Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Maybe start with chapter one. It's more digestible, which should garner you more readers, and the comments will likely be easier for you to read. Then you can add subsequent chapters. Alternatively, if you have a website, you can post a link and put the whole thing up if that format is easier on the...

Now, then, the second appearance by this shade: ===== I was left on that cold floor for time beyond counting. I sat there next to myself for a long time. I was shocked that the end could be such a simple thing. Was there nothing left to do but watch myself decompose? I could hear you as you came an...

Presumably all the agents you will be submitting to will represent the genre you are writing in, so if you wish to personalize the query beyond that, I suggest saying "I saw that you represented soandso and/or suchandsuch and thought you might be interested in my novel: title ." Alternativ...

Toss up between Arrested Development and Lost.

Also, anyone remember Sports Night or NBC's not-hits Manimal and Misfits of Science?

I can't stare at this any longer. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback! Dear Agent, In the aftermath of the horrific car accident that killed her sister and nearly took her life, Sasha Bennett roams the streets at night, unable to make herself seen or heard, wondering if she’s dreaming, sleep...

If this is 1st person and her thoughts are not italicized, then you should probably italicize the letter, which makes sense if it's from an other POV anyway. Any, please note that, in the (near?) future, color to differentiate characters or actions WILL be possible. Change? *cringe* I don't feel so ...

I find that more complex stories, where you want to give time and voice to multiple, significant characters, are best told in 3rd person. Especially when they will most likely be intersecting (enemies) rather than interacting (friends/love interests). Yes, multiple POVs in first person can be done e...

Bcomet, I like your opening sentence. I give it an 8 out of 10 (totally random, since I didn't take the time to decide what the scale is based on) for simple yet interesting. Such a line tells me that...wait for it...there is a story coming. First line from my WIP urban fantasy: "Someone I didn...

My understanding is that they can be helpful, especially when you're cold-querying. They show that you are productive and that you have passed through an editor's screening process. Now, having said that, writing a good short story is a bit different from writing a novel, but is an excellent exercis...

I'm going out on a limb and saying that, even though we're not yet to OT, this is the best Hockey Game (best tournament, really) in 30 years. Other Olympic highlights: Slovakian attempt at comeback against Canada Russia vs Czech Republic Ladies Gold Medal Hockey game Johnny Weir's classy response af...

First, congratulations! I've been reading advice on chapter format. First, the chapter breaks need to be there for a reason, not just a break every X number of pages of so. Does one end a scene/location and the next start something slightly different? Is there any suspense at the end, urging (or coe...

Most (if not all) of Haruki Murakami's books have been translated into English, and I've read a good number of them. Some fantastic translation, as well, since his style and stories can be rather difficult for the casual reader. Italo Calvino has been well-translated as well. I don't know of any boo...

Going with theory #2 - alternative. I'm thinking it's kind of like when Desmond was caught in two different timelines, and each character may have to choose which time/place to stay in, although the additional interactions between characters after the plane lands in LAX is interesting. Also, what's ...