Comments on Nathan Bransford, Author: This Week in Publishing 5/14/10

Mira: It has to do with more than just the openi...

2010-05-18T10:54:00.778-07:00

Mira:
It has to do with more than just the opening sentence. Call me Ishmael is strong because of what follows. It resonates as authoritative only when you read it in the context of the book.

I would argue that you could get away with all three: nathan do this, nathan!!!, or nathan I want you to do this, as long as they are in tune with the style of the rest of the story.

A reader will never go: wow, this sentence is strong.. unless the whole narrative is strong.. only then can a particular sentence resonate.

So instead of worrying about a sentence, worry about the whole, and then make sure the particulars are in tune.. that way... when I buy your book, I will burst in awe: darn, is this an authoritative sentence or what =)

So, I've been thinking more about this authori...

2010-05-17T09:47:30.278-07:00

So, I've been thinking more about this authoritative voice thing.

If I say: 'Call me Ishmael', that means the reader has to call me Ishmael, right? Even if my name is Mira, they have to call me Ishmael because I said it with Great Authority.

Hmmmmm.

Does this work for other things? If I say authoritative things to my readers, do they have to do what I say? Is this a writing skill?

For example, let's say I wanted to get Nathan to do something. Just hypothetically.

Would I say: Nathan, I want you to do this.

Or should I say it more firmly: Nathan, do this!

Or maybe it would be best to cut to the chase: Nathan!!!!!!!

Just wondering. I want to improve my voice so it's...effective.

LOL @ Michele for this: "The Bronte action fi...

2010-05-16T16:42:19.094-07:00

LOL @ Michele for this: "The Bronte action figures rock! I just want to see a Mr. Rochester doll--post Thornfield Hall fire. Every Barbie needs her Ken!"

Thank you for the laugh- to that I would humbly add: "Grace Poole Playset with Mrs. Fairfax sold separately. Lunatic wife figure with biting jaw action not for use with some sets. St.John Rivers' ego not included."

I can't stop laughing. Mr and Mrs Catalog, Ty...

2010-05-15T17:59:34.453-07:00

I can't stop laughing. Mr and Mrs Catalog, Tyra's Modelland or 'whatever' it's called and the Bronte Power Dolls! It's all too fiercely fabulous.

OMG, Nathan, your post had me snorting apple juice...

2010-05-15T16:40:15.701-07:00

OMG, Nathan, your post had me snorting apple juice out of my nose. Seriously. I have to make a note never to read your blog while eating.

Thank you.

Thanks for the self-pub link, Nathan. I've bee...

2010-05-15T15:09:18.689-07:00

Thanks for the self-pub link, Nathan. I've been forced to think of my book as "handmade goods", and am working hard to make sure it's well up to snuff.

That said, I've still not ruled out querying, and am wondering if it would be appropriate to share the online marketing tools (website, blog, etc.) I've created. My thinking is it shows I'm willing to work hard to market myself, and it also helps get across the flavor of the book in a fun way. On the other hand, I'm concerned with falling into the trap of marrying my efforts to less than professional self-pub products.

Your thoughts? Anyone?

Must get in on spoof! Can’t resist! EXCLUSIVE EX...

2010-05-15T08:39:25.784-07:00

Must get in on spoof! Can’t resist!

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
They were together in the armchair by this time, and Vera plied her with more questions.
“If you don’t live in Paris now—“
“ Sometimes I do still.”
“But where do you live mostly now?”
“With the Intoxibellas.”
“Who are they?”
“They are the fiercest of the fierce, the most beautiful of the beautiful, and have completed all their training at the most costly model schools. If they are not claimed by a top modeling agency in seven days they are sent far away to the Modelland to defray expenses. I’m captain.”
“What fun it must be!”
“Yes,” said cunning Tyra, “But we are rather lonely. You see we have no designers to dress us.”
“Are none of the others designers?”
“Oh no; designers, you know, are much too clever to go around expensive schools to find models.”

Does that sound familiar or am I really the only one who immediately thought of this book after reading Tyra’s concept?

Fast forward to release date and you will see me curled up in an armchair at Barnes and Noble—Modelland in hand—sipping a cappuccino. Yes, I can predict the future. And it looks FIERCE!

Re: The Tyra thing barf ...I'm sorry, wa...

2010-05-15T07:33:56.910-07:00

Re: The Tyra thing

*barf*

...I'm sorry, was that rude?

I hate that famous-person-writes-a-book crap. THAT'S when it's all about who you know and not what you know. Talk about unfair to other writers...

Best post yet - so funny. Thanks!

2010-05-15T06:26:10.080-07:00

Best post yet - so funny. Thanks!

I want to be Herman Wouk when I grow up! However,...

2010-05-15T03:53:49.026-07:00

I want to be Herman Wouk when I grow up! However, I must ask how do writers with hand ailments, like arthritis, keep writing novels into their nineties?

Thank Spock the Headless Girl on YA Covers trend is, like, so over! I haaaaated that.

about ereaders: My son (9 years old) earned his ow...

