We are very excited about The Necromancer, which was released last month by Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers (Random House Kids). We're thrilled to be apart of Michael Scott's blog tour. Thank you to Delacorte Press, we are giving away a SIGNED copy of The Necromancer!!
Are writers born or made? I firmly believe that anyone can write (whether they should is an entirely different matter of course). I have been writing now for over twenty-five years and in that time have met countless writers. The vast majority of them treated writing like a job and approached in that fashion, not waiting for the muse to move them, but moving, shoving, pushing and dragging the muse into submission.
Many of those writers displayed remarkably similar characteristics and, out of that, I have drawn up the ten characteristics I think you’ll need if you want to become a writer.
You must be well read.
You must read and not just in the fields that interest you – writers pull from an astonishing variety of sources for their work. If you do not read, you will never become a writer.
Imaginative.
It sort of goes without saying, but an imagination is critical. Feed your imagination with books, movies, images, people, places. If you have no raw material, you’ve nothing to create with.
Critical.
Be critical of your own work. Do not think that everything you write is golden. The images you see in your head may never match what you finally put down on paper … but you keep trying.
Take a typing class.
Some writers still work with a pencil and paper; however, the vast majority type on a keyboard. And those who have taken a proper typing class are better equipped to get the words down on paper at blinding speed. Hunting and pecking to complete your 100,000 novel is going to be tough going.
Disciplined.
This is a job. Treat it like a job. You must write every day – you may throw it away the following day – but you have to write every day. And just like any other job, the more you do it, the better you become.
Passionate.
Be under no illusions: this is a tough job. No one is forcing you to do this, you’re doing it because you love it, because you have to, because it is part of you. You must be passionate about the work.
Patient.
Writers ultimately must become the most patient people in the world. Everything takes its own sweet time. A book takes a year to write, publishers take 18 months to get it onto the shelves, editors take months to reply, agents even longer. The overnight successes are rare. The majority of writers create a book, send it out into the world and go straight into the next book while waiting patiently for the first one to find a home.
Ambitious
You have to want this. Really want it. There is a cost to writing – family, friends, movies you will never see, television programs you will never watch, games you will miss. And you have to set your ambitions high.
Thick Skin
Trust me, once your book is out in the wild, it is fair game for everyone. You will get good reviews and bad ones – and you will only remember the bad ones. By all means, read the reviews and if the reviewer has a point, then take it on board, but don’t take it personally.
A Good Storyteller.
A book is a lie – a big 75,000 word lie. If you’re going to be a writer – you have to be a liar!
DELACORTE PRESS PUBLISHES THE FOURTH BOOK IN
new york times bestselling series
THE NECROMANCER
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott
“Master yarn-spinner that he is, Scott expertly cranks up the suspense
while keeping his now-large cast in quick motion.”—Kirkus Reviews (The Sorceress)
From critically acclaimed author Michael Scott comes THE NECROMANCER (Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers / on sale May 25, 2010 / $18.99), the fourth book in the six-part series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. This internationally-known series introduces readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, mystery and magic together seamlessly. Foreign rights for the series have been licensed in 36 countries and the first three books, The Alchemyst, The Magician, and The Sorceress, were all New York Times bestsellers. The series has now sold more than 1 million copies.
THE NECROMANCER picks up with Josh and Sophie Newman finally home in San Francisco, though it’s anything but a relaxing homecoming. The twins are more confused than ever, and Dr. John Dee is still pursuing them. The most disturbing issue they face is whether or not they can trust Nicholas Flamel. Michael Scott’s passion for history and mythology shines as he brilliantly weaves legendary figures into his signature fast-paced plot. Fans of the series will be spellbound as they read of these renowned historical characters on their quest to obtain the last two pages of the coveted Codex—and ultimately save the world.
In THE NECROMANCER, Michael Scott’s edge-of-your-seat adventure and meticulous research rise to a new level, taking fans on a ride full of excitement, surprises, and unexpected twists that will leave them satisfied and hungry for the next installment. The fifth book in the series, Warlock, will release in May 2011.
“When readers discover Scott’s work, they are fascinated by his ability to weave a fast-paced fantastical adventure with characters transplanted from history, mythology, and legend,” says Beverly Horowitz, Vice President and Publisher, Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers. “The only fictional characters are the contemporary twins Sophie and Josh,” she adds. “The rest of the characters from Dr. Dee and Nicholas Flamel to Shakespeare and Machiavelli, all have been thoroughly researched and brought to life with meticulous care.”
Fans can indulge themselves in even more of the adventure online by visiting the series’ Facebook page at Facebook.com/
Michael Scott is one of Ireland’s most highly regarded and prolific authors, an authority on mythology and folklore. He has been hailed by the Irish Times as “the King of Fantasy in these isles.” His first book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, The Alchemyst, was named a Book Sense Children’s Pick, an Amazon Best Book of 2007, and a selection for the Texas Lonestar Reading List 2008–2009, among other accolades. The second book in the series, The Magician, received honors including the Children’s Indie Next Pick and 2008 CBC Children’s Choice. Michael Scott lives in Dublin, Ireland.
—OVER—
THE NECROMANCER: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
by Michael Scott
A Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers hardcover / On sale May 25, 2010
978-0-385-73531-5 / $18.99 / $21.99 Can. / 416 pages / Ages 12 up
NOW IN PAPERBACK!
THE SORCERESS: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
By Michael Scott
A Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers trade paperback / On sale April 27, 2010
978-0-385-73530-8 / $9.99 / $11.99 Can. / 512 pages / Ages 12 up
Praise for
THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL SERIES
A New York Post Post-Potter Pick
A Parenting Magazine Parenting Pick
é “[A] riveting fantasy. . . , A fabulous read.”—School Library Journal, Starred
«“Readers will be swept up by a plot that moves smartly along.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers is an imprint of the Random House Children’s Books division of Random House Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG. Visit us on the Web at www.randomhouse.com.
- www.QuestForTheCodex.com (Click the link to play the game and enter the sweepstakes (sweepstakes for US residents only)
- Facebook.com/
SecretsofNicholasFlamel (fan page / Michael will be posting original status updates daily during his blog tour) - 5 video clues to the NECROMANCER, which you can find here:
Youtube.com/randombooks
Search for Michael Scott
(5 NECROMANCER video clues total – you can post any or all!)
- "Cleverly Inked" / http://cleverlyinked.blogspot.
com/ June 2 - "Write for a Reader" / http://writeforareader.
blogspot.com/ June 3
Posts
I just purchased the first three books at the bookstore. I'm really excited to add them to my Summer Reading List!!
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see two of my favorite worlds collide! I heart these books and have the pleasure of working on the Flamel Forum and I love your blog and forum, too! :) The best of both worlds. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And thank you for this awesome giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! And I will keep myself just to read.
ReplyDeleteSome of the characteristiscs that Michael Scott say a writer must have, just make me shiver.. cant wait to read his books!!
ReplyDeleteyay thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete