http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ Web Fiction Guide Forums » Recent Topics en Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:36:14 +0000 http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/to-comm-or-not-to-comm#post-4707 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:10:23 +0000 intergal 4707@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Okay, so innuendos aside, I have a question and would appreciate advice and feedback.</p> <p>Currently, I'm updating my novel on LiveJournal at my writing account. I'm aware that I have a few regular readers, but not many commentors, and I would like to increase the traffic. I've got a twitter set up, and I post there whenever I update my novel, but I was wondering... </p> <p>Is it worth setting up an LJ community in tandem to the novel pre-emptively? Should I wait until I have regular commentors and more readers? Or does anyone have an alternative suggestion? </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/hello-and-introductions#post-4687 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:21:23 +0000 Khelden Iituem 4687@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>So I've lurked around the Guide for a while and noticed there are a lot of fairly regular faces at the core of the community. I'd like to be more active, but it can be a little intimidating getting into a new community off the bat.</p> <p>So I'd like to know a little more about the people who frequent these boards! Please post a little something about yourselves, what you like, how to best contact you and (importantly!) what you write, if you are a writer.</p> <p>Starting this off, then:</p> <p>I use the pen name Khelden Iituem (which is a pain, I know, but it's a longstanding web alias), but I also tend to go by Jack or Roberts. Any of those is fine. I like storytelling (duh?), as well as acting, listening/reading other people's storytelling, learning the fundamentals of programming and cooking. I am a motorcyclist!</p> <p>The best way to contact me is by MSN or email (iituem-at-hotmail-dot-com), but somewhere or other I have a dusty old twitter account under @iituem.</p> <p>I write a fantasy serial called The Goatskin Usgar ( <a href="http://violetwaterbeast.digitalnovelists.com/usgar" rel="nofollow">http://violetwaterbeast.digitalnovelists.com/usgar</a> ), following the adventurers of a young man searching for his mother in a very different world to our own. I enjoy writing fantasy, though I want to write in more genres as I develop skill. I am still relatively new to this (having only been seriously working at it for a year).</p> <p>Would anyone else care to introduce themselves, please? </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/web-fiction-recommendation-for-linguistic-study#post-4686 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:30:20 +0000 Hashmalum 4686@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I'm currently taking a class in the Analysis of Written Language, and I'm considering doing a linguistic analysis and comparison of two web serials for a major project.</p> <p>My focus is not so much on the story itself as on the dynamic of the web serial and the community. More to the point, focusing on the readership (those who post comments) and how they are influenced or affected by an unreliable updater as opposed to a reliable one. When a writer fails to stick to a schedule, do the commenters start talking about other stories? Do they form a more cohesive community or fall apart? Do they start theorizing more on the potential outcomes of the story to compensate for what the author is failing to provide? Is there more criticism and/or praise to the author?</p> <p>To answer these questions, I'm planning to break down comments into categories, then examine the trends in how much a given category pops up. I'm also looking at incidences of intertextuality (ie. do the comments refer to other stories? Do they refer to past, present or future events in the story they're commenting about)? If I have time (and I admit I'm rather swamped this semester), I also intend to look at the number of comments per update &amp; repeat visitors/commenters. Once I've got the data I'll take a stab at doing an analysis.</p> <p>To start with, I'm thinking of using Legion of Nothing for my 'reliable updater'. There's a fairly manageable number of comments per update (5-15) and it's fairly well recognized as a sample of solid web fiction. Jim sticks regularly to his schedule of updating every Wednesday and Saturday night.</p> <p>Now, the problem I'm coming to you guys for help with - My original thought was to use Tales of MU as my 'unreliable updater' source. It's listed as updating five days a week but currently sits at an average of .8 updates a week. Trouble is, Tales of MU just updated to a new look and it appears the comments have been wiped for everything previous to last week. I'm looking for recommendations of web fiction that has enough regular comments to do an analysis with, but has a recognizably poor schedule or 'reliability'.</p> <p>Of course, if you guys are interested, I'd share my results when I'm done. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/working-with-a-published-author-the-fool#post-4660 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:00:19 +0000 Fanton 4660@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello!</p> <p>Apologies for me crashing in like this, but I just want to share a recent development over on The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely!</p> <p>As the journals celebrate three (THREE!) years of filth, I've somehow managed to wrangle a published author into collaborating with me on his lordship's latest adventure.</p> <p>The gullible fool - er, the lovely chap is called Darren Craske, and he's just about to have his second novel published by HarperCollins yet has taken time out of his busy schedule to join me in penning Likely's latest adventure! It's really quite exciting, and he's been super lovely, to boot!