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Writing Books/Questions Answered by Expert Vincent M. Wales

Subject	Date Asked
agents	1/6/2012
Q: How can I zero in on agents handling my type of material? Do you know of a good agent guidebook? A ... A: You're right... it's difficult to know exactly what they handle. But there are two guides I can ...
Creating characters who are individuals	12/23/2011
Q: Do you have any tips for writing characters with a distinctive sense of humour when it does not come ... A: Dominic: Writing humor when it doesn't come naturally to you would be, I imagine, quite difficult. ...
fantasy	11/12/2011
Q: Since my story takes place in an American city, it should be called urban fantasy and not fantasy, ... A: Demetrius. Urban fantasy is certainly hot right now and any agent who represents other types of ...
I am a boy of thirteen and I need some help please.	11/11/2011
Q: :) I am a boy of thirteen, and I come from Norway. I will write a paper, where I'll write a diary ... A: Magnus: With such a polite request, how can I refuse? However, I can only offer a little help, not ...
bio in query	10/13/2011
Q: I was wondering if I should put this in the bio part of my query letter: "I have earned an MA in ... A: Definitely include the publication. When mentioning the MA, do what you just did: emphasize that ...
paperback covers	9/14/2011
Q: Sometimes an agent who I want to contact has sold books with these extremely gaudy covers. Should I ... A: The agent has nothing to do with the covers. That's entirely up to the publisher. If you get ...
quotations	8/1/2011
Q: What do I do, when a character's dialog contains both a statement, and a question. Or two things ... A: Yes, describing nouns is unavoidable, otherwise you could never distinguish between the blue pill ...
quotations	7/28/2011
Q: What do I do, when a character's dialog contains both a statement, and a question. Or two things ... A: Oh! In your example above, it doesn't appear that it's a paragraph break. And holy crap, I ...
quotations	7/27/2011
Q: What do I do, when a character's dialog contains both a statement, and a question. Or two things ... A: Believe it or not, that's kinda the point. You don't want to draw attention to them, because they ...
paragraphs	7/27/2011
Q: Is there a rule against starting a new paragraph in the middle of a (long) dialog? A: David: Not at all. In fact, in a long dialogue, you're going to have multiple paragraphs. Each ...
Language in books	7/23/2011
Q: I'm writing a fiction fantasy book roughly based on an old Arabic society. In the story, I have ... A: Benjamin: There are many, many literary examples of exactly what you're talking about. Some books ...
What do I call a character with an alias?	7/9/2011
Q: I am a writer of fiction. I have a bit of a quandary. My character, Abby Miller, was given an alias ... A: Coleen: Other writers may not agree with this, but my rule of thumb has always been to be ...
Advice for unsolicited writing submissions	7/1/2011
Q: Wales, I'm a long-time, unpublished and unproduced playwright. I've been a Batman fan since the ... A: Well, dang. Had my response half-done, and accidentally lost it. Let's try again... You're ...
contract	6/9/2011
Q: Not long ago, I emailed a query, then later I spotted something about the agency that my eyes ... A: D. Gotta tell you, that's not one I've run across. I can only assume it means that everything is ...
book titles	6/7/2011
Q: I'm hoping you can clarify something for me. I'm writing a book. The name of it will occupy two ... A: Okay, in the example you give, the second line is clearly a subtitle. As I said earlier, a subtitle ...
book titles	6/6/2011
Q: I'm hoping you can clarify something for me. I'm writing a book. The name of it will occupy two ... A: Patty: It's no problem at all for a title to break across two lines. A subtitle is something ...
fantasy	5/30/2011
Q: Mr. Wales: What am I to make of a agent that states that she does not handle fantasy, but I see in ... A: Technically, yes, it would be fantasy, though most people think of sword & sorcery type of stuff ...
Embarking on my first novel and I feel a little lost	5/19/2011
Q: I've been writing all my life but really here in the last 10 years or so have I gotten into creative ... A: Ryan: I can relate to your old habits. When I was just beginning as a novelist, I overused (or ...
Investors conned/Suspected Insurance Fraud	5/18/2011
Q: I wish to write about a court case that is presently on the go. It must be stated one of the people ... A: Vivien: It would help me to give you the best advice if I knew exactly what sort of writing you're ...
Character Naming - Non-Fiction	5/8/2011
Q: When writing a non-fiction book based on an author's life, is it better to name the main character ... A: The whole point to non-fiction is that it's just that: not fiction. Assigning a fictional name for ...
Non Fiction Writing	4/26/2011
Q: I have written a book that is non-fiction. All the stories are true, but I have changed the names of ... A: Yes, I think doing it as fiction is probably the better approach. Just be careful to cover yourself ...
Non Fiction Writing	4/26/2011
Q: I have written a book that is non-fiction. All the stories are true, but I have changed the names of ... A: No, that will not suffice at all, I'm sorry to tell you. No disclaimer, no matter how thoroughly ...
Non Fiction Writing	4/25/2011
Q: I have written a book that is non-fiction. All the stories are true, but I have changed the names of ... A: Changing the names of characters is rarely enough to prevent someone from recognizing a depiction of ...
Alternative History Fiction	4/14/2011
Q: Hey Vincent, I have recently been thinking about possibly writing a series of alternate history ... A: Jacob. Alternative/Parallel history stories have a large and devoted fan base. Some readers just ...
Fiction Based on Fact	3/31/2011
Q: I'm developing a book about my father's life in show business as a ballroom dancer in the ... A: Lee: My heartfelt plea to you here is to NOT do this book as a novel. Ask yourself why it is ...
Is it even possible to write my novel?	3/16/2011
Q: I have what I consider a very exciting horror/ghost story. I have already started the research ... A: Gary: Yes, absolutely. There is no issue whatsoever with mentioning the Anniversary Committee by ...
Copyright	3/5/2011
Q: I want to write a football novel that combines some elements of non-fiction and fiction. ... A: Keith: Everything you list is fair game, if you'll pardon the pun. None of this would be cause for ...
how to begin a thriller	2/25/2011
Q: When beginning a thriller, do you start the first chapter with action from the protagonist, ... A: Jack: Truthfully, this is largely a matter of personal preference. You can do it either way, and ...
writing	2/22/2011
Q: I am currently working on a book about the special forces with action and Drama. I am still working ... A: Matthew: One of the ideal goals of good fiction is to keep your reader turning pages because he/she ...
