Search found 11 matches

by zen
March 6th, 2011, 12:15 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Originality of Idea
Replies: 35
Views: 14146

Re: Originality of Idea

"There are no original ideas." <-- most often said by someone who is ripping off someone else's idea.
by zen
December 11th, 2010, 4:33 am
Forum: Books
Topic: Can you enjoy the book even when you can't stand the author?
Replies: 13
Views: 17085

Re: Can you enjoy the book even when you can't stand the author?

Sommer, I'm glad you brought up this question. It was bad enough what this man did the first time around - "Little" in the title of his book some say is an inside joke referring to a writer who really did live the wild life and who some say Frey 'borrowed' from -- but this really puts him ...
by zen
October 7th, 2010, 4:21 am
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Going out with a MS during the holidays or wait?
Replies: 1
Views: 1819

Going out with a MS during the holidays or wait?

Nathan, if one of your clients (who hasn't sold anything) gave you a manuscript you loved, in a hot genre, in mid-November, would you wait until Jan to go out with it?
by zen
October 7th, 2010, 3:56 am
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: When you discover your agent's just not that into you...
Replies: 9
Views: 4953

Re: When you discover your agent's just not that into you...

Brodi, I absolutely love this story. What happened in between the time when you got the new agent (which looks like it was April) and three weeks ago (Sept), when it sold in 48 hours? I guess I'm asking, if I'm reading this right, you rewrote from the new agent's notes, between May and Aug/Sept? Tha...
by zen
September 28th, 2010, 2:49 pm
Forum: Nominate Your Query or First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Topic: Query Critique Friday 9/24/10
Replies: 16
Views: 24697

Re: Query Critique Friday 9/24/10

Nathan's critique said it well. I just wanted to add another voice saying that in spite of the problems with your query, the end result was that I was intrigued by your story. Something about it felt fresher than the usual fantasy of this kind, and you hinted that your voice might be special, a funn...
by zen
September 17th, 2010, 8:33 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines
Replies: 58
Views: 29050

Re: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines

Sommer, just want to say I find myself agreeing with your posts. There is a much-deserved backlash from all the weak female protags (I'm one of the readers who couldn't finish any of the Twilight books). I can't stand seeing a woman standing off to the side in a film's fight scene -- love the ones w...
by zen
August 28th, 2010, 12:45 am
Forum: Nominate Your Query or First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Topic: Page Critique Friday 8/27/10
Replies: 27
Views: 30240

Re: Page Critique Friday 8/27/10

Anyone who submits to the critique deserves credit for bravery. This page has the right tone for a crime story, and I like what reminds me of the dry, British crime films of the 60s and 70s. But I agree with everyone who spotted it as a screenplay. I would guess it was first written as a screenplay ...
by zen
March 8th, 2010, 7:48 pm
Forum: Self-Publishing
Topic: Editors
Replies: 9
Views: 4284

Re: Editors

Jm, I do understand your desire to have someone outside of your family give you professional feedback. But I also know many authors who have been published who never paid for a freelance editor. And, I know several writers who paid for editing but who are still unpublished. I think I know one publis...
by zen
January 27th, 2010, 1:52 am
Forum: Self-Publishing
Topic: Editors
Replies: 9
Views: 4284

Re: Editors

It's confusing why you'd even consider paying for this if you have family in the business who have given you free editing. And you also have connections to authors. You shouldn't have to pay to "know" someone, if you get my drift. You will not get special treatment because she's read your ...
by zen
December 7th, 2009, 5:36 pm
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Old Ask Nathan Thread
Replies: 793
Views: 405206

Re: Ask Nathan

A follow up then - would you prefer the client call you or email you with the one liners/paragraphs? Thx.
by zen
December 7th, 2009, 5:30 pm
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Old Ask Nathan Thread
Replies: 793
Views: 405206

Re: Ask Nathan

Hi Nathan. If one of your new, unsold clients were to run a few ideas by you for their next manuscript, and the categories were either 1) urban fantasy series (adult) 2) YA dystopia 3) YA urban fantasy, all things being equal (writer excited about all three and you think all are fresh concepts), whi...