I sucked it up yesterday and posted my query in the Show Your Work [and thus get feedback] Thread over at AW. (If you've missed the link for AW in past posts, you can find it listed in Important Sites over yonder. -->) The concept of putting yourself out there for constructive criticism like this is lovingly referred to around the boards as Query Hell. A lot of members who offer suggestions for improvements don't sugar coat them. They can, sometimes, rip your stuff to shreds. And then they tell you how to make it better.
So since yesterday, and because of the feedback I've gotten, I've made amazing improvements to my query. Comments are still coming in, so likely I'll continue tweaking, but I'm very pleased with my results. I'm eager to send out the next batch and see if it gains any interest!
One thing I've realized through this process is that I won't agree with everyone's critique. Some are right on, giving me tips for things I'd never thought about. They really know their stuff - they've been through it themselves - and sincerely strive to help make another's query better. Other times, what's suggested doesn't seem quite right. This is why I have to weigh my options, and pick and choose those of the suggestions that work best for me, for my voice.
But wow, what a learning experience! It's thickening my skin (which can only help with all those rejections, really) and helping me learn to think in new ways, about how to get my points across better (it's been my habit with this query to use passive statements), and make it all come together smoothly.
Here's hoping it makes a difference!
PS. If you're checking out my blog for the first time, and you're not familiar with what a query is, see this previous post for an explanation. And thanks for stopping by!
Showing posts with label AW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AW. Show all posts
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Like Shoes
Wow, thanks for the birthday greetings, everyone! Littlest had a blast, and it was a great and blessed evening.
And thanks for enjoying the brownies with me. *burp* Oh! Excuse me.
***
I had kind of suspected, and have decided for sure, that finding the right agent is like finding the right pair of shoes: If it's gonna work out, it's gotta be the right fit. Another rejection tells me I haven't yet found my match. But I know I can't get upset over just one. Many more possibilities, just like in the seemingly-endless shoe department at my favorite store, are waiting to be approached. Maybe tried on for size.
Yesterday my thoughts wandered to those people you hear about (I know they're out there) who get partial request after partial request from agents. What does it mean, exactly? Obviously, they've done something right with their query letter. They've pitched their book just so, had that necessary hook, grabbing the attention of one professional after another. But I have to ask, how often does the manuscript (ms) live up to the expectation? What if the writer has sailed through the query stage because short, summarizing blurbs are their specialty, but when it comes to the full length of their novel, they've failed? On average, how many agents give time to those books seeming so promising, but so quickly kick it out the door because it just wasn't good enough?
I'm not judging, by the way. Just curious.
Conversely, how often is it that a query gets little or no attention, regardless of the story that lies behind it? What if it's a diamond in the rough, to use the old cliche? The diamond is the ms; the rough is the query.
My book is good. I know it is. (And if saying that makes me sound presumptious, then presume I'll have to do.) So is it that my query's bad? Am I one whose query just doesn't cut it, so no agent gets far enough to see what qualities my ms may hold? If so, I need to reassess. My friend, Wendy, who also lives this writing life, suggested I post my query on AW (the writers' forum site) for critiques. As much as I've avoided it before (though I did get feedback from 5 fellow writers whose thoughts I value, including Wendy herself), it may be time. If I'm missing that one crucial element (or dozens) and have included a no-no (or dozens), I really should correct it all.
As for the most recent rejection, received day-before-yesterday from the agent's assistant, it was generic. "Dear Author... Thanks for ... the opportunity... not the right agents for your work..." EXCEPT THAT "...we wish you success with your work... keep writing... [and] we strongly urge you to keep submitting elsewhere, as you might already have a bestseller in your hands." (bolding is mine for empasis)
What?! Oh my holy canoli. Did you read that like I did?
Okay. I know that, given the generic nature of the rest of the e-mail, it's not a statement I should plan my world around. It could simply be their way of boosting a writer's - any coherent writer's, for that matter - morale and esteem. But then again, why would they say such a thing? Create false hope? And they wouldn't do that with every Jane (or Janna, as it were) who comes a long. Would they?
Either way, I'll take it for what it may be worth. I'll hold on to that little glimmer and keep searching. 'Cuz someday I'll find the perfect pair of shoes. Er, agent.
8 rejections; 9 out
And thanks for enjoying the brownies with me. *burp* Oh! Excuse me.
***
I had kind of suspected, and have decided for sure, that finding the right agent is like finding the right pair of shoes: If it's gonna work out, it's gotta be the right fit. Another rejection tells me I haven't yet found my match. But I know I can't get upset over just one. Many more possibilities, just like in the seemingly-endless shoe department at my favorite store, are waiting to be approached. Maybe tried on for size.
Yesterday my thoughts wandered to those people you hear about (I know they're out there) who get partial request after partial request from agents. What does it mean, exactly? Obviously, they've done something right with their query letter. They've pitched their book just so, had that necessary hook, grabbing the attention of one professional after another. But I have to ask, how often does the manuscript (ms) live up to the expectation? What if the writer has sailed through the query stage because short, summarizing blurbs are their specialty, but when it comes to the full length of their novel, they've failed? On average, how many agents give time to those books seeming so promising, but so quickly kick it out the door because it just wasn't good enough?
I'm not judging, by the way. Just curious.
Conversely, how often is it that a query gets little or no attention, regardless of the story that lies behind it? What if it's a diamond in the rough, to use the old cliche? The diamond is the ms; the rough is the query.
