I came across this list of 30 Books Everyone Should Read Before They’re Thirty. Wanted to get your thoughts. What do you think of this list? How many of these have you actually read? What books, in your opinion, should have made the list that weren’t mentioned?
Filed under: Discussion Topics on August 24th, 2010 | 3 Comments »
What are your thoughts on free-writing vs. outlining? Do you like to start writing and let the story evolve as your write, or do you plan out your plot points, characters, etc. before you ever begin your story?
I would say I’m more of a free-writer. Though I may switch to outlining the next time I […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Writing Tips on March 9th, 2010 | 15 Comments »
What are your thoughts about authors using pseudonyms in place of their real names?
Also, if you can think of one, list an author who uses a pen name to mask his/her true identity. I’ll go first. Robin Hobb’s real name is Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden. From 1983 to 1992, she actually wrote under the pseudonym […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Authors on February 25th, 2010 | 18 Comments »
With historical fiction, do you prefer to know the actual history before or after you have read the novel? Or does the history matter to you at all? You don’t care as long as it’s a good story?
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Historical Fiction on November 18th, 2009 | 16 Comments »
What is the difference between a prologue and first chapter of a novel? I’ve noticed some authors choose to use prologues while others skip right to the first chapter. In terms of an introductory chapter to a novel, what determines if that chapter should be labeled a prologue or simply chapter one?
Filed under: Discussion Topics on November 9th, 2009 | 20 Comments »
In thinking about Betsy Tobin’s novel Ice Land (register for the free book giveaway), I was curious to know what others prefer in regards to character perspective and tenses in novels. Tobin’s novel is a bit unconvential, told from multiple character persepctives (both first and third person) and all in the present tense. I rarely read […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics on October 20th, 2009 | 21 Comments »
I’m in the process of reading (actually listening) to Armageddon’s Children (The Genesis of Shannara Book 1) by Terry Brooks. I’ve been listening to it on my commute to work. It’s not a great book by any means. Actually, I plan to return it before finishing, which is not something I usually do. For some […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics on July 22nd, 2009 | 6 Comments »
When writing historical fiction, how much should your dialogue reflect the actual historical period you are writing about? Is it a good idea to write — as say – a knight during the medieval period might actually speak, or write in more contemporary language for the reader?
My personal thoughts are it’s good practice to use a blend […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Historical Fiction on June 10th, 2009 | 16 Comments »
If someone new to the fantasy genre asked you for your top five must-read fantasy novels, which novels would you suggest?
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Fantasy on June 3rd, 2009 | 6 Comments »
What types of stories did you write when you were young? How, if at all, have your interests changed over time?
When I was in elementary school, I was writing stories set during the French Indian War, the American Revolution, and the westward expansion of America. It’s interesting to me that my preference for writing historical […]
Filed under: Discussion Topics on May 8th, 2009 | 6 Comments »
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