• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing

Helping authors achieve their dreams

  • Blog
  • Writing Advice
  • Publishing Advice
  • About
  • Take a Class
  • Get Editing

David Foster Wallace

Are we stripping modern books bare?

July 9, 2012 by Nathan Bransford 72 Comments

Reader Drew Turney wrote to me recently with an interesting question. There’s so much advice, commentary, and opinion about stripping away anything unessential to a book’s plot. Writing in the modern era emphasizes moving the plot forward at all costs, and everything else is “ruthlessly killed off no matter how darling.” Digressions and detritus that […]

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: Charles Dickens, Culture, David Foster Wallace, Jonathan Franzen, Moby-Dick

Does Angst Help You Write?

September 1, 2010 by Nathan Bransford 184 Comments

There is perhaps no archetype more persistent throughout the history of art and literature than that of the tortured artist. From the tragically real cases (like Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, and David Foster Wallace), to self-conscious poseurs (who shall remain nameless), angst-filled writers in both fiction and real life are an enduring staple in culture. […]

Filed Under: The Writing Life Tagged With: David Foster Wallace, Hemingway, Staying Sane While Writing, You Tell Me

Writers, Authority, and The Keith Hernandez Rule

August 12, 2010 by Nathan Bransford 83 Comments

While I have previously tackled the perennial conversation topic/game/complaint Today’s Publishing Industry Would Have Never Publishing Such and Such Genius Old Book Because Everyone in Publishing Today is a Freaking Idiot, there is a component to these complaints that I would like to delve into just a tad deeper. I find it curious that whenever […]

Filed Under: The Writing Life Tagged With: David Foster Wallace, Harry Potter, How to Write a Novel, J.K. Rowling, James Joyce, Lord of the Rings, Moby-Dick, Seinfeld, William Faulkner, writing advice, Writing and Sports

This Week in Publishing 5/14/10

May 14, 2010 by Nathan Bransford 54 Comments

This week in………. TYRA MAIL! Screeeeeammmm!!!!!!! Yes, it has finally happened. Tyra Banks. Novelist. The model/talk show host/judge-of-fierceness has smized her way to a book deal for a YA novel called “Modelland,” involving a land populated by “Intoxibellas,” who are, of course, hot and fierce and will cry dramatically if you ask them about the […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Borders, Cormac McCarthy, David Foster Wallace, E-books, E-Readers, How to Find a Literary Agent, Ian McEwan, Jane Austen, This Week in Publishing, Young Adult Literature

This Week in Publishing 3/20/09

March 20, 2009 by Nathan Bransford 124 Comments

Lots and lots of links this week, so let’s get this started, shall we? First off, I’m as surprised as you are that my bracket wasn’t completely busted by 3 PM yesterday, which probably means that I’ll be dead in the water by the end of the day. There’s currently a nine-way tie atop the […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: David Foster Wallace, Google, Ian McEwan, literary agents, Malcolm Gladwell, This Week in Publishing, Why Do I Need A Literary Agent?, Writing and Sports

RIP David Foster Wallace

September 14, 2008 by Nathan Bransford 55 Comments

Wow. Just incredibly sad news. We’ve lost an unbelievable talent.

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: David Foster Wallace

Primary Sidebar

About Nathan

Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

My blog has everything you need to know to write, edit, and publish a book. Can’t find what you need or want personalized help? Reach out.

Learn more about me

Need Editing?

I'm available for consultations, edits, query critiques, brainstorming, and more.
Learn more!

My Books

How to Write A Novel
Cover of How to Publish a Book by Nathan Bransford
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapo
Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe
Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp

Forums

Need help with your query? Want to talk books? Check out the Nathan Bransford Forums
Footer Logo
Nathan Bransford

Helping authors achieve their dreams

  • Editing Services
  • My Books
  • About Me
  • Blog Directory
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Twitter Logo Facebook Logo Instagram Logo
As an Amazon and Bookshop Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and Bookshop links are usually affiliate links.