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Writer’s Toolbox

Ask The Writer

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Your most pressing and perplexing questions about writing answered here by Gotham teacher Brandi Reissenweber.

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  • Adaptation
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Description

How can I make summary interesting?
It seems clunky to explain relationships or basic information, such as age or occupation, when first introducing characters. Is there a way to avoid this?
What is telling detail? Does it have anything to do with the advice to show and not tell?
I've been told more than once that my writing is wordy, but I just don't know what to cut. How can I fix this?
Why is connotation important in fiction?
I always thought surprise was important in stories, but my writing group says it doesn't work when characters do things that are "out of the blue." Who's right?
If the pronunciation of the main character's name is not apparent, should some explanation accompany it the first time it's mentioned?
Should I revise as I write?
Showing 25-32 of 40 items.
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