Welcome to my guestbook. You are invited to leave comments here. I will read them as I’m able, and respond as I can.
I cannot respond to all posts.
I found this at Seth Godin’s blog, and thought you might find it fun. It’s a web app that will take an author, make a web service call to Amazon.com and build the author’s name using the book cover images it finds. Not very practical, but certainly a fun idea that works well with your name–as well as any author who has as many books in print as you. Amazon returns 49 results for you.
http://amaztype.tha.jp/US/Books/Author?q=Holly%20Lisle
Chris Howard
the0phrastus.typepad.com
Kim Owen Smith
paleomodern@sbcglobal.net
"Yes, I’m write!"
After finding your “rant” about “the price of a bed” (or
something like that was the title) through a link on Jerry
Pournelles Blog, I am in awe of you. You wrote what I could not
even quite put into thoughts, I have been so angry. You are truly
my hero. Hey, are you married?
Thank you for your kind words.
And we’re celebrating our tenth year together this year.
you r a very gud writer.. i love ur novels specially the midnight rain.. i have read many of ur novels and i really like them..
thanks 4 inspiring me..
i saw this site wen i was searchin ‘how-to-make-a-novel’ and as ive expected dis website is really worth visiting!.. im about to finish a novel by next month.. its entitled as extraordinarily ordinary.. du u think its nice?
—
-love_hann_099@yahoo.com-
You are probably smart to have disabled comments- I honestly think there are folks with nothing better to do than troll the web, looking for places to post poisen. I wouldn’t give them a second thought.
I am a writer as well, though primarily of children’s books (just got agented too yeah!!). I have tried my hand at fantasy aimed primarily at women, but no successes there yet – I will hit that head on one day *grin*.
Good luck to you Holly, in everything. I admire you and when people ask me who my favs are, you are in the top five. I wouldn’t mind being like you when I grow up.
Anonymous on
Wednesday, January 05 2005 @ 02:41 PM CST
How did you install CaRP? I tried and it never worked properly. I saw you use it for the newsfeed on your home page, so if you wouldn’t mind telling me how you installed it, I’d appreciate it.
I’ve been keeping up with your blog a lot lately. I really liked where you explained your plan for the new year. I had been wondering about how long it took to write a novel and how to translate the word count. Thanks very much for that info.
It’s my resolution to move from game writing into fiction writing this year. I know I’ll have a long learning curve, but there’s no better time than the present to get started. I’m used to the word counts, but tying a story together is going to be new for me.
Anyway, thanks for the blog and the good reads. I wish you the best in your endeavors this year!
Christina Stiles
also are any of your books available in the uk?
love the site, love the blog
-Sally
Your site and diary are truly an inspiration.
I enjoyed Midnight Fire and would not have discovered it unless I had discovered your site. I’m looking forward to the release of Last Girl Dancing.
Keep up the hard work. You deserve the recognition you are receiving and I look forward to one day seeing your books in the top 10 of the bestseller’s list.
TS
This site is also the most noble effort that I have witnessed of an author making herself accessible to her fans.
This blog is very inspirational, just as your articles are. So if you’re going to do an article about Synopsis, I can’t wait to read it! I’ve been looking into that quite a bit lately… I’ve got several first draft books written that I’ll be revising this year and looking at submitting (fingers crossed!) so every little bit of synopsis-help helps!
Congrats on the French rights for MR. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to reading LAST GIRL STANDING. I read what you went through to get that out of your system, and EVERYONE should buy that book…
Anyway, I just wanted to leave a little something to let you know that not only is your insight wonderful, articles very helpful BUT your books are terrific!
Have a GREAT day Holly.
zette on
Thursday, January 06 2005 @ 11:42 PM CST
Looks like the writing part of life is going pretty well for you. I’m having a dismal start to the year, but I’m sure it will pick up once I thaw my brain back out. It’s cold here!
Hope 2005 goes well for you.
Zette
-Evan
pkurilla on
Friday, January 07 2005 @ 03:30 PM CST
"Solicited material" can be material sent (a) after a postive response to a query letter, (b) that you talked to the editor or agent about at a convention and they said "sure, send it along", or (c) that the editor or agent calls you up and says "we’d like a proposal on XX".
There are other circumstances, of course, but IMO, these are the most common.
pkurilla on
Friday, January 07 2005 @ 03:34 PM CST
Thank you again for sharing so much of your writing life with the rest of us. This aspiring author appreciates it a LOT.
Joely
I thought you’d be amused to know that Midnight Rain is the first romance category novel I’ve ever bought – dragged in by reading the first three chapters on this site. I enjoyed it a fair amount, I have to say.
Wishing you at least fresh water, and a sharp edge.
blogging business, Holly. I discovered your last blog about one week
before you put it on hiatus and I proceeded to read all of it. This site has
truly become a touchstone for me and reading along with your trials,
tribulations, lows & highs, is always helpful, inspirational and
motivational.
I’m terribly curious about this pseudonymous novel you’re writing. Very
mysterious. Personally, I think you should pitch a "how-to-write" book as
well. If anyone should write one of those, I think you’re the gal. Mugging
the Muse is too good to just give away for free. 😉 Not that I’m
complaining, of course.
Now I must get back to my procrastination…
Michelle 🙂
To TinaK, talisbury, JenThePen, SamR, Yolanda, pkurilla, joelysue, and HughSider — I’m glad I can be here. I’ve discovered that I’m more productive when I do a public writing diary because it forces me to remember that people I know are waiting to read the books I’ve written. It keeps my readers from being faceless to me. Knowing that you’re out there gives me a little extra daily push. Thank you for BEING out there, for stopping by, for reminding me what I’m doing, and for whom.
