Search found 111 matches

by Ermo
September 16th, 2011, 4:09 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What would you do?
Replies: 15
Views: 5984

Re: What would you do?

Terrific answers everyone. It turns out that idea #2 is going to take some research before I can really write it so I'm doing that from time to time while writing idea #1. I do love idea #1 too and anticipate finishing it first. Thanks for all of the input - great stuff.
by Ermo
September 14th, 2011, 7:27 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What would you do?
Replies: 15
Views: 5984

What would you do?

I've written two chapters of a first draft of a novel. I've done a good bit of research and I like the direction for which I see it going. However, I just came up with an idea for a novel today that I think is fantastic. Of course, everything is shiny at the initial stage as I've done no research or...
by Ermo
September 1st, 2011, 2:52 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Best writing advice from a CP/beta/reader?
Replies: 15
Views: 6204

Re: Best writing advice from a CP/beta/reader?

Holy Crap Sanderling - You just made me realize why I hate my plot for my book so much. Thank you thank you thank you. Glorious. Best advice for me is two-fold. First, I am not Jonathan Franzen or John Stenibeck or anyone of that ilk and I never will be. I may love to read them but I am not them. Th...
by Ermo
August 26th, 2011, 1:09 pm
Forum: Self-Publishing
Topic: Small and independent publishers
Replies: 5
Views: 2728

Small and independent publishers

I am currently shopping a book while writing a second (aren't we all?). I know, or I think I know, the general plan. Get an agent. Pitch the book. Sign. There are, however, other paths to publication that are often referenced but I feel rarely fleshed out. What if I wanted to shop my book to smaller...
by Ermo
March 4th, 2011, 1:08 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Originality of Idea
Replies: 35
Views: 14126

Re: Originality of Idea

Wow. Lots of fantastic advice in here from flipping cliches to execution to librarians. I feel much more confident now that my MS #2 can have some original pieces if I do it right. And I hope MS #1 sells before I'm done with it. Pleasepleaseplease.
by Ermo
March 1st, 2011, 2:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Originality of Idea
Replies: 35
Views: 14126

Re: Originality of Idea

Well, let me ask you this polymath. If you're writing a mystery/thriller, how much does it matter who did it? I feel like every imaginable culprit has been used from the person themselves to a secret society protecting a religious secret.... Isn't it really more about how you get there?
by Ermo
March 1st, 2011, 1:49 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Originality of Idea
Replies: 35
Views: 14126

Originality of Idea

How do you verify that your idea is somewhat original? I know that pretty much every idea/theme has been tried before (or at least you can assume that) but is there any way to find out if there's any major books/authors out there that has the same general idea?
by Ermo
February 28th, 2011, 11:36 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: THE DIM MAN
Replies: 14
Views: 6021

Re: Query: THE DIM MAN

thanks littlebird and glj. Great suggestions. I feel like this is in great shape.
by Ermo
February 21st, 2011, 11:28 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: Blood Legacy - YA Fantasy REVISED
Replies: 21
Views: 7974

Re: Query: Blood Legacy - YA Fantasy

Dani Strider’s deepest desire is to belong, but the blood in her veins won't allow it. She bears a legacy kept secret form her, and with it comes powerful magic she can’t control. I like the blood reference. It's powerful. This line works if specifics follow. On her eighteenth birthday, strangers e...
by Ermo
February 21st, 2011, 1:07 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: THE DIM MAN
Replies: 14
Views: 6021

Re: Query: THE DIM MAN

Excellent point Gao on the word "problem." That had been bothering me and now I know why. I'll wait to post revisions after a little more feedback, should it come. Thanks!
by Ermo
February 21st, 2011, 12:02 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: THE DIM MAN
Replies: 14
Views: 6021

Re: Query: THE DIM MAN

This continues to evolve. Thanks for your help and continued feedback. I've incorporated some suggestions form hillsy, glj and Joel in this latest version. Please let me know what you think. Tim Manning has no soul. Or at least that’s what the latest popular computer application says. Saddled alread...
by Ermo
February 15th, 2011, 3:39 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query letter for "Born to Bondage"
Replies: 13
Views: 5246

Re: Query letter for "Born to Bondage"

The best way to make your query have personality, in my opinion, is to interject something that only pertains to that agent. Read their blogs, follow them on twitter or just google them, and you'll likely find something that you can use to show that you've done your homework and they are more than j...
by Ermo
February 15th, 2011, 3:16 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query - Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden
Replies: 12
Views: 5260

Re: Query - Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden

Gentlemen only, ladies forbidden? Beatrice Roland won’t take that kind of crap, especially from that chauvinistic boy, Leighton Ross, who believes she should step off the golf course for good and put on a bikini instead. Like the opening! Good voice. I'd probably tighten and take out the words &quo...
by Ermo
February 15th, 2011, 3:04 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: Of Shadows and Angels
Replies: 14
Views: 5669

Re: Query: Of Shadows and Angels

Hi hillsy - Here are my comments. Please consider for representation my science fiction novel, OF SHADOWS AND ANGELS, where Layne, a military trainee, is framed as a traitor and must find proof of his innocence deep within enemy territory. I don't think this is needed. You can get this information t...
by Ermo
February 15th, 2011, 2:53 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: THE DIM MAN
Replies: 14
Views: 6021

Re: Query: THE DIM MAN

Thank you so much for your constructive feedback Joel, falls apart and Quill. I have updated my query. Please let me know what you think of this version. Tim Manning has no soul. Or at least that’s what the latest popular computer application says. Saddled already with a debilitating heart problem, ...