tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post3998080335841284813..comments2023-06-21T08:09:44.331-04:00Comments on This Is My Secret: The Blog and Website of Writer Kristin Cashore: Stuff; a Cover; and, a Question about Writing and FearKristin Cashorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-71148570560797516442009-04-28T18:56:00.000-04:002009-04-28T18:56:00.000-04:00Kourtnie, you're very welcome! :o)Kourtnie, you're very welcome! :o)Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-38038446552365794942009-04-23T15:46:00.000-04:002009-04-23T15:46:00.000-04:00Your post was one-hundred percent, holy-crap-that-...Your post was one-hundred percent, holy-crap-that-hit-the-spot inspirational for me. Thank you so much for writing this!<br /><br />It is inspirational in general to be able to read the "first book" of authors in fantasy and then go to places like this blog and know they are human beings just like yourself. Sometimes the whole process of writing/publishing becomes intimidating to the point that the humanity part is just tossed into an unmapped corner of oblivion. I sincerely admire and appreciate your work!Kourtnie McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712482236542260328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-63579985935127159342009-03-01T15:43:00.000-05:002009-03-01T15:43:00.000-05:00that definitely answered my question because i am ...that definitely answered my question because i am planning to go to college but to become a teacher but i would also like to write. thank you!!! AshBigTimeReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064216013583202058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-54778549527807075992009-03-01T14:42:00.000-05:002009-03-01T14:42:00.000-05:00Hi there Ash! There's definitely no requirement t...Hi there Ash! There's definitely no requirement that you go to college to get your work published. And I believe 100% that college is not the right route for everyone's soul. That being said, I'll tell you that my in my own case, college and grad school played a HUGE role in getting me thinking about what makes writing good, and in learning how to become a writer. (I studied literature in college and children's literature in grad school.) BUT, now that I've argued that side, I'll argue the other side and say that college isn't the only way to study those things and learn those things. And now that I've argued that side, I'll add the college helped me to get a job that provided financial security, which is something a writer needs if she's going to have the time and energy to write.<BR/><BR/>And now I'll stop arguing, and wish you luck. :o)Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-47555512575285411042009-02-28T21:09:00.000-05:002009-02-28T21:09:00.000-05:00I was just wondering if you ever read comments on ...I was just wondering if you ever read comments on old blogs,Kristin? I had just finished reading Graceling today and I loved it. And if you do reply i would like to know if people have to actually go to college to become a writer and have your work published? It's a stupid question probably but i am very curious. I love to read and write. I'm still in high school though. Well I better go now. thanks. A fan of yours Ash.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-10224701343026492152009-02-12T20:06:00.000-05:002009-02-12T20:06:00.000-05:00Hey there, continuing along a theme, if anyone's i...Hey there, continuing along a theme, if anyone's interested, a friend sent me <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggkfd7AqXIg" REL="nofollow">this link</A> to a short video of the writer/director Francis Ford Coppola talking about how writers should steal from other writers! :o)Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-31305237919576308692009-02-11T15:01:00.000-05:002009-02-11T15:01:00.000-05:00I LUVS THIS COVER!!!!.....I still love the u.s cov...I LUVS THIS COVER!!!!.....I still love the u.s cover the best with the dagger and the eyes...but this cover is so beautiful...the name alone makes me want to buyz it...by da way...your u.s cover helped so much with one of my art projects....i could not think of how to draw a feminin looking dager....it turned out great and i got an A....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-43480961049768639232009-02-09T09:33:00.000-05:002009-02-09T09:33:00.000-05:00Wow. Nicely answered.Wow. Nicely answered.ICQBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08634452093934367498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-6983530933377240912009-02-08T14:59:00.000-05:002009-02-08T14:59:00.000-05:00Oh, thanks so much, everyone -- and Ashley, you're...Oh, thanks so much, everyone -- and Ashley, you're very welcome!!Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-40765499266899243992009-02-07T20:10:00.000-05:002009-02-07T20:10:00.000-05:00oh, that's a lovely cover...congrats, kristin!!!! ...oh, that's a lovely cover...congrats, kristin!!!! and from a recent post online somewhere by me :<BR/><BR/>i've said it before and i'll say it again, it takes a lot of courage to chase your dreams.<BR/>it takes an even braver soul to live it.