[deprecated] The Absolute Write Dictionary

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E.G. Gammon

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Admin Note:

I have created a new FAQ: Absolute Write Dictionary. In that thread, I have ruthlessly exploited E.G. Gammon's efforts as well as those of many others. It was getting difficult for people to find terms in this otherwise excellent thread. Please go to the new thread.



With all the terms and abbreviations scattered about the boards, I felt it would be useful (especially to those new to the boards) to begin an AW Dictionary. I'll get it started

1. AW - Abbreviation for the name of the boards (Absolute Write)

2. PA - Abbreviation for the publisher: 'PublishAmerica'

3. NEPAT - Abbreviation for the 'Neverending PublishAmerica Thread' located in the 'Bewares and Background Check' Board

4. BIC - 'Butt-In-Chair;' A method of writing involving sitting down at a desk to write and not moving until the words start to flow (or until you go crazy)

5. Atlanta Nights - A writing project by a group of writers (many from the Absolute Write boards) set into motion to expose PublishAmerica's flawed manuscript submission process. Read about and purchase the 'novel' here: http://www.lulu.com/content/102550

6. Travis Tea - Pseudonym of the group of writers behind 'Atlanta Nights.' If you know about the 'Atlanta Nights' project, I'm sure you'll appreciate the humor behind the author name chosen - that is, if you say it fast enough

7. WIP - Abbreviation for 'Work-in-Progress;' Term writers here use when discussing their current project

8. SOS - Abbreviation for 'Stories of Strength' - Absolute Write's Hurricane Relief project started by Jenna (the board's webmistress) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Read about and purchase the novel here: Stories of Strength (Lulu) or visit the 'Stories of Strength' Message Board - a sub-forum of 'Office Party'

9. MS - Abbreviation for 'manuscript'

10. SF - Abbreviation for the 'Science-Fiction'/'Sci-Fi' genre
 
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Maryn

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I wish this list had been around when I was brand-new here. I think the last one I picked up was NEPAT, since I didn't spend time at the PA threads.

Any chance for a sticky (perhaps at another board)?

Maryn, mad about stickies, I tell you, mad!
 

kristie911

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I have to second Maryn's suggestion for a sticky...this would have been a great resource when I was new. I still run across a few I don't know but I've finally gotten most of them down. Maybe the newbie forum would be a good place...though I've never actually been there.

~Kristie, mad about Maryn's signatures, I tell you, mad! ;)
 

JoeEkaitis

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query - a one-page single-spaced letter (use Times New Roman, 12 point) summarizing your project to a publisher or agent. If you can't sell your story in three or four paragraphs, your writing might be just as flabby.

sample chapters - the FIRST THREE chapters (or as many as the publisher requests) of your manuscript. Sending any other three smacks of some sort of cover-up.
 

ChunkyC

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Great idea, E.G. I've placed a sticky/closed thread over in Newbies with a link to here. It'll keep the definitions all in one place and draw the new folks out into the forums. I'll sticky this thread too so it stays on the main page for anyone who doesn't come here via the newbies forum.
 

Maryn

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IIRC = If I Remember (or Recall) Correctly

Not to be confused with IRC, Internet Relay Chat

Maryn, easily confused but lacking Hugh Grant's befuddled charm
 

Pthom

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Maryn said:
... IRC, Internet Relay Chat
which brings up that there IS a chatroom for AW members. It's called #AbsoluteWrite and it's located on StarChat.Net. You can reach it two ways: one, by clicking the link at the top of the main page of these forums, or two, by using any IRC client (mIRC, PIRCH, etc.) and logging onto any of the StarChat servers. Be sure the room name includes the #sign: #AbsoluteWrite.

It's a great place for real-time discussion, trading jokes, just touching base with your fellow writers. There is usually someone hanging out in there...if not, wait awhile and someone will show up. Of course, if no one's there when you arrive, you could always invite someone to chat with you. ;)
 

JoeEkaitis

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monospaced (or fixed pitch) font - a font such as Courier, Pica or Prestige which resembles typewriter printing and in which each letter is the same width. If a publisher's guidelines do not specify a font, play it safe and print your manuscript with a monospaced font like Courier at 12 points (10 characters per inch).

proportional (or variable pitch) font - a font like Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond or Book Antiqua in which the width of each character varies, i. e.: the letter i is narrower than the letter w. Suitable for cover or query letters but not manuscripts unless a publisher specifies it. If so, use Times New Roman at 12 points.
 

JenNipps

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Maryn said:
IIRC = If I Remember (or Recall) Correctly

Not to be confused with IRC, Internet Relay Chat

Maryn, easily confused but lacking Hugh Grant's befuddled charm

Or, a different IRC - International Reply Coupon (used in lieu of stamps).
 

Kida Adelyne

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Thought to add:

WPR- the weekend progress report, over in the humour section.
 

ANNIE

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LOL- laugh out loud

SO- significant other

DH- darling husband

DW- darling wife

DD-darling daughter

DS- darling son

BTW- By the way

lots of others, but I can't remeber anymore just now
 

JennaGlatzer

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Rats! Board ate my reply. I'll see what I remember...

HOL: Ray's House of Love Party thread on the Take it Outside board

TIO: the Take it Outside board

SASE= self-addressed stamped envelope
(outside the US, usually referred to as SAE= stamped addressed envelope)

Not specific to writing forums, but net-speak terms in general:

YMMV: Your mileage may vary

ROFL: Rolling on the floor laughing

ROFLMAO: Rolling on the floor laughing my tushy off

BRB: Be right back (usually used in chatrooms)

FWIW: For what it's worth

IMHO: In my humble opinion
(IMO: In my opinion)

sp: spelling. Usually used when someone isn't sure of his/her spelling of a word, like: "I read this great book by Bob Hirdensheiler (sp?)."

If you see any terms around the boards that confuse you, please don't be afraid to ask! Most of the above stumped me for a long time.
 

DaveKuzminski

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I've seen SAE referred to as Self-addressed envelope within the US. This can be a tricky one in determining the real meaning under some occasions.
 

Poppy

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TAT = turnaround time (amount of time someone waits from submission to acceptance/rejection)

POA = pays on acceptance

POP = pays on publication

OT = off topic

UJ = Uncle Jim = James D. Macdonald (I know this one might seem obvious, but if you're a newbie or don't frequent the same forums that he does, you might not know, and he is mentioned quite often around here.)

SYW = Share your work forum

PDF files = portable document files - a file format viewed with Adobe Reader (admittedly not the best explanation so if someone else wants to elaborate).
 

maestrowork

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FYI - For your information

TMI - Too much information

IMDB - Internet Movie DabaBase

AAR - Association of Authors' Representatives

YA - Young Adult (fiction)

YW - You're welcome

ty or tyvm - thank you or thank you very much

l337 - leet, which means elite

MC - Main Character (as opposed to Master of Ceremony)

POV - Point of view

JIT - Just in time

MW - Maestrowork :)
 

omega12596

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A blob can be a lot of things, but it was probably used as a derogatory version of BLOG. The web diary things, LOL.

WTF- what the **ck
PIMP- generally attached to ROFL or ROFLMAO. It mean peeing in my pants.
 

MadScientistMatt

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LightShadow said:
what are blobs? someone mentioned having blobs on a thread? was it a joke? was I suckered in? FAQ didn't come up with anything.

They used to be connected with the rep points. Everyone started with one green blob and earned another for every 100 rep points. Really bad members had red blobs. They disappeared when rep points got out of hand.
 
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