Snakenaps

@Mandamon has just started his Kickstarter for his next two books, although he has also published multiple books: http://williamctracy.com/ I highly recommend Seeds of the Dissolution, as I adored it. @kais has also published several books: https://jsfieldsbooks.com/ I haven't had the chance to read any of their published work yet, but I love what they post on Reading Excuses. I meant to have this quote on the top of this comment but I screwed it up and I can't figure out to fix it on mobile :/

My female roommate is currently playing Alexios in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey just so that she can admire his looks and voice. I'm playing Kassandra because I wanted to be a woman, just like myself. Both of us are in the right. I think any large community can become poisonous and hypocritical. The Shard is so small that I haven't seen that here yet, but I definitely saw it in the Steven Universe fandom. Be it media, sports, politics, religion, a hobby, anything, snotty people will rise and make others miserable. It definitely occurs in the equine community. People can get really opinionated about horses.

I pledged! Can I just say that the Elg looks considerably more frightening than what my imagination came up with?

Welcome to the Shard! You'll get more people commenting if you go and post this over in the Cosmere discussion. Ironically, I'm probably the only person on this entire site that hasn't read The Stormlight Archive. I'm still on a thirteen week waiting list to get The Way of King's.

Thankfully, we have been seeing a shift in animation in the last couple of years, namely Netflix's Klaus and Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Those two films started pushing what we expect from animation - namely, a departure from Disney/Pixar/DreamWorks/Blue Sky-esque animations. In my opinion, in order for an animated Mistborn to work, it would have to have a different style than tradition 3-D animation... otherwise we fall back into the same concern that people will assume it is for children. Personally, I think that this is a good thing, as imagine Steel Inquisitors or koloss in a Disney-esque style. Keep in mind, I'm no expert on this. I'm no animator. But right now, film-wise, adult animated films are not hitting the big screen. They're released straight to DvD or stream. These films typically - but not always - have a considerable following. Consider the 2-D animated DC movies like Batman: The Killing Joke. Or Seth Rogan's extremely inappropriate low-budget 3-D animated film about hot dogs (if you don't know about this film, please don't look it up). The animated films that are hitting the money jacket pot...are still children's movies. In my opinion, seeing an animated Mistborn film is unlikely, which pains me to say. Brandon Sanderson is very well known in the fantasy genre, but he isn't JK Rowling. He isn't known by the average, random person. The average, random film goer. In order to see an animated Mistborn movie hit the big screen, a major film company would have to take it on, so that it would have that name recognition, a solid budget, and excellent marketing. Then the movie would have to have enough of a following to convince people to buy a ticket and go. Right now...Mistborn is popular, but most people have no clue it exists. I mean, even my Dad, who refers to Cinderella as "the lady in the blue dress," knows about Twilight and Harry Potter. Mistborn, as it stands right now, doesn't have the following to have the momentum to break people's long-held conceptions on what animation is, and can be. However, a live action Mistborn could potentially cross markets and appeal to a wide group of people, who are used to seeing CGI-boosted live action. Mistborn has action, drama, romance, monsters, and a heist...themes, I bet, you see all the time in the average live-action movie. Let's also take a look at YA/adult book adaptations. If I Google book-to-film adaptations and only look at adult films (no Dr. Seuss), then let's see how many are live action with plenty of CGI: Annihilation, Arrival, Ender's Game, Twilight's five films, Divergent's four films, Harry Potter's eight films, World War Z, It, Percy Jackson's two films, Ready Player One, Mortal Engines, Eragon, Maze Runner's three movies, The Giver, all of the Lord of the Ring's and Hobbit movies, A Monster Calls, Ms. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, The Martian, and, soon, Dune. Out of the list I just gave, fifteen were from adult books (six of which were Tolkien) and twenty-eight were YA. Mistborn is perfect in the fact that it is very low adult as fantasy novels go. It is not, frankly, Game of Thrones. Mistborn appeals to a considerable number of YA readers. Traditionally, the age range for YA is 12-18, but more than half of its readership are adults. Mistborn is beautiful, because it can easily reach the markets for both adult and young adult...and as you can see, there are plenty of YA and adult CGI-boosted live action movies. Would I love an animated Mistborn movie? Absolutely I would. Do I think it will happen? No, not really. That's what I see from the history of film, and as much as I would love to see a change in people's perceptions of animation, I don't think it will be Mistborn making that change. I would love to be proven wrong. That being said, if Mistborn was an animated movie, what would it look like?