<BR/><BR/>great advice and post!cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175698109176599954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-15665867795892666012009-02-07T19:06:00.000-05:002009-02-07T19:06:00.000-05:00Wow, I have to say all of these people that commen...Wow, I have to say all of these people that commented about each other are so supportive and comforting when you guys dont know each other. Its wonderful.<BR/><BR/>Id love to write like a lot of you but I have a problem with getting it down on paper. I can come up with worlds and highly descriptive scenes and characters in my head but when I try to put it on paper it disappears. =[<BR/><BR/>I guess writing was never meant for me. Good thing Im going to college for vet. =]<BR/><BR/>Oh! Congrats on the award Kristin!!! Thats amazing. You deserve it =]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-4272492691497869642009-02-07T15:46:00.000-05:002009-02-07T15:46:00.000-05:00That's a beautiful cover! It reminds me of the Ge...That's a beautiful cover! It reminds me of the German cover of Ingrid Law's Savvy - I think it's the same imprint over there.<BR/><BR/>And, man, I totally get the heart palpitation thing. I get very anxious to the point of heart flutterings, too, though not as much about sending my work out - more about opening the envelopes I get in return!E. Kristin Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08405307562720655313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-19606677934334212552009-02-07T11:11:00.000-05:002009-02-07T11:11:00.000-05:00Hi Kristin,The cover is beautiful but like other r...Hi Kristin,<BR/><BR/>The cover is beautiful but like other readers I love the US one the best.<BR/>I just finished Graceling and I absolutely loved it, I couldn't out it down. You did an amazing job with Katsa and Po. I loved the ending. I'm so excited to hear your writing a prequel. <BR/><BR/>Also as a just starting out writer this post was so interesting to read as were the comments so thanks for that too.Alix https://www.blogger.com/profile/04684209302932310537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-3041363361157150362009-02-06T19:59:00.000-05:002009-02-06T19:59:00.000-05:00I just wanted to stop in and say I absolutely love...I just wanted to stop in and say I absolutely love your book, Kristin, and I'm reccomended it to just about every single one of my friends.<BR/>My favorite part about words in different languages- they sum up in a word what it would take English a phrase to do.<BR/>Thanks for the writing advice, too.<BR/>-KJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-21429671392766905552009-02-06T17:00:00.000-05:002009-02-06T17:00:00.000-05:00My goodness. Each and every one of you make me wan...My goodness. Each and every one of you make me want to write more. Every comment I read makes me want to write, but the thing is, I am not a storyteller. I've never been. I am extremely good at relaying events, but the creativity often lacks with me. I suppose I will try to write on some random items as A. Grey suggests. It seems like such great struggle, but then again, I might just end up pulling my hair out and being unnaturally bald for the rest of my non-writing life-- smile. <BR/><BR/>Also, I have no idea where I would be without the work of others. I have become a better student from reading other work, because I have learned to question. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the inspiration from all known and unknown authors!<BR/><BR/>Have a lovely day everyone!<BR/><BR/>~Candelion<BR/><BR/>BTW-- LOVE this cover too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-44198227192595871212009-02-06T15:58:00.000-05:002009-02-06T15:58:00.000-05:00Thank you so much for answering my question Kristi...Thank you so much for answering my question Kristin. You rock!<BR/>And that cover is absolutely amazing, I love it.<BR/>You answered my question perfectly, I wont forget it. <BR/>Thank you again, so so much ^_^<BR/><BR/>>.AshleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-53364311328937437372009-02-06T11:53:00.000-05:002009-02-06T11:53:00.000-05:00By the way, much belatedly, love the cover, I did ...By the way, much belatedly, love the cover, I did exactly what Beyond did! :D I think I like the American one a bit better thought, it conveys Katsa and her personality to you before you ever meet her.Artemis Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10849091563671031929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-62374050585830978142009-02-06T11:47:00.000-05:002009-02-06T11:47:00.000-05:00Wow, so this post just gets better and better! Th...Wow, so this post just gets better and better! Thought I'd throw a couple of questions out, since people have been talking about persevering with their writing. At what point should I consider that my queries might be getting denied for reasons other than they just haven't gotten to the 'right' agent yet? Without feedback (and I understand why agents can't give detailed replies to everyone) how can I know if it's NOT that my writing isn't of publishing caliber? Should I be sending to editors as well as agents? <BR/>To Aria: Your teacher was an ass-hat of the highest order! I agree to everything that Kristen and Ai said about that. It's like the great masters where art is concerned, everyone learns from those that came before them.