To The Anonymous CARP Questioner — I didn’t do anything special. I followed the instructions they gave for setting the thing up, and it worked. As for how I get my CARP reader to put itself on the front page of my site, I do it as its own separate page, then include it as a Server-Side Include. (If you’re not sure how to do that, google for Server-Side Include or SSI. You have to have access to the inner workings of your site, or have a provider who will set up your pages to permit SSI. If you don’t, I recommend my host, Jatol.)
To Christina and Shay — The synopsis article is on hold until I have a day or two where I hit my wordcount early rather than late. I’ll get to it. But I don’t know when. As for books available in the UK, I think so. The SECRET TEXTS trilogy was published there, and I know some of my other work has been distributed there. As to what you might find on the shelves or available on order at the moment, though, I don’t know. No one keeps writers up on this information, sadly.
To zette — <waving frantically back> — I thought LAST year was the year. Boy, this year is REALLY the year. <shaking head>
To ibrowsevan — pkurilla has it right. Solicited material is what an editor or agent asks you for, unsolicited material is what you send off in hopes of getting an invite. Books with addresses and guidelines are available. In general and with very few exceptions, the only acceptable unsolicited material these days when trying to sell your novel is the cover-letter-plus-synopsis package.
And to Michelle — the pseudonymous novel is, indeed, mysterious. I will never be able to claim to have written it, and it will never be attached to my website in any way. I will make it a good book, but from the moment it leaves my desk, it will not be mine. Think of this project as the writer version of surrogate parenthood. You only go through that much pain for love or money. In my case, it’s money.
And my agent nearly fainted when I suggested doing a writing book. This would, apparently, do such evil things to my numbers that we are going to have to wait until I am Dean Koontz’s twin sister before I can do one. I do not recommend that you hold your breath. <g>
TuPari on
Tuesday, January 18 2005 @ 02:09 AM CST
Also, it seems that you and Sheila added to the “blog revolution” – if you don’t already know, the miscarriage bill has been withdrawn.
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=80370&ran=43780
The jerk who proposed this legislation was surprised at the reponse from the blog community: “They never talked to me prior to going on the Web,†he said. “I was absolutely mistreated on this.â€
Ah gee … poor guy … it’s tough being a legislator, ain’t it?
You did the State of Virginia and possibly the entire country a real favor with that post, Holly.
HAWKSPAR’s great, BTW. Now I have another title on my "Damn, I wish I could buy this one right now!" list. Thanks a lot! 🙂
Just wanted to recommend a great series on writing tools: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=76274&sid=2#series It’s geared toward journalists, but I’ve found it incredibly helpful in fiction as well, since Clark uses plain English and much of the same terminology. He updates weekly and will continue until he hits 50 tools.
Also want to add my thanks for a great site and a great blog. It’s such a help to know I’m not alone in this writing for a living thing!
[And the included blog plug, because I have no shame:
http://lraven.blogspot.com/
In case anybody is interested in reading about a frustrated high school student attempting to write one monster of a novel.]
-laurenraven
firehorse on
Thursday, January 13 2005 @ 08:39 PM CST
We traded emails last year and you told me about Forward Motion. Since then I’ve been trying to finish the second book of my fantasy trilogy, and I’m finally within a breath of having that done and sent off to my agent. Hats off to you and the other authors who manage more than one book a year! I read your blog from time to time just to see how you’re doing. Your determination is inspiring to writers at any stage of the game.
I’ve started a writing-related blog at khurley.blogspot.com. Other than that, I’ve been eating, sleeping, dreaming the novel I’m working on and struggling to balance all other aspects of life at the same time. It’s been interesting, in both the literal and the Chinese sense.
Best of luck with 2005 and with all your new projects.
—
Kathy Hurley
WinterWolf on
Sunday, January 16 2005 @ 03:48 PM CST
I just wanted to say that your workshops are really helpful and that you are an inspiration for me. I hope to one day finish one of my novels.
Thanks, I wish you success on your upcoming works.
I particularly want to applaud you, Holly, for mentioning in your article on a writer’s education how useless university-level writing courses can be. I actually have an MFA, so I have some experience in this. All that was taught in my (typical, I think) program was snobbery, particularly about authors who make a living at their writing, whose taste happen to match the common readers’ (and, not coincidentally, the tastes of poor and working class readers are considered the most execrable of all), or who write in the genres. You’d think plot and scene and drama were some sign of moral failure, the way they’re belittled in these programs. Creative writing programs can turn out bitter critics, but seldom writers. An aspiring writer would learn far more by reading your articles, taking them to heart, and writing every day.
btw, holly, I don’t know how you do 3000 words/day, day in and out. I can manage half that for three months or so then need a break of a couple weeks. You’re a production goddess!
tjosban on
Tuesday, January 25 2005 @ 11:01 AM CST
I am currently working on my first novel and have several other ideas waiting in the wings. Your blog is informative and helpful for those looking for insights into a writer’s life.
Thank you for all that you have done – Tori
a) Thank you for your writing articles and blog – like everyone else, I find them hugely useful. Your articles really helped me get my first novel finished and revised.
b) If you need help checking any sailing facts, my husband has done a great deal of sailing in boats of most sizes (but not square-rigged) in European waters (we’re English). I owe you an awful lot for your website, and I’d be happy to pay a little fraction of it back by asking him anything you wanted to know. I don’t know how much sailing you’ve done, but I’d never been on a yacht till I was 25, and I don’t think reading alone could have given me the full flavour of what being on a boat is like (especially if you don’t particularly want to be there ; ))
Best wishes,
Alison in England
I was delighted to hear you mention doing your own NaNo writing thing. I discovered that last Nov. and used it to get down the first draft of a timetravel novel that has imprisoned me for 4 years. Oh the joy of turning the tables. At last the story is contained, focused, and I am in control. Have started the process of your One Pass Revision. I may not move along as swiftly as you do but the confidence in knowing I can’t become sidetracked if I inject more darkness and venom is so empowering. Besides I’m having too much fun in the Switzerland of 1307AD to come back too soon.
