Comments on: Quiz: Is Your Manuscript Dead on Arrival? http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: B. McKenzie http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-207082 B. McKenzie Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:13:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-207082 I'm not a huge fan of interactive content--something is almost certainly lost when switching from a writing article to a multiple choice test that only allows for right/wrong answers*. I'm sorry it took you 34 questions to figure that out? <br /> *For example, a pre-written test can't take into consideration how well an idea is executed. I’m not a huge fan of interactive content–something is almost certainly lost when switching from a writing article to a multiple choice test that only allows for right/wrong answers*. I’m sorry it took you 34 questions to figure that out?

*For example, a pre-written test can’t take into consideration how well an idea is executed.

]]> By: lol http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-207005 lol Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:50:35 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-207005 This quiz is laughably idiotic and misguided, and even crashed at the second last question. This quiz is laughably idiotic and misguided, and even crashed at the second last question.

]]> By: B. McKenzie http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-189706 B. McKenzie Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:33:44 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-189706 Thanks for your advice. I found it very hard to write questions about things likely to kill a manuscript without making the best answer obvious. That said, on some of these, I could rewrite the questions to be less obviously slanted. For example, "Does the narrator or POV character hide critical information from readers just to 'surprise' us?" could be written as "Does the narrator or POV character hide critical information from readers mainly to surprise them?" (At some point, I'll make a big change, but I try not to do relatively minor ones because ProProfs wipes out the answer results every time the test changes). <br /> PS: Because I was only allowed to have one correct answer for each question, I had to lump in "not applicable" with the correct answer every time it came up. Thanks for your advice. I found it very hard to write questions about things likely to kill a manuscript without making the best answer obvious. That said, on some of these, I could rewrite the questions to be less obviously slanted. For example, “Does the narrator or POV character hide critical information from readers just to ‘surprise’ us?” could be written as “Does the narrator or POV character hide critical information from readers mainly to surprise them?” (At some point, I’ll make a big change, but I try not to do relatively minor ones because ProProfs wipes out the answer results every time the test changes).

PS: Because I was only allowed to have one correct answer for each question, I had to lump in “not applicable” with the correct answer every time it came up.

]]> By: Blonde Emo http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-189643 Blonde Emo Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:22:27 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-189643 You may want to make the answers less obvious. Most all of the correct answers are "No." You may want to make the answers less obvious. Most all of the correct answers are “No.”

]]> By: none http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-158616 none Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:28:19 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-158616 1) Multiple point-of-view characters: Yes. It's epic/heroic fantasy! Multiple-POV is expected. I was proud of myself for cutting it down to four major POV characters, plus a few others for a handful of necessary scenes where none of the primary four are present, or where another perspective provides useful information to the reader. One of the four (the first) is the clear MC. 2) Change POV mid-chapter: Yes, but not mid-scene. 14) One character has an apostrophe, yes. It's to show that the syllable-break isn't in the place a native English speaker would put it. (The other names don't require an apostrophe in order to be spelled for an English speaker to read phonetically). 20) Nothing unclear (other than in a mundane way), "glorious", or "mysterious". But what's wrong with including a royal character or two? They are going to be in a position to be making a lot of important decisions (with both intended and unintended consequences). It's not about "lineage", it's about "who's going to be present at the interesting parts of the story?" and "who has the interesting inner and outer conflicts going on?" 23) The first two I did, but I don't see anything wrong with it. 1) Why do the villains need to be defeated at the end of the first book? So no, those story threads aren't resolved yet! 2) They just met! There isn't a "romance" to resolve yet! 3) The main story threads wrap up (it's a complete book with a beginning, middle, and end, with several lives and interpersonal relationships changed substantially, and resolution to the conflicts that were given the most attention in the book. The three surviving major-POV characters have undergone noticeable change. The fourth had a life-changing plot-arc as well; unfortunately, it was fatal). Background threads are just getting started, however. 28) More than that *present*, or more than that being *focused on*? Yes, there are fights with (well) more than four people participating, but since we're limited to what the current POV character (who's generally rather pre-occupied, being in the middle of a life-and-death fight and all) is noticing. I don't see a problem with this. 34) Well, it depends on how you define "Barbarian". Technically, a barbarian is someone who doesn't speak ancient Greek. (I know, I know, no one likes a smart-ass). There's no one who would describe themselves as a "ferocious barbarian", but (if we ignore the Greek meaning) there are characters who might make that accusation against other characters. There's no stand-in for Conan, however -- which is what I think this question was actually asking, so I went ahead and answered "none of the above". Got 83 out of 100 :D 1) Multiple point-of-view characters: Yes. It’s epic/heroic fantasy! Multiple-POV is expected. I was proud of myself for cutting it down to four major POV characters, plus a few others for a handful of necessary scenes where none of the primary four are present, or where another perspective provides useful information to the reader. One of the four (the first) is the clear MC.

