@charityl

Hello! How have you been? What have been your favourite recent reads?

@kb-writer

Personally, what has always worked for me is writing the first draft, and maybe allowing a few people to read it (so far I’ve only done this for sequels and only for a handful of people who beta read the first novel) but more for encouragement than critique purposes. Then I write a second draft, fixing everything that I can see myself…[Read more]

@authorenpointe

Hello there! Do you do ballet? I’ve been doing an adult ballet class (so nothing fancy or hardcore lol) for the past two years and I love it! I also do Highland dancing as well 🙂

All right, obligatory question asking…do you have a favourite author or books? And do you have any pets?

@epicaddie2

I 100% agree that theme/message is hard. My book currently doesn’t even have one. I think ones coming out organically but in the next draft I’ll definitely have to work on it more.

It’s quite a feat to go through Lewis’s entire collection! Are you going to read his theological ones too or are you mostly focusing on the fiction…[Read more]

@epicaddie2

Ah, good 😀

I will definitely hit you up when I need an alpha/beta. It’ll probably be next year some time (hopefully soon!)

Oh that sounds really cool! I like the concept and the plot and I wish you the best of luck with it. and likewise, if you need an alpha…let me know 😉

I actually think the only reason they’re called sci-fi…[Read more]

@rose-colored-fancy

Just needed to jump in and say that I hated both of those books too. Island of the Blue Dolphins I genuinely found traumatizing. It was awful. And I just didn’t like Healer’s Apprentice and the other books by the same author.

@sparrowhawke

Hello! We sound very similar! I also love languages, history and mythology, I’m currently learning Hawaiian and Auslan (sign language). History is also awesome and I think its really cool that you’re into Incan history! I’ve always wanted to study it but I just haven’t had enough time with all my other historical obsessions.

And I…[Read more]

@epicaddie2

Hello Addie!! It’s been quite a while…*backs off awkwardly, hoping you remember me because it would be really awkward if you didn’t* 😛

I didn’t know you read and wrote historical fantasy! It’s absolutely my niche and I love it and there’s so few good historical fantasy published. Also, your current novel sounds so awesome! The one…[Read more]

@joelle-stone No worries! I’m glad you found it helpful!

It’s in Hawaiian! I started learning it for a book of mine quite some time ago and I got really obsessed. It’s possibly my favourite language.

@joelle-stone

I think her going “missing in action” would be your best option. For example, something happens and everyone assumes she’s dead, but one of the characters holds out hope that she’s still alive. This will sow doubt in the reader that she really is dead and when she’s proved to be still alive it’s pay off rather than a cop out. Does…[Read more]

@rose-colored-fancy

No worries! Glad I could be of help.

@rose-colored-fancy

Hello, Rose! I love this question and I think it’s a great one. To clarify, before I give my thoughts, I’m neither deaf nor blind, but I have done a lot of research and I have a particular interest in Deaf culture and am enrolled to begin studying to be a sign language interpreter next year.

First of all, if you’re on any…[Read more]

@melodyjoy

Hey there! @zee has given you some great advice already, but I just thought I’d throw my two cents in.

When writing in first person, you are pretty limited to what the MC knows and sees, but there’s heaps of ways to get around it, depending on the context of your story. The Hunger Games for example, is told in first person by K…[Read more]

@rose-colored-fancy

Hello, how are you? I see you like history? What are your favourite time periods? My obsessions are Roman-occupation era Britain, pre-colonial Polynesia, World War One, and the French Revolution!

@ally-renee

Hello! How are you? My name is Chelsea/SeekJustice and it’s great to have you here! who are some of your favourite authors/books?

@zee

Thank you for your answer! I found it really helpful and clarifying.

It’s a fairly minor subplot, as the main plot is revolutions and treason. However, it needs to happen before the end due to PlotReasons, in the current draft I think it’s about 2/3rds of the way through and it sets in motion the final act. So I like your suggestion of…[Read more]

@sarahfi

Sorry I’m super late to this but I only just saw it and since this is a topic I’ve actually done a lot of research on, I thought I’d quickly give you my thoughts.

Some people may call your story appropriation and some might not. However, the most agreed upon definition of cultural appropriation is when a piece of a culture, usually a…[Read more]

@kayla-skywriter

Hey, it’s completely fine to decide you aren’t ready yet! In fact, I admire that you’re willing to say that. It shows a lot of maturity, in my opinion.

I’ve definitely been in this position (I’m actually in it now, to be honest) and I think stewing on it for a couple months or a couple of years is the best course of action. For…[Read more]