tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post5736513220606781060..comments2024-02-16T02:56:00.399-08:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: Fairly Instant Gratification Q&ANatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-2110132816574032882011-02-11T02:40:51.217-08:002011-02-11T02:40:51.217-08:00What do you think about self publishing? My frien...What do you think about self publishing? My friend is suggesting I try it but I'm not really sure I want to go that way. Is doing it that way better than the old method of trying to get magazines to buy your stories?J. Summersethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209097319080508741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-65213332756188176032011-02-10T11:07:23.840-08:002011-02-10T11:07:23.840-08:00I'm a teen writer. I really enjoy writing nove...I'm a teen writer. I really enjoy writing novels, but it seems like since they take so long, my writing style and skill level has changed a lot from the beginning to the end. I always hear about writers who spend five years on their manuscript. How do you maintain a constant style throughout the book, even when your writing skills change?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16292787589249215890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-91017380338736002192011-02-10T10:15:16.327-08:002011-02-10T10:15:16.327-08:00Where did you get this idea? (It's great, by t...Where did you get this idea? (It's great, by the way.)<br /><br />;-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-40188232622170196362011-02-10T05:12:29.796-08:002011-02-10T05:12:29.796-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742911245060876005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-61338727960423626042011-02-09T16:30:02.263-08:002011-02-09T16:30:02.263-08:00Myne, I'm doing good! Just working away, prepa...Myne, I'm doing good! Just working away, preparing a new MS for sub. Looking forward to many meet-ups with me writer buddies in the coming weeks. And my kids b-days are fast approaching as well. It's a party around here.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-6850537518936490622011-02-09T16:21:31.844-08:002011-02-09T16:21:31.844-08:00Just a simple one. How are you? Your last blog pos...Just a simple one. How are you? Your last blog post I read was the one on not finding a publisher yet. Hope you're feeling better?Mynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07595087387069634003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-11665860805855001972011-02-09T16:14:58.073-08:002011-02-09T16:14:58.073-08:00Salima, it is not out on sub yet. I am still worki...Salima, it is not out on sub yet. I am still working on some finishing touches. But hopefully sometime in the near-ish future!Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-33625702350183596522011-02-09T16:11:22.335-08:002011-02-09T16:11:22.335-08:00I love the beginning of "Transparent." I...I love the beginning of "Transparent." Is that the book that's out on sub right now?salimahttp://www.salimaalikhan.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-73082133634755811352011-02-09T14:26:25.490-08:002011-02-09T14:26:25.490-08:00Rena, the New Shinies don't deter me as much a...Rena, the New Shinies don't deter me as much as they used to, actually. I think because I know very well how much work it takes to turn an idea into a book. Sure, it's cute and pretty now, but if I start working on it, then it will inevitably turn into a giant monster of word vomit. <br /><br />So most of the time I am content to let the shinies stay shiny, and the only way to do that is to let them be. If I get really antsy about one, I type up a few pages or write some notes. <br /><br />And the thing is, I always like my ideas. Ideas don't lose their potential. It's the execution of an idea that can sometimes ruin it. So when I go back to an idea I'm always excited by it still...just not the work it will take to make it something readable:)Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-89815958881557591192011-02-09T14:21:55.327-08:002011-02-09T14:21:55.327-08:00Speaking of all those great ideas you have, do you...Speaking of all those great ideas you have, do you ever have a hard time focusing on your current project with fifty Shiny New Ideas bashing around in your head? How do you keep your SNIs in line? When you put them aside and come back to them later, do you feel like they've lost some of their Shiny?Renahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02767762370997304308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-37655381026226599492011-02-09T14:10:33.344-08:002011-02-09T14:10:33.344-08:00Tintagel, there are definitely ideas that I love a...Tintagel, there are definitely ideas that I love and sometimes think about going back to, but I'm not sure if I will. I have rewritten a book, and it is HARD. It's an emotional and mental roller coaster. <br /><br />I wouldn't reject the idea entirely, but it would probably be a fairly slim chance, what with all the NEW ideas I constantly get.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-75488670535909885192011-02-09T13:54:40.609-08:002011-02-09T13:54:40.609-08:00Looking at those first books, are there any you st...Looking at those first books, are there any you still find compelling enough that you might consider going back to rewrite them, now that you're a more experienced writer?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14178623919936506243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-40747012629768792022011-02-09T13:35:35.305-08:002011-02-09T13:35:35.305-08:00Heidi, lol, I queried my very first book ever writ...Heidi, lol, I queried my very first book ever written. Sadly, I was really naive and thought every book I wrote was query worthy. Yeah...I like learning the hard way. <br /><br />Just so you know, turns out book #8 was the one that got me an agent.