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Basic Writing Questions

Basic Writing Questions (BWQs) are perennial questions from new writers or those reaching a new stage, general in nature, including how to write, what to write, or why to write one way or another. Read the Introduction and the other Stickies.

Do not post fiction or poetry here.

Sticky threads

Sarita
  • Sticky
Sara's 10 Basic Writing Tips
Replies
266
Views
159K
AcaiBerry659
  • Sticky
What's the best writing exercise you've ever done?
Replies
220
Views
56K
Alesoft
Alesoft
robertmblevins
  • Sticky
Allen Guthrie's Infamous Writing Tips
Replies
264
Views
207K
Lime-Yay
Lime-Yay
Sean Craven
  • Sticky
Learning to Plot
Replies
388
Views
187K
adinaluca
adinaluca
JRVogt
  • Locked
  • Sticky
The Fiction Writer's Virtual Toolbox - 150+ links to writing craft and business resources
Replies
96
Views
79K
Maryn
Maryn
badducky
  • Sticky
FAQ: Using A Spreadsheet for Outlining and Brainstorming
Replies
78
Views
81K
MattMcE
MattMcE
Inky
  • Sticky
FAQ: Using Microsoft's OneNote for Outlining and Note Taking
Replies
13
Views
16K
Chuckster
  • Locked
  • Sticky
FAQ: Turkey City Lexicon
Replies
0
Views
5K
AW Admin
  • Locked
  • Sticky
FAQ: Writing with an Accent or using Dialect
Replies
0
Views
5K
AW Admin
  • Locked
  • Sticky
FAQ: He Said, She Said and Bookisms
Replies
0
Views
5K
AW Admin
  • Locked
  • Sticky
FAQ: Prologues
Replies
0
Views
5K
AW Admin
  • Locked
  • Sticky
Basic Writing Questions FAQs
Replies
0
Views
10K
AW Admin
katiemac
  • Locked
  • Sticky
FAQ: KatieMac's Writing Novels FAQ, Archives and Helpful Links
Replies
1
Views
38K
katiemac
katiemac

Normal threads

Undercover
What's On Your Mind About Your Writing?
Replies
24K
Views
1M
JudiH
JudiH
Water_Drinker17
Scene length
Replies
22
Views
166
JudiH
JudiH
Audiflex
Your Most Hated Tropes
Replies
37
Views
756
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves
TobyBeall
Your main character isn't your main character
Replies
8
Views
195
Captain Barnacles
Captain Barnacles
Taribolokemi
How important is the 'first sentence' really
Replies
34
Views
709
Audiflex
Audiflex
Alexaknight
First draft writing
Replies
27
Views
617
drizzit986
drizzit986
Water_Drinker17
Writing non-action scenes
Replies
20
Views
308
drizzit986
drizzit986
kaitie
Hit me with your tips for writing angry
Replies
27
Views
312
kaitie
kaitie
halloweeencat
Ways to write emotions, expressions, and body language?
Replies
28
Views
484
Klaviatur
Klaviatur
Audiflex
The Most Rewarding Part of Being a Writer
Replies
21
Views
260
FidelityBoss
FidelityBoss
rachel-writes-stuff
Need a Good Pen Name
Replies
46
Views
1K
Sonsofthepharaohs
Sonsofthepharaohs
kaitie
How do we feel about italicizing emphasis in dialogue?
Replies
28
Views
392
benbenberi
benbenberi
How to avoid starting a story with the main character waking up, when that's exactly what you want to do?
Replies
16
Views
251
Marian Perera
Marian Perera
Water_Drinker17
Character personality development question
Replies
17
Views
388
Ashigara
Ashigara
writera
Character’s want(s)/goals(s) when mundane or unrelated to plot (especially in a query letter)
Replies
11
Views
408
Bitterboots
Bitterboots
Alexaknight
Honing you own writers voice
Replies
14
Views
277
FidelityBoss
FidelityBoss
kaitie
Tips from people who go back and forth between two different programs?
Replies
18
Views
267
FidelityBoss
FidelityBoss
SAHill
  • Locked
Setting and Location Issues
Replies
5
Views
127
lizmonster
lizmonster
PraiseRao
ProWritingAid, Grammerly etc.
Replies
24
Views
861
PamelaC
PamelaC
The world and writing fiction
Replies
29
Views
661
Ashigara
Ashigara
lurky
I used the wildcard character * and Google search when I got stuck, but it doesn't work anymore?
Replies
7
Views
256
ReaP84
ReaP84
JudiH
Colloquial expression
Replies
4
Views
122
frimble3
Legends
Replies
9
Views
177
Friendly Frog
Friendly Frog
Can writing be taught?
Replies
91
Views
2K
mrsmig
mrsmig
halloweeencat
Thoughts on using flashbacks in your MS?
Replies
15
Views
244
gettingby
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