Well, I've done it. I've received a request off the most amazing query letter I've written for LET ME OUT. I've sent that version of the query to three agents and I got one request. Before you say, "Yay!" listen to this story.
The request came through last Wednesday. So I spent all day perfecting my first five pages to send to the agent. I had them perfect. I was ready to send. But I was doing this on my work computer, which I can't get my email on, and so I needed to take the file and transfer it to my computer. Hello, flash drive. The file transferred effortlessly, but when I plugged the flash drive into my laptop...something was wrong.
I've seen it before and I almost started to cry. ".docx" format LOVES to corrupt itself. And yes, the file was corrupted. I couldn't open it on my laptop or on my computer, and my IT Dept. couldn't do anything for me.
Those perfect 5 pages were gone.
So I started again, writing down everything I could remember about the changes I'd made. Two days went by and I still hadn't replied to the agent request. On Friday, I had done as much as I could. The pages didn't have that perfection they'd had before, but they worked and I needed to get them to the agent.
I sent them off.
And I heard back today.
I received my first personal rejection. The pages didn't pull her in as much as she hoped they would.
What that means: my query does it's job, but my pages don't. What I'm going to do about it: find a critique group.
I've already run the MS through BETA readers, but now I'm looking for that group dynamic.
Do you use a critique group? What are some of your pros and cons to using one?
Showing posts with label Querying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Querying. Show all posts
June 21, 2011
May 13, 2011
My Understanding of a Query.
Blogger ate my comments when it went down. I did respond to your comments on this post, I promise!
This week has been full of good news for me. Monday, I found out my score for my final exam, which was very good, considerably more than I thought I would get. Tuesday I randomly sent my resume for a editor position with the SoCal MWA chapter for their newsletter, and got the position. And Wednesday, I received my grade for my ten page paper, which was also considerably higher than I thought I would get. Seems I will pass my class afterall and not really hurt my GPA (I'm building it up for MFA application). I've worked on The Current Suspense for 4 days straight, too. So...it's a good week.
Haven't heard back on anymore queries for LET ME OUT though and that's what this post will be about.
Queries.
We love them, we hate them. I find myself hating them more now days. So I want to explain my understanding on the query and hope you all will comment to correct me or offer advice.
DOs:
1. Personalize the query to each agent. How do you do this? By looking at their sales record, comparing your work to a sale they've made, addressing the query to the agent specifically. Nathan Bransford has done an amazing job of this in his query for JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW.
2. Keep it short. 250 words max for the description of your book. This doesn't include your salutation paragraph.
3. Get the agent to want more by leaving a bit of mystery.
4. Credentials. You got them or you don't.
5. Have a hook line.
6. Include TITLE, word count and genre.
DON'Ts:
1. CC every agent on your list into the same query. No Dear Agent greetings either.
2. Send material the agent hasn't asked for. Read their Submission Guidelines.
3. Query an agent who doesn't rep what you're selling.
4. Throw everything but the kitchen sink at them with detail.
5. Make up credentials or include credentials that have nothing to do with the industry.
6. Pitch two books in the same query.
7. Use the words "fiction novel".
8. Tell the agent this is a million dollar idea.
I have many more. I've followed all the DOs and stayed away from the DON'Ts, but it seems I'm missing something.
What would you add to this list?
This week has been full of good news for me. Monday, I found out my score for my final exam, which was very good, considerably more than I thought I would get. Tuesday I randomly sent my resume for a editor position with the SoCal MWA chapter for their newsletter, and got the position. And Wednesday, I received my grade for my ten page paper, which was also considerably higher than I thought I would get. Seems I will pass my class afterall and not really hurt my GPA (I'm building it up for MFA application). I've worked on The Current Suspense for 4 days straight, too. So...it's a good week.
Haven't heard back on anymore queries for LET ME OUT though and that's what this post will be about.
Queries.
We love them, we hate them. I find myself hating them more now days. So I want to explain my understanding on the query and hope you all will comment to correct me or offer advice.
DOs:
1. Personalize the query to each agent. How do you do this? By looking at their sales record, comparing your work to a sale they've made, addressing the query to the agent specifically. Nathan Bransford has done an amazing job of this in his query for JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW.