2) Change POV mid-chapter: Yes, but not mid-scene.

14) One character has an apostrophe, yes. It’s to show that the syllable-break isn’t in the place a native English speaker would put it. (The other names don’t require an apostrophe in order to be spelled for an English speaker to read phonetically).

20) Nothing unclear (other than in a mundane way), “glorious”, or “mysterious”. But what’s wrong with including a royal character or two? They are going to be in a position to be making a lot of important decisions (with both intended and unintended consequences). It’s not about “lineage”, it’s about “who’s going to be present at the interesting parts of the story?” and “who has the interesting inner and outer conflicts going on?”

23) The first two I did, but I don’t see anything wrong with it.
1) Why do the villains need to be defeated at the end of the first book? So no, those story threads aren’t resolved yet!
2) They just met! There isn’t a “romance” to resolve yet!
3) The main story threads wrap up (it’s a complete book with a beginning, middle, and end, with several lives and interpersonal relationships changed substantially, and resolution to the conflicts that were given the most attention in the book. The three surviving major-POV characters have undergone noticeable change. The fourth had a life-changing plot-arc as well; unfortunately, it was fatal). Background threads are just getting started, however.

28) More than that *present*, or more than that being *focused on*? Yes, there are fights with (well) more than four people participating, but since we’re limited to what the current POV character (who’s generally rather pre-occupied, being in the middle of a life-and-death fight and all) is noticing. I don’t see a problem with this.

34) Well, it depends on how you define “Barbarian”. Technically, a barbarian is someone who doesn’t speak ancient Greek. (I know, I know, no one likes a smart-ass). There’s no one who would describe themselves as a “ferocious barbarian”, but (if we ignore the Greek meaning) there are characters who might make that accusation against other characters. There’s no stand-in for Conan, however — which is what I think this question was actually asking, so I went ahead and answered “none of the above”.

Got 83 out of 100 :D

]]> By: Castille http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-132068 Castille Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:43:49 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-132068 I just permanently shelved that story because the characters didn't make sense to me. I let side characters take up too much of the story, and found that some were just getting too whiny. Also, I wasn't able to consistently keep their 'character' constant or at least on a reasonable progression through the pace of the story. I just permanently shelved that story because the characters didn’t make sense to me. I let side characters take up too much of the story, and found that some were just getting too whiny. Also, I wasn’t able to consistently keep their ‘character’ constant or at least on a reasonable progression through the pace of the story.

]]> By: FotV/Anna http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-131927 FotV/Anna Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:06:51 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-131927 The problem I have with this whole "chosen one" thing is it's normally affirmation they'll kick everyone's butt and possibly be inhumanely perfect and posess extraordinary powers and talents. I have a couple "chosen one's" (different books of course) but they're not traditional. Aian is the chosen wielder of the Sunstone (a magical artifact that can only be wielded elementally light people, which is considerably less than 1% the population. Most people never learn magic, or if they do just defensive spells. Light is powerful because it augments your abilitied to cast other sorts of magic. People have a dominant magic they can cast and defend, if any at all, and one they're less talented at/ more vulnernerable against. Then there's the other two elements that are in between. Having light or dark powers makes all of your 4 elemental magics as good as your best. You're born one of the four natural elements, or light a cosmic element. The other Cosmic elements are Darkness and Aether. You can become a Dark sorcerer later if that's the path you choose. People that pursue it are rarely inherently bad, they may just think they're disciplined enough to keep it in control and see no other way to fix things. Nothing bad will happen if I do it once. Ok, I kind of need it this second time too... Aether is inherent in all of us- it is the substance of our soul (beyond the Natural Element or light) and pretty much any magic that can't be accomplished by the other six is either accomplished with aether or not at all. I don't feel like getting into it right now... This by no means makes up for not studying and honing your craft as any experienced Sorcerer is likely to defeat a novice even if all five are at his best. With the sunstone his chances improve but really its practice. Though they do have a better aptitude for magic and learn it faster so catching up won't be impossible. Point is, he's sort of chosen for greatness by a glowing rock and then the community at large (he's just a poor miner who went out to the fair to see his cousin Delyth (actual Welsh name, not made up)) but he isn't the only one who would qualify so it's not "The One". And being the one wielder of the Sunstone means King Gwythyr will have all his men out looking for him as will the Rebellion's leader the king's jealous younger brother Heddwyn who by the way got him started on black magic and really just wants to control the sunstones keeper long enough to get the throne and then dispose of him. Sorry, I haven't even mentioned this story's existance in years and now its mad at me. The problem I have with this whole “chosen one” thing is it’s normally affirmation they’ll kick everyone’s butt and possibly be inhumanely perfect and posess extraordinary powers and talents.

I have a couple “chosen one’s” (different books of course) but they’re not traditional.

Aian is the chosen wielder of the Sunstone (a magical artifact that can only be wielded elementally light people, which is considerably less than 1% the population. Most people never learn magic, or if they do just defensive spells. Light is powerful because it augments your abilitied to cast other sorts of magic. People have a dominant magic they can cast and defend, if any at all, and one they’re less talented at/ more vulnernerable against. Then there’s the other two elements that are in between. Having light or dark powers makes all of your 4 elemental magics as good as your best. You’re born one of the four natural elements, or light a cosmic element. The other Cosmic elements are Darkness and Aether. You can become a Dark sorcerer later if that’s the path you choose. People that pursue it are rarely inherently bad, they may just think they’re disciplined enough to keep it in control and see no other way to fix things. Nothing bad will happen if I do it once. Ok, I kind of need it this second time too…

Aether is inherent in all of us- it is the substance of our soul (beyond the Natural Element or light) and pretty much any magic that can’t be accomplished by the other six is either accomplished with aether or not at all. I don’t feel like getting into it right now…

This by no means makes up for not studying and honing your craft as any experienced Sorcerer is likely to defeat a novice even if all five are at his best. With the sunstone his chances improve but really its practice. Though they do have a better aptitude for magic and learn it faster so catching up won’t be impossible.

Point is, he’s sort of chosen for greatness by a glowing rock and then the community at large (he’s just a poor miner who went out to the fair to see his cousin Delyth (actual Welsh name, not made up)) but he isn’t the only one who would qualify so it’s not “The One”. And being the one wielder of the Sunstone means King Gwythyr will have all his men out looking for him as will the Rebellion’s leader the king’s jealous younger brother Heddwyn who by the way got him started on black magic and really just wants to control the sunstones keeper long enough to get the throne and then dispose of him.

Sorry, I haven’t even mentioned this story’s existance in years and now its mad at me.

