistics here to beg you on hands and knees with cookies and kittens to never ever ever EVER change spelling in attempt to match spelling to the dialogue. ...

How do you create a character, you ask? Well, how to you get to know a person? He or she is introduced to you, or you introduce yourself to him ...

Agents are hugely worthwhile. Very few presses are interested in unsolicited manuscripts. Having an agent to solicit for you keeps your work out of the slush pile and makes it ...

Rosen gave you some very good answers to your questions. Not going to attempt to improve on them. I'd only really just say the same thing in my own way, ...

Hello hello! Before I get to your question, I'm afraid I'll have to ramble at you. I do this a lot, so there's no reason to be alarmed. In fact, ...

Oh how I love the chance to disagree with Kyll. It doesn't happen often. It's sort of a rare treat to savor. In regards to your first question, you don't ...

Alternatively, you can acquire me, or another reader willing to make your life miserable until you finally commit. Just ask Rosen. What I really mean to say is that at ...

Lumi's response is brilliant. But to jump off his response and into the liberal arts/humanities major mumbo-jumbo with which I spend my academic career: Gender is a construct. It's all ...

Hi, Paradox! It sounds like you might need a dose of Ribbit (he's the frog) on this one. Most writers who stick with writing for any stretch of time and ...

Well-behaved writers rarely make history.

I usually use the standard 8.5 by 11 inch letter-sized page, because that's how a manuscript would be turned in among other reasons. But if you're just curious, break out ...