Search found 90 matches

by AMSchilling
October 2nd, 2010, 8:06 am
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Response Time
Replies: 6
Views: 2839

Re: Response Time

It varies by agency and agent. Some say 2-4 months, others say 2-3 but be patient because it can take longer. I've had one out now for 3.5 months that I'm still waiting on, but their website says 4 months average and sometimes longer for works they're debating, because two people read it. For the on...
by AMSchilling
October 1st, 2010, 7:10 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Grammar, Language, and Communication: Ask & Answer
Replies: 30
Views: 9033

Re: Grammar, Language, and Communication: Ask & Answer

Margo, I spit out chunks of Oreo when I opened that link. I might just have to print it out and hang it in my writing space. :-)
by AMSchilling
September 30th, 2010, 5:49 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Grammar, Language, and Communication: Ask & Answer
Replies: 30
Views: 9033

Re: Grammar, Language, and Communication: Ask & Answer

Hmm... so many to choose from.... 1. Hearing people talk about participles and gerunds and all those grammar bits makes my eyes go fuzzy and roll up in the back of my head. I can communicate clearly, and most of the time I can string a sentence together properly. But if you ask me to identify the pa...
by AMSchilling
September 26th, 2010, 10:27 am
Forum: Books
Topic: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines
Replies: 58
Views: 29050

Re: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines

abc: I do agree with you on that. Emotions aren't a weakness. Neither are character flaws per se. Your point on PTSD is a good one. When I think weak heroines I think of those old-school cheesy romance novels where the perfect guy has to rush in and save the day, because the woman has no hope of get...
by AMSchilling
September 19th, 2010, 9:36 am
Forum: Books
Topic: what makes you choose a book??
Replies: 11
Views: 7140

Re: what makes you choose a book??

I admit that cover art is huge for me, as is a title that makes me curious. If one is bad and the other good, that's okay. I just need one to catch my attention. From there I read the blurb on the back. Then I open the book. I read the first paragraph, and I can usually tell by the end of it if it's...
by AMSchilling
September 16th, 2010, 11:56 am
Forum: Self-Publishing
Topic: Writer's conferences?
Replies: 13
Views: 4893

Re: Writer's conferences?

Down the Well: Great info on RMFW! I was going to go this year since I live within spitting distance of Denver, but alas: a broken A/C unit spoiled the plan (aka sucked up all my money). It makes me more determined to go next year, though! There were at least two topics per time slot that sounded re...
by AMSchilling
September 16th, 2010, 8:35 am
Forum: Books
Topic: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines
Replies: 58
Views: 29050

Re: Gender roles: Emotionally weak heroines

Agree! Emotional comas that cripple the female protagonist, and needing to be constantly saved, bugs me. I read the fairytales and happy endings growing up and it didn't warp me forever, but I also read books where women kicked butt or were shown to be stronger emotionally then the men. I had balanc...
by AMSchilling
September 12th, 2010, 9:51 pm
Forum: Books
Topic: Genre: Steampunk
Replies: 28
Views: 9516

Re: Genre: Steampunk

Did you ever see the movie "Wild Wild West" with Will Smith and Kevin Kline? That's kind of steampunk. Think Victorian England with mechanical gizmos and machines that are way too advanced for the time, but are explained using watch parts and other common era items. Hmm, I guess "The ...
by AMSchilling
September 11th, 2010, 1:19 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: What is a typical day like for you?
Replies: 14
Views: 6350

Re: What is a typical day like for you?

Let's see.... Mon - Fri it's up at 6am, grab a desperately needed cup of coffee, and stare at the computer screen until my eyes start to focus. By 7am I'm on my way to drop the kid off at daycare, then heading out for a 35 mile commute to the day job. Home by 4:30 and then I have 45 minutes where I ...
by AMSchilling
September 11th, 2010, 11:08 am
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Old Ask Nathan Thread
Replies: 793
Views: 405231

Re: Ask Nathan

Nathan: I'm finding myself in a bit of a pickle with the query process, and was wondering if you had some advice. I've been querying my YA urban fantasy novel, and so far have only received 1 request for a full (answer pending) and 10 form rejections. Deciding that my query didn't have enough of a ...
by AMSchilling
September 8th, 2010, 2:27 pm
Forum: Ask Nathan
Topic: Old Ask Nathan Thread
Replies: 793
Views: 405231

Re: Ask Nathan

Nathan: I'm finding myself in a bit of a pickle with the query process, and was wondering if you had some advice. I've been querying my YA urban fantasy novel, and so far have only received 1 request for a full (answer pending) and 10 form rejections. Deciding that my query didn't have enough of a h...
by AMSchilling
September 6th, 2010, 3:14 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: How do you write?
Replies: 12
Views: 3442

Re: How do you write?

As Douglas Adams said, "Don't Panic!" I think everyone just has a slightly different approach. I tend to be the type who writes garbage for a first draft, just to get it all down, and then lets the perfectionist take over which results in about 7 full revisions of the MS. That doesn't mean...
by AMSchilling
September 6th, 2010, 12:55 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Plot or Character - Which Comes First?
Replies: 35
Views: 15526

Re: Plot or Character - Which Comes First?

Characters, definitely. My strength is well-rounded characters, and by extension, dialog and inter-relationships. My weakness is making sure the plot has enough juice to keep you reading through 350 pages. I always have vague idea on how to torture my creations--mainly because it aids in their devel...
by AMSchilling
September 6th, 2010, 11:35 am
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: Finding an agent with a sense of humor
Replies: 16
Views: 7011

Re: Finding an agent with a sense of humor

As someone who writes and reads urban fantasy, I have to say I disagree with the thought that humor is not typical. For high fantasy? Sure. But urban fantasy is a different creature. Look at writers like Terry Prachet and Robert Aspirin. Jim Butcher in his Harry Dresden novels. The author who writes...
by AMSchilling
August 31st, 2010, 4:43 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: How much time do you have?
Replies: 10
Views: 3765

Re: How much time do you have?

Wasn't Stephanie Meyer a stay at home mom at the time she wrote Twilight? Not to mention there are those (herself included) who have said a little more time spent on her book might have improved it greatly. :-) As for me, I've got the FT job w/ a 40 mile commute each way, an only-child preschooler w...