Wanting to create my own worlds for my book	2/22/2011
Q: Ok, so Im trying to learn everything about our world, to better help me create new worlds. I want ... A: Daniel, I can think of no better reference than the Internet at your fingertips. Wikipedia is a ...
Dialogue format	2/17/2011
Q: I am currently writing a children picture book and I was wondering if I had written the dialogue in ... A: Ben: Here's how it should be written. After changes, I'll put the explanation for the changes in ...
Sky-High Word Count	12/9/2010
Q: I've finished (and edited the hell out of) my first novel, a paranormal romance, which clocks in ... A: Devon: You've been told correctly. Overly high word counts are fatal to a first-time author. At ...
using quotes of stories from others	10/27/2010
Q: I am in the process of writing a book about a subject but what I am using is people's ... A: Kyle: I'm not an expert on the legalities of such things, so for that, I'd refer you to an attorney ...
Writing a book first or third.	7/21/2010
Q: I am attempting a book. Now when I write in third person I use more detail but I rush and the book ... A: Alex, there's no way I can answer this. The choice of which person (or tense, or point-of-view, or ...
writing a book about music	7/19/2010
Q: I am currently wotking on a book, and the content has alot of public information about many many ... A: Katrina: You'd need to check with the copyright holders (e.g., magazines) of each of the sources if ...
Writer's Block	7/9/2010
Q: I have been stuck on Chapter 3 for a while and was wondering how you overcome writer's block. I ... A: The answer to your question may just be within the question itself. You said that you have "much ...
I am writing a book	6/28/2010
Q: I have written and published one book. However I would like to write an autobiography with true ... A: Oh, all right. Thanks for the clarification. Yeah, there's no problem here that I can see. I've ...
fiction v true story	6/25/2010
Q: I want to write a story about a mortgage crime that I witness and then turned in to the authorities. ... A: Take a tip from TV. Shows like Law & Order do this all the time. A story hits the news, and they ...
YA book and chapter length	3/25/2010
Q: So I know I'm shooting for about 60,000 words with this YA fantasy, but how long are YA chapters? Is ... A: Katrina: There really aren't any rules for chapter length, so I certainly wouldn't worry about it. ...
Memoir or Fiction??	3/4/2010
Q: I have completed my 3rd novel and that too is to be published. However, I'm perplexed. Being ... A: Jeanette: The problem with writing your memoirs is that your life isn't lived in a bubble. Other ...
Real Places and People	2/19/2010
Q: I'm interested in writing a fictional version of my experiences working for a major company. Am I ... A: I'd strongly recommend against it. It's not illegal at all, on the face of it, but it's a dangerous ...
I can't decide which to go with.	12/18/2009
Q: I have recently began writing a book and it's horror based. However I can't seem to decide between ... A: Alex: Truth is, it doesn't matter which one of these sounds more interesting at this point in time. ...
plagiarism and short sayings	12/17/2009
Q: I thank you for your response to my first question and in response I have another question. Since my ... A: Okay, my thoughts: 1) If your space is so cramped that you can't put in the author attributions, ...
plagarism and short sayings	12/10/2009
Q: The book is 365 sayings, each from a different author and only 1 or 2 lines in length. I am still ... A: The source material is of much lesser importance than the source itself. In other words, worry ...
crediting quotes	12/2/2009
Q: Hey There The main character in a story I'm working on quotes other people A LOT. As the story ... A: Ernie... That's a quandary, isn't it? You want to (and should) attribute the quotes to their ...
Narrative structure for a fictional novel	11/19/2009
Q: M. Wales, I want to write a book (a political novel) about the life of a fictional political ... A: Carl: This is not an easy question to address, since there are no true answers. There is no easy ...
author acknowledgment	11/12/2009
Q: I am compiling 365 sayings to produce a motivational novelty book. I need to know about ... A: Any time you quote someone without attribution, you run the risk of a plagiarism suit. If you are ...
Selling Story Rights	8/31/2009
Q: I will be meeting soon with a well published author to discuss a novel or bio based on an outline I ... A: Carolyn: Most publishers have pretty standard royalty schedules for the books they publish, but of ...
My first novel	8/3/2009
Q: I've just relocated and am starting my first novel. I had a question before I start organizing my ... A: Not all novels are formatted that way. In many (including mine), the title is on one header and the ...
query letter	7/31/2009
Q: In the book "On Writing" by Stephen King he has an example made up query letter where someone ... A: I don't personally think publication dates are necessary, no. I'd say something like: My short ...
Using existing streets, towns and villages.	7/9/2009
Q: I read the question that you answered about using existing companies and shops in a fiction novel ... A: It's all fair game, Anthony. Using actual towns, streets, and events can give a very nice ...
Protagonist&Antagonist	6/16/2009
Q: The new show nurse Jackie makes me ask this question. Can a single character or lead character be ... A: Sure. Since you mentioned TV shows, I'll point to another one: Frasier. Frasier Crane is the lead ...
Use of School's Name in Fiction	6/6/2009
Q: I would appreciate your help in understanding whether I can use the name of a state school in my ... A: Well, I recall Philip Roth's protagonist in Goodbye, Columbus had attended Penn State. This sticks ...
Using an Encyclopedia and Reference Materials	5/31/2009
Q: Can you please tell me when it is necessary to request permission for using an encyclopedia as a ... A: You're quite welcome. And it depends on what you mean by "derogatory." If you're referring to the ...
Classifying the maturity level of a novel...	5/26/2009
Q: I'm currently working on a novel that I'm not sure how to classify yet, but it's most likely a dark ... A: Janna: No, there really isn't a clear distinction between these things. You'll find that what ...
Names, etc.	4/20/2009
Q: I have another question... is it acceptable to use; titles of songs, celebrities' names, movie or ... A: Using the names of well-known celebrities, companies, and products is perfectly fine. And no ...
Is this normal?	4/19/2009
Q: .. I'm writing a Romantic Thriller which is currently about half-finished. The opening scene was ... A: Carol: I suppose the flip answer would be: "What's normal mean, anyway?" But to answer you more ...
Editing a rough draft.	2/2/2009
Q: Through Jan I blitzed a rough draft for my first novel, it is around 70k words, I believe it has a ... A: There are two main attitudes toward first drafts. One is to pound right through it while the ideas ...
