Author Wannabe needs your help

[Learin]

Hello,

My name is Lyerin (this tongue twister is pronounced as Lee-Arin ). I've been a long time reader of stories on Literotica and other websites.

After a few couple bursts of inspiration, I have written a few couple of incomplete stories that I want to submit to Literotica (after completion). I need some advice from you authors regarding some things on writing.

1. Can you suggest a software that can help in editing my own work? Something that preferably works good for Windows OS.

I've gone through the FAQs like a demon and know that there are editors who'll help me with my story, but I'd still love to know.

2. You guys are stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time p), so I'll be here on the Forums a lot. If there's anything I should avoid, I'd like to know beforehand.

3. Any other words of wisdom from you guys will be appreciated very much.

Thanks

L.

 

[glynndah]

A welcome for the little newbie from the good little witch.

I like open office.

 

[Serafina1210]

Welcome to the AH!

It's a pleasant enough place, but there's little policing, so be careful when walking down dark streets.

Also when crossing bridges: each one has a troll.

Don't post a story in Loving Wives unless you're very sure what you're doing (or a masochist).

And those things that look a little like strawberries but not quite? They're not safe to eat.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hi, welcome to the AH

Seeing you're new I will lay off any remarks about women and twisting tongues

As for an editor there is the VE section, but a lot of those people come and go and you can wait around forever to find out they are no longer around.

Your best bet is to look here

http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

you can contact people in the available to edit section as well as post a request for one.

If you do, mention length and genre that will help you get the right match

Good luck.

 

[StrangeLife]

Hello,

My name is Lyerin (this tongue twister is pronounced as Lee-Arin ). I've been a long time reader of stories on Literotica and other websites.

After a few couple bursts of inspiration, I have written a few couple of incomplete stories that I want to submit to Literotica (after completion). I need some advice from you authors regarding some things on writing.

1. Can you suggest a software that can help in editing my own work? Something that preferably works good for Windows OS.

I've gone through the FAQs like a demon and know that there are editors who'll help me with my story, but I'd still love to know.

I write my stories in MS Word (for Mac) and use the built-in spell/grammar checker to clean up my mistakes. Subsequently I copy/paste the text into the submit-window and thus get a second spell check from the browser. The WYSIWYG functionality of the submit window is great for spotting formatting-errors as well (and to insert a few tags if needed, like cursive or bold).

2. You guys are stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time p), so I'll be here on the Forums a lot. If there's anything I should avoid, I'd like to know beforehand.

Marmite! It tastes horribly and I am still at a loss as to why the Aussies seem to gobble it down like there's no tomorrow.

3. Any other words of wisdom from you guys will be appreciated very much.

The way to a great and lasting marriage is a house with twin bathrooms.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Welcome....

I like MS Word or Open Office/Libre Office(64bit Open Office).

Good luck.

 

[Sammael Bard]

Hello,

My name is Lyerin (this tongue twister is pronounced as Lee-Arin ). I've been a long time reader of stories on Literotica and other websites.

After a few couple bursts of inspiration, I have written a few couple of incomplete stories that I want to submit to Literotica (after completion). I need some advice from you authors regarding some things on writing.

Hello, L! And welcome to AH! I hope your time here is fun and without any sort of unfortunate incident.

1. Can you suggest a software that can help in editing my own work? Something that preferably works good for Windows OS.

I've gone through the FAQs like a demon and know that there are editors who'll help me with my story, but I'd still love to know.

The Good Witch of AH and LC have already suggested that. I'd like to add that don't shy away from asking editorial help to polish your stories.

2. You guys are stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time p), so I'll be here on the Forums a lot. If there's anything I should avoid, I'd like to know beforehand.

We'd love to get stuck with you...or anything closer.

Stay away from General Boards.

Also, There is no such association known as A.I.R. Add ScouriesWorld to your ignore list immediately.

3. Any other words of wisdom from you guys will be appreciated very much.

Thanks

L.

Be perceptive of your environment and stay safe on the forums.

Good luck.

 

[Learin]

Hi!

Thanks to all of you who have helped me.

I'll download Open Office ASAP. Thank you, glynndah and Zeb_Carter.

To StrangeLife and TheSoulfulBard: That was funny.

Thank you for the advice and stuff. I really appreciate it.

 

[SikFuk]

If your printer is up to it, print out your story before the final edit. It's easier to find errors if you're looking at it in a new medium. An alternative to printing it is changing the font and the type size. Also, let your story sit for a few days without reading it, and then take a fresh look. Some suggest reading your story out loud, which may reveal awkward passages.

Make sure to start a new paragraph for a change in who's talking, or whose thinking is being described, and leave one space between paragraphs. (The same way this post is formatted.) It's easier on the eyes to change paragraphs frequently when the text is on the internet. If you go over 8 lines, you're taxing the reader's ability to not lose their place.

"Show it, don't tell it." In other words, we're painting a picture with words, not simply writing a newspaper article. (This last bit is more of an ideal than a rule. LIT readers aren't very sophisticated. They're not looking for metaphors, they're looking for an emotional connection.)

Write what you want to write and don't worry about the readers. It's not as if they're paying you for your time.

