tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.comments2012-03-02T11:33:07.067-05:00Franklin, InkTom M Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-89675973814333514062012-03-02T11:33:07.067-05:002012-03-02T11:33:07.067-05:00Hi Tom,
Posting here because my google account is ...Hi Tom,<br />Posting here because my google account is having a war when I try to post on Maggie's livejournal site.<br />I would be interested in exploring working with you as a crit partner. It sounds like we both feel a responsibility to be honest with crits and that's gotten me in trouble too. <br />My first book, which I am ready to start querying, but can still use another eye, is a YA fantasy (portal to another world thing, bit of light sci-fi, I compare to Pullman's His Dark Materials). I have an MG sci-fi in progress, but it's on hold at 20k while I polish the YA.<br />I'd be interested in swapping a few chapters if you are interested. writing (at) marlenemoss (dot) comGSMarlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17558162486383585621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-72509568670844320732011-03-11T10:24:47.668-05:002011-03-11T10:24:47.668-05:00As I've written several times, I recognize I&#...As I've written several times, I recognize I'm not the target demographic for The DUFF, and that may well color my view of it. My expectations of character and plot may not factor into much of what Keplinger did with her book. <br /><br />I think the important things are that we can discuss the differences rationally and respectfully, and that we're able to give specific reasons for our point of view. It's all part of that "social discourse" thing that a democracy requires to thrive.<br /><br />Oh, and I still agree with most of your posts, too, Kristi. : )<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-42489032209926763692011-03-11T10:13:58.942-05:002011-03-11T10:13:58.942-05:00As you know, I disagree w/ this since I recommende...As you know, I disagree w/ this since I recommended this book on our blog today. :) I felt that her snark was her protection against being the "fat" girl, and that there was depth beneath it. I didn't see the sex as gratuitous because she used it as a means to escape, and many teens (and adults) who I've worked with in therapy have done this--so for me, it was very realistic. <br /><br />Overall, I think you demonstrate how subjective the business is and why one agent (or reader) might enjoy one book over another. I still agree with you on most of your posts. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-39912894761168855322011-03-07T08:19:04.087-05:002011-03-07T08:19:04.087-05:00I remember you as being terribly fascinating and v...I remember you as being terribly fascinating and very intelligent and your writing definitely reflects that. I'm enjoying reading your blog.<br /><br />Dawn Church (nee Rogers and, for a few years, a married name of Williams)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-58114709862962149262010-11-23T12:43:20.865-05:002010-11-23T12:43:20.865-05:00Thanks, Heather!
It turns out there are several s...Thanks, Heather!<br /><br />It turns out there are several stages to The Waiting Game. None of them are easy.<br /><br />One strategy: work yourself into exhaustion to the point where your brain no longer functions all that well. Then rest. <br /><br />(This was an accidental strategy. And while I'm not sure I'd recommend it, I also don't think it's avoidable at times)<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-77962883118103583512010-11-15T13:15:42.980-05:002010-11-15T13:15:42.980-05:00I think it is impossible to not try to read betwee...I think it is impossible to not try to read between the lines of a rejection letter. I'm glad that you thought about it, and then came out the other side. It always feels too bad that we can't ask the follow-up questions on a rejection. I know that is above and beyond an agent's time, and that a lot of writers just get defensive and huffy. But in a case like this, when you are thinking of sending a future project to this agent, it would be wonderful to be able to ask what made your work comparable to LS. Another thing that you'll probably just have to let go... <br />But, congrats on getting an awesome rejection!!Heather Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699360166269376285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-51473477594158554492010-11-15T13:07:50.740-05:002010-11-15T13:07:50.740-05:00Tom, since I'm not ready to query, I don't...Tom, since I'm not ready to query, I don't yet have a waiting strategy. But I know that Verla's blueboards has a new thread each month dedicated to people in the waiting trenches. I think it's very exciting that you have gotten nibbles here and there--and that agents are interested. Nice job. Hope you don't have too long to wait for good news! I have my fingers crossed!!Heather Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699360166269376285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-70182426827355844502010-11-07T01:41:37.900-04:002010-11-07T01:41:37.900-04:00Wow, this looks like it was so much fun. I wish I&...Wow, this looks like it was so much fun. I wish I'd been there--what a time to have been living abroad instead of home in D.C.