Patrick Rothfuss Critiqued my Novel

[Bowler1]

I've just seen this, very touching and a nice start to my friday morning after years of hearing how nasty the publishing world can be.

Good for you, Boneman.

 

[Boneman]

Thanks, both. Putting 'Patrick Rothfuss critiqued my work' on query letters has got quite a few requests, so it's paying off in that respect, too!

 

[Bowler1]

Thanks, both. Putting 'Patrick Rothfuss critiqued my work' on query letters has got quite a few requests, so it's paying off in that respect, too!

You've been on here since 2008, so you've earned your spurs. Fingers crossed for ya.

 

[Boneman]

Thanks Bowler. Being here is the single most important reason my work has improved, without a shadow of a doubt. I'm getting close, and (hopefully) still improving as I go...

 

[Bowler1]

Thanks Bowler. Being here is the single most important reason my work has improved, without a shadow of a doubt. I'm getting close, and (hopefully) still improving as I go...

It's a tough crowd on here, talk about demanding, eh!
However, I feel the same.

 

[R.P. Soon]

That is so cool. Congratulations.

 

[Boneman]

Thanks. I was incredibly lucky to get it, but 'Worldbuilders' was just getting going - when I bid, (2009) it was the second year. This year I think a critique by him went for over $10,000...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

What was he like as a critter? Was he very hard, or generous? Was there a single strong message you took from him? Notebooks at the ready...

Sorry, I should have elaborated: you told us lots about the process at the time, but I'm wondering what, four years on, is the message that stuck.

 

[Glitch]

Like Brian, I missed this thread the first time around.

It sounds like you got more than just a critique from him (which in itself is invaluable). A way of thinking about the reader, not just the story. Rewarding the reader for their time spent reading your book.

 

[juelz4sure]

I know I'm extremely late but that is awesome, I could not imagine having someone like Pat Rothfuss critiquing my manuscript. I can't wait for the chance to read your book. Congrats again.

 

[Boneman]

He was incredibly honest, in the nicest way possible - he would say "can you see how this would work better if you did XYZ?" - and I did transcribe everything we said in five hours, so I could read it back again and again. He told me how he edited his own, and the methods he used, but focused on my writing, going through the whole manuscript and we bounced ideas around the whole time. Even now, It's difficult to believe it actually happened...

The main thing that stuck, which I try and apply all the time, is the approach we have to our stories: that really we're in the minds of the characters, not scribing for them (though there are stories that lend themselves to that 'Scheherazade' way of relating). He said at least three times "What would your character do? Not: What would you do?" I had told him that I always did character essays before starting out, so I know who their parents are, where they went to school, what their favourite music/food/drink was, and so on, which he approved of, but said: "now tell me their aspirations." It's so easy to forget that our heroes should have all those things, even though they may never be mentioned, because it shapes what their behaviour will be. He said, the better we understood our MC, the easier it should be to see why they took those actions when they did, and the story would unfold for us in a natural, and above all, believable way, because we've been true to our character.

Still my hero? You betcha...

 

[Abernovo]

Wow, not only did you get incredibly lucky in winning that critique, Boneman (one good wife, there), but Patrick Rothfuss sounds like a stand-up guy. I'm impressed.

 

[Juliana]

Thanks, Brian, for digging this story up. Loved reading about your experience, Boneman!! I watch Rothfuss' Storyboard videos and love his chatty style of talking about writing...