</p> <p>Here's <a href="http://www.lordlikely.com/archives/adventures/the-bloody-baffling-buckingham-bluff/the-bloody-baffling-buckingham-bluff">the first chapter</a>, please do take a peek - you'll also learn Likely's SECRET first name! </p> <p>Oh, and please visit <a href="http://theargonautsalmanac.blogspot.com/">Mr. Craske's blog</a>, where he's written a really nice piece about the whole experience, bless him!</p> <p>Thanks, chums! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/reaching-out-to-new-readers#post-4543 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:12:54 +0000 H-M Brown 4543@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Greetings everyone.</p> <p>I'm new to Web Fiction Guide and I added my Web Novel Series, Arcana Magi to this websites list. I'm kind of seeking some advice on how I can reach out to get more people to read my story. So far, I created a Blogspot and a MySpace Account to give updates and news on all my story postings and of course joined you guys here. I also took advantage of my Group Section's Discussion Pages on Fictionaut to create Behind the Scenes topics on Arcana Magi to be more hands on with my readers and hopefully, fans.</p> <p>But I was wondering if there other types of approaches I could make to advertise my story to the general public. Any advice on how I can maximize my stories exposure? </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-the-antithesis#post-4669 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:45:50 +0000 Sarratum 4669@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Good afternoon, everyone. </p> <p>I would really appreciate anyone who had enough spare time to read my web series and review it on WFG? Only three chapters are up, so there isn't too much to read. I'm also willing to read and review in return. Thanks in advance,</p> <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-antithesis/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-antithesis/</a> </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-cold-ghost#post-4668 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:23:11 +0000 intergal 4668@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I would really appreciate a story review of Cold Ghost, which I just submitted last week to the Web Fiction Guide. I'm also happy to do a review swap, as I only just joined Web Fiction Guide a while back, and I'm a little lost as to where to start.</p> <p>You can find the prologue at:<br /> <a href="http://akatsuki-2007.livejournal.com/4900.html" rel="nofollow">http://akatsuki-2007.livejournal.com/4900.html</a></p> <p>But I understand some people prefer to skip the prologue, and head straight to Chapter 1:<br /> <a href="http://akatsuki-2007.livejournal.com/5124.html" rel="nofollow">http://akatsuki-2007.livejournal.com/5124.html</a></p> <p>I'm requesting a story review over a site review please: I'm using Live Journal for Cold Ghost at the moment, and I'm very new to all of this. Also just as a warning in case any of these things are not your cup of tea, this story contains or will contain in future chapters: Sex, Foul Language, Violence, Dark Themes, Dark Comedy, Yakuza, Gay Themes (specifically exploring male/male relationships).</p> <p>Thank you very much! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/site-review-request-godwar-central#post-4654 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:50:48 +0000 cussedness 4654@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I would appreciate a review of my site. I have several stories and novel excerpts on it that I consider creative commons. They range in nature from comedy to tales of cultural dehumanization and are all set in my world of Daverana. My main difficulty is that I'm an old pro (first published in 1979 in Amazons! edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonston, DAW). I am just learning the finer points of the internet. It's a difficult learning curve. I suffered a 15 year writer's block and am still uncertain of whether or not I've lost the magic. I would greatly appreciate your feedback, since I am certain it would be a better way of traveling than following the usual trail of bread crumbs. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-cloudnigh#post-4596 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:36:00 +0000 Spinner 4596@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Anyone with a free minute willing to review my web serial, Cloudnigh? It's available on <a href="http://cloudnigh.com" rel="nofollow">http://cloudnigh.com</a>. </p> <p>I'm willing to trade reviews =) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/site-review-a-nail-from-which-to-hang-the-heavens#post-4600 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:09:34 +0000 krtbuni 4600@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello, everyone!</p> <p>I'd like to request a review of both my site and its contents. The website itself is A Nail From Which to Hang the Heavens (<a href="http://nail.prismaticmedia.com/)" rel="nofollow">http://nail.prismaticmedia.com/)</a>. So far, I have one completed novel (Child of Man), one nearing the end of its run (Beautiful World), and one that's still early in its development (Bonds of Silver, Bonds of Gold). I'm also about to start work on my fourth. In addition, I have a number of short stories which I use as interstitial material.</p> <p>I know everyone's time is valuable, and investing it in an untested author can be a gamble, but I hope a few people will be able to take the time to help me out. Thanks in advance for your support and attention.