Search found 685 matches
- June 20th, 2012, 12:01 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 8566
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....
- June 20th, 2012, 11:39 am
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 8566
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?"...
- June 19th, 2012, 6:46 pm
- Forum: Writing
- Topic: When can you tell the gender of a writer?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 8566
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...
- 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...
- June 10th, 2012, 3:25 pm
- Forum: Procrastination
- Topic: The SQUEE GOOD NEWS Thread
- Replies: 356
- Views: 171803
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...
- 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,...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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.
- 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 ...
- 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...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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...