A little help, please?	1/27/2009
Q: I like English, and it has always been my best subject. I'm trying to find which area of writing I ... A: Jeff, in all honesty... write what you LOVE to write. I don't care if I'm "best suited" to write ...
Fantasy/Horror book (zombies)	1/22/2009
Q: My main question is that I have an idea (or mixture of them) for a way I wish my zombie book to go ... A: Pretty tough call on that one, Robert. Truth of the matter is that just about any sort of reason ...
im stuck	1/18/2009
Q: Iv'e been writing a fantacy book and i have written a good start but it isn't very long and i don't ... A: Imogen: A very common problem you've got there. I hope this will help you. When you begin writing ...
plot synopsis	1/14/2009
Q: and thanks, one agency wants along with the paragraph about myself, a plot synopsis, then any ... A: With regard to what agents are looking for, synopsis and outline mean the same thing: a heavily ...
follow up question to paragraph about yourself	1/13/2009
Q: One agency wants: 1. A paragraph about yourself, 2. Synopsis in the query and then, I belive, ... A: I would phrase it something like, "My book, <insert title>, is the story of a private investigator, ...
WRITING	1/13/2009
Q: I am writing a book on relaxation. There are many books that give techniques and steps to relax, or ... A: The short answer is no... the steps themselves are not copyrighted, but I wouldn't recommend copying ...
paragraph about yourself	1/12/2009
Q: One agency wants: 1. A paragraph about yourself, 2. Synopsis in the query and then, I belive, ... A: What they're looking for is probably just a little evidence that you have "qualifications" to be ...
Fiction based on already existent material?	1/4/2009
Q: I was reading some books by Scott Ciencin, u know, the guy who writes non-cannon spin offs of ... A: I confess, I have no idea who Scott Ciencin is, and don't read such spinoff works. But generally ...
First steps	12/31/2008
Q: I'm 18 and I've always held an interest in creative writing. I'm mainly interested in fantasy but ... A: Happy New Year, Nicky! Yes, I very much understand your concerns. But let me share my perspective ...
Young and Writing	12/4/2008
Q: im 16 years old and im really REALLY into writing books. I want to some day publish them and become ... A: Danielle... thanks for writing. Yeah, I totally understand your problem. For most writers, the ...
Title.	12/3/2008
Q: I'm having a hard time finding a Title for my book. Do you have any advice on how to find one? A: There are a lot of things to consider when naming your book. Obviously, you want the title to be ...
fiction novel	11/30/2008
Q: After spending a day on a ride along with Sheriffs deputies, I am interested in writing a fiction ... A: Jenny: If you're going to fictionalize an actual crime, then don't hold back. Fictionalize it out ...
Writing a novel based on a true story.	11/30/2008
Q: I'm in the process of writing my first book. This book will be a true life double homicide case I ... A: Michael: Yes, of course you can use real names if you're writing a book based on a true crime. ...
1st person fiction	11/26/2008
Q: I have been writing and working on a fictional novel that is in first person, and have been getting ... A: Hey, Tyler... Well, yeah... sometimes it's hard to know which way to go about something before ...
Fiction Story Characters	11/8/2008
Q: I'm writing a story in which I have to introduce a lot of characters at the same time. Can you tell ... A: This is hard to answer without knowing more details, such as the number of characters you're ...
Fiction based on facts	10/27/2008
Q: I am in the process of helping an attorney write a book about some interesting homicide cases that ... A: First... this is odd, because I replied to this follow-up, only AllExperts is now saying I didn't, ...
Fiction based on facts	10/27/2008
Q: I am in the process of helping an attorney write a book about some interesting homicide cases that ... A: Since the attorney is asking for a Law & Order type of thing... no... you'd need to change the ...
Fiction based on facts	10/10/2008
Q: I am in the process of helping an attorney write a book about some interesting homicide cases that ... A: CJ: Essentially, what your attorney is asking for is fiction along the lines of TV shows like Law & ...
Fantasy writing	10/9/2008
Q: I love fantasy novels. My favorite series is The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. I love how complex ... A: There are many programs on the market that can allegedly help with things like this... but since ...
Book based on a true story	10/6/2008
Q: I want to write a book based on a true story. Just to keep it short my best friend was murdered, and ... A: Well, if you're going to use ANY fictional stuff at all, then yeah... you should get the buy-in of ...
Book based on a true story	10/6/2008
Q: I want to write a book based on a true story. Just to keep it short my best friend was murdered, and ... A: Eric: First of all, my condolences on the loss of your friend. That's a terrible thing. I also ...
fictional short stories and novels	9/17/2008
Q: I propose to utilize my own illustrations in a short story and a short novel in the planning stage ... A: The short answer is yes, if she recognizes herself, you're in shaky territory. She may not agree ...
Do you still teach?	9/8/2008
Q: I am wondering if you still teach writing in Sacramento. If so, where? A: Kim. Presently, I'm not. However, negotiations are in the works for the series to be offered again ...
styles of fiction	7/21/2008
Q: to begin let me tell you that English is my second language, but I write English as good as i can. I ... A: Salvador: The simple answer to your question is: Sure! It's perfectly okay. So long as it sounds ...
Romance as Lesser Art?	7/17/2008
Q: Oh, Vincent! You have no idea how glad I am to come across you at allexperts! I love writing. ... A: Jennifer: 1) My personal opinion is that "art" is highly subjective. Asking if Romance is a ...
classes	7/7/2008
Q: Where do you teach and could you recommend any schools in Sacto area. A: Cathy: Guess I need to update my profile. I taught a series of fiction classes for about four ...
how to start?	7/5/2008
Q: I've had loads of wonderful ideas to write a fantasy book and now i just need to put them together ... A: There's really no single way to go about beginning a book. Different things work better from one ...
questions	7/4/2008
Q: whats your opinion about someone analyze all things around him , usually searching for trunth , ... A: The simple truth is that it's impossible to say. Sure, having a good imagination will help, but ...
names	6/17/2008
Q: i have real trouble with thinking up names for people, places and things. Is there any advice you ... A: Chris: Well... "things"? Most things have their own names already, or are you inventing new ...
