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/lit/ - Literature

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2014121

The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 04:21:23 2011 No.2014121 [Reply] [Original]

Hello /lit/

Please go easy on me, although I have a feeling I'm going to get flamed for this. I'm writing a book. I'm not going to claim how good it is, or if it'll ever get published or anything, but after many years and many hours a day writing it I've finished the first draft.

Now of course, I have to write at least another draft or two before it's polished up, but in doing so I'm in need of some resources. It's a fantasy novel and while I've been original with most of my naming, I would like to throw in some mythological references, mainly names for locations. I've looked online for some sort of database, but no such thing exists, not that I can find anyways. I've found plenty for mythological legends, people and figures, but nothing really for locations or weapons. Any type of folklore and mythology from all around the world would do. Would /lit/ happen to know where I could find such a thing?

>>

The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 04:22:23 2011 No.2014124

>>2014121

Furthermore, I'm looking for a good... Well, database for words. I found a book at my local bookstore, it was called "Words you should know" or something like that. Anyways, it wasn't a dictionary but just had a lot of good, useful and catchy words a writer can and should use in fiction. Are there any online guides or databases like this?

Thanks for any help.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 04:23:23 2011 No.2014125 >>2014121 Make up words,that's what fantasy is about

>>	The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 04:25:23 2011 No.2014127 >>2014125 Oh no, don't get me wrong, I have. I just want to throw in a few here and there. I also don't want to use anything too overused.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 04:27:23 2011 No.2014129 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mythological_objects

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The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 04:39:23 2011 No.2014134

>>2014129

Oh wow, thank you very much.

Is there a similar list for locations? I imagine it would be quite long, but does one such thing exist?

Also still curious about a word-database for writers and if that book is any good or if there are any along those lines /lit/ may recommend.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 04:43:23 2011 No.2014136 Just use captchas that's what everyone else does.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 04:44:23 2011 No.2014137 >>2014134 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mythological_places bonus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures

>>

The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 04:58:23 2011 No.2014142

>>2014137

Yeah, the first one I found, but I'm looking for a much longer list. Thousands of locations must exist through worldwide mythology and folklore.

Thank you for the links though, the second one is quite useful.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 05:00:23 2011 No.2014143 >>2014136 Captcha: Mentera hounds That was just lucky

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 05:22:23 2011 No.2014151 You need a copy of Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. It's a fantastic mythological reference and really useful for inspiration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewer's_Dictionary_of_Phrase_and_Fable

>>	The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 05:34:23 2011 No.2014162 >>2014151 Hmmm, interesting.

>>	The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 07:08:23 2011 No.2014215 Here we go. This is the book I was talking about. Only thing is, for some reason the word "Inevitable" was missing from it... Odd... http://www.amazon.com/Words-Should-Know-Sound-Smart/dp/1598698869/ref=pd_sim_b_2

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 07:18:23 2011 No.2014216 can you post a chapter or something?

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 07:25:23 2011 No.2014221 >>2014215 Wow that sure sounds pretentious as fuck

>>	The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 07:41:23 2011 No.2014226 >>2014216 No way! Not till I'm done at least :) >>2014221 Uh... How?

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 07:43:23 2011 No.2014227 File: 268 KB, 288x216, puke Gif.gif [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google] >>2014215 oh dear god who would pay money for that.

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Anonymous Tue Aug 16 07:55:23 2011 No.2014234

Don't worry about saying things fancily, OP. Say things clearly. Big words aren't there so you can be a "Sophisticated Person", they're there because their meaning is nuanced and specific. If you're looking for a book on writing to assist you in making your newer drafts, check out The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 08:29:23 2011 No.2014271 >>2014227 I just bought a copy. U JELLY?

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 08:38:23 2011 No.2014291 >>2014271 i don't understand why anyone would be jealous of someone who says "U JELLY?"

>>

The Magical & Spectacular OP !!t10RS5rwL8I Tue Aug 16 08:39:23 2011 No.2014293

>>2014227

I know the title is crappy to say the least, but it's full of catchy little words that a writer could use. I think it's a nice little handbook myself.

>>2014234

I'm not trying to get too sophisticated. I just need more words that share a meaning. I'll look into that book to, thank you.

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 08:41:23 2011 No.2014296 File: 120 KB, 500x346, 1307717522129.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google] >>2014291 maybe if they misread jelly as jealous

>>	Anonymous Tue Aug 16 08:52:23 2011 No.2014309 >>2014291 >"I read books and post on /lit/. Look how cultured i am" I find your gelatinous consistency quite delicious.