Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I think dialogue tags ARE really bad--if possible don't use them. You should probably write "Stand up." Then include a "beat"--something about what the character is doing. "Stand up," he ordered sounds redundant. If you want to be convinced about this, read SELF-EDITING...

SONG OF A CROCUS MOON Sent about 70-80 queries @20 requests for partials @5-10 request for fulls (only a few of these, however, were after reading the partial first) Maybe about 10 agents I didn't hear from at all. @5 agents I didn't hear from after sending partials or fulls. Rest were form rejectio...

I loved reading these writers' rules! Here's one:

Helen Simpson

The nearest I have to a rule is a Post-it on the wall in front of my desk saying "Faire et se taire" (Flaubert), which I translate for myself as "Shut up and get on with it."

Thanks for posting the link.

OMG--finally a name for my affliction!! I have all these cool notebooks lying around--and I keep buying more...problem is I have notes in all of them and now I'm confused. I love post-its in strange shapes and bright colors. I love buying those little planners that I'm too disorganized to bring with...

I'm not a great TWILIGHT fan--I really only liked the first book. I think TWILIGHT succeeds because it has an original story, a great setting, a unique hook, and lots of tension (will they or won't they?)...if you read the book carefully the author doesn't do a lot of cliched things....for example, ...

I think I wrote about 1000 words this past week....but between pet sitting a parrot and a truly gigantic cat (2 different houses), a full-time job, memorizing Hebrew for a concert I'm in on Saturday, and working on my frog blog, I didn't have much time to write....yikes, I need to prioritize and ste...

I agree with many of the titles already mentioned--esp SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS and THE FIRST FIVE PAGES. Here are some others I've found helpful: THANKS BUT THIS ISN'T FOR US: A (SORT OF) COMPASSIONATE GUIDE TO WHY YOUR MANUSCRIPT WAS REJECTED by Jessica Paige Morrell MANUSCRIPT MAKEOVER by...

My rejection contingency plan is usually to start a new novel. Once I start writing the new novel, I'm surprised how much better it is than the one I just put in the drawer. If I feel in my gut I've really given the ms a fighting chance (queried 70-100 agents, had beta readers critique it etc etc) a...

Anorexia. My novels are too too skinny.

I wonder if it's partly a generational thing. Despite growing up in a bookish house, my sons grew up playing video games not reading fiction. My husband and I sometimes wonder if they are able to follow a narrative the same way we are (they get bored easily by a lot of movies). They do have friends ...

Nice post. I love Tillie Olsen, too. I remember a story she wrote called "I Stand Here Ironing," maybe it was in SILENCES?

I have a new e-reader (I didn't buy it) and I hate how COLD it is...in fact, that's one of the things that keeps me from using it much. (Mine is made of metal, not plastic). I kept wondering if someone had made little things to go over e-readers to make them a bit cozier...so maybe you should sell t...

You know, I think your friend is right--which is why I never go camping with my family--I need nice motels with good indoor plumbing.....#1 requirement in life.

I have two copies of that orange beast...it's essential...though I wish it was easier to use.

I like Jon Scieszka's THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS (told from the wolf's perspective)....