Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I'm an outline kinda guy. I can't remember who came up with this analogy, but I liken my outline to a road map: I know where the stops and the final destination is, but I'm free to take detours if I please. I'm terrified of writing out-of-the-mist. Solid respect for those who use this method, becaus...

I kinda prefer the idea of that information being revealed throughout the story, rather than it being spoonfed in one big lump. It sounds like without the preface, your WIP starts off without readers knowing why the protag is in an asylum - which is more compelling than being told why she's in there...

Depends how many monkeys we're talking about.

Perhaps try to explain in the query WHY it's so important that Nicholas must be the one who saves the Queen. Obviously it has something to do with his magical powers - but how is he drawn into the assassination plot? Why is it personal to him? In its current incarnation it's a little vague. I also a...

Hardest lesson: it's okay to write a really, really, REALLY crappy first draft. Took a while before I realised that not everything had to be genius right off the bat.