Thanks for the workshops and the encouragement. Without them & NaNo I never would have killed my internal editor and I’d still be stuck on chapter seven.
Calam
Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed Midnight Rain immensely, love FM, and am currently reading your Secret Texts Trilogy. You’ve been an inspiration to many people, myself included!
I also wanted to let you know that I think the cover to Talyn is beautiful, and not what I expected! Amazon.com already has a scan of it up. Very pretty, and very dark!
I like the style, the attitude, of the presentation of the material, too. It says to me, ‘You are responsible for your own writing career. Here’s what worked for me.’
The bonus of building a HL library is that your books are worth the read. I’ve read the Secret Texts, Vincalis, Midnight Rain, and the bits in WIPs. Engaging, all of them, but Vincalis is my favorite, though Hawkspar shows a good deal of promise, for me.
Thanks a million. I could only wish to emulate your career.
I will start by apologizing for my ignorance,but i don’t know much about you or your books.I came across your website this early afternoon and i have been reading your advice section for aspiring writers until now,and according to Eastern European time now it is 22:40 P.M.
I would like to say that i have always had the idea of trying my hand at writing hovering around in my head and have been quite fond of anything having some connection to the field of writing,i have always had a vivid imagination,but i have never possessed,until today,the determination to say to myself that i will overcome my indecisiveness and hold on to what now has become an inner desire and aspiration,with whatever tenacity i have inside me and insofar as my limited intelligence allows it.
All of this is because i was touched by your sincerety,impressed with your erudition,and inspired by your great character,which shines through the words you have written here,in this website.I thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Emo from Bulgaria
P.S. I would like to apologize for whatever grammatical and spelling mistakes i have made in this letter.
By the way, I’ve loved everything of yours that I have found over the past (what? 10? 15?) years. I just finished reading the first two books in the World Gate series and ordered the third from Amazon.com just now. They are excellent. I adored Minerva Wakes, and Sympathy for the Devil and recommend them to my friends all of the time.
As to the rest of you Holly fans… It’s nice to meet you.
shirleykerley on
Saturday, February 12 2005 @ 08:41 AM CST
Shirley Kerley
—
I will soon be published!!! i hope…^^’
Anyway, keep up the good work. It’s nice to swing by here and see how you’re doing.
Rob (a.k.a. MattScudder)
http://whenboredomstrikes.blogspot.com
http://lucas.is-a-geek.net/blog/2003/02/15/trackback_support_for_geeklog
I spent the last 5 years of my AF career in "the building". I was personnel, but I needed a badge to get to my desk. If he goes into linguistics, he’ll spend time in "the building" too.
Congratulations to your son. MEPS is so exciting. My best friend took the linguistics test and thought she failed, but she passed and was chosen to be an Arabic linguist. She also signed up for six years. My son is two years or so away from possibly making the same decision– I wasn’t scared when I joined, but I’ll be nervous if he joins. Now I understand why my dad was nervous.
I just wanted to let you know that you are the person who convinced me to switch over to DVORAK. I made the switch about 4 years ago, when I was beginning to feel some twinges I thought might be the beginning of carpal tunnel. I don’t know how I managed to stick with it for the first 2-3 weeks, especially since I was working as a technical writer at the time and had to write at a computer most of the day. But I did stick with it and now it’s a breeze. I also switched to a trackball mouse, which helped.
I’ve never met anyone else who types on a Dvorak keyboard, and everyone thinks I’m strange when they hear about it. The odd thing about this: I can’t type when I look at the keyboard (since my keyboard still has the QWERTY letters–I have to share a computer at home and at work). I can only type looking at the screen. My fingers remember where to go, but my brain can’t. I can type the old way only if I look at the keyboard.
Anyway, I just wanted say, thanks. I don’t know how many of us are out there, but I thought you might want to hear from one of your "converts."
Best,
Matt Hartman
for my eyes. 😉
as a forever fan (I remember when your website was just called "forward motion" and it was almost all blue 😉 I don’t suppose you could tell me what those projects are, could you? I’d buy’em, even in a genre I hate (which pretty much means "even if if its a cowboy story" because I like everything else…) just because it’s you.
Pretty, pretty please? With Dove chocolate on top? ;op
And I loved the community and ghetto rant- preach, sister, preach!
I love the new look of the blog. As someone else commented – it’s very zen like and soft on the eyes. Pleasure to look at.
Tina
arainsb123 on
Sunday, February 27 2005 @ 01:00 PM CST
—
Anders Bruce
http://www.andersbruce.com
Hompage of a teen writer
Also wanted to put this out there for whoever might be interested. I started a blog, partly because I felt it might keep more accountable for my writing and partly from Holly inspiring me to. If you have people looking to see what you did every day, that’s some motivation there, baby! Yeah!
(It’s Sunday, lol.)
http://www.TJWriter.blogspot.com
—
Live. Learn. Love.
I agree with you about the Web site design– although PBW makes some good points as well. When I get to that point, a good friend of mine will do the design part, but then I’ll take over. We’ve been friends for years, and I wouldn’t consider anyone but her doing the design. (She’s a very good Web designer whose aesthetic is a lot like mine.)
I am afraid of rejection even though I haven’t even done the first page yet. I would like to thank you for putting some of my fears at rest..I know now my goal is I should focus on the book.
I am very lucky in that I can now focus on writing over the spring and summer..so I hope to put my book out by end of summer time..
Thanks again for your helpful resources!
Regards
Michael.
You’ve mentioned the name of the plotting software you use before – I know it involves bubbles that you can move around. Can’t seem to find it on your site anywhere. What’s the name of it again?
Thanks,
Tina
I found your website very informative, I have finished 2 novels so far and submitted one. I was in the clouds when it came to getting an agent but you’ve helped me and a few other writers I know start looking in the right direction. I have quite a few pieces I’m working on but my problem is that when I get about 30 pages into one I get this other great idea for a story and start it. You’ve inspired me to set a goal and deadline to finish my third novel before my 21st birthday in 3 months.
