Adam Heine's Blog, page 18
November 7, 2012
First Impact: A QUESTION OF FAITH by Nicole Zoltack
It's time for another First Impact Critique,
where I take a look at your queries, first pages, back cover copy, etc.
You want to make an impact right from the start. We're here to help
you do that.
If you'd like to submit your first impact material, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Thank you so much for your submissions and critiques in October. Through randomology, I have determined that the critiquer who wins a 15-page critique from Jodi Meadows is Fiction Writer!! Send...
November 5, 2012
State of the Writing
It's been a long time since I've given you guys anything like a regular status update. I mean, there's my Works In Progress tab, but (a) who reads that? And (b) that only covers things with names.
So here's where things stand.
AIR PIRATES (being the novel that got me my beloved agent) is on submission. I've gotten some very pleasant-sounding feedback, but you know. When I have an announcement here, you'll hear it.
POST-APOC NINJAS (being the novel I talked about last month) is being revise...
So here's where things stand.
AIR PIRATES (being the novel that got me my beloved agent) is on submission. I've gotten some very pleasant-sounding feedback, but you know. When I have an announcement here, you'll hear it.
POST-APOC NINJAS (being the novel I talked about last month) is being revise...
November 2, 2012
Stormdancer Sketch
A scene from Jay Kristoff's STORMDANCER, based on the excerpt you can read at Tor.com.
This is one of my sell-out sketches, drawn trying to win an ARC of the book. I didn't get the ARC, but I did get a copy of THE LITTLE STORMDANCER, which is easily the next best thing. My kids love this little book.
If you haven't heard of STORMDANCER, here is everything you need to know about it: Japanese steampunk with griffins.
Yeah, that's how I felt about it too.
This is one of my sell-out sketches, drawn trying to win an ARC of the book. I didn't get the ARC, but I did get a copy of THE LITTLE STORMDANCER, which is easily the next best thing. My kids love this little book.
If you haven't heard of STORMDANCER, here is everything you need to know about it: Japanese steampunk with griffins.
Yeah, that's how I felt about it too.
October 31, 2012
First Impact: MIST OF KAVALA by Carolyn Abiad
It's time for another First Impact Critique,
where I take a look at your queries, first pages, back cover copy, etc.
You want to make an impact right from the start, and we're here to help
you do that.
If you'd like to submit your first impact material, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Remember, anyone who leaves a critique in the comments is eligible to win a 15-page critique from INCARNATE author, Jodi Meadows. Your critique doesn't have to be long, just useful.
This w...
where I take a look at your queries, first pages, back cover copy, etc.
You want to make an impact right from the start, and we're here to help
you do that.
If you'd like to submit your first impact material, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Remember, anyone who leaves a critique in the comments is eligible to win a 15-page critique from INCARNATE author, Jodi Meadows. Your critique doesn't have to be long, just useful.
This w...
October 29, 2012
It's Okay to Write Slow
J. K. Rowling took five years to write the first Harry Potter.
It's okay to write slow.
Those of us who take a year or more to draft a novel are tempted to believe we're doing something wrong. Like we're too lazy, managing our time wrong, editing our words too much, or (God forbid) not meant to be writers at all. Some of those things might be true, but slow writing doesn't prove it.
(Terry Pratchett wrote his first novel at 400 words a day.)
You might be climbing a learning curve. My firs...
It's okay to write slow.
Those of us who take a year or more to draft a novel are tempted to believe we're doing something wrong. Like we're too lazy, managing our time wrong, editing our words too much, or (God forbid) not meant to be writers at all. Some of those things might be true, but slow writing doesn't prove it.
(Terry Pratchett wrote his first novel at 400 words a day.)
You might be climbing a learning curve. My firs...
October 26, 2012
5 Tips for Using a Foreign Language Without Sounding Like a Prat
Foreign languages are hard to use in fiction. Probably because most of
us don't use them in real life. Here are
some tips for helping the reader get that foreignness is happening,
without feeling hit over the head by it.
1) USE LANGUAGE TO BE UNDERSTOOD. First and foremost, the purpose of
speaking is to communicate ideas. So if a character is fluent in both
English and Thai (say), but her listeners understand only English, she won't toss Thai words into her speech. If someone did that in rea...
us don't use them in real life. Here are
some tips for helping the reader get that foreignness is happening,
without feeling hit over the head by it.
1) USE LANGUAGE TO BE UNDERSTOOD. First and foremost, the purpose of
speaking is to communicate ideas. So if a character is fluent in both
English and Thai (say), but her listeners understand only English, she won't toss Thai words into her speech. If someone did that in rea...
October 24, 2012
First Impact: FATHER'S DAY by Hilary Swann
It's time for another First Impact Critique, where I take a look at your queries, first pages, back cover copy, etc. You want to make an impact right from the start, and we're here to help you do that.
If you'd like to submit your first impact material, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Remember, anyone who leaves a critique in the comments is eligible to win a 15-page critique from INCARNATE author, Jodi Meadows. Your critique doesn't have to be long, just useful.
We hav...
If you'd like to submit your first impact material, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Remember, anyone who leaves a critique in the comments is eligible to win a 15-page critique from INCARNATE author, Jodi Meadows. Your critique doesn't have to be long, just useful.
We hav...
October 22, 2012
October 19, 2012
US Marines, circa 42012 A.D.
From Anthdrawlogy's Independence week. This one wasn't posted on the blog of any famous authors, but it's still one of my favorite drawings.
October 17, 2012
First Impact: GRIMOIRE by Marcy
Time for another First Impact critique. Remember, anyone who leaves a critique in the comments is eligible to win a 15-page critique from author Jodi Meadows.
And this feature can only continue with your submissions! If you have a query letter, first page, or even back cover blurb you'd like critiqued, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Thank you, Marcy, for letting us take a look at your YA Historical Paranormal. As always, this is just my opinion. You are welcome to disag...
And this feature can only continue with your submissions! If you have a query letter, first page, or even back cover blurb you'd like critiqued, send it to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Details here.
Thank you, Marcy, for letting us take a look at your YA Historical Paranormal. As always, this is just my opinion. You are welcome to disag...