My guess is that if and when a Mistborn movie comes out, it will be a CGI-heavy live action. I would love to see Mistborn as an animation, but the simple fact is, animation is still considered for children to many audiences. Live action would allow Mistborn to reach more markets and therefore turn a higher profit. I worry that any Mistborn movie be a low-budget YA movie, rather than the action-packed, dark story that it is, but I will have to trust Brandon that if he ever sells the rights to the screenplay, he'll sell them to the right company.

I ate it originally just to say that I had eaten sheep offal, and surprised myself by actually adoring it. There are places where I won't cross the line, though: my sister ate horse salami when we were in Hungary.

@The Hero of Masks There was a mention of waffles and I thought of you. I'm going to have to say sandwiches for everyday, because they come in infinite varieties. I pretty much live off of grilled cheese. Do hotdogs count as a sandwich? If we're talking special occasions, See's dark chocolate covered almonds. If we're talking about something I may never get to eat again but love love love: haggis. I couldn't get enough of it when I visited Scotland. Also, I'm pretty sure that this thread should be in General Discussion, but I don't think it can be moved there now?

Bob Ross was too good for this world. We didn't deserve him. If I am 1/10 as kind as Bob Ross or Mr. Rogers, I will be a happy person.

I respect that. It took me years to learn to enjoy rollercoasters, and I still don't like the really crazy ones. Dad got me on my first when I was thirteen for $20. I really wanted a new model horse, but I cried almost the entire time. Happy story: Last spring I went on a four day camping trip with two fourth grade classes. On the way back from the trip, we got to go to Six Flags. I bribed so many students into riding their first rollercoaster with class money. It turns out that the most cowardly of students could be bribed for several hundred fake dollars. The smartest kid made a bet with me for a $10 squid hat. Best money I've ever spent.

I also agree. It would be nice to have a place where myself and others can go back and look for resources. @Robinski I'm still catching up on Writing Excuses. I'm at the beginning of season six right now. I'm dusting off my Twitter and have begun following several agents like Janet Reid. I'm also going to continue with the publishing reference booklet I've started, as I find it easier to reference than a collection of bookmarks on my computer that have me wondering, "What was that again?" I'm incredibly forgetful, which is why I end up being so organized. I honestly find the publishing industry fascinating, which is why I'm so eager to learn. I get ahead of myself sometimes, but it is so much fun and kinda scary. Like a rollercoaster.

Hello and Welcome! I hope you enjoy it here!

I would love that. I'm so new to everything, and I want to do this right. It might take me years to get published, but that doesn't mean I have to start off on the wrong foot. I might be young, but I take writing very seriously. Any advise is worth its weight in gold to me.

Overthinking is what I do best. I literally created a website to keep track of my worldbuilding. It's...both handy, and a definite problem. I thank you for catching me, because I will definitely make a mountain out of a molehill if not slowed. Sometimes I can self regulate, sometimes I need reminders. I actually already have an agent spreadsheet started, so I can figure out who I want to begin querying in (hopefully) November. I also may have created a spreadsheet for when I begin querying, on who I have sent stuff to, when, if they replied, and whether it was a rejection or not. Won't lie, I'm trying to turn rejections into a game of Just How Many Will I Get, since I know that there will be a lot incoming. I don't want to get discouraged. No one gets anywhere if they quit. I need to learn how to use Twitter correctly. It seems like such an overwhelming amount of information.

I do have a Twitter. Looks like it is time to put it to use!