2. Keep it short. 250 words max for the description of your book. This doesn't include your salutation paragraph.
3. Get the agent to want more by leaving a bit of mystery.
4. Credentials. You got them or you don't.
5. Have a hook line.
6. Include TITLE, word count and genre.
DON'Ts:
1. CC every agent on your list into the same query. No Dear Agent greetings either.
2. Send material the agent hasn't asked for. Read their Submission Guidelines.
3. Query an agent who doesn't rep what you're selling.
4. Throw everything but the kitchen sink at them with detail.
5. Make up credentials or include credentials that have nothing to do with the industry.
6. Pitch two books in the same query.
7. Use the words "fiction novel".
8. Tell the agent this is a million dollar idea.
I have many more. I've followed all the DOs and stayed away from the DON'Ts, but it seems I'm missing something.
What would you add to this list?
May 1, 2011
Focus On What's Important: Me!
Nap time's over people. Back to work!
My break from writing is over. The world came crashing down on my shoulders last weekend when I realized I would need to rewrite the ENTIRE MS I'm currently revising and received 2 rejections the same day. These are things that wouldn't normally bother me separately. Rejection happens and I've grown as a writer so much, that I deem my book crap :) Together? Not such a good combination.
I wasn't physically working on the book, but I still made a lot of notes to figure things out.
Welcome to my way of getting things done. It may look like a mess, but this is my outline. I keep very detailed step-by-step outlines so I can review them quickly if I need to go back. Of course, Tracking Changes is on because what I think will work better may not actually and I'll need to revert to the old. I hear the newer OS X.7 Lion will have a feature called Versions (I use a Mac), but not for Microsoft (I use Word for Mac). The program will automatically save "versions" of your work like a backup. Until then, Tracking Changes it is.
The book is kicking my ass. I have come up with a lot of solutions, I hope, but I have a lot of work to do! Sent out a few more submissions for LET ME OUT after revising the letter AGAIN! I'm on...4th round of submissions? Still have 9 queries open.
Are your outlines horrendous like mine? Or simple? Where are you at in Revision Hell?
April 17, 2011
How Do You Track?
I have several queries still out for consideration on my commercial suspense, LET ME OUT. There were thirteen submissions to begin with and now, I'm down to seven. How do I keep track? Like this:
First, let me just say, I suck at Excel. I hate the program because it always finds a way to piss me off. So this spreadsheet is just crap, but it fits my needs. I prefer to use the table option in Word, but it is a lot more work than I have time, or am willing, to put into it. The blocks of black are rejections and there's a second page, but there has to be an easier way.
So how do you track? Do you have a template you're willing to share with me? :)
April 6, 2011
Query-tastic
I made that up. No, really! Since I'm having such a hard time coming up with an interesting topic for today's post, I thought I might keep you updated on the agents I've queried for my commercial suspense, LET ME OUT.
When I say "updated" I mean the turnaround time for those 10 agents and 2 publishers with which I've queried and have already received feedback from...just in case you ever decide to query these wonderful people. No specific naming order here.
Anne Hawkins at John Hawkins and Associates, 1 day
Lindsey Clemons at Larson-Pomada Literary, 2 days
Stacia Decker at Donald Maass Literary, 3 days
Are you starting to see a pattern here?
Jessica Faust of BookEnds Literary, 4 days
Jill Marsol at Lyan-Marsol Literary, 5 days
Janet Reid of FinePrint Literary Management, 6 days
(This is where I tell you when I received her rejection, I turned around and sent it to another agent at FinePrint, per her advice).
That's it for now. I still have 7 queries out and I'll keep you updated. Hope the information helps. What have you been working on lately? Are you querying soon?
When I say "updated" I mean the turnaround time for those 10 agents and 2 publishers with which I've queried and have already received feedback from...just in case you ever decide to query these wonderful people. No specific naming order here.
Anne Hawkins at John Hawkins and Associates, 1 day
Lindsey Clemons at Larson-Pomada Literary, 2 days
Stacia Decker at Donald Maass Literary, 3 days
Are you starting to see a pattern here?