Good luck.

 

[sr71plt]

The software I use to review my work (before it goes to an editor) is Webster's Collegiate dictionary, edition 11, and the Chicago Manual of Style, edition 16.

Beyond the help of (but not total reliance on) computer spell check (but not its grammar function), I don't know of computer software that helps much with fiction. The style forgiveness for fiction is quite loose and not fully compatible with the mathematics of computers.

 

[49greg]

The software I use to review my work (before it goes to an editor) is Webster's Collegiate dictionary, edition 11, and the Chicago Manual of Style, edition 16.

Beyond the help of (but not total reliance on) computer spell check (but not its grammar function), I don't know of computer software that helps much with fiction. The style forgiveness for fiction is quite loose and not fully compatible with the mathematics of computers.

My feelings exactly about the dictionary and grammar check.

I keep my paperback edition of Webster on the end table by the couch I sit on when I use my laptop. Or at least I did until I neatened up yesterday. I'm not sure where it is now. I have my larger more complete hardback Webster in a nearby bookshelf.

I use Libre Office, which is pretty much the same as open office, and uses the same .odf format. The methods already suggested all help when you self edit: Print it out, read it out loud, leave it for a day or two when you're done and think it's ready to go and read it again.

I also read it over at least twice and often three times before I post. I gotta say that I don't print it out and read, but since I seem to have at least one typo in most of my stories I will be doing that in the future.

I like to copy and paste when I post the story, and often read it again there.

And welcome.

 

[Handley_Page]

Hello & Welcome to chaos united.

I have and use a PC.

I found that Jarte is a good one. It's an addon thing like Windows Notepad, but it does have a dictionary. It produces files in .RTF It has the advantage of being free.

Open Office (or Libre Office as it now is) is a grand suite of programmes very like Microsoft Office. It's also free.

An editor would do you a power of good.

 

[LaRascasse]

Hello,

My name is Lyerin (this tongue twister is pronounced as Lee-Arin ). I've been a long time reader of stories on Literotica and other websites.

After a few couple bursts of inspiration, I have written a few couple of incomplete stories that I want to submit to Literotica (after completion). I need some advice from you authors regarding some things on writing.

1. Can you suggest a software that can help in editing my own work? Something that preferably works good for Windows OS.

I've gone through the FAQs like a demon and know that there are editors who'll help me with my story, but I'd still love to know.

2. You guys are stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time p), so I'll be here on the Forums a lot. If there's anything I should avoid, I'd like to know beforehand.

3. Any other words of wisdom from you guys will be appreciated very much.

Thanks

L.

Hi and welcome to our version of an asylum. Some even dare to call it the Authors' Hangout, where liars with typing skills (affectionately known as writers) converge to waste their time when they should be.. y'know... writing.

As for your questionnaire above, let's see.

1. No specialized software needed. Whichever version of Word/OpenOffice you have with spelling and grammar check enabled you have should suffice. In case you want something to help with the actual story, try ProWritingAid for that final polish.

2. Avoid the flu. It's terrible. Other than that, use your own discretion when dealing with troll posters (you'll soon recognize them). On the writing side, you might not want to start by writing in Loving Wives. That category can only be endured with experience.

3. Words of wisdom? Write, write and write.

Did someone remind her of the nude photos rule for all newbies?

 

[Bramblethorn]

1. Can you suggest a software that can help in editing my own work? Something that preferably works good for Windows OS.

Just about any word-processor these days ought to be able to handle the basics like spell-checking. Like SR says, none of them are likely to be much use on grammar-checking; you really need a human editor for that, and indeed to catch some spell-checking errors. Fancy formatting is a moot point if you're writing for Literotica.

MS Word and OpenOffice are both reasonable. I haven't used LibreOffice but I hear good things about it.

If you're writing something like a complicated novel and want help managing the planning and complexities, a lot of pro authors use Scrivener. This lets you do things like structure the work into sections, tag each chapter according to which characters are present, attach reference material so it's easy to check it when you need it, etc etc. For most Literotica stories it would be overkill.

 

[Learin]

Thanks for the help guys. I do plan to take help from an editor, but I want to have a back up plan in case I don't find one here.

 

[robertreams]

I wouldn't write a word without Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" beside me. Also a good thesaurus in dictionary form. It isn't for finding new words to pad your story, but to find that "just right" word you can't quite put your finger on. last: do not trust grammar check in MS it is for shit.

 

[lovecraft68]

Not sure if its still around, but there was a program called White Smoke and there were different versions and one was for "creative writing" meaning it was forgiving towards things like slang and non grammatically correct dialogue.

A friend gave it to me and it had some ups and downs, but the biggest pitfall was the way it worked you had to highlight a paragraph and then click the button, so it only reviewed a few sentences at a time. So you either had to stop and check as you wrote or it could take forever to review a story that was only a couple of thousand words.

My final "review" of it was glad I didn't pay for it.

 

[JWren]

2. You guys are stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time p), so I'll be here on the Forums a lot. If there's anything I should avoid, I'd like to know beforehand.

Welcome and good luck with your writing. This AH is generally a nice place, but, be warned, spend too much time here and you'll never finish your stories