Sci-Fi Crossover...1 book or 3?	6/11/2008
Q: I recently decided to take my writing seriously and have begun a novel that's been hanging around ... A: The quick and dirty answer to your question is: Absolutely. If you want to see a good example of ...
inquiry: How to sell articles to magazines	5/29/2008
Q: Good day! I need information on the following questions. 1) What is the correct format in writing ... A: Generally speaking, manuscript formats should simply be double-spaced with one-inch margins all ...
writing books	5/19/2008
Q: would like tto know what is the limit of words can be used. What is the best way of completing the ... A: Rosie: Generally speaking, there is no word limit. However, there are some exceptions to this, ...
novels	5/14/2008
Q: what should the word count of a novel be A: Mary: Most publishers will tell you that the word count for a first book from an unpublished writer ...
genre fiction?	5/8/2008
Q: One agency says it doesn't want "genre fiction" On the website of recent books, and series, however, ... A: Yes, mystery is definitely a genre, and private investigator stories would be a subcategory of this ...
Will my readers have sympathy for this character?	3/9/2008
Q: I'm not good with psychology. This question is for a story I'm writing. Let's say there's this ... A: Cindy. One of the things you'll find is true is that, if you're serious about being a writer, you ...
Agents	3/1/2008
Q: I keep reading incidents about bestselling authors who got noticed by agents only after selling ... A: Yes, to all three questions. To attract an agent, use whatever methods they recommend (which you ...
Agents	3/1/2008
Q: I keep reading incidents about bestselling authors who got noticed by agents only after selling ... A: Oooh, no. Sorry if I gave that impression. Self-publishing is NOT the best way to get the ...
Agents	2/29/2008
Q: I keep reading incidents about bestselling authors who got noticed by agents only after selling ... A: Well, if I understand what you're referring to, the process goes like this: 1) Author tries to ...
libel	2/27/2008
Q: Vincent, I wrote a book about charity in an underdeveloped country. I used factual events and NGOs ... A: Tim: Okay... I'm going to have to err on the side of prudence and warn you to be very careful with ...
libel	2/26/2008
Q: Vincent, I wrote a book about charity in an underdeveloped country. I used factual events and NGOs ... A: First, regarding the fraud and embezzlement... Do you have proof? If you could demonstrate that ...
Copyright cleances - what needs it?	1/9/2008
Q: I've written a time-travel novelette starring my grandkids and me traveling back to 1927 and ... A: Quoting small sections of copyrighted material, including poetry and songs, would quite likely fall ...
Copyright cleances - what needs it?	1/8/2008
Q: I've written a time-travel novelette starring my grandkids and me traveling back to 1927 and ... A: Nope, you're in the clear. Nothing you mentioned requires any sort of copyright permissions... ...
My story	1/8/2008
Q: I am 15 years old. And i have a great interest in writing. A few days ago, i had the urge to write ... A: Marissa. As you know, my specialty is fiction, not biography. But I'll share my thoughts, anyway. ...
chapters	12/12/2007
Q: my manuscript is almost complete and I would like to know how many chapters a realistic fiction ... A: Tom: The number of chapters is irrelevant. Publishers will care more about word count. For a ...
book idea	11/15/2007
Q: I had this idea for a book but I'm not 100% sure about it. I started out writing a book based in the ... A: If nothing else, writing this history will give you personally a better understanding of the worlds ...
Stories seem to abrupt	11/7/2007
Q: I like to write Fantasy stories, and am working on developing my own world. I am great and making a ... A: Tyler, this is pretty much just my opinion... and one I've never heard anyone else voice... but here ...
writing	10/23/2007
Q: Do you think it is out of the question for me to write a self help book - similar to Deepak Chopra ... A: Al: No, it certainly isn't out of the question. You don't need a Ph.D. to be able to share your ...
Characters	10/12/2007
Q: What's the secret to making characters live? Thank you. A: Two things, really. First, make them fully-fleshed. You, as the writer, need to know these ...
my writing	9/5/2007
Q: I was looking on the Internet to find some answers about the way I write and what I should be ... A: Naomi: Well, bear in mind that my answer is mostly speculation. I certainly can't psychoanalyze ...
invisible character	9/5/2007
Q: Remember the question "pouring out words" when I mentioned I had started a sea story? Well, it ... A: Okay. So what is it that makes this character different from the others in your story? Sounds like ...
Boring heroine	8/31/2007
Q: I've been working on a YA fantasy novel for about 4 years. I've used many fantasy standards (elves, ... A: Michelle: Yep. That's a problem. After all, if you might hate your character, your readers almost ...
What not to do....	7/26/2007
Q: I'm beginning to write a fantasy book at the moment and I know that it's a very popular subject to ... A: No, there aren't any elements that are off-limits. Of course, you really don't want your story to ...
dialogues	7/24/2007
Q: I'm trying to write an espionage book, and I'm going on well with the first three chapters, but I ... A: Giulia: I want to preface this by saying that your question is really very broad, and impossible to ...
Agency	7/17/2007
Q: I don't understand this on a literary agents website: "For fiction: please send a query letter with ... A: Credentials can mean many things, and in the case of fiction writing, it can mean awards won, ...
Getting published	7/2/2007
Q: My name is Allison, and I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. Books have always ... A: Allison: Congratulations for finishing such a lengthy work! That takes a lot of persistence, and ...
advances	6/24/2007
Q: If an agent does sell your work, when can you receive an advance? At what point or at what ... A: Advances are gauged based on how the publisher expects the book to sell. The better they expect ...
advances	6/23/2007
Q: If an agent does sell your work, when can you receive an advance? At what point or at what ... A: To answer the second question first... I dunno. Probably. But I'm not well-versed on who uses ...
advances	6/23/2007
Q: If an agent does sell your work, when can you receive an advance? At what point or at what ... A: It all depends on the terms of the contract, but if there is an advance (and there isn't, always), ...
Proof-reading	6/19/2007
Q: Is it a good idea to let friends proof=read your novel? A: If you're talking about proofreading as in "looking for typos," then sure. So long as they know ...
changes to a contract	6/18/2007
Q: If you have concerns about something in an agency contract, what is the best thing to do? Thanks A: The best thing to do is to express your concerns to the agent. No contract is immutable; you can ...
Contracts	6/18/2007
Q: An agency on its website has a contract that goes on to say that they are free to sell an idea ... A: Is it "fair"? Sure. Is it a good idea? Well again... not in my opinion. The principle stated in ...
Contracts	6/18/2007
Q: An agency on its website has a contract that goes on to say that they are free to sell an idea ... A: One of the questions I'm asked a lot in my classes has to do with the concept of stealing ideas. ...
