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937 entries.
Mr. Coville,
Is writing smoothsailing or are you ever worried a publisher will not like your books? What is your least favorite part of making a book?
Is writing smoothsailing or are you ever worried a publisher will not like your books? What is your least favorite part of making a book?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nicole -
Oh, writing is smooth sailing . . . every once in a great while! Mostly it's hard work. Good work, work I love. But hard work.
My least favorite part of making a book? I suppose it's when I've lost my way somehow and realize I have to back up and throw a bunch of stuff out! Either that, or when I have two good ideas for a scene, but can only use one and so have to choose between them.
BC
Oh, writing is smooth sailing . . . every once in a great while! Mostly it's hard work. Good work, work I love. But hard work.
My least favorite part of making a book? I suppose it's when I've lost my way somehow and realize I have to back up and throw a bunch of stuff out! Either that, or when I have two good ideas for a scene, but can only use one and so have to choose between them.
BC
hey Bruce!
thanks for the info! i had a feeling that there was a difference between them.
i have another scene description that i would like your opinion on, if you don't mind. the description is of The Fortress of Gul Darrow, which is the necromancer fortress, the only home they have since they were exiled from the Welterr Empire. (the brotherhood members are going into the fortress to rescue a captured brotherhood member!)
The massive high towered fortress of the necromancers loomed up before the brotherhood rescue party, once in a while illuminated by lightning bolts from the surrounding storm. The towers looked like they were made of metal, stone, and wooden support beams, with a large cast iron gate blocking the front entrance embedded into the surrounding wall. Evil looking gargoyles decorated the wall and peered down maliciously at the advancing brotherhood members. A neglected run down drawbridge lead down to the entrance portcullis, which looked like it had been double locked and tightly secured. Goblins and orcs patrolled the surrounding wall, pacing back and forth with weapons drawn. Once in a while the guards would stop and look over the surrounding wall to make sure no one was attempting to break in. A further observation from the keen eyes of the brotherhoods chief spy indicated that each guard was armed with a sword, a spear, or a crossbow. Whenever a guard stopped to look over the wall they would point the weapon over the wall and sweep the area so that no intruders would pass, then they would continue with their patrol. Ghostly moans sounded from inside the massive tower, evidently from the spirits of people who were long dead. Just the sight of this eerie place sent chills down the spine of every adventurer in the advancing rescue party. It became evident that this mission was not going to be as simple as the brotherhood members had hoped.
is this good, or is there more to be added?
thanks a bunch! Byron Lee
P.s. give my best to your wife and your children!
thanks for the info! i had a feeling that there was a difference between them.
i have another scene description that i would like your opinion on, if you don't mind. the description is of The Fortress of Gul Darrow, which is the necromancer fortress, the only home they have since they were exiled from the Welterr Empire. (the brotherhood members are going into the fortress to rescue a captured brotherhood member!)
The massive high towered fortress of the necromancers loomed up before the brotherhood rescue party, once in a while illuminated by lightning bolts from the surrounding storm. The towers looked like they were made of metal, stone, and wooden support beams, with a large cast iron gate blocking the front entrance embedded into the surrounding wall. Evil looking gargoyles decorated the wall and peered down maliciously at the advancing brotherhood members. A neglected run down drawbridge lead down to the entrance portcullis, which looked like it had been double locked and tightly secured. Goblins and orcs patrolled the surrounding wall, pacing back and forth with weapons drawn. Once in a while the guards would stop and look over the surrounding wall to make sure no one was attempting to break in. A further observation from the keen eyes of the brotherhoods chief spy indicated that each guard was armed with a sword, a spear, or a crossbow. Whenever a guard stopped to look over the wall they would point the weapon over the wall and sweep the area so that no intruders would pass, then they would continue with their patrol. Ghostly moans sounded from inside the massive tower, evidently from the spirits of people who were long dead. Just the sight of this eerie place sent chills down the spine of every adventurer in the advancing rescue party. It became evident that this mission was not going to be as simple as the brotherhood members had hoped.
is this good, or is there more to be added?
thanks a bunch! Byron Lee
P.s. give my best to your wife and your children!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Byron -
The passage is quite evocative and exciting.
The one thing I would say is try to avoid repeating words and phrases - such as "surrounding wall" in two successive sentences. Also the word looked appears at least three times.
Overall, though, this is really cool. I think your writing is getting stronger and stronger.
Bruce
The passage is quite evocative and exciting.
The one thing I would say is try to avoid repeating words and phrases - such as "surrounding wall" in two successive sentences. Also the word looked appears at least three times.
Overall, though, this is really cool. I think your writing is getting stronger and stronger.
