There has to be something to capture your attention at the beginning. It doesn't have to be a big action scene, but it needs to be something that...
The Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green. There is so much happening that you pretty much get picked up and dragged from scene to scene.
Sounds like your settlers are stuck in a hard place. Fortunately humans are good at adapting to things. As Cogito mentioned, there is the option...
If you really like your opening that much, flesh it out a bit more. Add in more details. Revise it. Afterwards, if you feel it is too close to...
I usually know the beginning, middle, and ending to my stories. Discovering everything between the points, that's part of the fun. :)
If you use magic to heal a character, there should be some lasting effect or trade off. As someone else previously mentioned, it needs to be...
As Cogito said, revenge is one of the most basic motivations. Every can relate to it in some way. I find it fun to write about. And there are...
It is great fun. It helps to develop your world. You learn all kinds of stuff about your world, the heroes it had, wars, kings, kingdoms, etc....
Why don't you be the first oilpunk author?:p And what is Apple-punk? Is that the one where the world runs on I-pods and I-phones? :)
In addition to what everyone else has said, sometimes I find it helpful to watch an exciting show, movie, or even an action scene from a movie to...
Just adding to what Bell said. You might want to think of the type of pain caused. Drugs can cause a pain if hte person becomes dependant on it...
Melee combat usually comes into play when the enemies is right up in your face and you don't have time to aim your rifle/pistol/ranged weapon/etc....
Another benefit for space travel research would be colonization rights for a planet/moon/asteroid. Even if several organizations were able to...
Made it halfway through Terry Goodkind's The Omen Machine. I had to stop there because I couldn't stand to read anymore of it. It's like...
How about, "Those Guys.' :) But seriously, look at your story. How indepth have you made the culture of the people? Do they have their own...
Separate names with a comma.