Jessica Faust of BookEnds Literary, 4 days
Jill Marsol at Lyan-Marsol Literary, 5 days
Janet Reid of FinePrint Literary Management, 6 days
(This is where I tell you when I received her rejection, I turned around and sent it to another agent at FinePrint, per her advice).
That's it for now. I still have 7 queries out and I'll keep you updated. Hope the information helps. What have you been working on lately? Are you querying soon?
April 3, 2011
Oh For The Love
Revision Hell! Yep, The Next Suspense is going sloooooowly. In a way, it's great because I am making the MS 10 times better than the original, but will it ever end? Not exactly where I hoped to be with the revisions, but I have until probably October to get everything in order.
This is how it's going so far...
This is how it's going so far...
I have an entire new book in the margins! I'm still in the "comment only" version of revisions. I haven't applied any changes to the MS yet. I'm taking this project on with a different kind of process. I'm BETA-ing my own work before I make changes. Never done it before. Seems to be going well though. This MS was originally romantic suspense, but is being turned in commercial suspense since its companion is being queried as a commercial suspense. That is where my niche lies. Suspense.
Hopefully, I will be ready to pitch this book to the wonderful Angela James from Carina Press when she visits Vegas in November. We shall see.
Query update for LET ME OUT: 5 rejections/ 7 queries out - two are full requests (publishers who request the entire MS at the time of query).
What are you guys working on? Are you in Revision Hell or Query Hell with me?
March 28, 2011
I've Been Outed
And we're off! Yes, that's right, my query for my commercial suspense is out the door, or should I say in my sent email file.
If you haven't queried before, read this article by the wonderful Anne Gallagher (a.k.a. The Piedmont Writer) or just go read it because it's damn good.
With my first novel, I didn't really expect much because I didn't know what I was doing, but having put that behind me, I now have experience and let me tell you, it sucks. I've never gone through The Five Stages of Querying before, but now that I completely support this novel and the time, research, editing and revisions I've gone through to make it perfect, I'm quaking in my boots. Not literally, of course, but I'm pretty distracted! I want to refresh my email every five seconds and before you say, "Go focus on something else", I am.
The sequel to this suspense is already written, but I'm doing some major revisions and editing on the sucker (in case there is a bite from an agent). I also have a 10 page paper due in about 5 weeks. So, you see, I'm working on other projects, but that doesn't stop me from checking my email every hour!
There are 12 queries out for this book, 10 agents and 2 publishers (digital publishers). I also have a query out for one of the articles I wrote to Writer's Digest, but that's 10 weeks away. I'm dying of anxiety...
How do you distract yourself after querying? I want to know!
If you haven't queried before, read this article by the wonderful Anne Gallagher (a.k.a. The Piedmont Writer) or just go read it because it's damn good.
With my first novel, I didn't really expect much because I didn't know what I was doing, but having put that behind me, I now have experience and let me tell you, it sucks. I've never gone through The Five Stages of Querying before, but now that I completely support this novel and the time, research, editing and revisions I've gone through to make it perfect, I'm quaking in my boots. Not literally, of course, but I'm pretty distracted! I want to refresh my email every five seconds and before you say, "Go focus on something else", I am.
The sequel to this suspense is already written, but I'm doing some major revisions and editing on the sucker (in case there is a bite from an agent). I also have a 10 page paper due in about 5 weeks. So, you see, I'm working on other projects, but that doesn't stop me from checking my email every hour!
There are 12 queries out for this book, 10 agents and 2 publishers (digital publishers). I also have a query out for one of the articles I wrote to Writer's Digest, but that's 10 weeks away. I'm dying of anxiety...
How do you distract yourself after querying? I want to know!
February 14, 2011
Query Crit Contest
Offered by Operation Awesome, that is! If you haven't already, head on over there and comment on this post to enter the chance to win a critique on your query! Agents Natalie M. Fischer and Josh Getzler will be critiquing!
December 31, 2010
5 Steps to a Perfect Submission
NOTE: This article has now been published in 7 different chapters across the US and Canada for Romance Writers of America, is now being considered for Mystery Writer's of America SoCal chapter newsletter and is on submission for Writer's Digest's October 2011 issue.
As fiction writers, we strive to perfect our submission process to catch our dream agent’s attention and this can only be accomplished by using the basic pattern of submission rules that each agent has constructed to suit them individually. Following these five simple steps, even a novice writer will be ahead of the game when taking their masterpiece out into the world.
