Friday, October 15, 2010

Writing No Nos

Check out Georgia McBride's post on common mistakes Newbie Writers should watch out for. 

Thanks to Carey for the link!
Labels: Posted by suzie townsend

8 comments:

Christine Danek said...

Thanks for the link. It was very helpful.

October 15, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Micah Maddox said...

Great list of things to be aware of. Thank you.

Number 2 is tough though.

Editor: "Not the 'amazing eyes' again."
Me: "But if they gaze below the neck it's lust not love."
Editor: "How about a conversation?"
Me: "Then it's not love at first sight. The soul, the desire, the timeless moment is in the eyes."
Editor: "Which is why every writer does it."
Me: Sets down the phone. "*Expletive*, *expletive*. Hello? Okay, I'll fix it."

October 15, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Shayda Bakhshi said...

Oh, great link! *rushes off to beat WIP into shape*

October 15, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Nerine Dorman said...

Thank you for sharing. Speaking from experience editing, it's also often a case of leading the horse to water... Authors sometimes get quite precious about their words. Sometimes editorial "suggestions" are there to help, no?

October 16, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Ruth Donnelly said...

Thanks for the link!

October 17, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Heather Rebel said...

Definitely something I'm sharing with my critique group- thanks!

October 19, 2010 at 5:34 AM
TheBookGod said...

thanks, it was a great help

October 25, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Madscientist254 said...

That link forced a hard decision for me with regard to my manuscript. After some internal debate and careful editing I've concluded that what was my chapter two will now be my chapter one. This will allow the introduction of the main protagonist for the book series, rather than a character who will not be retained through the entire series. I thought having the villian portrayed first would make a better "hook," but as it turns out the new chapter one much more appealing.

November 2, 2010 at 7:36 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Search This Blog

Loading...

Popular Posts

  • Submission Guidelines!
    On My Wishlist  YA I love all subgenres of YA, but I'm especially looking for contemporary YA with a swoonworthy romance. MG I&#...
  • How First Page Shooter Works
    First Page Shooter critiques the first 250 words  of fiction manuscripts (middle grade to adult, all genres). You have to send the pages for...
  • Directions!
    BEFORE you send your first 250 words to First Page Shooter, please read these directions. 1. Read how First Page Shooter Works. 2. Think...
  • First Page Shooter
    There are so many resources out there for writers. Industry blogs, forums and websites comparing agents, advice from writers.  But it occurr...
  • A Peek Into a Pitch Letter
    Yesterday, the fabulous Mindee Arnett posted her query as well as some query tips which she felt helped her find me and get my attention. ...
  • The Truth About Feedback
    I imagine most agents start the way I did, and by that I mean eager and wide eyed, ready to dive into the slush pile and find The Next Big T...
  • The Truth About Dead Genres
    I opened my email this weekend and found a question from a writer--one that a lot of people are probably asking. I am a follower of your b...
  • Alice Sebold's Memoir, Lucky
    After finishing The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, I felt awestruck by her brilliant writing ability. She spun a haunting and heartbreaking...
  • Comments!
    Feel free to comment and add your own thoughts to First Page Shooter posts. Just keep in mind negative comments like "lame" or &qu...
  • And it's official!
    I've moved agencies. I'm now a full time agent at Nancy Coffey Literary , and I couldn't be happier. Feel free to check out my b...

Five Random Things About Suzie

1. I drink so much orange soda, it's probably running through my veins. I've been known to go through a twelve pack of diet sunkist in a day.

2. I'm legitimately nocturnal (or a vampire). I will be so exhausted at two pm that I'm falling asleep standing up - it has happened before, at Six Flags no less - but as soon as the sun goes down I'm wide awake.

3. I have a gorgeous unused $6000 Reem Acra wedding dress hanging in my closet, and it showed up on my doorstep the same day my (now ex) fiance broke up with me. And thank God for that. I wouldn't have wanted to waste that dress on him.

4. Social anxiety plagues me daily. I write a script and practice in front of the mirror when I have to make a phone call, but most people who interact with me have no idea how nervous I am (or perhaps they lie) because I've worked so hard to try to overcome it.

5. I'm actually worried that I will never love my children (when I do have them in the far off future) as much as I love my dogs. I just like animals better than people - they're sweet and innocent and soft and furry - is that so wrong?