Search found 685 matches

by cheekychook
June 20th, 2012, 12:01 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
Replies: 29
Views: 8568

Re: When can you tell the gender of a writer?

I have an opposite problem. My male protagonist starts out rather weak, and unable to fight, and then comes off as somewhat feminine to some readers. Alternately, my wife has told me she wishes there were more female characters with higher levels of authority in the book... I can't please everyone....
by cheekychook
June 20th, 2012, 11:39 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
Replies: 29
Views: 8568

Re: When can you tell the gender of a writer?

"So how do I then stop these characters from slipping into the "Man in a dress" stereotype without simply using another stereotype of the woman who only thinks about relationships and motherhood and shoes while doing the "traditional" male jobs of leading and fighting?"...
by cheekychook
June 19th, 2012, 6:46 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
Replies: 29
Views: 8568

Re: When can you tell the gender of a writer?

I've spent a good deal of time thinking about this issue because I almost always write stories told from dual POV (of the male and female main characters). I've always worried that my male characters are doing/saying/thinking/feeling things that would seem "off" to an actual male person (w...
by cheekychook
June 16th, 2012, 12:07 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: Humorous Women's Fiction
Replies: 15
Views: 7265

Re: Query: Humorous Women's Fiction

Your query is very well written and definitely showcases the tone and writing style of the book, which is extremely important. If I were you, though, I'd strongly consider deleting the 2nd paragraph. While you have some good humorous lines in it, it's mostly repetitive information, and you're talkin...
by cheekychook
June 10th, 2012, 3:25 pm
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: The SQUEE GOOD NEWS Thread
Replies: 356
Views: 171828

Re: The SQUEE GOOD NEWS Thread

I just found out that my first published erotic romance, Always You, was chosen as a finalist in the Passionate Plume contest. The winner will be announced at the RWA Nationals this summer. This is such a huge contest it's definitely one of those cases where it really is an honor just to be nominate...
by cheekychook
June 4th, 2012, 12:56 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: The guilt of being a non-published fiction writer
Replies: 16
Views: 9597

Re: The guilt of being a non-published fiction writer

I've seen this issue raised a thousand times and it always bugs me. I think we all know people who say they'd like to write a book some day or that they could write a book if they decided to but they just haven't done it yet. These people are not writers. They may be some day, but in all likelihood,...
by cheekychook
May 29th, 2012, 11:21 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Author Recommendations in Cold Queries
Replies: 3
Views: 2829

Re: Author Recommendations in Cold Queries

This is just my opinion, but I'd recommend against mentioning it to other agents. It's one thing to use a bona fide referral (and congrats on getting referrals---that's awesome and doesn't happen that often), but it's another to try to use that to woo people other than those directly mentioned. Agen...
by cheekychook
May 29th, 2012, 10:56 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Over the line?
Replies: 18
Views: 6259

Re: Over the line?

Now that I've read the line in question I'd say it's absolutely appropriate, as long as that voice is in keeping with the grandmother's character throughout the story. As far as context goes, any reader old enough to pick up on the reference will get a sympathetic chuckle out of it, and any reader n...
by cheekychook
May 24th, 2012, 8:21 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Over the line?
Replies: 18
Views: 6259

Re: Over the line?

That's hard to answer without more specific info but as a general rule it's important to remember that feedback from one person is just that---one person's opinion. So, if you've gotten this feedback from only one person, consider the feedback but don't necessarily make changes based on that one per...
by cheekychook
May 15th, 2012, 3:09 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Formatting the Manuscript
Replies: 13
Views: 4491

Re: Formatting the Manuscript

Very little about the submission process is conducive to creativity. Or sanity. At least in my experience.
by cheekychook
May 15th, 2012, 1:26 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Formatting the Manuscript
Replies: 13
Views: 4491

Re: Formatting the Manuscript

Polymath--It's not a fudge of the homework, it's a power play, part of the game, a test. And it's an extremely frequent occurrence. I can't even count the number of snotty Tweets and blog posts about "Dear Writer, If you can't even follow my submission guidelines what makes you think I'm going ...
by cheekychook
May 14th, 2012, 5:50 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Formatting the Manuscript
Replies: 13
Views: 4491

Re: Formatting the Manuscript

I assumed the initial question in this thread meant formatting for submission to either agents or editors. When subbing a manuscript directly to either agents or editors (meaning editors at a publishing company, not to a freelance editor) many of them require certain formats (more or less) because t...
by cheekychook
May 13th, 2012, 2:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Formatting the Manuscript
Replies: 13
Views: 4491

Re: Formatting the Manuscript

Polymath, as always, offers the technically correct response. However, depending on where you're sending this manuscript there might be differing guidelines/preferences. I currently work with two publishers. One requires a double line break to indicate pov switch and a centered asterisks break with ...
by cheekychook
May 2nd, 2012, 8:37 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Does Two POV= Two Heros
Replies: 5
Views: 2263

Re: Does Two POV= Two Heros

I have an answer that may or may not address what you're really asking. I write romance and the love story variety of women's fiction. All of my stories are told from dual POV---the hero's and the heroine's. In most cases they are equal characters who both have complete story arcs. While readers do ...
by cheekychook
April 24th, 2012, 2:59 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Another POV question
Replies: 5
Views: 1926

Re: Another POV question

While there are a few huge authors who head hop all the time and "get away with it" they are the exception, not the rule---and even with them there are people who hate it. Don't do it. Trust me. I had to rewrite an entire novel to get rid of head hopping and as much as I loved the "kn...