Recent content by JonSnow

IMO it's a greater work than LOTR, The Hobbit, etc. I know that's heresy among fantasy fans, as Tolkien is the virtual pioneer of the entire genre. And I'm saying this as someone who has adored Tolkien's works since I was a teenager. But GRR Martin changed everything, made it darker, more true...

1. Its been 15 years and after dozens of re-writes, wholesale changes, and start-overs, its still not finished. Until it's finished, none of the other reasons matter.

So it's been a really long time since I've posted in here. I saw this thread and it jumped at me, as I've been battling this very question literally for the past 19 years, writing as a hobby. I have never actually finished my first novel, though I've re-written and restarted it at least 15...

This is good advice. I was referring to published work. Obviously, standards for the manuscript are going to vary, depending on who/where you're submitting it to.

Without more detail as to what you're planning, I can only give you a general idea. You could actually do some cool stuff with the human condition and psychology. Generally speaking, humans only come together when they have no choice, and usually the "no choice" comes in the form of the threat...

This topic has come up a few times. I've read a ton of epic fantasy, both the wordy/long type like Jordan/R.R. Martin/Goodkind, and the less wordy/long like Haydon/Brooks/Eddings. I've actually counted words and chapters from dozens of fantasy books/series, because I was curious about this for...

Unfortunately, some people will assume you can't write because you're young. Or that you have limited perspective on life (which, to a degree is true. but it doesn't mean you can't be a great writer). I'm 34 and I still get that from co-workers when we talk politics, even though they have no...

Religion and Gods are a difficult concept to create and implement well. You have to take into account the advancement of your world's people, technology, history, and culture to make believable Gods/religions. Remember, throughout history, people have used Gods to explain what they don't...

I totally understand the shyness about letting others read your writing. I had it for a long time, and still do a little bit. Once I have a finished product I am happy with, I'm not shy about it. But during the process, it makes me nervous. I think the best feedback practice is to find 1-2...

This is really good advice. You need to know who your target audience is. If you're writing for yourself, then do whatever you want. If you want to publish to an adult audience, you're probably OK with most, if not all, of the violence. I haven't run into this dilemma with violence, because I...

Best game soundtrack of all time IMO... Xenogears HANDS DOWN... Chrono Cross was also really good. Most popular games have a couple good tracks. But these were 3-4 CD's packed with great tunes top to bottom. I think that era of games (Playstation 1, mid to late 90's) had the most underrated...

I guess there are a few authors who could take a dump on a sheet of paper and readers would revere them for it, so my post wouldn't apply to them. Most of us don't have that luxury.

This is why I love this forum. The MC is traveling back in time with the intent of affecting as little as possible in the continuum, which means if he knows this woman wants to leave her world (and did so in the past) he must not stop her. However, I'm toying with the idea that he does not...

Well I wouldn't immediately see those names and think "Gretzky" or "Lemieux" because they are significantly changed, so I think they would be fine. But don't try Gretskee or Lemyu

I reread every chapter after I write it, and "edit" it by removing excess words, re-wording certain parts, and correcting grammar. I don't consider this "revising", as it is a simple process of putting legible work on paper. After I have gone over the work a couple times and cleaned up the basic...