Book Market	6/11/2007
Q: Do you think there's a need in the book market for a book on supervion (effective leadership) for ... A: Maybe it's just me, but I don't see much difference between "supervision" and "management." And ...
getting a publisher	6/10/2007
Q: I retired early from AT&T in 1998 and since then I've written 9 screenplays, 2 stage plays and 2 ... A: Wow, I've not heard of any who don't accept queries. I'm not suggesting you send a copy of the book ...
getting a publisher	6/10/2007
Q: I retired early from AT&T in 1998 and since then I've written 9 screenplays, 2 stage plays and 2 ... A: I'm going to assume you still have some copies of the previously-published book. What I'd recommend ...
Proposal	5/21/2007
Q: When you write proposals to agents, so they will send it to a publishing house, my question is, when ... A: It's referring to the types of people you expect to be in your target audience, specifically with ...
what a certain genre is	5/3/2007
Q: My novel is being looked at right now. While I'm waiting far a reply I'm still sending query letters ... A: I have never in my life heard this term in that context. But I would assume that it means the same ...
how many races is too many?	4/23/2007
Q: in fantasy almost every world has a conglomerate of races on both sides of an epic conflict. ... A: Not really something I can answer for you, Patrick. "How many is too many?" It depends. And this ...
fantasy cliches	4/23/2007
Q: i am in the beginnings of writing a fantasy novel and hopefully eventually a trilogy. But i think ... A: In my opinion, asking if elves are too cliche to write about anymore is like asking if love is too ...
pouring out words	4/18/2007
Q: I've been working on a scifi/fantasy novel (I say both genres because there's such a fine line ... A: Okay, I totally understand where you're coming from. That first book I mentioned...? I spent ten ...
pouring out words	4/17/2007
Q: I've been working on a scifi/fantasy novel (I say both genres because there's such a fine line ... A: Carissa... Wow. Whether you know it or not, you've given me a LOT to comment upon... far more than ...
Basic rules of fantasy	3/13/2007
Q: I have been quite an avid fan of the fantasy genre and am now embarking on a journey which i hope ... A: There are no "rules," but there is some degree of expectation on the part of many readers. The ...
synopsis length for fiction	3/7/2007
Q: Another question for you. In preparing my synopsis, I’ve been trying to determine the appropriate ... A: You're absolutely right that there's no hard and fast rule with regard to synopsis length. However, ...
Can you help me?	2/23/2007
Q: I don't know if any of my questions have already been asked, and I'd appreciate it if you could ... A: Caroline: This must be a common school assignment, because I've answered these questions (or ones ...
A Few Questions	2/22/2007
Q: I'm doing research for a class at my high school, and I'd like to ask a few questions. Any and all ... A: Alyssa: I'm more than happy to answer your questions. Bear in mind that my writing career is ...
Writing books	2/9/2007
Q: I was wondering how I can locate a publisher without submitting a manuscript right of the bat. I am ... A: Tina: "Locating" a publisher is quite simple. Here's Google's directory of book publishers: ...
writing guidelines	2/5/2007
Q: Can I use the names of stores and designers without receiving permision, such as bloomingdales, ... A: You bet! I mean, assuming you're not going to be making slanderous statements against them. Even ...
names	1/8/2007
Q: I’ve written a fiction novel and have a question for you. Am I allowed to reference names of ... A: Yes, it's perfectly acceptable, Michael. No question about that. But the better question is: Do ...
book length	1/5/2007
Q: I've been writing for a long time now and I have decided to put it all down into text. My question ... A: There are no hard and fast rules about how long a novel "should" be. For a first novel, however, I ...
My Novel	12/7/2006
Q: Well, I've been trying to figure out exactly what I will be writing about, and I have found my ... A: Rob: Certainly, the more planning you're able to do ahead of time, the better things generally work ...
Copyright/libel referring to real places in fiction novels?	12/3/2006
Q: Vincent, Congrats on your writing awards. Here's my query. I researched the name of actual small ... A: Carl: Defamation law, including libel, is nothing to take lightly, but neither is it something to ...
Writing	12/2/2006
Q: I write fictional short stories and have been doing so for around eight years. Nothing published. I ... A: It generally takes me 5 years to write a novel, so I see no issues with a few months for a short ...
guilt	12/1/2006
Q: I want to write novels and am on my second go around. The first time failed because my life felt too ... A: Making time is hard enough for those of us without all the obligations in life that you've listed, ...
I'm stuck	11/29/2006
Q: I'm a typical teen and I have been wanting to write a book since the age of twelve. I have no I idea ... A: Rebecca: This may not be the most helpful thing to you, but given how far-reaching your "problem" ...
Writing first fantasy book	11/27/2006
Q: Okay, well I have actually got the plot down, and the few main characters. I found this awesome ... A: I'm a firm believer in the idea of doing a lot of pre-writing in your head. In your case, that ...
Um...I am asking a question.	11/23/2006
Q: I am Chance and I have a few questions. I am writing a novel. I started it three days ago and i ... A: Chance... Yes, indeed... Publishers will certainly sit up and take notice of good works by young ...
literary agents	11/3/2006
Q: Vincent, I've just completed (the 3rd rewrite) of my manuscript and currently working on query ... A: Denise: Truthfully, the first question I'd ask is this: Who besides you has looked over your ...
Narritives	10/18/2006
Q: With my book, I've placed very high importance on making my characters seem realistic (as realistic ... A: Charlotte: First, I do agree with you... such narrator switching can, indeed, remove a lot of focus ...
book proposal?	10/7/2006
Q: The book agency requires a synopsis with the first 3 chapters without specified requirements. The ... A: Tibor: Table of Contents? No. Again, if this were an actual book proposal for a NON-fiction book, ...
book proposal?	10/6/2006
Q: Wales, I would like to ask some technical info about ‘How to build a book proposal’. Is there any ... A: Tibor: I'm a little confused by your question, because in item #5, you mention descriptions of ...
My New Book	9/28/2006
Q: it is so nice to be able to speak to such a well respected writer person like me. I am currently ... A: Graham. With what you've presented me, I really can't offer you much. I really don't know what ...
