Q&A for How to Write Fiction

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  • Question
    How should I decide the name of my main character?
    Julie Nolan
    Community Answer
    A main character should have a unique and memorable but pronounceable name. Katniss Everdeen, Bella Swan, Huck Finn, Scarlett O'Hara, Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker are all iconic memorable character names. A writer should also consider the name popularity by decade. Modern popular trends (for example -ley or -adan names) today weren't used 30+ plus years ago, so a 50-year-old woman named Paisley or a man named Kaidan isn't going to feel authentic to the readers. If you give your character a really long first name, try to give them a shorter nickname or pair it with a shorter surname. Using baby name books, yearbooks, or surname websites might be helpful in choosing a unique name.
  • Question
    What is the best writing app?
    Community Answer
    iDo Journal is a good writing app. I would also suggest Microsoft Word from the App Store.
  • Question
    Can you give me some themes for fantasy stories?
    Community Answer
    There are many to choose from such as, bravery, courage, knowledge, love, choice, justice, punishment, determination, integrity and/or forgiveness.
  • Question
    What should I do if someone steals my ideas?
    Community Answer
    If you have any proof you can sue the person with the help of a lawyer.
  • Question
    How do I submit it if I'm just a kid?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
  • Question
    How can I get an idea for a plot? I have characters and their personalities, but I still can’t get a good idea for a plot.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Talk with friends or family members about possible events in the lives of your characters. Input from your friends/relatives may stimulate your own creativity.
  • Question
    What are some different publishing companies (in the U.S. or Canada) that I could submit fiction to?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Wikipedia has an extensive list in their article, "List of English-Language Book Publishing Companies." Also look at "tckpublishing.com/list-of-book-publishers" for a very good list. Research each publisher individually, because some will not accept fiction submissions from new authors.
  • Question
    If I want to write short stories, how would I get them published? Would they have to be in a book with other short stories, or could it be published on its own?
    Lemonsters
    Community Answer
    If you wanted to write short stories, it could be published on its own. They are published the same way any other books are published. Have you seen the section of books for little kids? They generally are short stories, and end up having a book of their own. But, not all short stories are for little kids! There are plenty of short stories made for every audience imaginable. If you wanted to, you can make more short stories of the same topic and publish them in the same book, too!
  • Question
    Is writing my story on paper instead of online okay?
    Lemonsters
    Community Answer
    Of course it is! A lot of people prefer writing stories on paper. In fact, a lot of great stories have been written on paper, including older stories made when electronics weren't readily available for most people, if not all. All that matters is that you have a story to tell, not the form that you tell it in.
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