| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What exactly is contained on the CDs you offer?
Each CD document is formatted in Microsoft Word and contains text examples of the subject of the CD. As an example, the Dialogue CD contains examples of dialogue, use of beginnings and endings of dialogue which can be inserted diretly into your writing through copy and paste. You can use the examples as reference, rewite, or drag and drop ..... list of CDs
What is the purpose of the CD content?
It is designed to help the fiction writer widen his view of the story line, consider alternate methods of writing certain portions, or simply to expand his writing to include more interesting explanaitons of his ideas ..... lists of content
What type of informatino is contained on the Military CD?
There are several categories and depending on which one you choose at, there is miitary jargon, dialogue, characters, fighting sequences, descritions of military equipment, vehicles, aircraft, weapons, and tactics. In the Aerial Dogfight category, there are several sequences of dogfighting in the modern era, describing such maneuvers as yo-yoing, Immelman, scissors, and other methods of out-maneuvering the enemy aircraft ..... military CD
How would a writer know where to find what he is looking for on your CDs?
When the writer comes to a point in his story where he feels he could use some help, he refers to the CD which covers that particular area. As an example, the writer is trying to describe secondary characters, but is uncertain how to develop their character. The CD regarding Behavior gives several examples of different behaviors along with a specific list of consistent attitudes, actions, thinking, etc. It is then simple for the writer to pick out the type of character he wants, and add the characterizations that are consistent with that character. Or once having developed a character, to see what behaviors are consistent with that behavior.
What CDs should a writer start off with?
It all depends on where the writer wishes the most help. Many writers are good at either dialogue or with action or with description, but seldom is one person equally adept at all three. Or perhaps the writer is weak in describing characters, or keeping them consistent, or in action sequences outside his own personal experience. There are CDs for all these areas and more I'm trying to develop a character quite different from my natural behavior. What would you recommend?
Our CD subjects relating to behavior and character development contain 1) Character Traits, 2) Common Nature, 3) What Motivates them, 3) Weaknesses, 4) What Makes them Happy, 5) How They Act, When Happy, Angry, 6) Examples When in Character, 7) Types of Cars Driven, Jobs Interested in, Who They are Most Interested in, 8) Numerous examples of characters (Movie role characterizations are used as examples for their universal appeal and familiarity) ..... behavior CD
What is meant by dialogue in reference to your CD?
Many writers use the phrase he said far more often than necessary. Also, many writers fail to use action or feeling as part of the dialogue. The CD on dialogue contains hundreds of examples of combining both feeling and action as part of the descriptive words preceding or following the dialogue. As an example, "---" he muttered irritably tells the reader how he spoke and with what attitude; which is very different than "---" he joked, smiling disarmingly. An example of movement, "---" he remarked as he bent low to avoid the overhead pipe, or "---" she laughed, her chest bouncing provocatively. Generally, in real life, and what the reader expects to find in writing, is how the person is feeling about what is happening as he is carrying on a conversation. Her eyes blazed as she snapped angrilly, "---" The same is true with action. Quite often, a person is doing somethning when he is speaking. Without this description or feeling included, most dialogue is static and uninteresting to read ..... conversation CD
I'm not sure what you mean by behavior and keeping a character's behavior consistent.
In a very noticable way in real life, people's behavior tends to be grouped into easily defined catagories. When a writer fails to keep this in mind, he often has the character doing, feeling, or thinking something that is inconsistent with the type of person he has described. As an example, a person who is a strong-willed inividual, used to giving orders and taking control, is almost always a fast-paced person, quick to make decisions, quick to act, more interested in the results of an issue than in the people involved. When a writer makes such a character tender-hearted over something, or thinking or acting with slow deliberation, it is out of character; or when he has the individual agonize over a decision, it is out of character, etc. The Behavior CD shows you how to keep the characterization consistent, by listing areas of action, thought, and feeling consistent with the type of behavior the writer has chosen for an individual ..... behavior characteristics or behavior explanation
I think I am very good at describing action and conversation. How could your CDs help me?
You may not need our CDs. However, it should be kept in mind that a male writer is not always as adept at descriing female feelings and thought as he believes. Some of the CDs are set up to describe the same thing from a male viewpoint and also from a female viewpoint.Such divergent feelings and thoughts are not always known to the writer
I'm an Action Writer. How can all this stuff about female thinking help me?
Surprisingly, many women enjoy action writing as well as men, and many like male areas, such as military, western, fighting, battles, etc. What usually is needed for a women to like a male area, is that the writer uses wordage and description that women appreciate. This can more easily be done by understanding the female view of what is being written. The same is true of men who normally don't enjoy chick flicks because they are too deep into female thinking and do not include the male viewpoint at all. Some of the CDs describe such divergent views that allow the writer to consider how he wants to write a specific sequence, action, or interaction
Won't using your CDs infringe upon my creative writing?
Not at all. There is nothing on the CDs that will replace any writer's own thoughts, plot, characters, diagloue, descriptions, or actions. The CDs are like using a dictionary--they help correct errors and lack of knowledge. They do not create dialogue, only enhance it; they do not create descriptions, only make them more accurate; they do not create behvior, only improve its consistency. The CDs assist a writer in becoming better, more accurate, more interesting, and more exciting to read
Do you have a CD with foreign names on it?
Yes. We have a list of over twenty countries showing male and female first names and given names. In many cases, there is information about intrpretation of names, and how they are used by that nationality between men and women. Some foreign names have dual meanings, sometimes a well-known name would be improper. The CDs outline proper and improper uosage ..... foreign names CD
Much modern writing is crude and vulgar. Are your CDs like this?
No. Our CDs contain language as it used to appear in books. There is no sex involved; however, there is romance, All language is PG. We leave it up to the writer to determine the level of his writing--however, we believe that people are more interested in a great story line with fast-paced action, accurate human feelings, and clear description. To us, a good writer does not need crude expressions, or vulgar language to carry a point--a good writer has a choice of over 640,000 words in the English language from which to draw expressions, dialogue and description
What is the cost of your CDs? Do you have to buy more than one?
Our CDs are sold individually as well as by groupings and sets. One subject sells for $12.95, two or more subjects sell for $10.95 each. The cost of sets varies, according to how many subjects and the length of content of each. You can check out the actual prices of each by going to our Pricing Page ..... information and prices
Do you have a money-back guarantee?
No. The reason is that once a CD is obtained, it can be copied and then returned for whatevr reason the buyer might determine. In this way, the information is obtained without cost. While each CD is a licensed intellectual property, and is purchased with the agreement not to copy except for personal use, and cannot be resold under license, there are unscrupulous people about and our assurance of at least being paid for our initial sale is necessary and makes good business sense
How do you actually use the CD?
Each CD is formatted by the subject ordered. Each subject is in the form of a Microsoft Word file. You can copy and paste actual writing directly into your story, leave as is or rewrite, expand or shorten. You can use the material or sequence in any form, using it as is or with changes, or using it for ideas or making changes in your writing and story line. How you use the material is entirely up to you, and no credit is required for its use. ..... how to use the CD RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE | CD INFORMATION AND PRICES | HOME | | |
