Tools for Authors

I'd like to devote this thread to some developmental tools for use by authors on this site. It is my hope that a couple of these tools will help wuthors to write more accurately, more grammatically correct and with a better understanding of some of the things about which they put into their stories.

I am in no way implying that authors at this site are not able to write well or that they are not capable of authoring pieces that are very good reading material. I am, however, trying to give some authors some minor pieces of information so that they may develop their stories better with better information.

Have a look and thank you for reading.

Guide to bra sizes

Bra Measuring Guide

Get a tape measure and some privacy depending on how much of an exhibitionist you are. Without any clothes on your top half, including a bra, measure yourself in inches around the ribcage below your bust, making sure the tape measure doesn't slide down at the back. Then measure yourself in inches around the fullest part of your breasts, usually over the nipples. The tape measure should be loose. Add five onto the first measurement (around the ribcage only) to get your bra size. If the number is an odd number, round it up to the next even number. For instance if the first measurement is 26, adding five gives 31 so round the number up to 32 to give the bra size. To work out the cup size use the difference between the measurement around your breasts and the bra size and check against the chart below.


Difference Cup Size
Same size A
Up to one inch B
Up to two inches C
Up to three inches D
Up to four inches DD
Up to five inches E
Up to six inches F
Up to seven inches FF
Up to eight inches G



For instance, if in the previous example the measurement around the fullest part of the breast was 35 inches, then 35 – 32 (bra size) = 3 giving a cup size of D, therefore this woman would need to buy bras that were size 32D.


This is a guideline only, the best way to check your size is to try some different bras on and see which feel most comfortable and give you enough support.


Special thanks to Undies Unveiled from Lingerie.UK for providing this handy, easy-to-use chart and description.

Everyone does it. We all use words improperly or incorrectly when we speak or write. No one is completely grammatically correct all the time. However, this section hopes to shed some light on some of the more commonly misused words in stories written for this site, and in threads in these forums.

Have a look:

Dominate is a transitive verb. This mean that a person cannot be dominate, but a person can dominate. A person can be dominated, but cannot be a dominate.

Dominant is an adjective. This means a person can be a dominant, because dominant describes that person. A person can be a dominant male or female, but a person cannot be a dominate male or female.

"Dom" and "Sub" are slang terms and really should not be used in formal writing, unless these terms are used in dialogue or in a story written in a first-person point of view.

Cannot is one word, and is abbreviated "can't".

Than is a conjunction used to introduce the second element or clause in an unequal comparison ("She is a better athlete than I."), used to introduce a second element after certain words indicating a difference ("He draws quite differently than she does."), or may replace the word "when" especially after the words "hardly" or "scarcely" are used ("I had scarcely walked in the door than the commotion started.").

Then is an adverb, mostly used as an indicator of chronology ("I had breakfast and then went to school."). However, "then" may also be used to indicate a specific time ("Come over after school; I will be home then."). "Then" may also be used in other ways, but it is never used to indicate an unequal comparison; that is for the use of the word "than".

Anus is the actual opening at the end of the digestive tract; often more colorfully refered to as the "asshole" or the "butthole". Given its location and the intricacies of word usage, it is not possible to insert something into the anus. It is possible to insert something past the anus and into the rectum.

The vagina is the passage from the opening of the vulva (the labial-clitoral area) to the cervix (the opening of the uterus). It is not possible to affix clothespins or any other object to the vagina; at least not without surgery or some really complex gymnastics. It is possible to affix items to the labia or the clitoris, though. Similarly, it is not possible to insert an item into the labia, unless you are piercing them, and even then you would be passing the item through the labia. It is possible, however, to insert things into the vagina.

The nipples are only the small, projected areas at the very apex of the breasts. The areolae, however, are the colored part of the breast around the nipples.

Another are that some authors seem to have trouble is in telling the differences between when words are plural and when words are possessive, or showing ownership.

Here's a simple guide:

Its is the possessive form of "it". "Its" is used as a modifier before a noun. ("The airline cancelled its early flight to New York.") This possessive case is often misused and confused with "it's", which is a contraction for "it is".

One's indicates possession or ownership by a single individual. ("One must have control over one's temper.") The word "ones" (without an apostrophe) may be used to indicate a group of serveral, unique individuals or objects, but could likely be replaced with a better descriptive word.

"His and "hers" are both possessive words used to indicate the one or ones belonging to him or her. The use of the term "her's" is grammatically incorrect.

Theirs is the possessive term used to indicate the one or ones belonging to them. The word "their's" is grammatically incorrect. "Their's" is often confused with "there's" which is a contraction for the words "there is".

Ours is also a possessive term. Again, the term "our's" is incorrect.

Yours is also possessive. The term "your's" is incorrect.