Thanks again
Jason
Anyway, I wanted to tell you that your web site has been a source of encouragement for me. I read "Mugging the Muse" and your article on depression in writers shortly after I finished a master’s program that shredded my self-esteem, and your straightforwardness was like a shot of penicillin.
I haven’t actually read any of your fiction (yet), but I surf out to your site often to check things out. Best of luck to you and to yours, and thanks for being such a straight arrow.
CSMM
P.S. If you’re interested in another bit of validation for the experts, professionals, and college opinion, there’s a link on my web site to an essay I wrote about my eewy experience in grad school. Here it is:
http://www.csmaccath.com/pagesabout/teachingcruelty.htm
And to let you know I ordered the combat conditioning based on your experience. I’m an exercise/allergey/stress induced asthmatic, so if simple strength exercises can give results even half of what you got, I’m gonna give it a try.
Later,
Leah
I’m wondering how you got all that email, since you’ve not pubished your address on the site (at least I couldn’t find it).
- I’ve mentioned in a couple of other posts how people with accounts in the weblog could reach me. Whether these folks with weblog accounts remembered reading those posts, or whether they’re just very persistent link-clickers, I don’t know.
- My SECRET TEXTS books have an e-mail address in the back.
- Some folks hang on to my address when I e-mail them about something they’ve written, either here or elsewhere.
- Some of the comments come from regulars, colleagues, and friends who have had my address for years.
In most cases, I don’t know which of these methods were used. Maybe all of them. Even so, I didn’t get hundreds of letters, or even dozens (which I would have if I weren’t so parsimonious with my e-mail address.) I got enough to cover all the basic positions on the issue, in some cases with duplication, except for the Christian far right. And I’m guessing not too many of those folks read the weblog of an avowed non-Christian disliker of all religions.
I, especially, love that you added a new feature. The Mind/Body thing. It’s probably ’cause I’m one of those teenagers that are always self-concious(sp) and everything. In any case, I hope everything goes well with your exercise routine.
-Alan
—
Life is as fun as you make it.
I just finished your book Midnight Rain. And I’m hooked! I was looking for something new and different to read and your book caught my eye on the rack. I must admit having the same first name helped. BUT after the first few pages of the book I realized that I had found another author to add to my short favorite writers list. And I’m looking forward to reading more of your books in the near future.
—
HollyA
I’ve been a fan of yours for some time now, ever since I read a quote of
yours in a writing forum. We were discussing characters, and someone
offerred up this line from your How-To on characters:
“All paintings are done from the same basic set of colors, and all
characters are built from the same basic set of responses and emotions.
How you use these elements — how you mix them and apply them —
determines whether you’ll end up with a masterpiece or something not
even your grandma would hang on her wall.”
I thought to myself, I have to read more from this woman. So I came to
your website, studied all your workshops and articles, and started
searching for your books in print. I don’t have them all yet, but I have
quite a few (at least fifteen). I want to tell you about the ones I’ve read
and what I liked about them, so if anyone reading this message has not
read these books, please beware of spoilers.
So, the first of your books that I read was Sympathy for the Devil. At first I was only going to read the first few chapters to see if I liked
it, since you have the book up on your site. But then I couldn’t stop, and
went several hours without eating so I could finish. I was really
interested in its vision of God and heaven and hell. It reminded me of a
great movie — Defending Your Life. That’s one I think you might
like. Anyway, I have since bought the book, because I want to support
you and what you do, and because I think your work is valuable.
Fire in the Mist was the next book I read. I adored Medwind
Song and was fascinated by her barbarian culture. She spurred me to
buy the other two Arhel novels (which I’ve only skimmed so far, but are
high on my list of books to read), and the anthology that has a short
story about her nine husbands (which I did read and found
delightful).
After that I read Glenraven. I really liked Sophie and the way
she developed. My favorite scene was when she defended the camp
while JayJay was wounded. That and the one where the villain (I forget
her name at the moment) forces her henchman to gouge out his own
eyes. That certainly stayed with me long after I finished the book.
It took me a while to find it, but I managed to buy a copy of Hunting
the Corrigan’s Blood. All I can is, it was absolutely worth it. I cried
and cried over Badger’s death! And the poem, “Life, Well Lived, Will
Weep,” is a beautiful and inspiring thing to behold. I have it taped to my
wall. I hope someday you can resell the book and maybe even write a
sequel.
The last few books of yours that I’ve read were the Secret Texts trilogy and the prequel, Vincalis the Agitator. The infanticide
scene blew me away — I don’t think I’ve ever been so affected by
something I’ve read, and I’m glad to have been; it filled me with awe. I
was also amazed at the vivid world you created, both pre-war and post-
war. You have such good ideas!
This message has become ridiculously long, and really should be mailed
as a letter, but I wanted you to see it as soon as possible, because I
wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your books, and articles,
and diary. You are a truly fascinating woman, and though I don’t always
agree with your views, I think your opinions have merit and I always
consider what you have to say. I applaud you for speaking your mind,
and refusing to pretend you don’t have feelings about certain issues in
order to avoid conflict with others.
I wish you the best in all your future endeavors. Your Fan, Johanna
I hope I have found the right place to leave some comments for you. I
read your entry about your opinions and the responses you sometimes
get for sharing them. I’m sorry that often the negative responses
outweigh the positive. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog precisely
because you are "opinionated"… There are occasions when I find myself
nodding in agreement to something you say, and others where I can’t
quite agree with you.
