/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.3595300]

hey /lit/, I'm going to tell you straight; I'm pretty young, and don't have too much writing experience under my belt. I do my best with my writing, and I've been working on a fairly simple novel-type deal. I was wondering if any of you could have a look? Sorry to trouble you. Check it here if it strikes your fancy:
http://www.wattpad.com/story/4527410-the-iron-mile
also, I'm not too familiar with /lit/ etiquette; is posting certain websites "rude", so to speak? Please let me know, I'd hate to get in the way.

[Anonymous No.3595343]

bump?

[Anonymous No.3595350]

>>3595300

don't use the term pre-war, it has been done to death.

[Anonymous No.3595353]

>>3595350
pre? I think this is post.

[Anonymous No.3595365]

>Except the cross was his bed. Or something.

Nope. No. Nope.

Unless the narrator is a character in the book, try to avoid things like that "or something" unless you can make it work in your favour (e.g. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). But you're not, so don't.

[Anonymous No.3595368]

>>3595365
Understood. My narrative sort of weaves in and out of the main's thoughts, is that a bad thing?

[Anonymous No.3595381]

>>3595368

Doesn't have to be a bad thing. You can even mix narrators, write a chapter from a detached, omniscient point of view; then the next from a character's point of view. Just keep in check what kind of narrator you're using, and if you're introducing thoughts make sure you distinguish them somehow. Most writers use italics, exemplified in the following sentence by underscores:

>The was cold and damp and Dom could stand it no longer. _But at least the blood is of a bright colour_, he thought.

But keep in mind there are no "rules" when it comes to fiction, only guidelines.

[Anonymous No.3595388]

>>3595381
Makes sense. So if in doubt, italicise?

[Anonymous No.3595399]

>>3595388

If it's meant to be the character thinking, as opposed to the narrator narrating, then yes.

[Anonymous No.3595415]

>>3595399
thanks for the advice!