Search found 39 matches

by rosepetal720
September 14th, 2011, 7:27 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Book Group for The Phantom of the Opera
Replies: 0
Views: 1932

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...
by rosepetal720
August 29th, 2011, 2:22 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
Replies: 23
Views: 11379

Re: How to be Friends with a Writer

Thanks, guys. That's what I needed to hear!
by rosepetal720
August 28th, 2011, 12:49 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: I really need some encouragement right Now!
Replies: 21
Views: 13124

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...
by rosepetal720
August 28th, 2011, 12:30 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
Replies: 23
Views: 11379

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 . ...
by rosepetal720
August 23rd, 2011, 11:50 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: How to be Friends with a Writer
Replies: 23
Views: 11379

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...
by rosepetal720
June 10th, 2011, 2:33 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Where do you get your story ideas?
Replies: 32
Views: 20481

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...
by rosepetal720
May 19th, 2011, 9:15 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
Replies: 27
Views: 9269

Re: Why I Don't Tell People I Write

Thank you for posting this on your blog, Nathan!
by rosepetal720
May 17th, 2011, 5:12 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Pitch Session
Replies: 5
Views: 4615

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...
by rosepetal720
April 25th, 2011, 6:10 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: appropriate word counts for books
Replies: 7
Views: 2645

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...
by rosepetal720
April 25th, 2011, 11:52 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Curious on opinions in writing styles
Replies: 12
Views: 3802

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 ...
by rosepetal720
April 22nd, 2011, 1:09 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
Replies: 27
Views: 9269

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...
by rosepetal720
April 21st, 2011, 9:35 am
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Asking about an Author's Next Book
Replies: 7
Views: 2591

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 ...
by rosepetal720
April 20th, 2011, 11:28 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: When Is Your Work Ready?
Replies: 3
Views: 1588

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...
by rosepetal720
April 19th, 2011, 2:33 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Why I Don't Tell People I Write
Replies: 27
Views: 9269

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.
by rosepetal720
April 19th, 2011, 12:51 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Sharing plot ideas that you couldn't/wouldn't write yourself
Replies: 19
Views: 9320

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...