Writing a novel.

[x-darshee.livejournal.com]

Hello! (:
First, I’d like to say thank you to the creator of this community! Creating this community was an excellent idea, because I think
writers can communicate with other writers and definitely learn new things to improve their writing skills. Kudos, my friend.

Okay, now to introduce myself.
My name is Darshee, fifteen, from Malaysia. I'm currently half-way through finishing a fantasy-genre novel. However, I myself have noticed that I have problems with grammar and similar ballparks. In where I'm living, they don't teach us stuff like this, so I rely on dictionaries and reading. Therefore, please excuse my wrong usage of language. I'm still learning! Hahaha.

What I really want to know, right now, is the main and most important rules on writing a novel.

For example:

"Thank you." He said?
"Thank you," he said with a smile?

I'm confused, and was hoping someone could explain the whole concept to me.
Thank you so much!

Darshee.

Comments

[rosalinda-143.livejournal.com]

Well welcome to the comm! Glad to have you here!

I'm still a learner myself (even if they do teach grammer and spelling at my school, lol ^.^) but I've learned from the best here so I think I could help you to an extent... although I don't really know what your asking in your example. I know that one of my betas have told me about your example but I'm kind of confused at what your asking. So if you could elaborate a little more I think I could help you out. Unless of course someone else tells you before I can.

Well welcom again! Hope to read future stuff from you (and help out as best as I can) or maybe short stories that doesn't have to do with the book your working on because I would know the how you'd feel about posting your book here because someone could copy right, right? I too am writing a book - sorry I'm rambling! ^.^

peace.love.happiness.

- Rosie

[x-darshee.livejournal.com]

Hello, Rosalinda_143!

I know, my example is a bit stupid. Sorry about that. Hahahah. I was asking the proper way of writing those two examples. I was told that the second one was correct, but the first one wasn't.

So now I know that if i use a comma after a speech : "Hello,"/ It ends with a "he said/she said/he muttered/etc." But what if i use a full stop like "Hello."?
How do I end it? (: Hahaha, i'm so sorry. I'm not good at explaining stuff.

Thanks for your help! I love you icon. Swift is gorgeous.

[davien.livejournal.com]

"Where are you going?" He raised an eyebrow at her and opened the car door.

"Where are you going," he asked?

He asked, "Where are you going?"

But, in general, don't get carried away with modifiers. You don't need to say "he asked" if it's a question, and it's obvious who is speaking. You only want to put these in when it might not be obvious which character is speaking.

Susan and Mark shared an amused glance about the topic of Frank's new diet.

"I can't wait to see how quickly he can get to his target weight this time. It's amazing when people have so much control," Susan said.

Mark wiped the kitchen counter. "Guys often have a faster time losing weight. I think. I read something about women's metabolisms going into 'preserve energy' mode."

"Probably. I think it's got as much to do with control and getting to the gym. Oh, and there are fewer guys with a weakness for chocolate cake than there are women."

"Everyone likes chocolate cake."

"Not everyone."

[x-darshee.livejournal.com]

Thank you, this helped a lot.

You all are really nice. <3

[rosalinda-143.livejournal.com]

Sorry I couldn't have been of assistence. Guess they beat me to the punch.

I didn't really know the answer to that anyway! So you shouldn't be thanking me. I haven't really done anything.

Thanks! I like yours too. I think it's cool how they made a peace sign with their hands.

peace.love.happiness.

- Rosie

[x-darshee.livejournal.com]

Hahahah! Oh that's all right. :-)
Oh and you're right about me not wanting to post my story here.
Plagarism is one of my biggest fear. Sigh.