426

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

If the groups were all listed in one place, then clicking on one would bring you to the group description that we have now. That's how I envision a more efficient system.

427

(2 replies, posted in Thriller/Mystery/Suspense)

I hope it isn't about dog fighting, Dags. I read through a Greg Iles book that had that, and it wasn't fun.

428

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Alphabetical or not, a single sidebar/page listing all the groups at once would help, rather than having to scroll through four pages.

429

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Hey, Sol,

There doesn't seem to be a system for the listing of groups anymore, making it difficult to find a particular group. It appears completely random. At the least, perhaps you could list them in alphabetical order? Or have a sidebar where all the groups are listed (again, in alphabetical order), whereby you could click on a particular group and get taken to that group's particulars.

430

(27 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I seem to be in the minority, but I prefer #1. For me, the presence of the female and the train aren't necessary, and Fuji in front of the cityscape makes it look like a sand pile.

431

(73 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Does Maass ever say how many breakthrough novel authors he represented? I'm sorry, but I read what's available on Amazon for the first and latest editions of his book, and I was underwhelmed. First of all, he proclaims what a breakthrough novelist must have in the book. Duh. Any novelist who has been working at the craft for more than a month already knows these pearls of wisdom. Secondly, he keeps referring to writers who already have agents, publishers, and publicists and are complaining about their drop in sales. Because they had their "lucky" breakthrough moment and still don't get it. I think that category of authors is not largely represented by the writers on this site. To me, this is a how-to book aimed at making money from starry-eyed writers thinking his advice will propel them to greatness. Please. Agents like Maass who have been around for decades and collected a stable of bestselling authors do not need breakthrough novels. It would mean more work for him to sell them. He likely made his bones by taking chances on an author when getting started in the biz - he had no choice then - and lucked out, but now he's a fat cat earning his commissions from established authors. My suggestion for writers seeking representation: steer clear of old agents like Maass and find the young, eager-beaver agents wanting to make their mark. Granted, they won't have the inroads to the major publishers like Maass, but you'll have a better chance of landing them.

You have permission to use any of my books, all of which were workshopped on TNBW, Sol.

All of my published novels were workshopped here at TNBW. Not a problem.

434

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thank you all! I spent more time writing this one than is my usual. The older I get, the slower I get, apparently!

435

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Randy!

436

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

When the Reaper Comes has been released today. amzn.to/2fjiRpw

437

(19 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I had made baked beans for dinner, so I had baked beans for dinner.

I saw the video. She had common-sense points about writing a blurb for the book, but bear in mind, she's a self-published author, so she's really talking about the book description a potential reader will see on Amazon. A.T., on the other hand, is asking how to write a query letter to attract an agent and/or a publisher. A blurb would be included in that letter, of course, and the tips given in the video are worth reviewing. But it is just one part of it. BTW, the author in the video omits a plot driver that concerns a main character who doesn't really want anything, but is caught in circumstances beyond his control. North by Northwest comes to mind. She should have focused on conflict, rather than the MC out to achieve something and being opposed. Anyway, that was my take.

439

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I'm still using Word for Windows 7. Since I switched from Explorer to Google Chrome, I've noticed that when I paste a document onto the site, I lose my paragraph separations and my italics. So I have to go through editing to correct the errors. Anyone know what the problem is and how I can avoid it?

440

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Alas, Claude was hardly the man of her dreams, but she had no other options now, so she'd try to make the best of it.

441

(186 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

My dictionary (Merriam-Webster) does not list twat. In my experience growing up, twat was a vulgar term for vagina. Hardly a definition of a fool. Twit, on the other hand, is. Twit or twat. Choose your poison.

442

(186 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Although "snuck" is now an accepted alternative to "sneaked," I'm old school and won't use it (in non-dialogue writing, anyway). Same goes for "alright" instead of "all right." Thanks for the link. Can you think of other examples of previously unacceptable words that have wormed their way into the lexicon?

443

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The longer you wait, Tom, the more chapters you'll have to write. smile

444

(33 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I like TirzahLaughs idea the best. Kind of like that cook-off show where the contestants are given an often weird list of ingredients from which they have to make dishes.

445

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Rhiannon. Would you be smoking it in the nude, perchance? smile

446

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Randy. I'm not sure how many TNBW members have been reading it but not finished, so I just wanted them to know the book would be taken off site in a little over a month from now.

447

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The publisher has informed me the release date for my novel, When the Reaper Comes, will be Nov. 4. I'll leave it up on site until then for those who want to finish it for free. smile

The story above that one, concerning a class action lawsuit against Harlequin, was also to your point. And it speaks to one reason why self-publishing has grown. Major publishers and agents who don't give newbies much of a chance to get their feet in the door, and publishers, once they've signed you, who screw you over - it's no wonder self-publishing has taken off. And it's not just new authors who have taken this route. Some well-established writers have ditched their publishers in return for total control of their products.

449

(42 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

FYI re Doubleday/Knopf accepting unsolicited manuscripts - it doesn't. Agents only, dudes. It's on their website.

450

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Ditto.