</p> <p>Sincerely,<br /> Kristina Tracer </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-lucky-monday#post-4649 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:39:14 +0000 Robert Rodgers 4649@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/lucky-monday/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/lucky-monday/</a></p> <p>Looking for some reviews of this story--it's not exactly along the lines of Arcadia Snips (there's an adult content warning because of the curses and violence, and because people who might have enjoyed Arcadia Snips might be younger). It's... ah, very unique in style and voice, or so I think, anyway. Trying to update it every Monday (I recently did a whole rewrite of what I have so far, hence the delayed schedule so far, but I should be back on track now). Anyway, here's a synopsis (also the introduction):</p> <p>"Ever since I can remember, fortune cookies have told me that I’m going to die.</p> <p>They never get too specific. Just the basics: ‘Your Lucky Numbers Are 3, 12, and 57. You Are Going to Die.’ Or: ‘Try the Spicy Pork Rolls! And Then Prepare to Die.’ It used to freak me out, but I’ve gotten used to it. In a way, it’s flattering. How many people can say that the universe lets them know the score?</p> <p>A scientist told me that as you approach the impossibly dense center of a black hole, the axioms of physics stop functioning. Equations choke on the infinite and vomit up nonsense. Space bends. Time warps. Math breaks.</p> <p>A black hole is a place where our explanations stumble; where descriptions elude even the most elegant of minds. It is a place where our perception of reality meets reality itself-–and shatters.</p> <p>For me, it’s a place where fortune cookies issue death notices and you always lose the coin flip. It’s a place where cats hiss and dogs run away. It’s a place where, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, it always rains on Monday.</p> <p>My name is Lucky Monday. And that place is where I live.</p> <p>This is my black hole." </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/recent-updates-not-showing#post-4644 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:20:52 +0000 eikasia 4644@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I've noticed that WFG's main page (where they show the top-rated stories that were recently updated) sometimes doesn't show when I update Eikasia--even after a few days. I've had this happen a few times. It didn't show my most recent update (2/21) at all in the rotation, even though, given the times other displayed stories had updated, it should have been included. My new posts are showing up in the feed that WFG is showing, so I'm confused. Am I no longer in the rotation? Isn't it for those stories with editor rating 4-stars and up?</p> <p>Thanks in advance. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/when-to-post-a-chapter#post-4603 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:53:54 +0000 H-M Brown 4603@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Good Evening Everyone,</p> <p>I've been thinking for awhile regarding how many times a month I should post chapters for Arcana Magi. Right now I am posting 3 times a month. But is it good enough? </p> <p>I don't want to post too much or my readers won't keep up and get overwhelemd. Also I need time to make each chapter grammatically and storytellingly [Is that a word? :) ] good. But I don't want to post too little or my readers will not want to wait for the next chapter, and move on to other stories. </p> <p>What's the best way to approach this?</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> H-M Brown </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/wordpress-ebook-export-plugin#post-4501 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:02:48 +0000 Christopher Clarke 4501@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I've just uploaded a very very early development release of an eBook exporting plugin for WordPress. It's not ready for prime time. The codes not commented, its not feature complete and its very very messy with some embarrasing bits thrown in too. </p> <p>Anyway, it currently takes a category, and saves it as an ePub file that may or may not be valid - I based the file it generates on something I downloaded. It seems to work ok in Stanza for iPod Touch.</p> <p>I'm planning to support MobiPocket, DocBook, PDF, TXT and HTML.</p> <p><strong>Planned Features:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Automatically generate eBook as chapters are published</li> <li>Other mentioned formats</li> <li>Saving informaton about the eBooks (currently you have to fill out the form each time)</li> <li>Reordering chapters --currently based on date</li> <li>Ability to include pages like forword, dedication</li> <li>Suggestions?</li> </ul> <p><strong>Usage:</strong></p> <p>To use, just upload the unzipped folder to your WordPress wp-content/wp-plugins folder. Be sure to chmod /eBooks/ to 0777 or change the permissions so its writable by PHP. It requires PHP 5.2 or higher. Then activate the plugin. To create the eBook, go Tools -&gt; Create eBook and fill in the form. Chapter Category takes the ID of the category that contains your chapters - will make that a drop down soon. Then submit the form and it will give you a URL.</p> <p><a href="http://upload.sorrowfulunfounded.com/misc/wp_ebook_export.zip">Download Plugin</a></p> <p>Note: Since its very very early days, bug reports probably won't help at this point unless the ePub file is wrong. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-dragon-wars#post-4611 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:47:33 +0000 Shutsumon 4611@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>If anyone is willing to take a peek at my young adult fantasy serial <a href="http://firebird-fiction.com/the-dragon-wars">Dragon Wars</a> (yeah I know I suck at titles) and give it a review I'd be grateful. Reviews of the site design and navigation (I think I've made it pretty intuitive but what do I know?), and the story will both be gratefully received. </p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Becka </p>