Writing
- Where do you get your ideas?
- How long does it take you to write a book?
- What how-to books do you recommend?
- Who’s your critique partner?
- How do I find critique partners and/or groups?
- Will you critique my manuscript?
- I want to get a critique partner, but I’m afraid she’ll steal my idea. What should I do?
- I have this fantastic idea for a book. If I tell you, will you write it and share the profit 50/50?
- I want to be a writer, but I can’t seem to sit down and write a story. What should I do?
- I heard that if you’re an unknown writer, no big publisher in NY will publish you. Is that true?
- When are you going to write a real book?
Got more questions? Feel free to contact me.
Q Where do you get your ideas?
Costco, of course. All self-respecting authors go there and buy ‘em in bulk. It’s cheaper that way although I heard Red Envelope sometimes has funky ideas.
Okay, honestly I don’t know. Sometimes it’s something I saw or read or heard. Sometimes it’s just something I dreamed. But stay tuned. I’ll be sure to write an article worthy of this meaty question when I figure it out. « top
Q How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends. A book takes as long as it takes.
Devil Falls, for example, was completed in about three to four months. On the other hand,
Nine is still incomplete after two years.
« topQ What how-to books do you recommend?
Q Who’s your critique partner?
Well, I have several, but one person who’s consistently read all my work is my boyfriend Chris, who’s unbelievably supportive. He doesn’t just read, but gives valuable feedback and line-edits when necessary.
And no, he’s not for sale. Get your own from eBay.
BTW — I also belong to a group called Passionate Critters. We can always use a new member. Feel free to apply. « top
Q How do I find critique partners and/or groups?
Please check out websites such as
Romance Divas or
eharlequin.com or ask around if you’re a member of writers’ mailing lists. Another option is to join professional writers’ organizations that accept unpublished writers.
Or you can apply to a great group I belong to called Passionate Critters. « top
Q Will you critique my manuscript?
Unfortunately, no. I don’t have any time. But look at the question and answer above and you’ll be able to find someone who’s willing to read your story.
« topQ I want to get a critique partner, but I’m afraid she’ll steal my idea. What should I do?
Ideas are never copyrightable. You don’t think Nora Roberts is the only writer who thought of writing about murder, mayhem and romance, do you? Furthermore, no idea is truly unique. What makes it stand out is your ability to give it a fresh twist and/or unique flavor. And let’s not forget your voice.
« topQ I have this fantastic idea for a book. If I tell you, will you write it and share the profit 50/50?
No. As I mentioned previously, I get all my ideas bulk from Costco and thus don’t need to pay more than a low flat-fee of $49.99 for one hundred of them. If I were to accept your proposal, the numbers would become grossly skewed and Me Inc’s shareholder value would plummet as a result.
« topQ I want to be a writer, but I can’t seem to sit down and write a story. What should I do?
Promise yourself you’ll write for thirty minutes every day no matter what. If you can’t seem to work on your story, type why you can’t write and/or why you don’t want to. After about a month, if you have pages and pages of why you can’t and/or don’t want to, then you have your answer.
« topQ I heard that if you’re an unknown writer, no big publisher in NY will publish you. Is that true?
It depends. If you’re writing nonfiction, you need to be an expert in your field and ought to have a platform. However, if you’re writing fiction, then it doesn’t matter. You must be a good storyteller, period.
« topQ When are you going to write a real book?
(My brother interrupts) A real book? Like what? An encyclopedia?
« topMiscellaneous
- Is Angelle Trieste your real name?
- Who are your favorite writers?
- What are you reading right now?
- Who created your website?
- Is it true you didn’t know a single word in English until you entered middle school?
- So how come you don’t write books in Korean?
- Do you play any musical instruments?
- Did you always want to be a writer?
- Isn’t it a gross waste of talent and education to give up your career in Corporate America and be a starving writer?
- How does your family feel about your writing career?
Got more questions? Feel free to contact me.
Q Is Angelle Trieste your real name?
No. It’s just a pen name that I’ve selected. My real name isn’t easy to spell or pronounce.
« topQ Who are your favorite writers?
I have too many. If I list names, I know I’m going to forget some people and offend them, so I won’t. I encourage everyone to read widely and as much as he/she can.
« topQ What are you reading right now?
Go to
books I read page for the list of books I’m reading as well as finished reading.
« topQ Who created your website?
Yours truly. I know some HTML and CSS. If you want to make your own website, get a copy of
Web Standards Solutions. I found it very useful.
« topQ Is it true you didn’t know a single word in English until you entered middle school?
Yes. I grew up in Korea and didn’t learn any language except Korean.
« topQ So how come you don’t write books in Korean?
Because I want to write them in English.
« topQ Do you play any musical instruments?
Yes. I play the piano and violin. The former was taught by a series of tutors and the latter self-taught.
Despite all my musical training, I can’t dance. Per my friends, I got no rhythm. « top
Q Did you always want to be a writer?
No. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a pianist, a lawyer, or a plastic surgeon. I still don’t know how I ended up becoming a consultant for three years, and now a writer.
« topQ Isn’t it a gross waste of talent and education to give up your career in Corporate America and be a starving writer?
No. I like writing better than Corporate America slavery.
« topQ How does your family feel about your writing career?
My parents are resigned to the notion that I’ll never get an MBA and become a managing director at Goldman Sachs. My brother thinks it’s awesome I’m doing what I want to do.
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