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Author Topic: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___  (Read 291074 times)

Phantom of The Library

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___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« on: January 16, 2012, 04:08:53 pm »

Looking to learn how to write or to improve your writing skills?

Have the time to tutor an aspiring writer?

Welcome to the Writers Apprenticeship!

Information stolen and modified from the Engravers Guild:


All of the following is to be modified at the will of the members:

___/Purpose\___
I am aware that there is already a writer's guild here, however it seems to be more geared towards already experienced writers, this is being created to help writers who are just beginning learn how to write and want improve or people who have never tried their hand at writing.

___/Guild Roster\___
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

___/How to Participate\___
* Write as much as possible, and post as much as possible. The key to learning how to be a good writer is practice, the more you write the better you get.
* Mentors should browse the posts and offer critique when people are asking for it as much as possible.
* Offer new links to add to the resource list...

___/Getting Critique\___
Do not take critique personally, it may seem like someone is attacking you, but if they are doing their job right, they're just trying to help you. 

___/Giving Critique\___
Constructive Criticism Only.  I do not care if the person writing sounds like a seven-year old girl on a sugar high writing a Twilight fanfic.  Your criticism will be constructive.  No slamming, no attacking.  Remember, while I don't necessarily expect you to be nice, I expect you to be helpful.

___/Resources\___

http://www.writingexcuses.com/ <- A podcast by genre writers who are all published. There's a lot of good material here, and while there is material you may not need, you're allowed to skip around to what you need. They always give a writing prompt at the end of each podcast.


http://coyotecult.com/communities/sfandf_critters/references/limyaael.php <- Limyaael's fantasy advice rants. There is a wealth of knowledge in here based on one of the pickiest readers in the fantasy genre. She has her own tastes, and those may not be your own tastes, but her perspective can improve critical thought.


http://writeordie.com/#Web+App 

Write Or Die is a webapp (though it's available on other platforms for a price) that checks to make sure it is receiving input in a specified amount of time. Keep typing until you're done, and you're good. Stop typing, and it will start to alert you to the fact that you've stopped. You can set it to different alarms.


http://editminion.com/

Editminion is a webapp that goes over your stories for the most common problems editors face. HOWEVER it is not always right. Its best use is to highlight things that might be problems, but you should always use your own discretion as to whether it has found a real problem or not.


How NOT To Write A Novel; quite simply a book on things you should definitely not do while writing, by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman.


Behold, the Turkey City Lexicon

Consider it a document specifically about science fiction tropes, cliches and bad habits that can be applied to many fiction genres with a little extra thinking. It's a great read all around and a good place to bounce story ideas off of.


Becoming a Writer

Climbing the stairs on the road to writing.


> Grammar errors? I say nay!

This shows common beliefs on grammar broken down by the hard facts of a writer's world.


Writer's Block, need pushing

Some tips on what you can do when you can't think of what to write, a bit opinionated though.


"I can write!"

The page name is 'Finding your Writer's voice', the whole website is basically a treasure trove of information! This is a guide.



Local Member's Tips and Tricks:

Tiruin's tips on writing Fantasy:

Tiruin's General Tips regarding Punctuation

More Tiruin's Tips

Supermikhail's Review on two sources, which have not been included in the general area yet because I'm not sure how to summarize them and haven't gotten a chance to look at yet. He gives a much better description than I could anyway.

« Last Edit: July 23, 2012, 11:36:01 pm by Phantom of The Library »
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10ebbor10

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2012, 04:22:00 pm »

I'll watch this. I'm quite good at writing(That's what my teacher told me, and I won 2 regional awards) but I'm having trouble with the fact that English isn't my first language, so my sentences end up way to long or complicated.
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PokemonRocks85

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2012, 04:32:21 pm »

So write random things?
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Pnx

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2012, 04:33:23 pm »

I'm up for this, I really want to become a writer at some point...

Now I just need to actually get my act together and actually do some writing.
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PokemonRocks85

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2012, 04:36:21 pm »

It's time i crack my fingers and increase my writing skills.
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Phantom of The Library

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2012, 04:38:40 pm »

I'll watch this. I'm quite good at writing(That's what my teacher told me, and I won 2 regional awards) but I'm having trouble with the fact that English isn't my first language, so my sentences end up way to long or complicated.
If you could help mentor that would be much appreciated.

So write random things?
Not exactly, you can if you want and submit it, but for those who have trouble coming up with ideas, writing prompts will be created.  First one in a little bit.
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Orangebottle

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2012, 04:42:26 pm »

I'm pretty good with spelling and grammar, as far as English is concerned.
If someone needs help with it, have them contact me.
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PokemonRocks85

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2012, 04:46:34 pm »

I was looking in things then i saw toady one online :D maybe hes checking the forums or updating the version
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Orangebottle

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2012, 04:53:07 pm »

That's not related to this thread at all.
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PokemonRocks85

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2012, 05:02:43 pm »

Random story
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
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Phantom of The Library

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2012, 05:34:58 pm »

___/First Prompt\___


Write a short story of two adventurers questing into a dungeon to find the fabled Orb of Zot.

PR85 I will critique your other story when I have the time.

Also:Thanks for the offer Orangebottle!
« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 05:36:48 pm by Phantom of The Library »
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You get attacked by a Yandere triangle monster.

PokemonRocks85

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2012, 06:11:17 pm »

The quest to find ORB OF ZOT!!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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lordnincompoop

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2012, 06:15:05 pm »

Interesting to see a new thread around. I'll look over this sometime during the weekend and post something more substantial.

I'm not the best of writers, but I'm decent enough, and I'll offer feedback for anyone who wants it.

The quest to find ORB OF ZOT!!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Please, use paragraphs.
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nenjin

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2012, 07:20:43 pm »

Quote
Please, use paragraphs.

I second that. The first thing I look for in someone's writing style is paragraph size, or lack there of. Paragraphs help you group your ideas and helps the reader do the same. On the internet, paragraphs are part of getting people to read your work in the first place. Large blocks of unbroken text are murder on the eyes and most won't even bother to read it.

Just don't over do it. Otherwise you put out choppy sentences and that's almost as bad.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 07:55:03 pm by nenjin »
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The Fool

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Re: ___/The Writer's Apprenticeship\___
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2012, 07:23:33 pm »

The quest to find ORB OF ZOT!!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You might want to break this into paragraphs. When the sentences don't have anything to do with the start of the paragraph, start another. If you're unsure where to start another, just read it over until you find where things change subject.

You also start new paragraphs when you switch between speakers.
Spoiler: Example (click to show/hide)

It's alright if the paragraphs look short when you're switching between speakers. It's to make it easier for the reader to know whose speaking at all times.
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