31 ratings | 4 reviews | avg rating:4.65

Michael Scott Bertrand’s Followers (7)

Michael’s Bookshelves

to-read (13)
currently-reading (1)
read (31)
did-not-finish (0)

Michael’s Friends (51)

Ray Labbe

556 books | 14 friends

Rachel

1,493 books | 46 friends

Scott Lovelette

358 books | 269 friends

Pat Byrnes

728 books | 35 friends

Amy

296 books | 55 friends

Candy

16 books | 23 friends

The Bibliofool

643 books | 52 friends

Jillian Kenny

342 books | 24 friends

More friends…

Michael Scott Bertrand

Goodreads Author

Born

in Virginia, The United States

Website

http://www.michaelscottbertrand.com/

Genre

Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction

Influences

Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, H. Rider Haggard ...more

Member Since

March 2017

edit data

Michael Scott Bertrand lived a hundred lives before becoming a storyteller. After a successful career in government and politics, he tore off his tie to become a full-time novelist and never looked back. Mike was born in Virginia, raised in Vermont and currently resides in Florida. He is a graduate of Penn State and Fordham Law. He is the author of Flying Conquistadors and Sword of the Spaniard. He is currently working on the final book in his Treasure of Tenochtitlan trilogy.

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Michael Scott Bertrand questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Michael Scott Bertrand I jump around when I'm writing - a LOT. If I'm stuck somewhere, I'll take a break, then come back and work on an entirely different section. Maybe I'l…moreI jump around when I'm writing - a LOT. If I'm stuck somewhere, I'll take a break, then come back and work on an entirely different section. Maybe I'll skip to another chapter, or some action scene that is more fun to work on, or even to the final chapter. I find that forces me to focus on my entire story, not just "what comes next."

Think of how a filmmaker works: she/he breaks the story down into components, then figures out how best to film those individual scenes. Rarely does a filmmaker shoot scenes in sequential order (yes, there are some very famous exceptions), and it is only in editing and post-production that the big picture comes together.

I'll add that there are times (too many!) when the gods of prose abandon me altogether. When that happens, and you can't come up with a good sentence to save your life, don't force it. Do some research, make some notes in your manuscript, and pat yourself on the back for moving the ball forward. Live to write another day.(less)

flag

like
Comment

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Michael Scott Bertrand That's easy: write.

Think of it as your job, and your writing station as the office you work at. Do you think your boss wants to see you reading yet-an…moreThat's easy: write.

Think of it as your job, and your writing station as the office you work at. Do you think your boss wants to see you reading yet-another book on writing, or see you watching "Masterclass" when you are supposed to be working? Of course not. She/he wants you to write. You will be judged by how much you write, and how well you write. So stop putting it off, and write.

One way I try to crack the whip on myself (esp. during the early phase of "raw material development") is to "grade" myself each day on how many words I write. I need to write a minimum 750 words a day for a "D", 1500 words for a "C", 2250 for a "B" and 3000 for an "A". I keep a calendar next to my writing desk and give myself a grade at the end of each day. At the end of the working week (5 or 6 days) I average my daily scores, and my goal is a "B" or an "A". That gets me anywhere from 11,000 to 18,000 words in a week, which I think is pretty darn good.(less)

flag

like
Comment

See all 5 answers from Michael Scott Bertrand…

Combine Editions
Michael Scott Bertrand’s books

Average rating: 4.0 · 12 ratings · 5 reviews · 6 distinct works

	Flying Conquistadors really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 10 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	You = Happy: A Formula for Inner Peace it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sword of the Spaniard liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Novice to Novelist: Quick Tips for Budding Writers 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Memories to Masterpiece: Crafting a Compelling Memoir 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Flying Conquistadors: Collector's Edition 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Michael Scott Bertrand…

6 posts
Michael Scott Bertrand's Blog

99 cents for Sword of the Spaniard?

Yes, it's true ... for a limited time the ebook version of my new novel SWORD OF THE SPANIARD is only 99 cents!

Get the ebook now by clicking the link below. Please rate and review your purchase, it helps raise the book's visibility!

https://books2read.com/u/3krJXn

Thanks!
MSB Read more of this blog post »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 27, 2018 08:11

View all 6 posts »

Michael is Currently Reading

Michael Bertrand is currently reading

Sword of the Spaniard

by Michael Scott Bertrand (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nov 30, 2018 11:54AM

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Creative Reviews: Flying Conquistadors - reviewers wanted!	2	6	May 20, 2017 10:27AM
Goodreads Reviewe...: FLYING CONQUISTADORS - reviewers wanted!	2	8	May 20, 2017 10:28AM
Book Bloggers of ...: FLYING CONQUISTADORS - Reviewers Wanted!	2	6	May 21, 2017 06:29AM
GOOD REVIEWS: Flying Conquistadors - reviewers wanted!	5	6	May 22, 2017 04:06PM
Goodreads Authors...: Flying Conquistadors - paperbacks for review!	1	4	May 23, 2017 07:03AM
Around the World ...: Flying Conquistadors - paperback reviewers wanted	1	6	May 26, 2017 09:04AM
Autobiography/Bio...: Flying Conquistadors - paperbacks for review!	1	5	May 26, 2017 09:25AM
Indie Authors & F...: Flying Conquistadors - paperbacks for review!	1	4	May 26, 2017 09:26AM
Advanced Copies f...: Flying Conquistadors - paperbacks for review!	12	39	Jun 10, 2017 07:29PM
Historical Fictio...: Historical Fiction Suggestions??	61	310	Dec 19, 2017 10:13PM

More…

recent posts
Michael’s Groups

GOOD REVIEWS — 8670 members — last activity Apr 21, 2026 01:32AM
This Group is only for authors who are looking for reviews and Reviewers who love to read books and share their reviews.

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 56456 members — last activity 1 hour, 3 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Goodreads Reviewers' Group — 13498 members — last activity Apr 22, 2026 04:09AM
This group helps to bring Reviewers and Authors together! Reviewers can make their own thread to post their reviews in, or post their reviews in the r ...more

Creative Reviews — 3860 members — last activity 1 hour, 31 min ago
This group is a way to gather together people who like to write book reviews as well as advertise their book review blogs. With enough people we will ...more

Book Bloggers of Goodreads — 3024 members — last activity Apr 10, 2026 06:11AM
This is a group for the book bloggers of Goodreads and authors seeking reviews. Book bloggers: post events, reviews, giveaways, ask questions, share l ...more

Around the World in 80 Books — 31208 members — last activity 8 hours, 52 min ago
Reading takes you places. Where in the world will your next book take you? If you love world literature, translated works, travel writing, or explorin ...more

Advanced Copies for Review & Book Giveaways — 16210 members — last activity Apr 21, 2026 09:49AM
A place to help authors and reviewers come together to get the word out about new books as well as a group for anyone to post or enter listings for bo ...more

Indie Authors & Fans of Indie Books — 765 members — last activity Mar 25, 2026 04:03AM
Discover indies and discuss resources. Independent authors can post about their books and projects, and readers can discover new indie books. Tell oth ...more

Book Giveaways — 5511 members — last activity Apr 20, 2026 04:26AM
The place to go to tell others about your book giveaways and contests. And where book lover's can go to find ways to get free books. We all love those ...more

Autobiography/Biography lovers! — 503 members — last activity Mar 31, 2026 05:05PM
A group for people who love reading autobiographies, biographies and memoirs! Come and discuss your favourite ones and find new ones to read!

More of Michael’s groups…

Michael’s Friend Comments

No comments have been added yet.