Getting published	9/23/2006
Q: So, I've finished my first 150,000-word, adventure novel and I'm eager to get on to my second but ... A: Welcome to the publishing world, Quentin. Check your sanity at the door. Antidepressants will be ...
writing	9/17/2006
Q: If a person writes a book using a "pen name" will the author always remain anonymous? Also, how can ... A: Yes, a pseudonym is fairly "safe." If you want it to be, that is. How many people knew that books ...
writing	9/17/2006
Q: If a person writes a book using a "pen name" will the author always remain anonymous? Also, how can ... A: Al: In this day and age, complete anonymity is never anything you can assume. But the lesser known ...
Dilemma	9/17/2006
Q: After writing countless number of short stories I have finally decided to write a fantasy novel in ... A: Marko: Here's my advice, and it's 100% straight from my heart. Forget what you think the reader ...
Prologue Layout	9/16/2006
Q: I'm a new writer, working on a fantasy book with my cousin. We've both been a bit lost lately about ... A: Seth. Here's my rule of thumb when it comes to providing "background" information: If the reader ...
keeping a story going	9/14/2006
Q: I've started many stories and have never finished any. I write about magic/ fantacy, romance and ... A: Sonia: There could be any number of reasons for the difficulty you're having. Is it inspiration ...
how to make it origional	8/13/2006
Q: i am trying to make my fantasy book origional but it always comes out like a typical fantasy. ... A: This is a common lament, and for far more than just fantasy. Consider: "boy meets girl, boy dates ...
Poetry	8/9/2006
Q: Wales, I have a collection of poems which are set in a variety of styles, they are on a variety ... A: The agents with which I'm familiar are not ones who handle poetry, I'm afraid. Truthfully, poetry ...
How much is too much!	7/27/2006
Q: I am an unkown and unpublished writer. I have been writing since I was 12, even though that doesnt ... A: Beth: No, you're certainly not the only one. Happens to all writers, now and then. What you need ...
How to start out writeing, and how to think of a story	7/27/2006
Q: I am wanting to write a book that is fiction and im having difficulty comeing up with a story. I've ... A: Kim: I was actually tempted not to answer this, because it's really a very broad question, and I ...
the ending	7/19/2006
Q: wales i was wondering about my ending. Because, for me the ending is the most important part of the ... A: Hailey: This is a difficult question to answer without having more information. Obviously, I can't ...
formatting	7/18/2006
Q: I am in the middle of writing a dream book and am unsure as to formatting for publisher. the dream ... A: Okay, if I were typing this up for submission, I'd do it like this: CAR - Expensive, self-driving, ...
formatting	7/18/2006
Q: I am in the middle of writing a dream book and am unsure as to formatting for publisher. the dream ... A: Well, wipe that confusion out of your head, Rosemary. Formatting is the decision of the publisher, ...
Poetry	7/10/2006
Q: Wales, I am wondering how many poems do I need to make a decent sized book? Thank you! A: Alexandra: This really depends on what format you'd like the book to be, and of course, how long ...
is there any chance of me being able to publish my book since im 15?	7/9/2006
Q: About two years ago I was inspired to write a urban drama story after listing to one of my favorite ... A: Natalie: In the world of publishing, age actually works in your favor, for two reasons. First, if ...
Science Fiction?	6/16/2006
Q: Greetings, I just wanted to ask you about writing Science Fiction. I'll admitt I'm not an avid ... A: Sam: Wow, way to ask one of the broadest possible questions, dude. You're essentially asking, "Can ...
publishing	5/27/2006
Q: I am currently working on a fantasy book, and it may be completed sometime in the near future. What ... A: No, you won't get laughed at just because you're a teen. Far from it, in fact. If you're able to ...
copy right	3/27/2006
Q: i have written a poetry book but before i ship it somewhere to get published. i wanted to know the ... A: Rosy: The simple act of putting your words down in "permanent" form (in other words, writing them ...
word length	3/22/2006
Q: ------------------------- FOLLOW UP AT BOTTOM Followup To Question - Hello: Hope you are doing ... A: Honestly, it's hard to say. My gut feeling is most publishers would think it's a bit short for a ...
word length	3/19/2006
Q: Hope you are doing better. What you said about word length made a lot of sense to me. Anyway, I am ... A: It's rare that you'll ever want to add length to a manuscript. Editing generally consists of ...
Beginner Writer	2/22/2006
Q: I have an idea for a story but i'm not sure where to start. Its sort of a Sci-fi/modern era type of ... A: Garret: This is a pretty broad question, and I'm not entirely certain what you mean by not knowing ...
Doling out information	2/11/2006
Q: I read alot about doling out information, like backstory, character history, etc, throughout the ... A: Christopher: Generally speaking, you present information at the time the reader needs to know it. ...
Switching from screenplays to books	2/9/2006
Q: For a few years I've focused on becoming a screenwriter. Recently, I've considered trying my luck ... A: Jeremy: Ay carumba... Screenplays and novels are entirely different animals. Now, if you're a ...
fantasy writer block	1/17/2006
Q: im just a litle upset about my resent writing i feel like nothing i write is that original as i wish ... A: Sergio: I think we all go through this, so don't be too upset by it. One of the things I ...
Pay Expectations	1/2/2006
Q: If you author a book and it sells successfully, what can you expect to make in dollars from the ... A: A rough ballpark average of compensation comes in the area of about 10% of cover price on sales, ...
short love books	1/2/2006
Q: No one is a expepert at love. And I really don't read at all. However, short stories I tell off ... A: Short fiction and book-length fiction have their similarities and their differences. Book-length ...
reaserch project	12/14/2005
Q: what i ment is that i have alot of ideas for events in one story but i dont know how to bring them ... A: Ah... I see. Well, that's another matter entirely. And honestly, there's no real suggestion I can ...
reaserch project	12/13/2005
Q: at my school my first oeriod class is doing research projects on a subject of our choice. i chose ... A: Nathan. Well, taking an idea for a short story and expanding it into a novel isn't necessarily a ...
finding time to write my book.	11/27/2005
Q: Ok. I have all my plans and everything laid out, but I just can't find the time to finish writing ... A: Megan: Different strategies work for different people. One option is to set aside a specific time ...
word count	11/13/2005
Q: i'm confused. Most websights say that the average word count for a novel is 50,000- 100,000, but ... A: Sara: This is a rather subjective question, because different people have different opinions about ...
some questions	11/6/2005
Q: I have to interveiw a writer for a career project i am doing in school. I would really apreciate if ... A: Nick: I don't know how useful my answers will be for you, but here you go: 1. My daily routine, ...