What is interesting though, and what keeps me coming back, is that
often I am forced to re-examine my own beliefs based on something
you have said. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about? You are
reaching a wide audience and there is no way we can all think alike. For
example, I am a Zimbabwean, now living in the U.K., having arrived
here by way of South Africa and the Netherlands. What are the chances
that my life experience is the same as yours? Yet I still find there is
enough common ground to relate to what you are saying, and to try to
understand the issues which affect you and which you write about. I
think the people who get so angry and upset when someone dares to
express an opinion very different to their own are just basically fearful
people. I’d hate to generalise too much, but I’d say that lashing out is
the reflex when someone comes along who challenges them to think – or
worse still, challenges them to listen. In the end, this kind of reaction
says more about those respondents than it does about you. Probably all
you have done is to shake the foundations of their belief system a little.
(Boy, is that scary! Can’t have too much of that going on!!) I would hate
to think that you would consider – even for a moment – not speaking
your mind. We are living in difficult times and there are far too many
people on this planet already, who can’t or won’t think for themselves,
and who can’t or won’t speak up for what they know is right. I respect
you for writing about the things you care about. And on those occasions
when I beg to differ, I respect your right to hold your own opinion. I’m
sure there are many other people reading your blog who feel the same
way. I apologise for not letting you know sooner, and hope that you feel
encouraged to just keep on doing what you are doing. It’s working for
me 😉
ishtar_nl
Anonymous on
Wednesday, April 06 2005 @ 02:20 PM CDT
“I don’t want to hear from the Valedictorian that she truly believes we are one family. I don’t want to hear about her high school endeavors.
“I want to hear from the kid whose name no one knows – the one who sits in the back of English class, wishing he could disappear.
“I don’t want to hear how hard it was to keep a 99% average.
“I want to hear from the girl who struggled to get on Merit roll.
“I want to hear from the ‘freaks’ and the ‘losers’ – not the football kings and the cheerleading queens.
“I want to her from those who struggled.
“I want to hear from those like me.â€
—
Mary
Just wanted to give you a high five for getting that proposal out the door and cross my fingers with your for good news soon!
Typosaurus_Rxe on
Wednesday, April 13 2005 @ 10:35 PM CDT
At $80/ton that comes to $40,000 to pave the lawn.
A small price to pay for eliminating yardwork…
Charles Baucum
back online again.
Give a shout & we can catch up.
Kat
Best. Geo Rule (who once died for the cause)
I would like to obtain permission to use one article per month in my own newsletter for writers. I will give you full credit, of course, and put a link to your site.
Thank You~
Jillanne Kimble
The Emerging Times Ezine for Writers
great that you have so many tips and info about writing, but I wonder
if you could help me with a writing-ish question…
Just as an intro, my name is Matt Rudes, I’m 18, a freshman at
UCLA, and severly disabled in many ways (except my noggin is A-OK,
except when I hit it with a hammer, then things get fuzzy, or when I
hit it with a mallet, which is a slightly different experience than the
hammer…I won’t even go into the crowbar, piano, safe, refrigerator
(!), or washing machine scenarios…). If I am not in my bed, I am in
my wheelchair, going to school, at school, or coming home, and that’s
about the extent of my life (that’s not meant negatively, just a
statement of fact…). Anyway, when I finish my undergrad I want to
go to Law School to become a lawyer, but I have always wanted to be
an epic-fantasy fiction author. I even wrote a really, really, really bad
novel in fifth grade, but like on of your articles said, I made three
copies and burned each of them, page by page! (Turns out it’s not a
good idea to burn your novels in a forest filled with forty-foot fir trees
dieing from thirst from a five-year drought…especially when you are
in a wheelchair, which doesn’t get good
traction on leaves, and there’s no way to escape the approaching
flames…)…
As you can see, my sense of humor is sort of Gallow’s humor-y,
ironic, satirical, etc. Anyway, my question is this: I want to be a
writer, I want to write an epic fantasy series that spans three, four,
ten books. But I know that I don’t have the skills or experience
required to do so. I keep asking myself, "How do successful authors
get successful? How do the Tokiens of the world sit down, plan out a
three, four, ten book series, create their worlds, etc etc." I have no
problem creating a world, drawing a map, really just planning a novel.
I could stay in the planning stage of a novel forever…the problem
comes when I go to write the first page, first chapter, and by the third
I’ve scraped everything as really bad and stupid…
Nevertheless, back to the "How does one become a successful
author?" Besides PRACTICE, lots of writing, the usual answers that
one author might tell another (which I understand and agree with), I
would like to know how you developed and honed your writing skills.
Was it purely by writing over and over? Did you take any classes?
Should I change my major from Psycology to English/Creative
Writing? Will taking English classes increase my skills as a writer? Do I
need to read books about writing? Take classes or workshops?
I’ve reached a conclusion afer thinking about all this, but I am not
sure if it is right, wrong, etc. My conclusion, after thinking about this,
is that I need a mentor / teacher, an experienced writer who knows
what it is like and is willing to help and guide me. There was a movie
with Sean Connery, I don’t know its name, but he played a
reclusive curmudgeon who helped an African American teen from the
‘ghetto’ get into a fancy academy, and in the end the writer who
wrote one book 40 years ago and nothing since, and the young kid
who thinks he knows everything, turn out to learn a lot about life
from each other…
So I’m thinking that’s what I need…what do you think? Do you
think I should just shut up, stop bothering writers who want to focus
on their own work, and just start writing? Or, if a mentor is a good
idea, who should I turn to? An English professor at school? I guess
the person doesn’t have to be near me, they could be across the
country, or the world, with technology the way it is…but there are so
many writing associations that I don’t know where to turn. There are
also a MILLION how-to books on writing, and I’m afraid they’re all
copycats who have no clue how to write epic fantasy but are good at
selling an idea to another businessman…
ARGH! It frustrates me so! I dream of a future in which my job is
as District Attorney for California, but my secondy job or side-passion
is moonlighting as an epic fantasy author, who (and this is just pure
‘fantasy’) revolutionizes the genre of epic fantasy…such lofty goals,
especially for someone who is 6’5"+ but only towers a mighty 4′ in
my wheelchair…Ah, my chair with wheels, my wheeled chair, round
and round I go in my curcuitous way, destined to break out of this
circle and ride in a zig-zag, but waiting for destiny to throw a kink in
my tires to start me on that road…..