"Why's", "How's", "Where's" etc. are contractions used to indicate the phrases "why is", "how is", "where is", etc. If an author wishes to show plural forms of these words, the apostrophe should be removed; as when the author writes "The whys and hows", for instance.

Mine is a possessive pronoun all on its own ("That book is mine.") "Mines" are either holes dug into the grouond to extract ore, metal objects floating slightly below the surface of a body of water and filled with explosives to sink ships, or they are small explosive charges buried slightly underground to eliminate footsoldiers or to disable armor or support vehicles. The word "mine's" is a contraction used to represent the words "mine is" ("Mine is bigger than yours.")

'measure yourself in inches around the ribcage below your bust, making sure the tape measure doesn't slide down at the back.'

These are some of the best explenations I've ever come across! Thanks!

However, as one who is naturally rather more than well endowed...
Can you define 'below your bust'? for some of us, especially as we get older, that involves a margine of error of +/- 4 inches!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Desdemon

'measure yourself in inches around the ribcage below your bust, making sure the tape measure doesn't slide down at the back.'

These are some of the best explenations I've ever come across! Thanks!

However, as one who is naturally rather more than well endowed...
Can you define 'below your bust'? for some of us, especially as we get older, that involves a margine of error of +/- 4 inches!!!

---

I would take the measurement as directly under the breast as you can. Whether that means lifting the breasts and measuring or simply measuring under the depending breasts is up to you and your comfort level.

I would also eliminate the add five inches step. I tried this in practice not too long ago and found it might not work so well.

I have problem with possessive nouns – names actually!

Is this TourGuides or TourGuide’s thread?

And what is with the thingie like TourGuides' ?

And what if the person who owns the perfume is called Annais? How do you give it the possession of what ever?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redEva

I have problem with possessive nouns – names actually!

Is this TourGuides or TourGuide’s thread?

And what is with the thingie like TourGuides' ?

And what if the person who owns the perfume is called Annais? How do you give it the possession of what ever?

---

I may be misinterpreting your question, but with possessive nouns (singular, not plural) ending with s, the mark goes after the s. It would be Annais' perfume.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redEva

I have problem with possessive nouns – names actually!

Is this TourGuides or TourGuide’s thread?

And what is with the thingie like TourGuides' ?

And what if the person who owns the perfume is called Annais? How do you give it the possession of what ever?

---

This is Tourguide's thread.

If there wer emore of me, there would be several Tourguides.

If my name ends in a "s" (Annias for example), then the possessive form would be Annais'.

*smiles*

thank you kindly - maybe now i will remember

really, thanks TG

If a name ends in "s", both s' and s's (Annais' and Annais's) are correct. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends Annais's, but I think the s's looks a little clunky and prefer Annais'.

writers who take writing seriously. I also favor "Anais' perfume" over "Anais's perfume". The latter looks clumsy, especially in "Mistress's".

Another frequent tongue-twister, pen-braker is 'bitch'. Bitch's? bitches'? Many variants on that one.

Incidentally it's Anaïs, with one N and an "umlaut" on the i (should be left out in English texts - IMHO). And there IS a perfume by Cacharel called Anaïs Anaïs, so there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acissej

If a name ends in "s", both s' and s's (Annais' and Annais's) are correct. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends Annais's, but I think the s's looks a little clunky and prefer Annais'.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeanne

Another frequent tongue-twister, pen-braker is 'bitch'. Bitch's? bitches'? Many variants on that one.

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Nah. "Bitch" is easy.

"I am an owned bitch."

"I am one of many owned bitches."

"This bitch's ass is used frequently."


Practice with your bitches. LOL ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acissej

If a name ends in "s", both s' and s's (Annais' and Annais's) are correct. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends Annais's, but I think the s's looks a little clunky and prefer Annais'.

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I agree with you and so does The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It's a common guide used by many publishing houses. It recommends:

1. For the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's. Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write,
Charles's friend
Burn's poems
the witch's malice

Exceptions are the possessives of ancient propers names in -es and -is, the possessive Jesus', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousnesss' sake. But such forms as Moses' Laws, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by
the laws of Moses
the temple of Isis

If you're seeking to publish your work, check out the guidelines of the company for which your going to be submitting your work and save yourself editing time in the future.

To your success,

Ruby

PS

Great examples TG, trying to picture you as an owned bitch. Nope, can't picture it. ;)

Is anyone out there using Dramatica Pro to write erotic stories?

I am impressed by the theory of it but want to know if anyone can actually use it.

bra sizes - handy to remember that sizes change depending on whether you put on weight, and also at that time of the month.

thanks for the advice above.

i just submitted my first story and already cringe at all the possible errors my grammar might reveil.
part of the problem is that english is not my native language, so any help is appreciated.