<BR/>To Melina: There might be something to what Kristin said in response to your post, but I want to tell you that I have DOZENS of started but unfinished stories. I's not kidding, I have NOTEBOOKS of them. I have one that's finished, but so bad that it will never see daylight, but that's okay, because if I hadn't written it, I wouldn't have been able to write the novels that I'm currently trying to get published. It's like trying on shoes, or trying out different mediums of art. At least that's how it was for me. Some of my stories are hundreds of pages long, some only rough outlines. Some I'm sure I'll go back and rework, some were merely momentary infatuations. The point is, KEEP WRITING!!! Possibly my favorite teacher of all time told me that. I had given him a manuscript (the one that will never see daylight) and after he'd read it he spoke very honestly to me about it. He told me that in his honest opinion (and he was a rare books dealer as well as an english professor) that that particular manuscript, would likely never be a marketable piece of work, but that parts of it showed what I COULD do, if I kept practicing the craft so to speak. He told me to write all the time, anywhere, even on scraps of paper, write anything, and the more you write, the more the WAY you write will change, and improve. So who cares if you have a dozen half-done stories? Each one means something in its own way, and when you go back and read them you might shake you head, but you might also find a line or paragraph that causes you to shout EUREKA! So keep writing! =^.^=Artemis Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10849091563671031929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-66894982404984798412009-02-06T01:06:00.000-05:002009-02-06T01:06:00.000-05:00Victoria -- wonderful, and good luck!And Ai, thank...Victoria -- wonderful, and good luck!<BR/><BR/>And Ai, thank you SO MUCH for writing in from the editor's side of things! You make some really great points. My editor (and my agent, and actually every person I've worked with at my publishers) has been such a blessing in my life. One of her greatest qualities is her ability to get her point across without trampling. She's very strong and firm but also GENTLE. And she exudes this sense of trust in me that is completely strengthening to me. Before I sent my manuscript out, I had to find all that strength on my own. Now I have people to help me -- such a thing to be grateful for.Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-88965076565827193802009-02-06T00:51:00.000-05:002009-02-06T00:51:00.000-05:00As a "wolf" (I'm an editor, although not for ficti...As a "wolf" (I'm an editor, although not for fiction), I'd like to say that for the most part, we're not that scary! :) While the rules that dictate structure, flow, house-style, and grammar can be strict, and in turn seem constricting to a writer who gets back a manuscript with queries and strike-throughs, we do it because we want to help you make your book better! We want your book to communicate clearly to your chosen audience and to have the maximum impact possible. A lot of editors I know, including myself, are/were aspiring writers too, so we know we're holding your baby in our hands. It's a hard job trying to strike the right tone and develop a good rapport with a writer so each suggestion or edit isn't seen as an attack on the writer and his/her writing and storytelling ability. While there are pompous ass-hat editors out there, the good ones really do care. I hope this helps all you aspiring writers out there to breathe a little easier.<BR/><BR/>As for Aria's writing teacher, s/he is an ass-hat. I was lucky enough to have Tim Powers as a writing teacher. He repeatedly said that not only do you need to just sit down (turn off the inner editor) and write in order to become a writer, you need to read too. It's a good way to see the difference between a well-written/presented vampire novel (for example), and a bad one. Yes, the basic stories are all going to be the same since there's "nothing new under the sun", but your voice is unique to the story; that's the "new" that you can bring. That's what your teacher SHOULD have pointed out, not the similarity to the base story. What I loved about Powers most was that, when someone wrote a particularly good story or came up with a good idea or a new twist or way to present a tried-and-true story element/plot, he'd say "I'm gonna steal that," to let you know he liked it. That's a moment you (Aria) should have had had your teacher been less ass-hat-ish.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I love the cover, the german translation of "Graceling", and the Nin poem. :D (Sorry for rambling.)Aihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002803285286795280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-64502797894560142352009-02-05T23:26:00.000-05:002009-02-05T23:26:00.000-05:00Ok, umm this is completely off topic, but I had to...Ok, umm this is completely off topic, but I had to comment on your use of the Anais Nin poem.<BR/><BR/>It just helped me make a decision I have been fretting with for four months. <BR/><BR/>...one of those life altering decisions.<BR/><BR/>Thank you...