Hints for new writers

[iwatchus]

Having passed the 6 month anniversary of my first story appearing here a few days ago, I have been thinking about what I have learned in those months that I wish I knew then.

I am considering writing a how to for new writers (to the site at least), trying to coagulate the variety of tips and answers to common questions. I know I would have felt better having something as a resource when I started. Maybe one exists, but I don't know of something like I am thinking of. I do know about @Bebop3 What I Wish I Knew, but I am looking for something somewhat different. I ha probably published ten stories before I realized that you could tell when your stories were accepted by looking on the pending page. We all just assume that now.

I would like suggestions as what to include (or to leave out), including links to resources (on the site obviously) that can help. Or tell me that this is a bad idea for some reason (like what I want exists and where).

Here is a rough outline of what I am thinking about right now

culture
Laurel + Manu

word count as length
lit pages vs word processor pages

forum
do's and don'ts
some terminology
stroker
pantser vs plotter
plot bunny
beta reader
signature
give link to your stories

category cultures


living with the site
Author's control panel
meaning of numbers
Home page
List of stories
difference in what is displayed
out of date numbers

ratings, views, favorites and comments
1-bombs and sweeps

submitting
pending vs accepted for publication vs rejected vs published
write elsewhere (not in text box on new story page)

category
(cite existing be kind to your readers)
tagging
(cite tag cloud done by the cite)

rejections
it has happened to (almost) all of us
don't panic
kinds of rejections
AI
dialog
content
other

writing
write for yourself
think about your goals

story feedback thread
beta reader or editor

StillStunned's pinned threads
Frances Scott's formatting and html howto's

Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.

 

[big_cane_sugar]

That looks perfect.

Maybe some links to some of the "how to" threads would save you time. Looking them over might inspire you as well.

 

[StillStunned]

An admirable endeavour! The only suggestion I have at this time is to devote a separate section to editing. But if you need any to bounce any ideas around, drop me a line.

 

[TheLobster]

Or tell me that this is a bad idea for some reason

I wanted to say it's a bad idea because the site is already overloaded as it is and we shouldn't encourage people to submit even more.

But then I realized that those most likely to fill the submission queue with low quality works are almost certainly not going to even visit AH, let alone peruse any of the sticky topics.

So, uh, go off I guess?... There's already an absolute crapton of writer's resources on Lit, but perhaps your compilation ends up being useful for someone.

 

[iwatchus]

Partially I want to do this to reduce the same questions being asked over and over again on the fotum

 

[StillStunned]

Partially I want to do this to reduce the same questions being asked over and over again on the fotum

Nooo! Those questions are how I tell what day of the week it is!

 

[Actingup]

Partially I want to do this to reduce the same questions being asked over and over again on the fotum

You know, if you were to put this together and then complain here about its slow approval, the world will be in glorious harmony for a day…

One section I’d like to see is ‘intent vs reality’. The site is homemade. The monthly contests are not happening. The trolls and bombers suck. Some people are arseholes. But bring a good attitude anyway because it’s appreciated.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Partially I want to do this to reduce the same questions being asked over and over again on the fotum

Good luck with that. The 'story pending for over 72 hours' thread has been up for a month and we've gotten that question three times(I think) in the last week. One of those was this morning. People just don't read documentation. Not saying it wont be a good exercise or provide value.
I'm just suggesting it's not going to stop people from asking why their story hasn't been approved fifteen minutes(hyperbole) after they submit it.

 

[iwatchus]

Hey I'm forever an optimist. Just because no one reads my other stories, certainly all new authors will read this right? And every one of my students carefully reads everything I assign them and retains all the information in it. They all promise me they did.

 

[dirk2024]

Perhaps we need an AI Bot for new authors to ensure a few things happen.