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Brilliant message, and some very good advice. Particularly experience number three!
A snippet of the chapter i'm adding today: "Zami slipped a little further as Zan reached out and grabbed her sleeve. He hobbled further forwards and took her hand, locking his fingers around hers. He cried as he dragged her up toward him and he held her for a moment. His heart was racing and his b…
It's a difficult balance to get right, and I'm no expert on it. But I'd say one thing about whether you think you're making it too easy or difficult to guess. I think the most successful books are the ones that actually do make it difficult to guess. The real treat as a reader (and the same goes for…
Congrats! Although not the same illness as you, I had a similar experience with an ailment several years ago, and when you find something that works after years of searching and hoping, it's the best feeling 
Glad you're feeling better!
Interesting question. Ultimately, it's the non-action chapters that make you care about what happens in the action chapters. It's not enough to have someone fighting someone else, even if there's clearly an underdog. You need to know what the stakes are, and only finding that out during an action se…
I was once told that the character should be in a different position or situation at the end of a chapter than it was at the beginning, which is something that relates to this. It's one of my processes before I publish - if the character is in the same situation, I start questioning if the chapter…
I think I've heard that before too, although like you I can't recall who it was that said it. Excellent advice though, I've started reading more in the last few years and I'm pretty sure it's helped.
Yes I think that's definitely right. Practice makes perfect. I know that the first story I wrote was really quite bad, with many basic errors when I look back on it. I like to think I've improved since then even if I'm still a relative novice. I also thinks it's a good idea not to delete those firs…
That is a great quote!
Yes agree, good advice. I have done that thing where you spend weeks/months planning the chapters, writing character 'cards' and in the end you never know whether a story is going to quite work as you'd hoped unless you starts. All those planning elements can be added to or changed as you go. I gues…
You've made some good points, especially about not giving characters the perfect life. I find it quite difficult to do that, I mean I try and put challenges in the story for characters, but I always wonder if they're strong enough or serious enough challenges as to make things interesting.
Hi all, What's the best piece of advice or information you've ever been given on writing a novel? For me I think it was that the more you read, the better your writing will become. Also to read books outside of your normal 'go to' genre. I once read "The Name of the Rose" because of this advice…
Hi Carlton Thanks for the thread! Here's mine, just updated with the second chapter. Fantasy novel called Assassin, about a thief who gets an invitation that could change his life forever. But will it be for the better?
Me too! I'm trying to figure out what everyone's secretly up to, just like I was with GoT 
As you say, there's just so much to it. I haven't played Skyrim much to be honest. The one I remember playing a lot (and probably showing my age here!) is Morrowind. It was such a good game, I lost about 12 months of my life to it 
- but it was totally worth it. I loved the scope of it (it was quite…
It's interesting how much goes into developing video games, I can see how that would naturally lead into comic design. In terms of storyboarding and narrative, games like the Elder Scrolls must be a monumental undertaking. I'm not sure if that's the same type of game you were learning about, but I…
Thanks sunshineyon! 
And you, simplykit. Thanks for the message, it's been an extremely positive experience so far. Seems like a very supportive community
Thanks Hipiticus, great to meet you!
Thanks stiatent, and I really appreciate the sub, and the encouragement! I've signed on to discord too, but to be honest I've never used it before (I'm so far behind the times haha). So it's all very much a learning curve for me. I had a look at your web comic and it's so unique. I love the POV an…
I'm currently watching the series "Train", about a serial killer that appears to be from another parallel universe. Sounds odd but really enjoying it so far. Has anyone else seen it? No spoilers though - I haven't finished it yet!
Hi Enthriex, cool idea! Here's mine, I've taken the fragment from the end section of the episode. Title: Assassin Genre: Fantasy No. Episodes: Currently 1 Current Subs: 1 Summary: On the Planet Sykana, a hungry thief named Zan protects a secret that leads to an intriguing invitation, one w…
Hi all, I hired an artist called Malgorzata Gruszka to create mine - I think it turned out well, she's very talented. [image]
![[image]](https://forums.tapas.io/uploads/default/original/4X/c/f/e/cfe387ff8877ea1224e10b722474121927a79a93.jpg){kind=link}
No problem, happy to. I wondered whether the POV was intentional, it felt like it was and I can see why - when you're writing a battle scene at sea. I thought I'd mention it only because I have read stories where it's been unintentional and can be difficult to notice sometimes. I've actually done it…
Hi SL, I'm instantly interested by the title, so I've taken a look - but I don't profess to be an expert! I love the opening few words - Lightning crackles through the night sky. Such a vivid description and describing dramatic conditions like that really sets up the volatile situation. Show v…
Hi SVS, Thank you, yes I know what you mean about publishing. It's also a little bit daunting not knowing if anyone will read it, or like it. But ultimately I get a lot of enjoyment out of writing so even if there's no interest then it's still worth it to me. Hope our paths cross many time in the f…
Thanks Sushy, it's been a really positive experience so far!
Completely agree, I only wish I could return the favour but being a learner somewhat, I don't think I could offer too much at this point that isn't already apparent!
Hi everyone, My novel is called Assassin, following the journey of Zan from common thief to a ruthless Assassin, while struggling to control his desire to kill. If anyone wishes to do a review swap, feel free to DM me!
Hi, Yes no problem I can do a review swap. I must confess that I'm no expert but I love to read so can give my thoughts generally if that's ok. No problem about DM, As for mine, I'm not sure what the usual etiquette is on here, but either a reply here or comment on the episode, either is fine with …