Search found 39 matches
- September 14th, 2011, 7:27 pm
- Forum: Books
- Topic: Book Group for The Phantom of the Opera
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1939
Book Group for The Phantom of the Opera
To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of my all-time favorite book, The Phantom of the Opera, I'm hosting an online book club here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235564999828475 We'll discuss the book, share fun facts, and on October 28, everyone participating will have their own local parti...
- August 29th, 2011, 2:22 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
- Replies: 23
- Views: 11443
Re: How to be Friends with a Writer
Thanks, guys. That's what I needed to hear!
- August 28th, 2011, 12:49 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: I really need some encouragement right Now!
- Replies: 21
- Views: 13242
Re: I really need some encouragement right Now!
I just recovered from a pretty similar problem. I finished a book about a year ago, and near the end of it I got so excited to be done that I just slapped the last chapter together. Then for some reason, I couldn't bear to go back and fix that chapter. I've gone through several revisions, but I just...
- August 28th, 2011, 12:30 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
- Replies: 23
- Views: 11443
Re: How to be Friends with a Writer
I would add "at least pretend like you'll read their book when it's published." One of the most painful things for me is that my sister has blatantly told me that she will not read my books. Yeah, I know she doesn't like to read fiction, and she isn't a fantasy fan, but she's my sister . ...
- August 23rd, 2011, 11:50 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
- Replies: 23
- Views: 11443
How to be Friends with a Writer
I'm posting this in case Nathan still wants guest posters on his blog, but I'd also like to hear what you guys think about the writer + non-writer relationship. It should be a fun discussion. How to be Friends with a Writer A while back, I guest-posted Why I Don’t Tell People I Write on Nathan Brans...
- June 10th, 2011, 2:33 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Where do you get your story ideas?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 21057
Re: Where do you get your story ideas?
Since I write historical fiction, coming up with ideas is easy; I just read a history book and say, "I want that one." It's like ordering a pastry at Starbucks. Traveling helps a lot, because I hear stories and see how other people live and decide what I want to capture. I did come up with...
- May 19th, 2011, 9:15 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
- Replies: 27
- Views: 9315
Re: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
Thank you for posting this on your blog, Nathan!
- May 17th, 2011, 5:12 pm
- Forum: Finding An Agent
- Topic: Pitch Session
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4649
Re: Pitch Session
I have a question: I'm going to the Historical Novel Society Conference where I'll have time to pitch to agents. My book is polished enough for an agent to read, but I plan on revising it more. If they request the manuscript, should I give it to them as is, give it to them and explain that I'll make...
- April 25th, 2011, 6:10 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: appropriate word counts for books
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2647
Re: appropriate word counts for books
Like they said, it depends on the genre. I write historical fiction, and I was told that it has to be between 85,000 and 100,000 words, then a ton of people told me 85,000 is too short. I think 100,000 words is optimal, but it just goes to show that there are no hard and fast rules. You should write...
- April 25th, 2011, 11:52 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Curious on opinions in writing styles
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3812
Re: Curious on opinions in writing styles
I always, always start a book in first person and always, always have to switch to third. I don't know why. I like third person a lot, however, because every narrator is unreliable. A character always brings his own perspective to the book. My characters never see themselves the way others see them ...
- April 22nd, 2011, 1:09 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
- Replies: 27
- Views: 9315
Re: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
I've told many people that I'm working on a novel and I've yet to have one roll their eyes or give me a doubtful look. Invariably they are surprised and excited. Often they ask me what it's about. When I give them my one sentence pitch they sound enthused. Usually they say, "Wow, I'd like to r...
- April 21st, 2011, 9:35 am
- Forum: Ask Nathan
- Topic: Asking about an Author's Next Book
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2598
Re: Asking about an Author's Next Book
Interesting... how often do publishers refuse to publish books from an author they've already worked with? Even with self-publishing, that's kind of a fear of mine. I'm glad it's not a faux pas to turn around and print it myself. I thought maybe that would break loyalty. If I wrote in two different ...
- April 20th, 2011, 11:28 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: When Is Your Work Ready?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1590
Re: When Is Your Work Ready?
The same thing happened to me and I'm also trying to figure out when my book will be ready to send out again. My advice was to get lots of beta readers, so I was shocked that you've done that already. I guess I shouldn't be surprised: some beta readers just aren't that great. Where are you finding y...
- April 19th, 2011, 2:33 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
- Replies: 27
- Views: 9315
Re: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
... and then there's that horribly awkward moment when someone you know doesn't like what you write. I know not everyone will like my book so it doesn't bother me, but my friends and family feel obligated to like it and are embarrassed when they don't.
- April 19th, 2011, 12:51 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: Sharing plot ideas that you couldn't/wouldn't write yourself
- Replies: 19
- Views: 9406
Re: Sharing novel ideas (that you couldn't write yourself) ?
Guess that novel about Cleopatra's sister is going to stay unwritten (at least by me). That's been done twice already, FYI: "Cleopatra's Daughter" and "Lily of the Nile." I had an idea for a book that I started to spread around because I wasn't going to use it, but then years la...