Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Hello all. I'm still revising my novel, and I have a lot of information readers need to know quickly (a brief history of an extraterrestrial race and the doctrine of a paranoid group of humans who loathe the aliens), but I'm trying to convey this information in a less dumpy way. As it is now, I have...

Yep, Taylor, you dirty old woman, you got it in one! It's not yet my family's wake-up time (they sleep in on Sat mornings) and I let out a huge belly-laugh when I read your question. Everyone came running down to give me mouth-to-mouth. Regards, Eringayles Oh my gawd...did you just call me an old w...

What does "roots" mean? I hope I don't DAMN you to HELL by telling you, Taylor, but it means (whisper) 'having inter. . .' you know what. Ditto the previous poster. Most Americans--at least the ones I know--don't balk at foul language in books as long as it's consistent with the character...

What does "roots" mean?

I love reading from multiple POVs, but not if the author switches POV over and over again on the same page or within the same chapter. I prefer an entire chapter from one POV or (like you mentioned) the final half of the chapter or the final paragraph. Have you read Montana Sky ? I believe Nora Robe...

I agree when you say it's all about balance. One of my biggest writing pet peeves is when authors try so hard to sound dramatic or "literary" that they wind up not making any damn sense. Some editor out there in Internets land said, "Stop trying to write and just tell me a story."...

Here's the thing--a really, really well-written query can make even the strangest idea sound appealing. If you're not getting any partial requests, I'd assume it's your query.

I'm team Peeta, but mostly by default. Let's face it, right now we don't know much about Gale. He's been absent for 90% of the story so far, but I know that will change with the next book. The main difference I see between the two men in Katniss's life is Peeta puts Katniss first; she is his world. ...

Congrats, Linda! I haven't watched the link yet, but your show sounds like a riot. I think I've revised my contingency plan based on a lot of good advice in this thread. Here's what I'm thinking: A: If I'm rejected--we're talking form rejections--I'll shelve my manuscript and rewrite it when my skil...

I stumbled upon the Self-Published Review last week and emailed the author to ask a question. She replied and told me how excited she was about a book she'd just reviewed. Imagine my surprise when I saw it was yours! Congrats on the review!

Ditto the others; they said it all. I still use adverbs in my writing, but sparingly. (See? ;-) When it comes to dialogue tags, the only adverb I use to follow 'said' is the rare 'softly.' For example: "Say it again," he said softly, "like you really mean it." I choose to break t...

I do not appreciate cover art or the hard work that goes into a good cover, but I know I'm in the minority. When browsing for books, I hardly notice the art and flip right to the back to read the "hook." Out of the hundreds of books I've read, there is only one cover that irked me, and it ...

I have to say this: Congratulations to everyone in this thread for *making it* to this stage! I'm still in revisions, and I long to join you...but it won't be anytime soon.

What fabulous news! Best of luck to you!!

My best friend calls the TWILIGHT saga "Candy Fiction." She says it tastes good, you know you're going to enjoy it, but they're empty calories. LOL It was so much fun while it lasted, though! That's funny. My favorite books are what I call "Pixie Stick Lit." Empty calories but m...