<br /><br />Thanks for this report of the event--so awesome to get a firsthand account!Meagan Spoonerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15881408113410657709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-52457042234536958012010-11-05T23:10:39.657-04:002010-11-05T23:10:39.657-04:00"If we amplify everything, we hear nothing.&q..."If we amplify everything, we hear nothing." Jon Stewart has joined the ranks of immortal American aphorists. Thanks for this post. It gave me a picture of an event that (so far as I know) was grossly underreported. I was on the Mall for the huge May 1970 antiwar rally, which was in its own way an important stepping-stone, but I'm not sure it was as important as this: a declaration of the need for civility and rational discourse. The world, not just the country, is in the balance.Paul Betzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12306447177609992913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-27419213719885095892010-11-05T22:06:03.416-04:002010-11-05T22:06:03.416-04:00Amazing post, Tom. This reminded me of a story abo...Amazing post, Tom. This reminded me of a story about Mother Teresa--she refused to attend the many anti-war rallies she was invited to, but said if someone held a peace rally, she'd be there. I live in Colorado which was a crazy place to be for mid-term elections, and I saw some major ugliness come out in my neighbors when 'their guy' didn't win. <br /><br />It's sometimes hard to get others to realize that we're all on the same team, and that's what was so great about the Restore Sanity rally. Thanks for sharing this. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-11007217985603656082010-11-03T15:23:34.701-04:002010-11-03T15:23:34.701-04:00Kristi:
Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters ...Kristi:<br /><br />Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters & Viewpoint<br />http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Fiction-Writing-Characters-Viewpoint/dp/0898799279<br /><br />and<br /><br />How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy<br />http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Science-Fiction-Fantasy/dp/158297103X<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-69297555172736171222010-11-02T22:12:20.621-04:002010-11-02T22:12:20.621-04:00I'll have to look for the book on writing. Tha...I'll have to look for the book on writing. Thanks for the tip!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-71510435028771379712010-11-02T14:45:10.059-04:002010-11-02T14:45:10.059-04:00Hi Kristi,
I really liked Enders Game. In fact, ...Hi Kristi,<br /><br />I really liked Enders Game. In fact, I picked up a used copy so I could re-read it a while back. Sadly, though, it keeps getting shelved as my TBR pile keeps growing thanks to recommendations and my access to several good libraries.<br /><br />Orson Scott Card has also written on the subject of writing. He's equally good in that regard.<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-71146819747833117242010-11-02T14:40:43.720-04:002010-11-02T14:40:43.720-04:00I'm just finishing Ender's Game by Orson S...I'm just finishing Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card which has been on my TBR pile forever! I'd imagine most people have read this already, but if not, I'd highly recommend it for sci-fi fans.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-72440316274411346992010-10-28T20:57:16.692-04:002010-10-28T20:57:16.692-04:00This: "The other part of my problem with Bian...This: "The other part of my problem with Bianca was that she was so frustratingly passive. Events happen to her, bur rarely does she initiate them..." doesn't work for me AT ALL. It is one of my pet peeves in writing. You don't have to give me a happy ending, you don't have to give me characters doing the right thing, but you have to give me characters who are worth knowing something about, that is to say, characters who do SOMEthing. <br /><br />I haven't read The Duff, so I can't agree or disagree with your review of it.Elisabeth Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962421339750272755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-87873230310189811532010-10-27T16:07:22.525-04:002010-10-27T16:07:22.525-04:00I haven't really had beta readers in my target...I haven't really had beta readers in my target age range read my books yet. Not because I don't want them to, but because I don't know any.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-84577008837493235562010-10-26T13:02:07.183-04:002010-10-26T13:02:07.183-04:00Heather: Agreed -- it's a step to take. (Alth...Heather: Agreed -- it's a step to take. (Although it's pretty cool your son likes your books enough to brag about them to his teachers)<br /><br />Jessica: It's great your mom is willing to read and give you direct feedback. (Mine would probably do the same thing, but I'll wait and give her a printed copy whenever it's published all the same) : ) <br /><br />Vonna: I think having <i>anyone</i> read and appreciate the work we, as writers, have put into our manuscripts is part of what helps to keep us going. Having our target audience do that for us is even better.