Well, this entire entry is probably not what this posting site/page is
all about, but I thought I would just throw my question out there, to
see if you, or anyone, had any thoughts on the matter…I would love
to have you/someone point me in the right direction, so as to avoid
wandering aimlessly south when I should be going northwest…I guess
I should get a better compass and stop hitting myself in the head with
washing machines…
Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!
Thank you for reading,
Sincerely,
Matt Rudes
(I thought about putting my email in here, but then I saw at the
bottom the "your email will NOT be displayed" part, and I had second
thoughts…My guess is that you could find out the email of the poster,
but I’m not familiar with web-blogs and chatrooms and stuff, so I
don’t know…I guess I will just keep checking up on this ‘thread’ to see
if there are any responses…)
p.s.
If you feel intrigued, or perhaps just a little bored at the moment, just
head to www.google.com and type in "Mathew Rudes" , and you can
read a little about who I am, the tragic curse / beautiful gift that is
Marfans Syndrome, and in general the life of Mathew Rudes…
p.s.s.
Best of luck to you on your writing career, and anyone else reading
this!!! 🙂
p.s.s.s.
I will be frank and admit that I have not read any of your books…but
after all the great advice I have gotten from this site, I think I will pay
a trip to Amazon and pick up a copy of one of your books!^^
p.s.s.s.s.
I do apologize if I should have put this post in another subject area, or
in a different way…like I said, I’m not too experienced with
chatrooms….
Long question, short answer.
I wrote. A lot. I sent stuff out, I got more than a hundred rejections before I made my first (tiny) sale, I got considerably more rejections after that. I still get them — witness the Onyx Proposal thread in this diary as a current example of that.
I took one Writer’s Digest short fiction course — I was fortunate to have a good instructor, but what I learned from him I’ve written about extensively on the site. I spent a couple of weeks staying with Mercedes Lackey — I wrote a couple of chapters of Fire in the Mist while I was there, and a handful of wry sonnets, and learned how to work as a professional (hit your deadlines, write every day, treat people kindly.) What I needed to know to write, though, I learned from being alive for all these years, and from paying attention to that.
No, you don’t need a mentor. Or classes. Or workshops. Or books. You can use them if you like, but they’re unnecessary extras.
Yes, you do need to start writing, and write every day. Consider a million bad words your investment in getting the first good words. Ray Bradbury figured that as the break point for quality writing, and he’s more right than not.
Along with that, read. Everything. Fiction, non-fiction, genres you love, genres you hate. You will learn more from reading good books and bad books and horrible books than you can ever hope to learn from any teacher. At least if you pay attention.
Also read:
- Experts, Professionals, and College
- Who WON’T Make It In Writing, And How Not to Be THAT Writer
- Are YOU Right for Writing?
Define “successful.” If you consider eating every day and paying your bills on time every month necessary for success, you might want to stick with law.
I am one of those people that peruse websites, never leave any comments, bookmark the website and hardly ever remember to return to the website. I honestly don’t think this will happen this time.
Your website has encouraged and inspired me in so many ways you will never know.
I have never written any thing completely however I have many of ideas for stories floating through my grey matter just waiting to be put down on paper.
The one article "Do You Need a College Education to be a Writer" was what drove me to post here.
See I homeschool my seven year old and I am a strong advocate for self-learning.
Thank you for that well written and inspiring article. I have posted your website on my home-school’s board for others to read.
Bravo Holly!
We homeschool, too. I think that both children and adults learn
best when they own their own educations and are responsible for
what they learn.
I understand that not everyone can homeschool, and that even
some of those who can shouldn’t. But for us it has been the ideal
solution. I wish I’d heard of homeschooling when my two older
children were little; I’m proud that my youngest has been
homeschooled from birth.
Holly
Here are the links:
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/344224126X.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/3442241278.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
They look great! I love German art.
MattR on
Thursday, May 05 2005 @ 02:24 AM CDT
Thank you for answering, I appreciate that. I know my question was
long, and the gene for succinctness was another one I missed out
on…anyway, I’d like to ask a few follow up questions/comments, and
see how you/anyone may feel:
-I read the three posted links you had posted, about who wants to,
and who should be, an author. I want to be an author because I like
writing. It is fun. When I write, I am literally flying, walking, using a
sword, fighting, having a life other than being stuck in my bed all day
long. Why live in reality when there is a whole other universe waiting
to be created, where anything I want can happen, where the
impossible is possible, where ducks go moo, etc etc etc. I have no
notions of becoming rich by being an author, and never really thought
it would be my full time job. But there’s no reason why I can’t be a
lawyer and write 10 pages a day or something like that…So that’s
why I want to be an author
-I agree, I should have defined what I meant from "successful"
author. Money is NOT why I want to be an author. By "successful," I
mean that I can have the story I have always dreamed of, put in a
book, and made available to the general public, so that they may read
it and enjoy it. "Successful" would be becoming skilled enough so as
to plan, write, sell, and publish a multi-book, complicated, twist-and
turn epic fantasy novel, a la Lord of the Rings.
-(as a side note, I can understand where your opinions about college
may come from…and I don’t know you, so I’m not judging you…but
have you gone to a general college, or maybe attended a class, or
something? (I don’t know, it’s an actual question)…to me, school is
my life, as I have no other chance of being a productive member of
society than having an education. I will not resign myself to a career
of drooling all day long, waiting for my aorta to explode and for the
bliss of death to sweep over me…I want to get as many experiences
of the world as I can, and as I cannot start a garden, make a
window frame, do karate, ballet, any of a number of things which I
love and that interest me, but at least I can learn about them in
school…just as a personal thought, yes, today’s education system is
WAY too concentrated on standardized testing, and SATs, and all that
worthless stuff, and we don’t have enough really good teachers who
actually want to teach…but high school / college is probably what you
make it…it may push you into a semi-type of mold of a ‘regular
person of society,’ but there’s no reason you HAVE to become that
person…anyway, that was a tangent, making this even longer than I
had planned, so I apologize again…
-I do not think that every word I write is straight from God’s
mouth…quite the opposite really, in that I feel, hate to say it,
insecure when I write, because I am not sure of how well it really is.
