Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.
You had me at hello.
Life is like a box of chocolates.
Luke, I am your father.
Every year, a handful of movie quotes become integrated into popular culture. What is it about them that makes them so memorable? Is it just that they bring up fond memories of the movie, or is there something about their structure that make them more likely to be remembered and passed on? A recent study from computer scientists at Cornell sheds some light on this.
Why I Signed With a Traditional Publisher
In April 2011, I had a conversation with my dad about changes in the publishing industry and what to do with my manuscript MIDNIGHT THIEF. By the end of our discussion, I’d decided to self publish.
My writer’s group was supportive, but suggested I query a few agents to keep my options open. Sounded reasonable, so I mailed some queries while I sent the manuscript to one last round of beta readers, figuring I wouldn’t lose time this way. Seventeen days later, I had five offers of representation and a lot of thinking to do.
As most of you know, I did end up signing with an agent and selling my book to Disney-Hyperion. Since I hang out a lot with indie authors, people have asked me why I went traditional. So I thought I'd outline my reasons here.
My writer’s group was supportive, but suggested I query a few agents to keep my options open. Sounded reasonable, so I mailed some queries while I sent the manuscript to one last round of beta readers, figuring I wouldn’t lose time this way. Seventeen days later, I had five offers of representation and a lot of thinking to do.
As most of you know, I did end up signing with an agent and selling my book to Disney-Hyperion. Since I hang out a lot with indie authors, people have asked me why I went traditional. So I thought I'd outline my reasons here.
Bid on a Group Critique from Me and Other 2014 Debut Authors to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims
It's been a crazy week, with Hurricane Sandy. I hope this blog post finds you all well and safe. In an effort to help with the relief efforts, Jennifer Malone is organizing an auction of reading and writing related items to benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. A group of 2014 Debut Authors (including me!) have teamed together to donate a group critique package.
If you win the package:
Two authors will critique your query
Three authors will critique your first 10 pages. (I'll be one of them)
Plus, a 20 minute Skype chat with three authors about publishing, writing, anything else.
The auction runs from now until Wednesday, November 7. Check it out if you want more details on the authors involved (They are fabulous!), and also look through the other very cool items offered!
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
If you win the package:
Two authors will critique your query
Three authors will critique your first 10 pages. (I'll be one of them)
Plus, a 20 minute Skype chat with three authors about publishing, writing, anything else.
The auction runs from now until Wednesday, November 7. Check it out if you want more details on the authors involved (They are fabulous!), and also look through the other very cool items offered!
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
On Kissing (I Think Deeply About Making Out so You Don’t Have To!)
My first round revisions for MIDNIGHT THIEF involved ramping up a romance arc. Specifically, this required MOAR KISSING.
And it was kind of difficult.
Okay, okay, I know this is hard to believe, given the hot and heavy action MIT neuroscientists get on a daily basis, but really truly, it was. Maybe it says something about me that I wrote five unique fight scenes in my novel, but by my second kiss scene, things were already starting to feel repetitive.
(Those tempted to explain in the comments section exactly what that says about me, do so at your own risk. Did I mention that I write a lot of murder scenes? :-P)
I'm Back! And in LA!
Hi everyone,
Long time no see! A lot has happened since my last blog entry. I defended my dissertation in mid-September, and after that, promptly jumped into a car with my husband for a cross-country drive to our new home in Los Angeles. So now we're settling down -- him at his new job, and me in my new life as a freelance science writer/novelist. In the next few weeks, I'll be working on getting the blog back up to speed. In the meantime, how are you? And for those of you familiar with the Los Angeles area/writing community, any tips for things to do, places to see?
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
Long time no see! A lot has happened since my last blog entry. I defended my dissertation in mid-September, and after that, promptly jumped into a car with my husband for a cross-country drive to our new home in Los Angeles. So now we're settling down -- him at his new job, and me in my new life as a freelance science writer/novelist. In the next few weeks, I'll be working on getting the blog back up to speed. In the meantime, how are you? And for those of you familiar with the Los Angeles area/writing community, any tips for things to do, places to see?
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
Why "Please and Thank You" Mean Different Things in American and Britain
Hello all. I recently completed a dissertation draft and I'm taking a quick breather before I dive back in to prepare for my defense. So no actual blog entry, but I wanted to direct your attention to an interesting article written by an American linguist living in the UK. It's about words like "please" and "thank you," and how they mean different things in the two different cultures. It's a fascinating article (the video is worth watching as well), and useful to writers for understanding the interaction between culture and language. Go take a look!
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
Hope you enjoyed this post! To get regular updates from this blog, use the subscription options on the sidebar.
How To Market Your Book At Cons
Guest post by Bryan Thomas Schmidt.
So, you’ve done all the research. Whether from online sites like Locus, or a general search for science fiction convention lists like this or this, through word of mouth or reading the back of Asimovs and Analog, you’ve identified several Cons for which the stars seem aligned (locations, dates, guests, size, costs, themes, etc. all seem to fit your needs, wants and schedule. Great. But hold on a minute. Before you make contact, first things first. And the first thing here is you need a good bio.
A good bio should be short but highlight the key things which would make you desirable as a panelist/guest and attendee.
Let’s start with mine:
So, you’ve done all the research. Whether from online sites like Locus, or a general search for science fiction convention lists like this or this, through word of mouth or reading the back of Asimovs and Analog, you’ve identified several Cons for which the stars seem aligned (locations, dates, guests, size, costs, themes, etc. all seem to fit your needs, wants and schedule. Great. But hold on a minute. Before you make contact, first things first. And the first thing here is you need a good bio.
A good bio should be short but highlight the key things which would make you desirable as a panelist/guest and attendee.
Let’s start with mine:
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