Oooooo...a new forum!

[kristie911]

And no one has posted here yet?

How's that for a dumb question? :D

[louisgodwin]

I have a tendency to ask stupid questions, so this will probably turn out to be a second home for me.

[kristie911]

I liked it better 30 seconds ago when it was called the I Have A Question forum.

[louisgodwin]

I think RumpleTumbler's thread might have had something to do with that.

:D

[triceretops]

Oooooooh, shiny digs.

So we just start a thread? Damn, that was the second dumbest question.

Tri

[bluntforcetrauma]

This place feels too antiseptic. Let's trash the joint!

[Siddow]

How do I calculate word count?

Should I use first or third person?

Present or past?

Prologue or no?

What's an SASE?

How much are stamps again?

WHAT???

How do I find a reputable agent?

Is this forum meant to be like the Roundtable or Grasshoppers?

Could you read my first draft?

[IceCreamEmpress]

My novel is 500,000 words long; that's okay, right? I've also got a screenplay that's 250 pages long.

How do I know if I'm a genius?

How do I know if I'm a fraud?

Which is better, a paranormal romance about vampires and orcs, or a historical novel about the War of the Spanish Succession? Because I can't decide which of those genres my book falls into.

I've never flown a plane, but I'm bidding on a contract to write an aeronautical training manual on GetFreelancersCheapCheapCheap.com. What should I charge per word?

[kellytijer]

How do I write a book?

[Soccer Mom]

I've written a book. Now what?

Will PA give my book the chance it deserves?

What does omniscient mean? Is that like third person but really distant?

How do I calculate word count?

Are lots and lots of adverbs bad? Will they give me gas?

Post the funniest word you wrote today~


:D

[Georganna Hancock]

Why is a preposition a bad thing to end a sentence with?

[Ziljon]

I thought this was a writing forum; why is everyone always asking questions about multiple sclerosis?

[The Scip]

What is a book?

[HeronW]

What's those funny things that come on the screen when I press my keyboard? nevah mind. Catsnot: what happens when my cat sneezes on my screen. geshuntiet

[tjwriter]

Why are new forums always the shiniest? :D

And what do you mean I shouldn't use 8 font on my MS? It saves paper.

[Robert Toy]

Yes
Yes
Definitely not
Sometimes
No
Never
Okay
If you’re into that sort of thing
Yes
Yes
Weirdo
Because
No
A lot
They are all great
No
No
Yes
Using wingdings will get you read every time
Always use clean paper

[dpaterso]

These are most very excellent questions, I'm glad to see Robert has answered every last one of them. :D

PS - note the So, why a Basic Writing Questions forum? (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94227) sticky thread at the top of this forum.

-Derek

[L M Ashton]

42.

[hammerklavier]

There are too many forums around here. It seems like there are three different versions of every conceivable topic.

[jst5150]

Hammer, this forum is an example of trying to trim the fat a little bit.

If you have suggestions on how to make AW better, we're always listening. :)

[dpaterso]

There are too many forums around here. It seems like there are three different versions of every conceivable topic.
If and when you encounter such, report them and we'll merge the threads or otherwise make them simpler to find and reference.

-Derek

[jst5150]

How do I calculate word count?
Fingers and toes.
Should I use first or third person?
And make the second person feel lonely? :)
Present or past?
I like presents please, with big shiny bows.
Prologue or no?
Whatever medication you decide upon is fine. Just check with your doctor first.
What's an SASE?
It's that little envelope icon that appears in Outlook. That's what Fahim told me.
How much are stamps again?
Less than a carousel ride at the mall for my daughter. :)
WHAT???
Oh yeah.
How do I find a reputable agent?
Watch a lot of "Entourage."
Is this forum meant to be like the Roundtable or Grasshoppers?
Do either of those have a cover charge? Mixed drinks? Good bourbon?
Could you read my first draft?
Talk to my agent. ;)

[RedScylla]

Clearly this forum needs to be renamed: I have a question for which I'd like a smartass answer ;)

[dpaterso]

Clearly this forum needs to be renamed: I have a question for which I'd like a smartass answer ;)
Ask a smartass question and you shall receive. :)

-Derek

[Stew21]

I can think of about 100 threads that need to be ported over here.

Wee! New playground.

[jst5150]

I'm SO glad Derek can do that porting. :Thumbs:

[hammerklavier]

Hammer, this forum is an example of trying to trim the fat a little bit.

If you have suggestions on how to make AW better, we're always listening. :)


Suggestions?? I find that complaints are much easier.

[Sophia]

If you have suggestions on how to make AW better, we're always listening. :)


I find it highly disturbing that every time I log on to AW and read the threads here, my WIP word count magically stops going up while I'm here! I insist you do something about it!!!!

[BlueLucario]

A new forum? Am I the only one who didn't notice it?

[jst5150]

I find it highly disturbing that every time I log on to AW and read the threads here, my WIP word count magically stops going up while I'm here! I insist you do something about it!!!!
Duct tape you to your writing implements?

Have a dedicated AW laptop nearby with macros that auto refresh and post smileys?

I could talk Derek into baninating you for a stint. ;)

What's your pleh-jure?

ETA: How about THAT for a Mod goof? :)

[BlueLucario]

Duct tape you to your writing implements?

Have a dedicated AW laptop nearby with macros that auto refresh and post smileys?