2010-05-14T23:38:23.017-07:00

about ereaders: My son (9 years old) earned his own kindle, which he loves and doesn't leave out of his sight. I love my ipad though, especially because there's a kindle app and I can read the books my son buys. With his own money.
No comments about Tyra Banks.

I found the Mike Shatzkin link really uplifting......

2010-05-14T20:48:50.298-07:00

I found the Mike Shatzkin link really uplifting... More readers and more book sales? Awesome.

The iPad might be the best thing that happened to the publishing biz since Oprah's Book Club.

Tyra Banks also barks and foams at the mouth like ...

2010-05-14T20:39:16.393-07:00

Tyra Banks also barks and foams at the mouth like a rabid dog ... Perhaps she could do this at a book signing: Tyra Banks as rabid dog

I hope Tyra didn't read this post. She'll ...

2010-05-14T19:10:46.148-07:00

I hope Tyra didn't read this post. She'll be all kinds of upset to know you think there's OTHER publishing news this week.

And that excerpt was brilliant. Wish I could take credit!

Too bad the Bronte dolls video is an oldie, very o...

2010-05-14T19:05:18.413-07:00

Too bad the Bronte dolls video is an oldie, very oldie--1998 oldie.
They would have been a hoot in today's market.

We can only hope her novel doesn't open with 1...

2010-05-14T18:59:47.222-07:00

We can only hope her novel doesn't open with 13 of the first 16sentances having "was" as the verb....like in Twilight.

Bloody hell, that's funny! God love those cra...

2010-05-14T18:24:20.193-07:00

Bloody hell, that's funny!

God love those crazy celebs, eh? As much as any writer may hate them for being able to effortlessly get crap on the market (how much longer until literal crap is out there?) they make for a good laugh.

Loved the video!

2010-05-14T17:52:45.333-07:00

Loved the video!

Please tell me you started with The Hobbit. Please...

2010-05-14T17:25:47.232-07:00

Please tell me you started with The Hobbit. Please!

I love reading every article you write, but today&...

2010-05-14T17:11:36.892-07:00

I love reading every article you write, but today's was especially good.

I was laughing so loud in Coffee Bean while reading about Tyra people began looking at me.

Needless to say, I have re-tweeted your commentary because brilliance deserves to be shared.

Keep 'em coming. So enjoyable to read.

More celebrity books? Can't say I'm excit...

2010-05-14T16:27:01.294-07:00

More celebrity books? Can't say I'm excited about the two new celebrity books mentioned in your weekly wrap-up. Fame is the trump.

Enjoyed Rachelle's post on the pitch, she had some great points. Will check a few more of the links over the weekend.

Enjoy reading Return of the King, Nathan.

Genuinely amusing.Perma-smirk as I read the Tyra b...

2010-05-14T16:13:14.764-07:00

Genuinely amusing.Perma-smirk as I read the Tyra banks rant.

http://jostorm.blogspot.com/

Dear Nathan, Thanks for all you do. I just poste...

2010-05-14T16:05:00.755-07:00

Dear Nathan,

Thanks for all you do. I just posted some of these links to my blog. I hope that is okay.

With gratitude,

Diane

So I'm reading the Tyra novel comment of the d...

2010-05-14T15:59:50.745-07:00

So I'm reading the Tyra novel comment of the day and it is definitely the beginning of the first Harry Potter book?

But I'm guessing everyone else already noticed that.

I am seriously excited for MODELLAND! I told all my friends... who mysteriously didn't share my enthousiasm... or so they pretended. I could see they weren't sneering with their eyes, after all.

Thanks, Nathan. I guess third time's the charm...

2010-05-14T15:38:09.028-07:00

Thanks, Nathan. I guess third time's the charm. :)

And I totally have to read the Brontes now. They have much more dino power than I expected. And boomerang books... I think that says it all.

Comments on Nathan Bransford, Author: This Week in Publishing 5/14/10

Mira: It has to do with more than just the openi...

So, I've been thinking more about this authori...

LOL @ Michele for this: "The Bronte action fi...

I can't stop laughing. Mr and Mrs Catalog, Ty...

OMG, Nathan, your post had me snorting apple juice...

Thanks for the self-pub link, Nathan. I've bee...

Must get in on spoof! Can’t resist! EXCLUSIVE EX...

Re: The Tyra thing *barf* ...I'm sorry, wa...

Best post yet - so funny. Thanks!

I want to be Herman Wouk when I grow up! However,...

about ereaders: My son (9 years old) earned his ow...

I found the Mike Shatzkin link really uplifting......

Tyra Banks also barks and foams at the mouth like ...

I hope Tyra didn't read this post. She'll ...

Too bad the Bronte dolls video is an oldie, very o...

We can only hope her novel doesn't open with 1...

Bloody hell, that's funny! God love those cra...

Loved the video!

Please tell me you started with The Hobbit. Please...

I love reading every article you write, but today&...

More celebrity books? Can't say I'm excit...

Genuinely amusing.Perma-smirk as I read the Tyra b...

Dear Nathan, Thanks for all you do. I just poste...

So I'm reading the Tyra novel comment of the d...

Thanks, Nathan. I guess third time's the charm...

Re: The Tyra thing barf ...I'm sorry, wa...