Andrea Cremer's Blog, page 32
November 24, 2009
Twiddle (Thumbs)
My life usually feels like the tea cups ride at Disney World, spinning out of control, with the threat of other flying objects nearby almost crashing into me ever present.
Though it leaves me in a perpetual state of exhaustion, I like life this way. When I asked how I manage to do all the things I currently do, the answer is simple. I am a crazy person.
I am the most productive when I have too much to do and deadlines that are rushing up at me like the ground after a parachute jump.
So when at l...
Though it leaves me in a perpetual state of exhaustion, I like life this way. When I asked how I manage to do all the things I currently do, the answer is simple. I am a crazy person.
I am the most productive when I have too much to do and deadlines that are rushing up at me like the ground after a parachute jump.So when at l...
November 22, 2009
Das Book
More exciting news - NIGHTSHADE and WOLFSBANE have now sold in Germany! Squeee!
I'm thrilled that I'll be published by Egmont-Lyx, a wonderful imprint that is home to the German translations of Richelle Mead, Lilith Saintcrow, and R.A. Salvatore.
While I hope that the NIGHTSHADE series will be translated into as many languages as possible, this sale is particularly meaningful because my husband went to high school in Berlin and my father-in-law lives in Bavaria.
(No, this is not my...
I'm thrilled that I'll be published by Egmont-Lyx, a wonderful imprint that is home to the German translations of Richelle Mead, Lilith Saintcrow, and R.A. Salvatore.
While I hope that the NIGHTSHADE series will be translated into as many languages as possible, this sale is particularly meaningful because my husband went to high school in Berlin and my father-in-law lives in Bavaria.
(No, this is not my...
November 20, 2009
Is There Such a Thing as Too Evil?
When I moved to Minneapolis, my soon-to-be-former colleagues gave me a lovely going away party. My favorite gift was a book (big surprise); its title: How To Be a Villain.
This book is hilarious. Replete with quizzes, name-building exercises, suggestions of what type of lair would best suit you as a villain, it keep you laughing from start to finish.
It's also a great commentary on the type of villains who work well in a Bond film, but won't hook your readers in a meaningful way. These villain ...
This book is hilarious. Replete with quizzes, name-building exercises, suggestions of what type of lair would best suit you as a villain, it keep you laughing from start to finish.
It's also a great commentary on the type of villains who work well in a Bond film, but won't hook your readers in a meaningful way. These villain ...
November 19, 2009
A Sidekick is Not Enough
Supporting characters (SCs) have a range of roles to fill in a novel. They can be the loyal best friend, the comic relief, the wise mentor. I'm sure we all have a favorite SC 'type' that we hope to find in the books we read, and recreate in the books we write.
Like MCs supporting characters must display that essential quality trademarked by the Transformers: they must be 'more than meets the eye.'
A pet peeve of mine in books are those narrative that offer intriguing, dynamic MCs (and possibly ...
Like MCs supporting characters must display that essential quality trademarked by the Transformers: they must be 'more than meets the eye.'
A pet peeve of mine in books are those narrative that offer intriguing, dynamic MCs (and possibly ...
November 18, 2009
A Real Character
Main characters (MC) he or she is the one we're supposed to love, loathe, relate to. How can writers construct an MC that readers become invested in?
The Screaming Guppy is doing all of us a wonderful favor by sharing experiences from Donald Maass' 'The Fire in Fiction' workshop, and has a great post up about MCs.
In my own writing, the key to a great MC is identification. In some way the MC has to develop an intimate relationship with the reader. This connection can only be maintained if the M...
The Screaming Guppy is doing all of us a wonderful favor by sharing experiences from Donald Maass' 'The Fire in Fiction' workshop, and has a great post up about MCs.
In my own writing, the key to a great MC is identification. In some way the MC has to develop an intimate relationship with the reader. This connection can only be maintained if the M...
November 17, 2009
Book Art
I don't know if I've ever been so mesmerized by a You Tube video. Plus the soundtrack is Ratatat's "Gettysburg," which I love.
November 13, 2009
I Have Seen the Future, and it is Good
All my best intentions of blogging more about characters have been railroaded by big book news. BIG BOOK NEWS. One piece of which I can share, the other of which I have to be mean and just post a teaser, leaving you all annoyed (sorry!)
Let's start with sharable joy: NIGHTSHADE and WOLFSBANE sold in Brazil! Eek! The publisher is Grupo Editorial Record and I'm thrilled to be rubbing elbows with the likes of Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, Eoin Colfer, and LJ Smith at this house. Carnaval here I c...
Let's start with sharable joy: NIGHTSHADE and WOLFSBANE sold in Brazil! Eek! The publisher is Grupo Editorial Record and I'm thrilled to be rubbing elbows with the likes of Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, Eoin Colfer, and LJ Smith at this house. Carnaval here I c...
November 10, 2009
Let's Take a Moment
So I had these great posts about characterization planned, but then I found out I have an official publication date.
NIGHTSHADE will be in stores OCTOBER 14, 2010!
I went to an awesome show at the Triple Rock Social Club last night, and the music made me full of joyous jumpiness. So here's a snippet to celebrate my release date!
Characters to come tomorrow...
NIGHTSHADE will be in stores OCTOBER 14, 2010!
I went to an awesome show at the Triple Rock Social Club last night, and the music made me full of joyous jumpiness. So here's a snippet to celebrate my release date!
Characters to come tomorrow...
November 9, 2009
Buffy Lessons
I'm devoting my next few posts to the creation and maintenance of exceptional characters. One of the best compliments I've received about my writing came from my amazing crit partner, Lisa Dez, who wrote in response to a draft of NIGHTSHADE, "You're clearly a character writer." And I was thrilled. (Thanks Lisa!)
The characters who populate my written worlds are almost closer than friends. As I write, I feel what they feel, fear what they fear, understand their motivations, and cringe when they...
The characters who populate my written worlds are almost closer than friends. As I write, I feel what they feel, fear what they fear, understand their motivations, and cringe when they...
Happy Birthday Sesame Street!
In case you hadn't heard, Sesame Street turns 40 this week. I've been delighted by articles and images of my favorite Sesame Street characters popping up hither and thither (thanks Tricia for point out Google Oscar!) All the Sesame Street love got me to thinking about writing for children. I usually think only about books when I talk about writing, but Sesame Street is a great example of one of many other sites where children's writers are hard at work, making the world a better, and child-f...
