All Entries Tagged With: "genre fiction"

How To Write Badly: The Idiot Plot Device

There are enough examples of quality writing in genre work that there is no excuse for writing stories that can’t stand toe-to-toe with more “mainstream” work. And I believe the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Thus this series of posts on “How To Write Badly” – because knowing is half the battle.

The first shameful technique we’ll discuss is something I like to call “The Idiot Plot Device”.

April 15, 2009 | Alex Woolfson | Comments 2 |

Full Story

- Subscribe
- Archives
- Tags
- Popular
Get the latest updates via email.

Privacy guaranteed. We will not share your information.

This feature has not been activated yet.
Recent Comments
- Webcomic: Go Read OGLAF (NSFW) (6)
  - Sandrinha: Thanks for the webcomic, I found well designed and funny, some stories made me laugh a lot. I felt sorry...
  - Moonlit_Force: I agree with the other comments whole-heartedly. This site is terrific and Alex’s review does...
  - Alex Woolfson: @EmmanGr – Hey, you’re welcome. I’m glad that you found my review hit the mark....
- How To Find Bara In English (38)
  - Alex Woolfson: @UltimaST – Ok – here is the response I got from Kanetrade. Hello, Alex Because I...
  - Alex Woolfson: @UltimaST – Well… I went back and forth with this with someone from Kanetrade. It seems...
  - UltimaST: Since there was no response in some time, I take it that there will be no webmoney option available? If...
- Free Yaoi Comic For Registered Users (30)
  - Alex Woolfson: @Dar-rell Kenneth Henderson – Hey thank you! I’m really glad to read that you were...
  - Dar-rell Kenneth Henderson: I just read “A Shot in the Dark” and I was so captivated at how it started...
- Yaoi Comic “No Kissing” Is Ready For Download! (52)
  - Alex Woolfson: @purpleteddi – Hey Keith, Sorry to hear you’ve been having medical issues. I hope you...
  - purpleteddi: Hey Alex. Sorry for the late response, I’ve been having some medical issues. : Haha, well, I...
Yaoi 911 on Facebook
Facebook Activity
Follow Alex on Twitter
- @PinkShikibu Yep. But there are still over 9000 readers on my list. And these folks are actually, y'know, reading my comics. :-D 07:56:00 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to PinkShikibu
- Oh-just so no one worries, "non-active subscribers" were sent 2 "subscription ending" emails in advance. Didn't get one? You're still on. :) 07:47:48 PM July 26, 2010 from web
- @RowanMcBride No need to panic. Non-active = essentially hardly opened or clicked. + Non-active subscribers got 2 warning emails in advance. 07:45:12 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to RowanMcBride
- @MichaelSage OK - now I'm curious (I'm someone who does not practice yoga): what exactly is the effect of someone yawning during practice? 07:43:50 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to MichaelSage
- @StreamOfQubits Thanks for the offer. Think I'll stick with a coalition of the willing for now. I love the uniqueness of my readers. ;-) 07:40:50 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to StreamOfQubits
- @AzureKitsune Totally. Now I know that I'm only sending to people who still really want to get my emails. And saving some money as well. :-) 07:30:22 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to AzureKitsune
- @StreamOfQubits Ah, that's the thing - my readers are anything but drones. I only want to send emails to folks who really want them. :-) 07:28:54 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to StreamOfQubits
- @AzureKitsune Yep - when you get 14,000+ subscribers over a few years, some email addresses become invalid, etc. Good to clean house. :-) 07:24:04 PM July 26, 2010 from webin reply to AzureKitsune
- Just unsubscribed 5421 non-active subscribers to Yaoi 911 News & Downloads. Ahhh, that feels better. 07:20:33 PM July 26, 2010 from web
- @Oglaf And, of course, you're very welcome. Keep up the great work! 08:54:47 PM July 24, 2010 from webin reply to Oglaf
Yaoi/Gay Comics Review Sites
Yaoi Creator Sites
- Fur Affinity
- y!Gallery
Yaoi News Sites
- MangaBlog
- The Yaoi Review (by Jen LeBlanc) - frequently updated
Greater Gayness
Webcomics
- Primary
- Whore of Turfan
Yaoi Galleries
- Yaoi galleries
Send me a free full-color yaoi comic!

Fill in your name and email below to subscribe to Yaoi 911™ News and Downloads -- a very low traffic email list that will update you about the status of the Yaoi 911™ series of books and let you know about members-only special offers. And most importantly, you'll receive the download link to the FREE YAOI COMIC.

(BTW, this email list is just for us. We will not be selling or giving out your email address to anyone. Period.)

Email Address:

First Name:

Last Name:

Preferred format

Preferred format HTML Text