My book is good. I know it is. (And if saying that makes me sound presumptious, then presume I'll have to do.) So is it that my query's bad? Am I one whose query just doesn't cut it, so no agent gets far enough to see what qualities my ms may hold? If so, I need to reassess. My friend, Wendy, who also lives this writing life, suggested I post my query on AW (the writers' forum site) for critiques. As much as I've avoided it before (though I did get feedback from 5 fellow writers whose thoughts I value, including Wendy herself), it may be time. If I'm missing that one crucial element (or dozens) and have included a no-no (or dozens), I really should correct it all.
As for the most recent rejection, received day-before-yesterday from the agent's assistant, it was generic. "Dear Author... Thanks for ... the opportunity... not the right agents for your work..." EXCEPT THAT "...we wish you success with your work... keep writing... [and] we strongly urge you to keep submitting elsewhere, as you might already have a bestseller in your hands." (bolding is mine for empasis)
What?! Oh my holy canoli. Did you read that like I did?
Okay. I know that, given the generic nature of the rest of the e-mail, it's not a statement I should plan my world around. It could simply be their way of boosting a writer's - any coherent writer's, for that matter - morale and esteem. But then again, why would they say such a thing? Create false hope? And they wouldn't do that with every Jane (or Janna, as it were) who comes a long. Would they?
Either way, I'll take it for what it may be worth. I'll hold on to that little glimmer and keep searching. 'Cuz someday I'll find the perfect pair of shoes. Er, agent.
8 rejections; 9 out
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Edits: Best With A Dose Of AW
Can I tell you something? Come closer.
AW (the network for writers) deserves a fair size of my devotion. Why? Because as I've been editing my heart out this week, the forums have been crucial to my progress. But it's not what you think. It's more than the wealth of knowledge, the leagues of support, found among the threads.
Scenario:
My Word doc window is up; I'm fine-tuning the narrative and tweaking the flow. But then an awkward phrase sneaks up and I'm stuck. My brain can't work out the proper edit, not just yet, and my thoughts have to stew for a bit. But to stare at the words in front of me, willing the right changes to appear, would be a bad thing. I have to redirect my attention while my writer's mind figures out, subconsciously, what to do. So I jump to another window, the one with AW. I check my subscribed threads, banter with my buddies and peruse the boards. I recheck my manuscript, thinking almost there, and hop back to AW again. But during the next minute or two spent in Office Party or Novel Writing (specific threads), something clicks. My brain begins to whir, my juices start to flow, and I can face that icky part of the manuscript again. I pull it up and watch as unfolds before me. The appropriate words come to me and the story moves ahead, better than I could have imagined.
Thank you, AW. Thank you.
AW (the network for writers) deserves a fair size of my devotion. Why? Because as I've been editing my heart out this week, the forums have been crucial to my progress. But it's not what you think. It's more than the wealth of knowledge, the leagues of support, found among the threads.
Scenario:
My Word doc window is up; I'm fine-tuning the narrative and tweaking the flow. But then an awkward phrase sneaks up and I'm stuck. My brain can't work out the proper edit, not just yet, and my thoughts have to stew for a bit. But to stare at the words in front of me, willing the right changes to appear, would be a bad thing. I have to redirect my attention while my writer's mind figures out, subconsciously, what to do. So I jump to another window, the one with AW. I check my subscribed threads, banter with my buddies and peruse the boards. I recheck my manuscript, thinking almost there, and hop back to AW again. But during the next minute or two spent in Office Party or Novel Writing (specific threads), something clicks. My brain begins to whir, my juices start to flow, and I can face that icky part of the manuscript again. I pull it up and watch as unfolds before me. The appropriate words come to me and the story moves ahead, better than I could have imagined.
Thank you, AW. Thank you.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Cripes!
It's the first time I'm admitting it...
Writing this novel of mine is hard, hard, hard. I'm getting frustrated with the process. Once again I'm stuck. Afraid to move on because I might fail. As if what I've been building toward isn't going to have enough pay-off.
How do I get out of this slump? I pull up my current chapter and stare at the few pages I have on the screen. I see in my mind the characters, sitting there, having their conversation, and it's so boring. How do I move past it? How do I get to the next exciting part? How do I continue working toward the end I know is coming? I still believe in it; I still want to see it come together for my characters. I just can't get there. Does it mean I'm hopeless? Has part of me given up? I certainly hope not.
I've been heavily active in the writing forums over at AW. On some levels it's encouraging, on others it's discouraging, to find how many writers JUST LIKE ME there are out there. Yes, I still believe in myself, but what gaurantee do I have that an agent will represent me? That he/she will succeed in selling my book? That my words will actually be read by hundreds, thousands, millions of people? Is my goal unrealistic? Have my dreams gotten too lofty?
Criminy.
Writing this novel of mine is hard, hard, hard. I'm getting frustrated with the process. Once again I'm stuck. Afraid to move on because I might fail. As if what I've been building toward isn't going to have enough pay-off.
How do I get out of this slump? I pull up my current chapter and stare at the few pages I have on the screen. I see in my mind the characters, sitting there, having their conversation, and it's so boring. How do I move past it? How do I get to the next exciting part? How do I continue working toward the end I know is coming? I still believe in it; I still want to see it come together for my characters. I just can't get there. Does it mean I'm hopeless? Has part of me given up? I certainly hope not.
I've been heavily active in the writing forums over at AW. On some levels it's encouraging, on others it's discouraging, to find how many writers JUST LIKE ME there are out there. Yes, I still believe in myself, but what gaurantee do I have that an agent will represent me? That he/she will succeed in selling my book? That my words will actually be read by hundreds, thousands, millions of people? Is my goal unrealistic? Have my dreams gotten too lofty?
Criminy.
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