]]> By: FotV http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-131915 FotV Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:39:08 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-131915 Does your story have any Mary Sues? (A Mary Sue is a superpowered and idealized version of the author. One warning sign is that your main character goes through the book without doing anything you intend the audience to disapprove of. ***Another warning sign is that the character tends to get everything right on her first try).*** Biggest sign. And not in my story Isn't an important part of the story supposed to where the characters messup and now have to start from scratch? Does your story have any Mary Sues? (A Mary Sue is a superpowered and idealized version of the author. One warning sign is that your main character goes through the book without doing anything you intend the audience to disapprove of. ***Another warning sign is that the character tends to get everything right on her first try).*** Biggest sign. And not in my story Isn’t an important part of the story supposed to where the characters messup and now have to start from scratch?

]]> By: Castille http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-131909 Castille Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:21:42 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-131909 I've decided to stop work on my novel "As legends walk". It just proved too hard for me to give life to characters when I haven't even finished the first novel yet. So I may just return to the first novel or do something standalone. I know when my manuscript is dead on arrival. The first one I didn't finish is looking more and more like the one I should really be trying to concentrate on. I've learned my lesson, no going off for sequels unless I've already finished the first novel. Still... I’ve decided to stop work on my novel “As legends walk”. It just proved too hard for me to give life to characters when I haven’t even finished the first novel yet. So I may just return to the first novel or do something standalone.

I know when my manuscript is dead on arrival. The first one I didn’t finish is looking more and more like the one I should really be trying to concentrate on.

I’ve learned my lesson, no going off for sequels unless I’ve already finished the first novel.

Still…

]]> By: Silvercat http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-128118 Silvercat Thu, 19 May 2011 19:11:14 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-128118 This is so pedantic, but Aslan isn't a made up word. It's, I think, Arabic for Lion. Throwing in random foreign words isn't much better though, although for names I don't think it's as big of a deal. This is so pedantic, but Aslan isn’t a made up word. It’s, I think, Arabic for Lion. Throwing in random foreign words isn’t much better though, although for names I don’t think it’s as big of a deal.

]]> By: EvilpixieA http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-127984 EvilpixieA Thu, 19 May 2011 02:41:59 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-127984 I couldn't help myself, I answered the questions as if I were the author of 'twilight'... yes, yes, I know. Weirdly shallow, but it bugs me how... sloppy the writing style of that book really is. And how many blatant mistakes like these it makes! It got a 51%... I couldn’t help myself, I answered the questions as if I were the author of ‘twilight’… yes, yes, I know. Weirdly shallow, but it bugs me how… sloppy the writing style of that book really is. And how many blatant mistakes like these it makes! It got a 51%…

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-121929 B. Mac Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:35:31 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-121929 Alish, I think it would probably be cliche and would put pressure on your writing to distinguish itself in other ways. However, I don't think it's an insurmountable obstacle. Alish, I think it would probably be cliche and would put pressure on your writing to distinguish itself in other ways. However, I don’t think it’s an insurmountable obstacle.

]]> By: Alish http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-121884 Alish Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:05:26 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-121884 I answered that my characters don't know who their real parents are at the beginning of the book. I realize that this is cliche in most situations, but in mine, the characters have no parents. They were synthesized from cloned human DNA and then altered. Is this still cliche? Should I change it? I answered that my characters don’t know who their real parents are at the beginning of the book. I realize that this is cliche in most situations, but in mine, the characters have no parents. They were synthesized from cloned human DNA and then altered. Is this still cliche? Should I change it?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-115613 B. Mac Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:59:41 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-115613 "I'm... writing about a struggle of a 13-year-old boy with a bright future ahead of him, being a well-raised kid who is loved by his parents. But in the span of 24 hours, he will lose everything. My story is basically about his long and difficult struggle towards self-redemption..." I like the element that it goes downhill so quickly for him, but what's a 13 year old doing that he'd really need to struggle to redeem himself for? (Unless he, say, kills his mother and older brother). ... "It’s not exactly a fantasy story but it is more about the intertwining of his personal dramas..." If it's written for young adults, I'd recommend submitting it as a young adult drama. I wouldn't recommend submitting it as a fantasy unless there's something distinctly fantastic going on (such as magic, elves, djinns, dragons, djinn-riding elven ninjas fighting mermaids, magical realism, etc). ... In this case, I like the idea of him checking himself out in his mirror. I think it has a lot more dramatic potential than most characters that use a mirror just to show us what they look like. I think the symbolism may also play into the guilt-and-reform elements of the plot very smoothly. “I’m… writing about a struggle of a 13-year-old boy with a bright future ahead of him, being a well-raised kid who is loved by his parents. But in the span of 24 hours, he will lose everything. My story is basically about his long and difficult struggle towards self-redemption…” I like the element that it goes downhill so quickly for him, but what’s a 13 year old doing that he’d really need to struggle to redeem himself for? (Unless he, say, kills his mother and older brother).