Tomorrow I am definitely going to add in "Market Resources," with The Grinder being the first addition. That way I am not tracking the industry myself, but can keep a collection of who is. I didn't even consider foreign markets... In all honesty, this came from me reading Publishers Weekly's newsletters and always forgetting who is a part of the Big Five. I thought I'd make myself a cheat sheet of sorts, of all the things I have heard mentioned. This may be been created out of a fear of looking ignorant about the basics of the industry, which I do not want to happen during the World Fantasy Convention in October. Also, I'm a teacher. I believe in educating myself as much as possible, and giving others access to that same information if possible.

Okay, I've really been trying to learn the publishing industry and how it works, but it is a little overwhelming. Due to this, I have created a Google Doc with organized references to anything involving publishing and writing. It currently covers: The Big Five, Notable Imprints, Other Publishing Companies, Organizations, Conventions, Awards, Magazines and Other News Sources, Podcasts and Other Resources, Contests, and Acronyms. I'm going to continually update it as I learn more. I thought it might be useful to others, so I am going to post a link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y7fORDdp-Txszy0il4SQI1PosOlLaVNQNGq49FjASkQ/edit?usp=sharing If you can think of anything I should add, please let me know!

I have absolutely no problem with nudity in novels, as long as it is in good taste. By good taste, I mean that it adds to the story. Now, if in a book, a character walks into a store and there is just a random naked person...well, there has better be a good reason for a naked person to be standing there, you know? I view nudity in the same way that I view violence and...hmmm, I don't want to go against community guidelines...let's say getting down and dirty. If it adds to the story, then I'm down for it. If it jerks me out of a story and feels shoehorned in, I'm not going to enjoy it. If you enjoy nudity in books, read away. There's no harm as long as you recognize fiction vs reality and don't go to Walmart in your birthday suit, you know? Unless you are at someplace that is legal, of course. But, I mean, that applies to any type of book. Cops don't like it when people carry around broadswords in public either, most of the time. And hopefully your favorite crime novel isn't going to make you turn into a serial killer. That's my take, anyway.

Oooh, you're an artist! Sweet! Then let me rephrase, what do you like to paint? I totally agree with you on oils.

I love art as well! What kind of art do you like? Any favorite artists?

I think it was...

