User:Elector Dark/Conlang Advice

After that initial hurdle of getting past the entry barrier to decent conlanging, the conlangers that are no longer completely new or prospective, but at the same time not yet firmly established in the art and trade of language design, face unexpected and unusual challenges they most likely aren't used to dealing with. Getting past that initial barrier may seem challenging to a beginner, but it basically just means having to learn some elementary techniques and tools of conlanging and memorising the basic theory and guidelines behind languages and language design. What happens when you master the principles behind the IPA and figure out how case marking works in general? There hasn't been any guide that deals with progressing while at this stage, there aren't any obvious issues waiting to be resolved, there probably aren't any blatantly gaping knowledge holes, so what does an establishing conlanger do?

Well, he reads the Elector's 'Conlang Advice' article, of course!

When you get to the point where the basics are behind you, but what you produce just doesn't cut it, you'll know you've reached the emerging zone, so to say. Let me break it to you, though: you'll be in it forever! There will always be things you won't know or just won't be sure about, but the objective is to try and fill the gaps as thoroughly as possible.

Where do you start, though? I've assembled some notes and guides here, divided into topics, that are supposed to assist anyone with knowledge of the rudimentary basics in acquiring a firmer grasp on the things. Some of the areas have some decent bibliographical coverage as well, but others are just my retelling of the things I've learnt.

Be understanding, the article's still a WIP!