To be or not to be.	11/5/2005
Q: I have a problem with a character in my book. I don't if i should keep him on the side of good with ... A: John: I think I know why you're having a dilemma with this. I'm guessing you're approaching it as ...
advice for fantasy writing	10/27/2005
Q: We actually have five questions, and we would be happy for any answers you can give us. 1. Do ... A: 1. Not exactly, but it certainly helps, especially for book-length fiction writers. 2. Very much ...
Fantasy cliches	10/16/2005
Q: I'm an beginning, unpublished writer with my eyes on the fantasy genre. I have a general question ... A: Kate: Certain things in fantasy literature are considered pretty much standards. And everything ...
im interested in publishing a book im writing.	9/24/2005
Q: would know the costs and best publishing house to use in publishing 300 pages of fictional ... A: Rob: You'll need to be clearer. If you're talking about CHOOSING a publisher, then you're talking ...
Getting a story published	9/8/2005
Q: how are you? My names Eric and im currently in the air force and im 19 years old. I've been ... A: Hey, Eric. Nice to hear that you've jumped into the writing life. (Don't forget your parachute.) ...
I feel trapped	8/12/2005
Q: There are so many ideas out there that I would like to draw inspiration from. This is most ... A: J: Feel free! Ideas cannot be copyrighted. Information, even, cannot be copyrighted. What CAN be ...
Copy right	8/9/2005
Q: I have and idea for a story, but I don't want someone ells to steal it. How do get a copy right? ... A: Dan: The easiest way to get your copyright is to write the story. You can't copyright an idea, you ...
Writing Style?	8/7/2005
Q: How do you figure out your writing style? Is it mostly trial and error or did you look at other ... A: Yes, determining one's style, or voice, is just a matter of time. A writer can adopt different ...
Poetry	8/1/2005
Q: do you know of any referrals when it comes to getting a poetry book published?or who to turn to? A: When it comes to books of poetry, there are essentially three kinds. The first is a collection of ...
Publishing	7/29/2005
Q: I was wondering if you could possibly give me some advice. I've already finished one story and I'm ... A: Matt: It would probably be in your best financial interests to try for publication in the UK first, ...
How did you go about getting...	6/21/2005
Q: How did you go about getting your books published? A: Lane: I could give you the short answer or the long answer. Unfortunately for you, I feel in the ...
Writing	6/13/2005
Q: I am fifteen years old. I believe that I have written a great story. I want to publish it, but where ... A: Jessi: Generally, the process goes like this: 1) Finish the book, making sure it's as good as you ...
Character Development	6/10/2005
Q: I am a seventeen year old wanna-be writer. I wish to put together a novel for teenagers and adults ... A: Donielle: Depending on the nature of the trait you're talking about, losing it SHOULD be a case ...
paradise	6/9/2005
Q: I notice that many novelists seem to be living the good life,just how lucrative is it to be a ... A: Colin: When you consider how many published novelists there are, the number who are living the good ...
Is there a softer side to Satan?	5/31/2005
Q: Mr. Wales, I understand the importance of showing that an evil character has redeeming qualities ... A: Brandon: I'd need more information before I can answer your question. You see, it really depends ...
Question about specifics	5/20/2005
Q: When some-one decides to write a book about a subject in a particular country, do you need to have ... A: If you're writing non-fiction, then YES! If you're writing fiction, you have more leeway, but ...
intergration	5/13/2005
Q: Wales, I am starting to write a book on my life story. Everyone has a book in them and I am no ... A: Don: That type of sequence - beginning "now" and going back to "then" - is a very common one in ...
getting started/right track?	4/27/2005
Q: I'v never written a book before, but I'm an avid fantasy reader. I just started writing a fantasy ... A: Christen: When it comes to "how" to write a book, there aren't any hard and fast rules to follow. ...
Query letters to agents	4/27/2005
Q: its me again, thanks a lot for responding to my last question. I know about query letters, how they ... A: J - Actually, I work pretty much exclusively in fiction! Check out my latest: ...
Writing Teen Books	4/21/2005
Q: I want to write a fiction teen book, but I don't knwo what subjects will be good to write about. Any ... A: Kendra: Just think of the things that are appealing to teens. If you're going for the female ...
Do you answer publishing questions?	4/20/2005
Q: First, if I want an agent, should I hire them before or after being accepted for publishing. Also, ... A: J: You almost certainly want to hire an agent ahead of time. The majority of an agent's job is to ...
Being Taken Seriously	3/29/2005
Q: I spent the past four months outlining and brainstorming my subject, only began writing when I had ... A: Paula: You don't sound childish in the least when you say your work is a part of you. Of course it ...
growing the characters	3/26/2005
Q: Wales, I enjoy writing poetry and song lyrics. I am getting prepared to start my first book. Do you ... A: Ty: I don't care for summaries, myself. They're too limiting. Sometimes (though rarely) I will ...
Working on more than one novel at once	1/21/2005
Q: My name is Ray Pace and I am a young novelist looking to get published. However, I often wonder ... A: Ray, I think it's a great idea. I do it, myself. Often, you do reach a place where you get stuck. ...
A few Qs about writing	1/21/2005
Q: Hey, I'm 16 and I've either written a handful of short stories or the first few pages of a novel-not ... A: Dan, I just published a novel composed entirely of newspaper clippings, diary entries, email ...
Bio help	12/11/2004
Q: Vencent, I have a poetry manuscript that is ready to be sent in, but my publisher also wants a bio ... A: Jesi: A bio is pretty simple. You really just want the nuts & bolts of things. You may or may not ...
Conspiracy Writing	12/8/2004
Q: i have started drafting a conspirational story about a popular and established society. I just want ... A: Gerard: Yeah, it can be tough to get published when you're doing controversial stuff. Unless ...
Science Fiction - Cyberpunk	11/25/2004
Q: I am currently in the process of writing a science-fiction novel with some dominating cyberpunk ... A: I'm going to apologize in advance, because I suspect this answer isn't going to be exactly what ...
chapter length	11/23/2004
Q: Wow, that was helpful. I have one more question that is very important and that is how do you ... A: Before I offer something for this, Ed, I want you to ask yourself something: Generally speaking, ...
chapter length	11/22/2004
Q: My question is this, is there a general number of pages a chapter needs to be to A) get or keep the ... A: Ed: There's no rule whatsoever regarding how long a chapter is supposed to be. Anyone who tells ...
re: Ideas for books?	11/13/2004
Q: Wales, I will get right to my question to keep it short. I don't consider myself a writer, (although ... A: Sue: I'm not going to say that such things don't happen. Certainly, it's common in Hollywood for a ...
