Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Actually, you have research to back you up on the red pen thing--it's why college teachers are now told NOT to use them! I really like these points, and can relate, especially to the point about chocolate, even if you were kidding! When I was finishing the first draft of my novel, I got into this w...

As I've mentioned in former posts, I'm in the midst of revising my YA manuscript and it's been an interesting process -- read what you will into the word interesting. Last week, courtesy of Nathan's Friday links, I found an amazing checklist for each phase of the revision process on Natalie Whipple'...

I work PT outside the home and FT in the home (kids ages 2 and 5). Between Kindergarten, basketball, swim lessons, and art classes for the kids, things like laundry tend to go on the backburner (and luckily, I have one chore-doing hubby who rocks). However, I'm with the other commenter here in that ...

I'm so glad I found out about this organization. We got a thank you card from them yesterday with a picture of a cute little girl holding a baby goat on the front. Later in the day, I found my 5-yo son sitting on the couch w/ the card. He was staring at the little girl and smiling. I told what it wa...

The Mario & Sonic Olympic Winter Games are really fun. They have ice hockey, ski jumping, etc. However, it was depressing to have my hubby beat me in figure skating. He also beat me in tennis, bowling, baseball, and golf though so maybe I just suck. :)

I've heard many people recommend writing the synopsis as if you're telling your story to a child. Makes sense. Keep it simple and hit the major plot points. I also found it helpful to write the "long" synopsis (mine is about 1000 words), then trim that down to a shorter synopsis (mine is ...

All of the above. Friends give me books frequently too if they think I'll like something. In fact, the two next on my pile were given to me by friends. My favorite method though will always be by browsing my local bookstore. Bookstores are the closest thing to heaven on earth IMO :)

Also, remember you only get one shot with an agent for your book. I think it was agent Janet Reid who said, "You can query to early, but you can never query too late." I've been in obsessive editing mode for several months now and it only took me 6 weeks to write the book. I've had multipl...

All published authors began as unpublished authors. Are we supposed to believe that up until the date these unpublished writers crossed the line to being published authors that they had nothing of value to offer others? I don't buy that for a second. I'm learning more each day from a variety of writ...

I agree that it's a context issue. If only one of your beta readers found it problematic then I wouldn't worry about it. However, if several people have stated that it's confusing, then you may want to revisit it. Good luck.

I've noticed that a lot of agented authors have stated in blogs, interviews, etc. that they didn't personalize their queries. Out of my list, I'm only going to personalize in a few cases where there's a specific reason that I've chosen to query them. So I wouldn't worry if you can't find a lot of in...

My 5-year old is very into The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe series right now which I read aloud to him. He also loves any books related to Star Wars so Santa just brought him a few!

I get great book ideas from dreams -- and mine are vivid as well. I'd say those who say dreams aren't "real" don't have a full understanding of the consciousness spectrum. Absolutely, your dream sounds plausible in the context of your ms. Good luck!

I've always been a quality over quantity girl -- in terms of what I read as well as what I write. I'd be ecstatic to write one great book a year and no, I can't settle for just very good.

Just finished Hush, Hush (loved it) and am reading The Heretic's Daughter. Next up is Wake. No way! I just finished Hush, Hush yesterday! (I also loved it) That's funny. CV Ok, so this may already be common knowledge, but... did you know... that Nathan and Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush Hush) share the sa...