I'm late on this, as I'm catching up on all critiques from the last few weeks. I am excited to read your work again! I'm glad we didn't scare you off As per usual, I did not read anyone else's critiques before I jumped in. It's been several weeks since I read the original, so I'm hoping I'm looking at this with good, fresh eyes. Thoughts as I go: Pg 1, "could land her in the healers care for a good few weeks": Definitely not where I would want to be! It's crazy how even a minor injury in the past could lead to infection and death. Imagine dying from a practice sword! Pg 1, "The two took their starting positions, neither facing the winning or losing direction." I was wondering if the scene would start better in the middle of the fight, but I changed my mind after this paragraph. I think it is important for the reader to see how Mu is not taking this fight seriously, even from the beginning. You made a good choice. Pg 2, "Mu was taking this seriously, she’d just fallen for her taunt": Oh, ho ho. I though Mu would be the average school bully kind of character, but she is proving to be intelligent and resourceful. I underestimated her. Pg 2, "Over several long, sweat-stained minutes Ma attempted to break through.": As a reader, thank you for not spending pages upon pages describing several minutes of fighting. Pg 2, " A strong hand grabbed Ma's braid and yanked her back.": I am tempted to say cheating, but maybe honor doesn't matter here. Pg 3, " across the leather shirt that covered the skin": May I suggest a leather jerkin instead of shirt? Jerkins are traditionally sleeveless. Pg 3, "When just four students were left to battle he started trembling with fear.": I'm surprised he hadn't been trembling in fear the entire time. If I have to go to the dentist's, I'm shaking like a leaf the night before, the morning of, during, and after while I shove my mouth full of Oreos. Pg 3, "The following duel was…awkward to say the least." How was it awkward? Were they tripping over their own feet? Whacking themselves with their weapons instead of their opponent? Accidentally hitting each other in the privates? I bet you can really make us cringe in a rainbow of ways. Pg 3/4, " the entire four hour period": Okay, I'm going to speak from personal experience here. In college I did three hour classes and they were horrible. I'm not talking about labs where you got to do things, but lectures. I had six hour classes once a week for a month, but even those were split into two three hour segments. I have no clue how old these characters are (or what they look like), but it's hard for senior college students to sit in a three hour class. So, if these characters can sit through a four hour lecture, show me how they can manage it. Pg 4, "She still needed to get Approval for history": This is the third time I have heard this word, but I don't think I can give a solid definition on what one is...??? Pg 4, "required to be a caster": M and K are casters, and are therefore magical, yes? How does the brutal physical training come into this? Does casting require physical prowess? Pg 4, " once you enrolled in the classes, you became a caster": Is there a test that needs to be taken? A tuition that needs to be paid? Are casters common? Or incredibly rare? Who runs this school? Is it private or government run? These are not all questions that should probably be answered in the first chapter, but should be hinted at. For instance, if it is government-funded or run, what does M think about that? Does she love her government, or is she against it? Pg 4, "There was only one difference, skill in the five elements": Unclear. Is this the difference between the average person and a caster? Or the different casters at the school? What are the five elements? Do they have any basis on the traditional four? Pg 5, "Keeping up her hope that challenging professor I for Approval had been the right choice," When had this occurred? Pg 6, " I will fight with only my fists unless I can disarm one of you." Well, as soon as he gets a weapon, they're toast. Pg 7, "a clear sign he was under the effects of continuous magic." Why would someone use magic continuously? To strengthen themselves? Make themselves not age? What can casters do? Pg 7, " they were elite hunters of ancient magic" Then why is this important fellow observing a match between two lower-level students? Pg 7, "available to all without torturing yourself": If one has to torture oneself to become a caster at the R, show me how brutal it is. Pg 8, "D-Do you want to fight him or shall I?" I think both of them are fighting him. The question is more of, who wants to go hand-on-hand with their teacher? Pg 9, "He had chosen a thick bow, made entirely from a single horn": The bow is made of a horn??? What kind of animal can give a flexible enough horn to be used for a bow? This is a good opportunity for world-building, if you have any fictional creatures with bendable horns. Otherwise, bows are traditionally made out of wood. Pg 9, "Meaning technically if he took a dagger off her, he could use any weapon on the wall.": Well, that's tricky language. I took that as meaning he could use any weapon that he took from them, not, he took a weapon, now he can go to the wall and grab any weapon. This fight is rather unfair against these two, low-level students. Pg 10, " like she was no longer a student, but an equal, even if her skill remained to be proven": Are the old ways usually frowned upon, or rare knowledge, or something? Why was a gesture of honor so important to I? Pg 10, "And sadly, not a particularly good one." These students are going to get their butts handed to them, especially K. Why would I respect M for the ritual, but not K? Because she started it? Does I view K as a total disgrace? Pg 12, "She simply wouldn't be able to stay standing or hold her blades.": I need to see more of M and K's character, because right now, I find myself reading this with the same emotion I might have when I randomly turn on a soccer game. I don't know enough about the trial to be invested, I don't know enough about the characters to root for either one of them. Gimme someone to root for, with something important enough to catch my attention. Pg 12, "the perfect shot flew past her, the sharp tip of the arrow": Wait, I thought K was practically useless. How on Earth did he manage to land a perfect shot? A fluke like this on a target I might accept as pure luck, but a moving target and not hitting one's friend? I would have accepted this easier if it nearly hit M and managed to get I in the thigh or foot or something. Pg 13, "clinging to life she now feared losing": If I isn't going to make her submit, but kill her, he isn't the type of teacher I thought he was. Why would he kill her? His motivations? Do students often get killed at this school? What kind of school is this? Pg 14, "Her nose, cheekbone and knee snapped back into place," Ooooh, V is here as a healer. I was wondering why an archaeologist made a good referee. Pg 14, "my debt to you has been paid": Hmmm, interesting... Pg 15, "The second was that both he and the cloak had shrunk," Does casting magic place limitations on one's body? Was V using continuous magic to make himself taller? Pg 16, "You have got my Approval to take the test": What test? What does completing that test accomplish? Did K pass? Overall: Much better than the original! I hope that you can feel the satisfaction of improving. If not, give yourself a pat on the back from me, an internet stranger. A good solid pat on the back, not a pathetic, flapping weak one. Good job, my friend! I'm glad we didn't scare you off. In my opinion, I think that your next step is learning what to trim, and what to give extra detail. For instance...where is this all happening? Is this the stereotypical medieval English countryside? A Japanese-inspired forest? A flower-dotted mountain hillside? The cool, grassy tundra? The beauty of writing is that we all have imaginations, so even a couple of sentences can have dramatic effect. Are M and K twelve? Sixteen? Eighteen? Even a hint about their looks can add a lot to a setting by using people's ingrained stereotypes. I personally keep several Pinterest boards full of inspiration, some for characters, others for the setting, the architecture, the food, the fashion. I am not that creative, and I find it helps with descriptions. I would love to see more of who M and K are. I've seen the barest of hints, like smelling cookies but not being allowed to taste or even see them. I'm hungry, so I'm going to continue with this metaphor. Personally, I like first chapters that let me know exactly what kind of cookie a character is, and promise me that if I keep reading, those characters are going to be delicious. What are M and K? Chocolate chip? Snickerdoodle? Peanut butter? How do they talk? What are their interests? Worries? Motivations? I need to eat something. Last tip is that you aren't writing a screenplay. You don't need a shot-by-shot action scene. Writing Excuses on action scenes: https://writingexcuses.com/2011/03/27/writing-excuses-5-30-writing-action/ The typical chapter is 2,500 words. What is really important to your first chapter, that it must be in there? I can't wait until your next submission! Don't let us intimidate you, and use everything mentioned in the critiquing thread, got it? I want to see more from you. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to grab some dinner before I write more food-oriented metaphors.