Writing a lot will most likely fix that…but that brings me to my real
question…
-…being a college student, having health problems, being in pain 24/
7, and a complete lack of a social life, leaves me with little daily time.
If I were to dedicate ‘x’ amount of hours a day to writing/planning, I
would want to know that they were well spent…Since you are writing/
have written a series of books in which the plot continues from one
book to the next, how do you physically arrange all the reference
materials, charts, graphs, timelines, notepads, do you have a system
or something? Is it all done in the computer? If I want to create a
HUGE world, with rich history and characters and culture, how in the
world do I do it in a fashion that will be readable when I go to put it all
together? Any tips? (It’s basically a question of planning a novel, but
more on the terms of planning 3-5 novels
-ok, lastly, just two questions:
a) Admittedly, I do not like the tiny detailed aspects of grammar. I
really don’t. It’s not that I think that that is for an editor or
proofreader, I just would rather fix that sort of stuff when I revise a
novel. Passive and Active voice is still a little confusing, and I do need
to prune my grammar abilities. What would be the best source to do
that? Or is just writing the answer?
b) Stressing the importance of reading is something I’ve seen and
heard a lot. Problem is, there is a FLOOD of fantasy stuff out
there…I’ve heard several radio reports and articles about the genre
being flooded with bad eggs…so let me put it this way: If I was a
student you were home schooling, which fantasy books would you
assign that would show the best in: -storytelling, story line,
characters, creation of a world, plot twists and turns, dialogue,
"Showing not telling," and general examples of jaw-dropping, overall
beautiful writing. What about like classic books, like, I don’t know,
Shakespeare or Charles Dickens or T.S. Elliot or something like
that…is there like a list of ‘great books to read’ on the internet, or
general books that will help to make a ‘well-rounded author?’
Ok, well, I think I’ve taken up enough of this Guestbook…thank you
again for at least responding, which means a lot. I really appreciate
authors taking time to talk to those seeking advice. I just hope I’m
not one of those "sitting in the front row, jeering and sneering, hands
constantly raised, "Me me me!", cornering you after a convention"
kind of people…I’ve never been to a book signing, convention, or
whatnot, but I can imagine what it would be like!…writing and
maintaining this web site shows what a great author you are, and
what a kind and generous person you are too.
Thanks again for all the help.
Much obliged.
MattR
You’re an inspiration to all of us,
Mary
—
Mary
So I was surprised and sorry to read today that your Onyx proposal was in dire straits and that you’re sick too.
I’d guess that the two are linked. Once you get the nasty germy bugs out of your system, I hope you’ll find the bugs stalling your writing career have also dissipated.
—
“Books are where things are explained to you. Life is where things aren’t”-Julian Barnes
Looking forward to you bloggin again. That and Talyn 🙂
—
xoxo Carlie
http://carlie-michelle.com
I just finished reading your book "Midnight Rain" and I wanted you to know it was fantastic. I review books for Tanzey Cutter (use to be at TheBestReviews.com and now on FreshFiction.com) I love to read, and I am in the process of taking time to see about writing.
However, the purpose for telling you this is that when you read a lot of books, many are worth the read, but still don’t stand out. So it is rarely that I am so surprised to be really entertained by a book. Your writing captured me from the get go and kept me on its emotional, curiosity grabbing ride. I have that echo one feels of contentment and sadness. Contentment because it was an excellent read and moved me. Sadness because it’s like I’ve sort of watched a new friend become old. Your characters are fresh and real (some of them scarily so 🙁 ROFL) and to have my emotions run around freely is a joy. Not to mention my daughter looking at me as I said "hey you stupid fools…" once outloud….ROFL
Thank you for something great. I intend to look up your other books now. May the Muse Be With You Always! and WHoot! (I whoot a lot spontaneously….bad habit….)
Anne Barringer
ahdie on
Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 11:08 AM CDT
Mary
—
Mary
URL I was trying to reach: broken link
Error 404 — Wrong Page
linked from here=
66.67.129.82
/pdf/secrettextsoutline.pdf
www.hollylisle.com
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.8) Gecko/20050511 Firefox/1.0.4 StumbleUpon/1.9993 (ax)
404
Mary
—
Mary
holly
I was trying to send this site to you. might help.
danny
It’s really never too late to begin again!
hollylisle on
Saturday, May 21 2005 @ 10:55 AM CDT
Not sure what happened, but the .pdf file of the SECRET TEXTS proposal that sold is back in place. The series was originally titled MIRROR OF THE DEAD, and the final books are significantly different than the story in the outline. Nevertheless, for writers who want to see how I pitched the series, the proposal is now available again.
You can also pick up the .pdf of the first two chapters of DOW, submitted with the proposal. Again, these are different in significant ways from the final version of the books.
Hope you find these useful.
Mary
—
Mary
Just call me curious.
—
Mary
I need a big favour from you–can you send me the back cover blurb for Last Girl Dancing please? I would like to include it in our store’s July catalogue but I can’t find the full blurb anywhere.
BTW, Midnight Rain was absolutely wonderful and our readers here are eagerly awaiting your new book.