…

“It’s not exactly a fantasy story but it is more about the intertwining of his personal dramas…” If it’s written for young adults, I’d recommend submitting it as a young adult drama. I wouldn’t recommend submitting it as a fantasy unless there’s something distinctly fantastic going on (such as magic, elves, djinns, dragons, djinn-riding elven ninjas fighting mermaids, magical realism, etc).

…

In this case, I like the idea of him checking himself out in his mirror. I think it has a lot more dramatic potential than most characters that use a mirror just to show us what they look like. I think the symbolism may also play into the guilt-and-reform elements of the plot very smoothly.

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.superheronation.com/2008/10/24/interactive-mini-quiz/comment-page-1/#comment-115486 Jimmy Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:06:11 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1272#comment-115486 I'm a starting writer who is writing about a struggle of a 13-year-old boy with a bright future ahead of him, being a well-raised kid who is loved by his parents. But in the span of 24 hours, he will lose everything. My story is basically about his long and difficult struggle towards self-redemption and his search for answers to his problems and about why that 24-hour loss of everything happened to him. It's not exactly a fantasy story but it is more about the intertwining of his personal dramas (love, friends, etc.) and society's dramas (poverty, abuse, etc.) that he will have to deal with simultaneously after getting kicked out of school, losing his home, his mother, his older brother, and his father's sanity all in one day. In the course of the story, he will learn more than just the ways of the poor and he also will become a better person as he matures in this journey in his life. Now to the point of this comment... I need advice though on this part of my story where he checks out his reflection in the bathroom mirror and remembers that his pleasing appearance is a gift to him from his parents because his parents worked hard to save up for a plastic surgery procedure he underwent when he was 12. He was born horribly deformed. I think it's a plot device because this is a part when he reflects on what a shame he has been to his parents and how sorry he feels for his parents once they realize that he just got himself in trouble in school again. Do you think I should cut it out? I’m a starting writer who is writing about a struggle of a 13-year-old boy with a bright future ahead of him, being a well-raised kid who is loved by his parents. But in the span of 24 hours, he will lose everything.

My story is basically about his long and difficult struggle towards self-redemption and his search for answers to his problems and about why that 24-hour loss of everything happened to him. It’s not exactly a fantasy story but it is more about the intertwining of his personal dramas (love, friends, etc.) and society’s dramas (poverty, abuse, etc.) that he will have to deal with simultaneously after getting kicked out of school, losing his home, his mother, his older brother, and his father’s sanity all in one day. In the course of the story, he will learn more than just the ways of the poor and he also will become a better person as he matures in this journey in his life.

Now to the point of this comment…
I need advice though on this part of my story where he checks out his reflection in the bathroom mirror and remembers that his pleasing appearance is a gift to him from his parents because his parents worked hard to save up for a plastic surgery procedure he underwent when he was 12. He was born horribly deformed. I think it’s a plot device because this is a part when he reflects on what a shame he has been to his parents and how sorry he feels for his parents once they realize that he just got himself in trouble in school again. Do you think I should cut it out?

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