What a story needs.	10/29/2004
Q: I am an 18 year old business student from South Australia and have become weary of the life business ... A: Matthew: First of all, best of luck with the writing. I hope you don't become weary of it, as ...
fantasy book	10/13/2004
Q: i have just finished the first thirty pages of my book which is about a world called Mystia which is ... A: Peter: Well, honestly, you're not giving me much to judge by. Could this be a good story? Sure. ...
About publshing my novel	10/3/2004
Q: Respected Vincent M. Wales , I am Dr. Abidi from Karachi, Pakistan. Although, by profession I am a ... A: Dr. Abidi: Congratulations on the online success of your writings! That's always great to hear. ...
My book is based on a mix...	10/2/2004
Q: My book is based on a mix of cornish myth and legends, but I am unsure what age group to pitch it ... A: Tony: It's almost always best to aim at a specific market. When it comes to marketing your book, ...
New writer	9/18/2004
Q: My name is Susanne and I am just 20 years old. I started writing at the age of 10 and was first ... A: Oopsie... I just sent your document back to you with comments, then deleted your initial email. ...
Synopsis and query writing	9/6/2004
Q: I have completed a 75,000 word fantasy novel, but I am having trouble with the synopsis. I did not ... A: Wow, talk about a small world. The last question I answered about a synopsis was from a person ...
synopsis	9/4/2004
Q: I am writing a synopsis of my novel (which I call light sci-fi) but the plot is complex with many ... A: Lyn: Try focusing your synopsis only on the protagonist's story. You don't need to explain the ...
book overview	9/1/2004
Q: please tell me of some good books on the subject of formating a book. I have started writing it ... A: Carmel: I need more information. Are you talking about formatting the manuscript for submission to ...
Narrative	8/20/2004
Q: narrative writing is causing me a head ache. I am over 60,000 words into a novel but I seem to work ... A: Lyn: The narrative part of a novel is, in fact, that part of the novel that makes it something of ...
Writing	7/22/2004
Q: I was wondering if there was such a way, that if someone is not such a good writer that they can get ... A: Laura: Not only is this perfectly legal, it's also very common. It's called "ghost writing." ...
Research	6/30/2004
Q: I'm writing a story set in California, but I'd like to know how you would research this area ... A: Hannah: Call me "Mr. Wales" again and I'll give you all wrong answers! Please call me Vince. :) ...
Hello, respectively	6/20/2004
Q: my name is Aprial Lucero and I got inspired one night with all sorts of ideas and I started to put ... A: Aprial... I think the most important thing I can recommend to someone just starting out is this: ...
First Time Writer	6/14/2004
Q: I have a degree in Marketing and probably have no business writing a book. I am constantly reading ... A: For shame, Diane! One's degree has no bearing whatsoever on whether one should or should not have ...
Number of words per chapter	6/13/2004
Q: Is there any rules that you follow to determine how many words per chapter of a book. Also, when ... A: Is there any rules that you follow to determine how many words per chapter of a book. ...
writing my life	6/11/2004
Q: I am writing a book about my life. But i can't seem to end it. I just keep going and going. I am at ... A: When writing an autobiography, it's not a bad idea to think of it as you would a fictional story. ...
What to do when you finish a book	6/2/2004
Q: Right know I'm writing a book about a teenage girl but catered to adults. What do I do when I ... A: Antoinette: If this is your first book, and I gather that it is, I would worry about several other ...
settings	6/2/2004
Q: I'm working on a novel, but the problem that i'm getting is that the novel basically only takes ... A: I'm not entirely sure what you mean by saying it feels "repetetive." Having only three settings ...
Reader's Interests	5/16/2004
Q: I have noticed that reader's tastes in subject matter tend to be a moving target. One year Mafia ... A: William: I don't think it's really accurate to say that the interests of the reading public change. ...
writer's profit per book	4/21/2004
Q: How much from the price of the book goes to the writer of the book? Where else does the rest of the ... A: Good thing you're sitting down, Pedro, because this answer will make you weak in the knees. The ...
how to get publisher's attention	4/14/2004
Q: I'm trying to come up with an idea to make my book proposal "different/unique"; something that ... A: Don: You're quite right... children's books are definitely not my specialty. And I also confess to ...
Things that your life and work has taught you	4/13/2004
Q: Wales As a young and aspiring author, I would be grateful to receive some of your wisdom and ... A: Brian... I consider myself a "young and aspiring author," too! :) Very good question! I like it! ...
writing books - fantasy	3/26/2004
Q: i was wondering if it is ok to write a book while still in high school and if you will be taken ... A: It's certainly a possibility, Zandy. Recently, a book titled ERAGON, by Christopher Paolini, hit ...
phrasing...	3/22/2004
Q: ..I am finding it impossible to express this thought with good phrasing for a research paper: Film ... A: Julie: The problem with asking me to rephrase this for you is that I have no idea what the rest of ...
Description	2/29/2004
Q: I have some trouble trying to describe a character in a book that I am working on,it's fantasy. ... A: Character description is, believe it or not, something you shouldn't waste a lot of time worrying ...
ballpark, how many chapters are in a fantasy novel	2/15/2004
Q: writing a book is not my problem. cutting it into chapters and how long to make them, is what i need ... A: Pamela: When you were in school, did you ever have a teacher who assigned a paper for homework, and ...

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Vincent M. Wales

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I am a writer, specializing in novels (fantasy, science fiction and others) and poetry. While I may be able to answer questions on non-fiction, my specialty is fiction. Please keep that in mind when asking questions.

Experience

For four years, I taught a series of fiction writing classes in Sacramento, CA. I've written literally hundreds of essays that are online. My latest novel, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, won BEST FICTION in Fresh Voices 2006, BEST FICTION and BEST YA FICTION in the NCPA Book Awards, and placed as a finalist in BEST BOOKS 2005 (losing to Amy Tan's newest). In 2002, my novel WISH YOU WERE HERE won awards for Best Fantasy and Best Fiction/Drama in the 8th Annual SPA Awards.

Encyclopedia

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