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-52465793817692667372011-02-09T13:33:12.707-08:002011-02-09T13:33:12.707-08:00How many books did you write before you thought yo...How many books did you write before you thought you had one worth querying?Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01901886302578503906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-74553661748853151722011-02-09T13:21:01.882-08:002011-02-09T13:21:01.882-08:00Anon, um, I'm kind of realistic on this one. I...Anon, um, I'm kind of realistic on this one. I'm a firm believer in "Don't quit your day job." It takes a long time and a lot of luck to get to a point where you can support yourself writing. Heck, I'm five years in without a penny, but I'm also blessed to have a husband with a job. If I was on my own I'd be working for sure. <br /><br />That said, I do believe people can make it if they try hard enough and long enough. Not all of us can be bestsellers or award winners, but I truly believe that writing is a skill. Anyone can learn to do it with practice. I think we will all find our niches in time.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-51516772232357300842011-02-09T13:14:48.536-08:002011-02-09T13:14:48.536-08:00Do you believe people like us can make it as write...Do you believe people like us can make it as writers before we crash and burn into financial ruin?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-54523215364178182912011-02-09T12:02:00.005-08:002011-02-09T12:02:00.005-08:00Lisa, no pets! My landlord doesn't allow them,...Lisa, no pets! My landlord doesn't allow them, but even if they were I don't think we'd have them. I have a hard enough time taking care of my kids. <br /><br />I did have two cats growing up, though. Calvin & Hobbes:) They were orange tabby cats and brothers. Loved them.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-79396525734714773042011-02-09T11:58:12.132-08:002011-02-09T11:58:12.132-08:00Hey Natalie - I'm not sure if this has been as...Hey Natalie - I'm not sure if this has been asked before. Do you have any pets?Lisa Aldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05423334732254639943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-31778246358763863562011-02-09T11:32:11.983-08:002011-02-09T11:32:11.983-08:00Liz, (sorry I had to pick up Dino Boy from prescho...Liz, (sorry I had to pick up Dino Boy from preschool so I am slow) I have not been to that particular conference, but I've heard wonderful things about it! I don't get the chance to attend many conferences, since they can be expensive and I don't exactly have the cash.<br /><br />I AM going to the Life, The Universe, And Everything (LTUE) conference at BYU next week, though! It's a SF/F-centered event, and it's FREE. I can SO do free! And for a free conference it's pretty freaking awesome. Last year Brandon Sanderson was the keynote, and this year it's none other than James Dashner, who is hilarious and awesome.<br /><br />If you can get to LTUE, I highly recommend it. And say hi to me if you do!Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-39312346415535245972011-02-09T11:04:09.413-08:002011-02-09T11:04:09.413-08:00Natalie, You have solved my motherly dilemma quit...Natalie, You have solved my motherly dilemma quite handily and proved your awesome ninja skills once again! I knew you wouldn't let me down. :)Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13658962630981643176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-15148879429666465482011-02-09T10:55:24.904-08:002011-02-09T10:55:24.904-08:00Candice, this is very simple. He is associating th...Candice, this is very simple. He is associating the traditional ninja wraps with band-aids. And Japanese swords also have a band-aid-like wrap on the hilt. So there you go, he's just describing a normal ninja in a very adorable way:)Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-36264496294236165812011-02-09T10:53:12.159-08:002011-02-09T10:53:12.159-08:00Tintagel, I'm not sure! I've never really ...Tintagel, I'm not sure! I've never really thought about posting a WHOLE MS on my blog. I've done a chapter at most, I think, and that was a while ago.<br /><br />I'm no John Scalzi, but it does seem like there a few people who would like to read my work in full. The only book I would feel comfortable charing, since it's really clean, would be the ninja book. But, well, I'm not sure if I'm allowed! Having an agent, I'd have to discuss any matters of sharing my work, especially is such a big way. <br /><br />All that said, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'd like to share my stories—it's part of the reason I want to be published. Again, I'm just not sure about logistics.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-30815333489275350542011-02-09T10:52:39.534-08:002011-02-09T10:52:39.534-08:00Have you ever attended the Writing and Illustratin...Have you ever attended the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference? If so, what did you think? Are you attending any writers conferences this year?Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10648005142462223746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-46175077727323206452011-02-09T10:50:21.095-08:002011-02-09T10:50:21.095-08:00My son keeps telling me he wants to be a "ban...My son keeps telling me he wants to be a "band-aide ninja" with a "band-aide ninja sword." Since I know nothing about ninjas (except that you are one), can you please tell me how I can turn a six year old into the rockinist band-aide ninja in the universe? Yeah, thanks.Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13658962630981643176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-22845093011480141182011-02-09T10:45:52.162-08:002011-02-09T10:45:52.162-08:00Would you ever consider posting a manuscript on yo...Would you ever consider posting a manuscript on your web site, the way John Scalzi did? You've decided your old stories weren't very good, but what if you'd reread them and thought they were brilliant? (Or if not brilliant, at least what you'd intended...)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14178623919936506243noreply@blogger.com