Recent content by AndrewMelvin

You might want to think about having some of the glow reflected by the floor at the bottom of the picture. If he's glowing that much, some of the blue might strike the stones at his feet and give them a blue tint.

One explanation for why images look pasted on (as, unfortunately, they do in this case), is that they often have different lighting sources and textures. To make it look as if the figure is actually standing in the tunnel, you have to try to give the scene a cohesive tone. LIGHTING The glow...

I feel that it's best to wrap things up fairly quickly after the climax. It's a dramatic high point, and I would like the reader to go away remembering that rather than a (relatively) quiet scenes, or scenes. I've used brisk epilogue a to suggest what my survivors will be doing next, and...

I haven't merged stories, but I have merged story ideas. I find that an idea comes to me that is not enough for a story, but if I let if stew for a while another idea generally comes along. If I mix them together, or transplant the characters from one into the setting of another, I have a real...

To me, this cries out to be self-published. Novellas can be a difficult sell - I don't see that many in bookshops, at least - and self-publishing might be an easier way of getting your story out there.

I'd be interested in seeing how you get on, as I've been thinking about trying something similar. Your price strategy sounds good to me, and I wish you lots of luck.

I have a lot of experience in editing/design, which gave me an advantage, but I found formatting fairly straightforward, if time-consuming - it's really a case of taking your time and checking it again and again. Smashwords' guide is very helpful. As others have said, it is always, always one...

It might be worth remembering that glassblowers would be few and far between, given how skilled the job is and how few customers they might have. If a glass window was broken, it could take a long time to replace properly.

If I understand correctly, I think you're looking for phrasing like this: "[Dialogue]," [the person speaking] said. "The castle seems very far away," he said, his brow furrowing. "Oh, I don't know," she replied jovially. If you have already made it clear who is speaking, their dialogue...

My first thought on seeing the question was "Push on! Push on!" but then I read TheCatholicCrow's post and realized that my approach is actually the same as hers. I redid the start of my WIP three times because it just didn't feel right. However, I fixed it in the end and now I am probably about...

I haven't gone so far as to alter my workspace, but I have found that I definitely write more when I listen to epic music. The battle at the climax of my last book was written entirely with Two Steps From Hell in the background, and I like to think it was better for it.

For me, the second option is more interesting - it opens up the possibility of more conflict between Jude's desire to (I assume) stop being oppressed versus the damage/deaths that might be caused by the group. I'm sure no member of a terrorist cell actually thinks they are in a terrorist group...

I agree. Flashbacks and non-linear storytelling are two different things and both can be very effective (or detrimental, depending on the author and story). If I was really happy with my story and the way I had presented it, I think it would take a lot more than "this is too linear" to make me...

Crafters, maybe, who use the knowledge gained over generations to turn volcanic rock into unique items/weapons or magic ingredients.

Further to the previous suggestions, look up the East India Company for an example of a megacorp with almost total control over thousands/millions of people.