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-47037461558673395702009-02-05T22:12:00.000-05:002009-02-05T22:12:00.000-05:00Ahem. Upon further consideration, I would like to...Ahem. Upon further consideration, I would like to add that many, many teachers are awesome and it is only the rare and occasional asshat that I have a problem with. Lest you think I hate all teachers, please read <A HREF="http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/2008/12/teachers-make-difference.html" REL="nofollow">this post</A>.<BR/><BR/>:o)Kristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-91598123366949262642009-02-05T20:40:00.000-05:002009-02-05T20:40:00.000-05:00WARNING: LONGEST COMMENT EVER. I HAVE ANSWERED EV...WARNING: LONGEST COMMENT EVER. I HAVE ANSWERED EVERYONE.<BR/><BR/>To Misrule, JMS, Pam, Stefanie, BeyondtheIcyWalls -- thank you! :o) (Beyond -- you crack me up!)<BR/><BR/>To A. Grey, Tink, hobbit, Lesley, and itdepends -- NEVER SURRENDER!!<BR/><BR/>To Sarah Miller, Lovely Authoress -- (don't worry, I'm not assigning you that as a secret code name, I just like referencing "Anne Shirley, Avonlea's famous authoress" now and then) -- let's email!<BR/><BR/>Now, to Aria. You know what? I hate your teacher. What is a <I>writing</I> teacher doing squashing people? I had a writing teacher once who squashed me and it took me years to recover. Seriously. Writers have so many fears; writers are, at times, fragile; and a good teacher knows the difference between constructive criticism and the kind that paralyzes the artist. HOW DARE YOUR TEACHER DO THAT. AND WHAT AN ASS THING TO SAY, TOO. Writers learn by writing. Part of learning is imitating other writers, intentionally OR unintentionally. And even for the most experienced writers, nothing is 100% original. Our writing builds on all the writing of the past. Also, just to give you my own perspective, one of the reasons I go months and months sometimes not reading a single fantasy is that there are <I>so many similarities</I> between fantasies that reading other people's stuff can freak me out. Sometimes I feel like I'm plagiarizing -- even when I read the thing I'm supposedly plagiarizing from AFTER I've done the writing! So, you're writing something and it's a lot like something someone else wrote? Well, as long as you're not actually lifting passages or intentionally copying major ideas, so what. We all do. And like I said before, writers learn from writing. Maybe right now you feel like nothing is original. But if you keep doing it and let your writing breathe, you'll start to find who *you* are as a writer. And you'll stop feeling so unoriginal. I promise.<BR/><BR/>Also, did I mention that I hate your teacher?<BR/><BR/>To Melina -- It sounds to me like you've lost the fun. What do you *like* about these stories? When I get stuck, that's what I try to think about: Why am I even writing this? Where is the fun? I try really hard not to take myself too seriously, because that's where the worry starts. Also -- I've learned that sometimes you just have to ignore the faults and tell yourself, yes, that's a problem, but I'll fix it later. And what usually happens is that by the time I get further along, or even get all the way to the end, the solution for how to fix that flaw way back near the beginning just sort of appears to me. If you were to look at my notebooks, you'd see a lot of pages where I've written in big letters across the top: "THIS SUCKS BUT I'LL FIX IT LATER."<BR/><BR/>Does that help at all? Be patient and kind to yourself :o). Also, it's not a sin to stop writing something, you know :o) It doesn't mean you've stopped forever.<BR/><BR/>Finally, to Ruth -- I actually don't know the answer to your question. It's not out yet in any other languages, but I don't know what you'd do once it *is* out -- I don't even know if the foreign presses are going to be distributing it in the US -- although I might be able to find out. If I do, I'll make an announcement!<BR/><BR/>Does anyone else out there know how you can do this?<BR/><BR/>LONGEST COMMENT EVERKristin Cashorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560274772312684672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-47674623041800316672009-02-05T18:02:00.000-05:002009-02-05T18:02:00.000-05:00This is an off the wall question, but for people t...This is an off the wall question, but for people trying to learn a foreign language from English, it would be great to get your book in the other language. How do you find your books in a foreign language in the US?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228273369846378320.post-86631937740597955762009-02-05T17:47:00.000-05:002009-02-05T17:47:00.000-05:00hip hip hooray! for awesome covers, german words, ...hip hip hooray! for awesome covers, german words, and winning awards! everyone now! hip hip hooray! HIP hip hooray! HIP HIP hooray! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!<BR/><BR/>im done ^_^<BR/><BR/>thank u for the writers advice. note to self: i got some i need to send to u.<BR/><BR/>"dont be shocked that people die, be surprised ur still alive"-cassie (auchostic version)(which i totally spelled wrong) by flyleafthatgirlwithwingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00879840564312954925noreply@blogger.com