Lucy
—
Ever After- The Romance Book Specialists
Shop 2, 262 Crown St
Wollongong NSW 2500
Australia
Kaeroll on
Friday, June 17 2005 @ 09:00 AM CDT
I found your site when searching for world-building tips (not actually for writing, as it happens) and I’m in awe of the workshops, articles, and FAQs you’ve written. You’re incredibly talented and if I can I’ll be picking up one of your novels in the near future. But the reason I’m posting this is that your "Say What You Mean" article is perhaps the truest essay I’ve ever read and is brilliant advice for life as well as writing, and should be shown to any person entering a political career.
give me some advice on a (short) question, I’d really appreciate it!
=What is the best way to keep/write notes when worldbuilding or
novel plannign? In a notebook? Should I just write things as they
come, or separate the notebook into different sections, like ‘culture,’
‘caracters, ‘maps,’ etc. , or have separate notebooks for each section?
Any type or size of notebook you might recommend? When planning
your novels, do you usually do it on paper, or in the computer? I’ve
thought of a 3-ring binder, but for me it’d probably be too messy…any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I am getting ready to
start world building in about four or five days. Hopefully by the end of
the summer I can have a world, story, characters, everything in place,
before school starts up again. Thanks again!
Like many others out here, aspiring authors who are, deep down in the unspeakables, writers, I have found renewed enthusiasm in your open, pull no punches approach. I have been lost in your articles and advice for two days.
I am a student of the Long Ridge Writers Group and my education continues. The Craft of writing is my new playground and I’m 20,000 words into my first novel (I think you’ll like it if you ever get to read it…)
Thank You, deeply, for sharing yourself for the benefit of us new and un-published, but passionate writers.
I have not yet read your books, but I will be going to the bookstore this weekend (rather than purchasing online – per your advice) and making the first of what I suspect will be numerous purchases.
You’ve given so much to the writing world I hesitate to ask, but, if you could find a spare moment between tasks, could you just wish me luck, even if it is just to yourself?
Thank you and I look forward with great anticipation to soon being immersed in your worlds, as I continue to build and live within my own.
KLMiller
Absolutely, I’ll wish you luck. And cheer for your success. And hope that you’ll let me know not only when you sell something, but when it’s out on the shelves where I can pick up a copy.
And I’ll remind you that the harder you work and the more you put yourself into your work, and the more you risk falling on your face, the luckier you get. Above all else, persistence triumphs.
Again, my thanks. You and every other person I know or have heard of or can imagine will certainly know if any of my work reaches a bookshelf.
I am reading Fire in the Mist. Absorbing. I am an avid R.A. Salvatore fan and have just esteemed you his equal. (My humble opinion)
Have good days by being good to yourself.
Kevin
I saw your name and it looked familiar, but it didn’t hit me til I saw the names of your books that I had read much of your older work.
You have really given some of us deviant, stuck writers no excuses for not writing. Thanks!
—
Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.
This is probably something you know about, but I just stumbled on it and thought immediately of this site. AnySoldier.Com gives contact information of soldiers in the field. You can send stuff to them with the line ATTN:Any Soldier attached. Then those soldiers will pass stuff around to guys who get little or no mail.
The site also has info on what you can/can’t/should or shouldn’t send.
Great resource for people who want to show support but aren’t sure how…
When I was in junior high, Gulf War 1 was happening. I didn’t really understand the politics of it, or the reasons, but I had an understanding of what war meant. One of my teachers hooked us up with an any soldier address and I sent a couple letters over. It was a good feeling for me and, hopefully, a bit of comfort for him. Regardless of how you feel about the war, those folks are in hell and need all the help they can get. A great thing, I think, for kids to do.
Anyway, passing it along.
Jess
I came upon your site merely looking for updates on my favourite authors (of which you definitely qualify). What I found blew me entirely away! I think in reading your posts, and your guidelines for writers, it stirred the beast deep within me and I have now started my own fantasy work. Between Mugging the Muse (my ‘right-hand reference’) and FM, I have been inspired to accomplish this dream, though I know the road will be grim. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the kick in the arse to reawaken that spirit within me to follow this dream.
I do not pray, generally, as I share your views on religion, but I send you as much positive thought as I have. Both on your proposals, reinventing yourself, and anything else you choose.
Thank you,
Rowan
PS: I read chapter 1 of Hawkspar…um…please hurry! 🙂 It was gooooood.
—
Do or do not, there is no try
–Yoda, Ep. V
ahdie on
Friday, July 08 2005 @ 02:02 PM CDT
—
Mary
All my best ~~ Shelly
This may be slightly off-topic front what others have said, but since it’s a guestbook…I just wanted to say, in all ways, thanks so much. (I read through the entire contents of this site over the course of two or three days…talk about enlightening.) All of your essays and workshops and how-to articles are some of the most helpful stuff I’ve ever read.
I’m currently also in that pesky middle stage…argh. At least I know what my ending will be. Sortof. My characters are remarkably strong willed…{sweatdrop} This is the farthest I’ve ever gotten in a novel, though I still have time for my original goal…kinda. Getting published by fifteen is running farther away even as I feel like I’m getting closer. Know the feeling?
Best wishes in all the rest of your writing escapades,
Miri
Writative on
Saturday, July 23 2005 @ 05:16 AM CDT
I did not even know what it was that I was writing before I found FM. I just sat down one day and started making up stuff until I had a substantial amount of stuff with no direction.
15,000 words into it I realized that I must be interested in writing, because I had not intended to write anything. I only wrote when I wanted to and had no goals or system and still the text kept growing. That was my first novel.
With the courage and guidance I have found through the FM community and in Holly’s advice I have now completed my second novel and I am about to start rewrites. And I started and finished this one on purpose.
Thank you Holly, for touching spark to the fuel. I hope to be able to pay forward someday too.
—
FM (Forward Motion) name is ‘Writative’ also.
TinaK on
Wednesday, January 05 2005 @ 02:40 PM CST
And at the risk of sounding like some crazy, demented stalker I have read the great majority of your books and well, I think they are fantastic. Loved Midnight Rain and I can’t wait for Talyn!