<br /><br />Kristi: I agree wholeheartedly. Most of my feedback from kids has been along the lines of "it was good" or "I liked it." There's nothing like the direct, pointed feedback from my CP who knows writing inside and out and sees, far more clearly than I, where the problem areas in the story/writing are!<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-30592240986722908902010-10-26T12:41:20.542-04:002010-10-26T12:41:20.542-04:00I do have teens read my YA books, but the best fee...I do have teens read my YA books, but the best feedback regarding changes still comes from my critique partners.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-55032545793471584102010-10-26T12:20:57.817-04:002010-10-26T12:20:57.817-04:00Hi Tawana: I'll skew the study -- at my 9-5 d...Hi Tawana: I'll skew the study -- at my 9-5 day job I prefer to work with music of all kinds. My iTunes has a wide mix of musical genres, from Classical to (what an old friend refers to as ) Loud, Fast Stuff. I probably have, time-wise, an equal amount of instrumental music and music with sun lyrics.<br /><br />At home, where I do all of my writing, it's either silence or instrumental music that almost becomes background white noise. The multiple tracks of falling rain with wind chimes works as well (when I'm trying to drown out other sounds in the house).<br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-78321287035455957292010-10-26T12:16:17.837-04:002010-10-26T12:16:17.837-04:00Hi Lola: Thanks for stopping by! Does the music ...Hi Lola: Thanks for stopping by! Does the music you play have words or is it just instrumental music? Using music to lock you (and return you) into a scene is an interesting way of approaching this idea. I may have to try that some day.<br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-39054397453446062752010-10-26T12:06:28.333-04:002010-10-26T12:06:28.333-04:00I once researched an article about listening to mu...I once researched an article about listening to music while working, and I stumbled across an interesting study. Apparently, researchers determined that extroverts are more comfortable working with music playing, while introverts have a tougher time with the added stimulation. While introverts can learn to do it, it doesn't come naturally to them. I found that interesting, since I'm a pretty hardcore introvert who can't stand working without music in the background. I do remember having to "train" myself to do it though, so I suppose that makes sense.<br /><br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-74697199484989070562010-10-19T11:51:02.357-04:002010-10-19T11:51:02.357-04:00Heather: I don't think the author's age sh...Heather: I don't think the author's age should enter into it. Her manuscript was accepted by an agent and that agent sold that manuscript to an editor and a publishing house who agreed to publish it. Each of those people had their own standards that the manuscript had to meet. (Remember, the days of publishing something because it is Great Literature are long gone. Every person along the way had to believe they could make money from the manuscript or it would have died along the way)<br /><br />I wonder if your problems with "the depth of character" are related to my problems with the character being so reactive and not making any of her own (crucial) decisions in the story?<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-11669962239232670382010-10-19T11:46:06.092-04:002010-10-19T11:46:06.092-04:00Jessica: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. ...Jessica: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I completely understand the snarky attitude as defensive mechanism. My problem with it is that snark without working towards changing things for the better is just griping and griping is not moving your character forward. I don't think I missed the character under the snark. In fact, I think the character was all snark and no action -- and without action, a fictional character is seriously lacking, imho.<br /><br /><br />-- TomTom M Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168232678401202091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-67284589142411916862010-10-18T20:37:02.084-04:002010-10-18T20:37:02.084-04:00I do have kids read my books, my own kid and other...I do have kids read my books, my own kid and others. Their feedback has always been helpful and their enthusiasm is balm to an aspiring author's soul.Vonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17228707287799345805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1617178309409190519.post-58071039111832721792010-10-18T19:42:26.309-04:002010-10-18T19:42:26.309-04:00I'm not sure if you're looking at things f...I'm not sure if you're looking at things from the MC's perspective. I haven't read the thing, so I'll come back to you when I have. Being the 'fat friend' has given me plenty of things to complain about--that I can't change. A lot of people develop a snarky attitude in order to cope with the things in their life they don't have control over. Maybe you missed the character under the snark?Jessica Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405267450788581689noreply@blogger.com