Bruce
I was not aware that Bufo is Latin for toad. You learn something new everyday!
Reply by Bruce Coville
I sometimes say, "Ah, I've learned my new thing for the day . . . that means I can go to bed now!" ;>
BC
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
What is your favorite part of being an author? Besides you know writing the books? Does the fame annoy you or are you proud of it?
What is your favorite part of being an author? Besides you know writing the books? Does the fame annoy you or are you proud of it?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Brianna -
There are so many things I love about being an author that its hard to choose one favorite thing. I can tell you that finishing a book, having all the parts come together in the right way, is always a great feeling.
The Fame thing is kind of interesting. I'm famous enough to get some pleasure out of it, but not so famous that it's a problem. This is partly because - unlike actors - authors are not know by their faces. So it's not like I get stopped on the street by people who recognize me.
BC
There are so many things I love about being an author that its hard to choose one favorite thing. I can tell you that finishing a book, having all the parts come together in the right way, is always a great feeling.
The Fame thing is kind of interesting. I'm famous enough to get some pleasure out of it, but not so famous that it's a problem. This is partly because - unlike actors - authors are not know by their faces. So it's not like I get stopped on the street by people who recognize me.
BC
The upcoming animated movie Epic...has a talking toad character named Bufo! I just thought that was pretty funny. Jennifer's Bufo has been around since 1993 but I am sure some people will think YOU copied Epic. I have seen it happen with other writers. I hope it won't happen to you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chrissy -
Thanks for the heads up on this. I hadn't even heard about this movie.
I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but "Bufo" is Latin for "toad" - the scientific names for all toads begin with "Bufo" So it's not really surprising that someone else might name a toad that as well.
I know what you mean about people thinking I've copied something. I just wish people would learn to read copyright dates!!
BC
Thanks for the heads up on this. I hadn't even heard about this movie.
I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but "Bufo" is Latin for "toad" - the scientific names for all toads begin with "Bufo" So it's not really surprising that someone else might name a toad that as well.
I know what you mean about people thinking I've copied something. I just wish people would learn to read copyright dates!!
BC
dear mr.bruce thanks for all the books you wrote i enjoyed my teachers an alein and im starting to read the unicorn chronicles and the dragonslayers and the worlds worst fairygod mother i think i will like those books i really enjoy reading because its the only way to get out of reality is to go into my fantasy world of books right now im reading a book called delerium its a good book maybe you could give the book a try i think its a good book so far hope you visit riverview jr high or high school some day enjoy your weekend it is friday im gonna go home and read sorry for all the typos and lack of puncturation sincerly shanandra
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Shanandra -
Thanks for this message . . . I'm delighted that you are enjoying the books - and reading so many of them. I agree with you about the pleasure of moving into a fantasy world. It's one (of many) reasons why I read . . . and why I write!
Have a great weekend!
BC
Thanks for this message . . . I'm delighted that you are enjoying the books - and reading so many of them. I agree with you about the pleasure of moving into a fantasy world. It's one (of many) reasons why I read . . . and why I write!
Have a great weekend!
BC
How many books have you written
Reply by Bruce Coville
I don't know. (Please note - you asked how many books I have written, not how many I have published. I have written many books that did not get published!)
BC
BC
On my teacher is a alien how did mr smith breath the air on earth or is it the same air they breath were there planet is.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jarret -
That is a very sensible and scientific question. I did not deal with it in the book, but I think it is likely Mr. Smith had specific implants in his nostrils to help him breathe Earth's air.
Good question!
BC
That is a very sensible and scientific question. I did not deal with it in the book, but I think it is likely Mr. Smith had specific implants in his nostrils to help him breathe Earth's air.
Good question!
BC
What would you different if you could write "my teacher is an alien" again
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, David -
That's a good question . . . and, in fact, I have rewritten several of my books. But in this case, I probably wouldn't change a thing. It is the most successful book I ever wrote, so I wouldn't want to mess with it!
BC
That's a good question . . . and, in fact, I have rewritten several of my books. But in this case, I probably wouldn't change a thing. It is the most successful book I ever wrote, so I wouldn't want to mess with it!
BC
How did you become a author? Have you wanted to be one since you was a little kid?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jimmy -
I knew I wanted to be an author from the time I was a teenager. How did I do it? I studied, and practiced. I wrote and wrote and wrote . . . and a lot of it was very bad. But that's how you learn. Also, I never gave up. You have to be stubborn if you want to make it in this business.
BC
I knew I wanted to be an author from the time I was a teenager. How did I do it? I studied, and practiced. I wrote and wrote and wrote . . . and a lot of it was very bad. But that's how you learn. Also, I never gave up. You have to be stubborn if you want to make it in this business.
BC