I could talk Derek into baninating you for a stint. ;)

What's your pleh-jure?

:Shrug:O.O?

[Birol]

He's teasing, Blue.

[jst5150]

And corrected. I misquoted you. Apologies!

[Bufty]

What???? Now you tell me! I have bloody duct tape all over the place.

He's teasing, Blue.

[BlueLucario]

He's teasing, Blue.


Hehe... I couldn't even understand they guy anyway.:Shrug:

You know what I think? Along with writing questions. There should be guides!

[Birol]

Um... That only applied to Blue. You SHOULD use duct tape. Just make certain you're also wearing clothes.

[Bufty]

You have the gift for being wise after the event -I'll be back after I've visited the medicine cabinet. :rant:

Um... That only applied to Blue. You SHOULD use duct tape. Just make certain you're also wearing clothes.

[BlueLucario]

Um... That only applied to Blue.

Nope. ElaraSophia

[Birol]

:D

It's not my fault if you act without reading label directions.

[She_wulf]

Um... That only applied to Blue. You SHOULD use duct tape. Just make certain you're also wearing clothes.
Ooooo shiny silver clothes...

;)

[Sophia]

Ooooo shiny silver clothes...

;)


Or shiny black. And then you use shiny black PVC tape which sticks to itself, and it all looks slick and seamless. ;)

(Where's that innocent whistling smiley when you need it?)

[dpaterso]

"Q: How can I make sure everyone knows exactly who I'm replying to, when other members are posting in the same thread?"

If you select the Quote button in the lower-right corner of the post you want to reply to, instead of the Post Reply button, the text in the post will be automatically quoted into the editor window, along with the quoted poster's username. This will identify who you are replying to so there's no confusion. You can type your reply underneath the quoted text.

-Derek

[Stew21]

"This will identify who you are replying to so there's no confusion. You can type your reply underneath the quoted text.

-Derek

But best practices indicate that you should not quote an entire post if it is long, but rather delete the portions of the previous poster's post which are not relevant to your reply especially if your reply is a simple one word answer.

:)

[dpaterso]

But best practices indicate that
OK

-Derek

[Stew21]

O

-D
like this?

[She_wulf]

Or shiny black. And then you use shiny black PVC tape which sticks to itself, and it all looks slick and seamless. ;)

(Where's that innocent whistling smiley when you need it?)
Stage gaff is matte finish so you can hide in the dark easier....
:e2brows:

[dobiwon]

You know what I think? Along with writing questions. There should be guides!AW already has plenty of guides. There are those who will guide along the path to rack and ruin, those who will guide you along the path of disrepute, those who will guide you to watering holes, those who will guide you to chocolate caches, those who will guide you virtually everywhere (or everywhere virtual?) except along the straight and narrow. Maybe if AW Guide were a paying position...?

Oh, you meant written guidelines? (in my best Rosanne Rosannadanna imitation) Nevermind.

[jst5150]

The goal is to make this forum a robust as possible. AW Members, DPaterso and I will provide all sorts of tools to answer the various questions that may pop up.

Should that not work, then we'll start looking porting these threads in Horror just to keep Haggis on his tiny chihuahua toes. ;)

[dpaterso]

Should that not work, then we'll start looking porting these threads in Horror just to keep Haggis on his tiny chihuahua toes. ;)
:e2smack: Less than 24 hours after the forum is open, and you reveal the secret game plan!

-Derek

[reigningcatsndogs]

Here's one to practice with!!

http://www.dog-biscuits.com/images/dog_treats/dog_treats_250x251.jpg

[bluntforcetrauma]

Clearly this forum needs to be renamed: I have a question for which I'd like a smartass answer ;)

Did you come to the right place!

[dreamsofnever]

I find it highly disturbing that every time I log on to AW and read the threads here, my WIP word count magically stops going up while I'm here! I insist you do something about it!!!!

You have that problem too? I think we should get together and write angry letters!

[Soccer Mom]

They can make new forums to contain us, but they can't take our FREEEEDOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-civil-disobedience-cat.jpg

[bubbagringo]

AW already has plenty of guides.

more than I can seem to keep up with...

[Serena Casey]

Oooh, a new forum. Kewl!

[Cassiopeia]

Yes
Yes
Definitely not
Sometimes
No
Never
Okay
If you’re into that sort of thing
Yes
Yes
Weirdo
Because
No
A lot
They are all great
No
No
Yes
Using wingdings will get you read every time
Always use clean paper*sigh*

my hero ;)

[Dale Emery]

How do I calculate word count?

Point at each word, one at a time. Count the number of times you point.

Should I use first or third person?

Definitely, yes!

Present or past?

Readers like variety, so use both. And they will even love future tense.

Prologue or no?

Absolutely not!

What's an SASE?

I'll be happy to tell you if you send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

How much are stamps again?

I'm pretty sure you can buy them in all denominations.

WHAT???

I'm pretty sure you can buy them in all denominations.

How do I find a reputable agent?

Well, first you...

Hey!

You sneaky devil. You almost had me!

Is this forum meant to be like the Roundtable or Grasshoppers?

More like Prunebough with a splash of Gumbydance.

Could you read my first draft?

Well, maybe the prologue.

Dale

[TrainofThought]

When did this Basic Writing Questions forum come about? I browse everywhere, so how did I miss this one? *walks off grumbling, "I need a Stupid Writing Questions forum*

[JacobWorld]

I add another one