Hello and welcome! I hope that you thoroughly enjoy the large wealth of information, theories, and conspiracies on this site!

@RobinskiI'm happy to read Book 1! I didn't realize TCC was a sequel, or maybe I forgot in the last few weeks? I'll happily read anything you toss my way. If it is about the same length as what I read for Mandamon, it takes me about two weeks to critique a book. I don't go for line by line edits, but rather for general impressions, what I am enjoying, what I am confused about, reader promises, that kind of jazz. I like Google Doc versions, so I can read it on my phone and add comments. And in return, I'll happily have you tear apart my book when I'm ready. I foolishly thought that I would have the second draft ready by the first of April, but I've never seriously revised before, and I didn't realize how long it would take. I chopped out an entire subplot, emphasized another, and have been trying to turn a lump of coal into a shinier lump of coal. Maybe it will turn into a diamond at some point. I am really good at killing my darlings (I do have a lot of practice at that), but I never knew that revising a book would actually be harder than writing it. Shows what I know. If you have any resources, tips, or tricks on revising, I'll happily take them. Seriously, though, when I start posting, I want you to tear my book apart. I really do want to try to get it published, and that means destroying any weaknesses and boosting up my strengths. So I need some outside, unbiased eyes who are willing to tell me the hard truth. Let me know what you think. If you want me to critique the ending chapters of TCC this weekend, I'm happy to give you my impressions and I'll do my best to get an idea of the plot.

I really appreciate that you two are finding my responses helpful! I kept feeling like I was doing critiques wrong because I don't have the knowledge or experience to find structural errors, which is something @Robinski is great at doing. So I just wrote what I was thinking as I went, knowing at least I was trying my best and having fun. It's good to hear that reader responses can be quality feedback too. I never thought much about how different people might critique differently, since I haven't had anyone look at my own work except my family and a couple of friends (something that is soon to change!). In hindsight, that is obvious, but, again, never spared a moment to consider it. I want to be a helpful and productive member of this group. That's why I joined. That, and to learn everything I can about writing! @Mandamon Glad I can keep stirring the melting pot of ideas for you! @Robinski As Mandamon said, I blame you for all the death and destruction in this chapter, and agree that it was an excellent idea. I look for to, and rue the day, you might tear into my own work.