Ask the Author: Nancy S. Brandt
Answered Questions (7)
Nancy S. Brandt
I am partial to Princess Ursula and Prince Gideon in Questionable Queen because he was a character I carried around in my head for many years waiting for the right story. Also, she is a strong woman who knew where her duty lay, and with all she sacrificed, she deserved a good man.
Nancy S. Brandt
Inspiration is fabulous, but not necessary. Writing is a job just like any other. Bus drivers, store clerks, accountants don't wake up in the morning with the luxury of saying, "I don't feel inspired today. I think I'll stay home and watch Supernatural on Netflix all day." I write every day (unless I'm sick or have some major reason I can't) except Sundays. Some days the words flow easily. Other days it's like chipping at the sidewalk with a teaspoon to find them. Those days I remind myself that I can always fix junk, but I can't edit a blank page
All that being said, it helps to know where the story is going and loving where the story is going, even when I think the whole thing sucks. Just trusting that it will all work out in the end (that take experience).
All that being said, it helps to know where the story is going and loving where the story is going, even when I think the whole thing sucks. Just trusting that it will all work out in the end (that take experience).
Nancy S. Brandt
#1. Don't do this if your plan is to make a lot of money. Do it because you can't imagine NOT doing it.
#2. Give up the idea that you won't let anyone change your words - not if you want to be published. I've seen too many authors ignore the advice of their editors because they are convinced their words are golden, and generally, those authors don't see their books published unless they do it themselves. No one is perfect, especially new writers. Everyone can benefit from editing and constructive (important word) criticism.
#3. Keep writing, reading, and learning as much as you can about the craft. Never get to a point where you think you know it all.
#4. Write from your heart. Write the book YOU want to write, not whatever the latest trend is. Readers are smart and will know if you truly love your characters or are just following whatever the latest trend is.
#5. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, cheer for your, and support you. Surround yourself with people who understand you as well. Mom will tell you your work is wonderful, don't change a thing, but another author will challenge you to go beyond the cliche to the truly original.
#6. Polish your work until it's the best it can be, but at some point you have to declare the work finished and move on to the next project.
#2. Give up the idea that you won't let anyone change your words - not if you want to be published. I've seen too many authors ignore the advice of their editors because they are convinced their words are golden, and generally, those authors don't see their books published unless they do it themselves. No one is perfect, especially new writers. Everyone can benefit from editing and constructive (important word) criticism.
#3. Keep writing, reading, and learning as much as you can about the craft. Never get to a point where you think you know it all.
#4. Write from your heart. Write the book YOU want to write, not whatever the latest trend is. Readers are smart and will know if you truly love your characters or are just following whatever the latest trend is.
#5. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, cheer for your, and support you. Surround yourself with people who understand you as well. Mom will tell you your work is wonderful, don't change a thing, but another author will challenge you to go beyond the cliche to the truly original.
#6. Polish your work until it's the best it can be, but at some point you have to declare the work finished and move on to the next project.
Nancy S. Brandt
For me, it's the ability to be home for my family and getting to play in imaginary worlds. Writing fantasy means that I get to be a pretty, pretty princess and wear pretty clothes, or be the evil villain and plan horrible ways to kill said princess, all while sitting on my sofa in my jeans and t-shirt.
Also, living in a world of books and book lovers is the best. I love hearing from fans and talking about books and reading. Next to being a mom, it's the best job in the world that doesn't pay very well! :)
Also, living in a world of books and book lovers is the best. I love hearing from fans and talking about books and reading. Next to being a mom, it's the best job in the world that doesn't pay very well! :)
Nancy S. Brandt
Writer's block, for me, is usually because I haven't thought my plot out well enough. I usually have an outline that goes something like, "Boy meets girl, A bunch of stuff happens, they live happily ever after." I've learned that doesn't work for me. I'm a pantser but if I give in to that I write myself into impossible corners and then I don't write for days. I have to spend a good bit of time thinking through what I want the end of the book to be, what disasters or plot points are going to lead me there and how I want my characters to change and/or earn the ending (happy or not) I have in mind for them. If I have strong landmarks (plot points) to head for, writer's block is a lot less likely to happen.
Nancy S. Brandt
I'm writing the sequel to Pigsty Princess, titled Questionable Queen. It's Princess Ursula's story, the sister to Mariana, the heroine of Pigsty.
I'm also thinking about and discussing with my co-author, a sequel to Sword & Illusion, which for the time being is called Sword & Isolation.
I'm also thinking about and discussing with my co-author, a sequel to Sword & Illusion, which for the time being is called Sword & Isolation.
Nancy S. Brandt
Where my ideas come from is a bit of a mystery hidden in a labyrinth. The idea for Pigsty Princess came while I was writing Sword & Illusion. In that book, Prince Varian has a sister who is all about clothes, jewels, hair, and dancing. I started wondering what would happen if a King was so fed up with a daughter who was spending all his money on frivolous things that he decided to teach her a lesson by marrying her off to a pig farmer. The ideas kinda morphed from there.
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