Craft
When reading a written conversation, these phrases help the reader keep track of who is speaking.
What are dialogue tags.
In order to meet their 50k goal, NaNoWriMo participants aim to write at least this many words every day.
What is 1,667 words.
A writer wondering where to find ideas or inspiration may be advised to look inward, or to do this.
What is, "write what you know."
If you are pursuing traditional publishing, you will likely need to work with one of these folks, who rely on their industry knowledge and relationships to determine where best to pitch your book.
What is a literary agent.
When editing your work, keep an eye out for an overuse of these pesky "-ly" words, particularly in dialogue.
What are adverbs.
NaNoWriMo participants are fondly known by this nickname.
What are Wrimos!
If your narration tends to do a lot of explaining, instead of revealing information through action, you might be reminded of this old adage.
What is, "Show, don't tell."
Unsolicited manuscripts submitted to a publisher may spend lots of time waiting here, where many an intern or editorial assistant can be found sifting through potential submissions.
What is the slush pile.
If this person’s gun shows up in the first act of the story, it “must” be shot before the end of it.
What is Chekhov’s Gun.
What are:
5-College, Berkshires, Boston, Cape Cod, Worcester, Western Mass, North Shore, Lowell & Merrimack Valley, Milford/Bellingham/Franklin, Norfolk & Bristol Counties, Plymouth, Southbridge & Sturbridge
In revision, you sometimes must be prepared to cut scenes, ideas, characters, or other parts of a draft that you loved or found valuable, in a process known as this.
What is killing your darlings.
The US publishing market has historically been dominated by "The Big 6" publishers, which then became "The Big 5" when these two publishing houses merged into one.
What is Penguin & Random House
To pass this test, you must have two named female characters talking to each other about anything other a male character.
What is the Bechdel Test
The event NaNoWriMo is said to have started in this year.
What is 1999.
Many say that a story should begin by diving right into the middle of the action, otherwise known as this Latin phrase.
What is, "in media res" or "in the midst of things".
As one of the later steps in the publishing process, an author will review their book again after it has been typeset in its interior layout, a stage which is also known as this.
What is the stage called proofreading, pass pages, or proof pages.