As fiction writers, we strive to perfect our submission process to catch our dream agent’s attention and this can only be accomplished by using the basic pattern of submission rules that each agent has constructed to suit them individually. Following these five simple steps, even a novice writer will be ahead of the game when taking their masterpiece out into the world.
Finish the book. DO NOT submit to an agent unless you are able to use the word “completed” (with word count) in your query. This doesn’t mean first draft material either. Not only do you take that final plunge in writing “The End” at the bottom of that last page, but you have to take your book a step further. Edit and revise several times, which may include several man hours, weeks or years depending on your life and your idea of revisions. But the most important part of this step is that you do it. Your manuscript (MS) is an extension of you and will be the deciding factor in catching an agent. Make it into a masterpiece and then hand it over to someone else.
And I don’t mean your mom. Getting your work critiqued can be daunting. Your work is going out into the world, you’re nervous, you’re not sure if your trusted friend will like your characters or the world you’ve built for them, but here’s the hard truth: you want to be an author. You’re going to have to get over those nervous jitters and accept that not everyone has the same taste. Besides, moms lie. Use your loyal writing community. Don’t have one? Start by reading other writer’s blogs. Befriend them and they will welcome you with open arms. They might even teach you something. The online writing community is always willing to help and know what agent’s are looking for. They will BETA-read for you. They will give you feedback and you will consider every word because you want the best chance of getting noticed by an agent. Of course, you have to use your own judgment in their suggestions as well. This is your work and you know it best.
Because your MS is an extension of yourself, you want it to look professional. So format. This will tell your chosen agent just how serious you are. There are many different opinions on what your header should contain, to bold or italicize the title page and what font to use and a nice tool to answer all these questions is Formatting and Submitting Your Manuscript by Chuck Sambuchino.
Synopsis. Nicknamed the “dreaded synopsis”, the synopsis is your second step in the submission process and unfortunately required. Some writers believe writing an entire novel is easier that consolidating it down to a few pages and I’d have to agree. Contrary to popular belief, the synopsis is NOT a play-by-play of your MS. Instead, think of it as the summary on the back of your book when it’s published, only two to five pages rather than a couple paragraphs. Summaries don’t tell the entire story and neither should your synopsis. You will have the main points and the ending, of course, but the synopsis should be emotional rather than physical. Who are the main characters? What’s at stake? What are their goals, motivations and conflicts? Tell the agent why your readers will keep turning the page, but in a brief summary.
Write the Query Letter. Easier said than done. Trust me, I know. Just like the synopsis, the query letter is required. This is how you’re going to catch an agent’s attention and make them want to represent you and your work. Further consolidating your MS into two or three paragraphs seems impossible, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Start with a hook line. You’ve already done this in your actual MS. Your hook line is the first sentence that keeps your reader wanting more and you have to do the same in your query letter. Make the agent keep reading your sales pitch. Make her eager to request more material. Because that’s all we as fiction writers really want: a chance to share the real masterpiece.
Two to three paragraphs is plenty to express the goals, motivation and conflict of your protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Keep it simple. Give the agent the basics, just as you’ve done in your synopsis, but keep them wanting more with conflict. Agents receive thousands of submissions each month and more than you’d think take up more than one page. Two hundred and fifty words is usually the maximum agents are willing to consider for each submission.
Once you’ve got your query cleaned up, send it off to your trusted critique partner or submit it to The Public Query Slushpile (http://www.openquery.blogspot.com/), hosted by Rick Daley. The site is an excellent resource to get free critiques and feedback.
Comprise your list of agents. Your list of agents needs to compliment your work. Genre, for example, is the most important factor in selecting your agents. You don’t want to submit your thriller to an agent who only represents romance. An easy way to sift through the thousands of agents is to obtain a copy of Writer’s Market or subscribe online for about $5.99 a month, check out Agent Query (http://www.agentquery.com/), or head over to Preditors and Editors (http://pred-ed.com/). With these valuable resources, you can weed out agents through an advanced search of genre, website availability and much more. Once you have a basic list, it’s time to research.
Researching your agents. Besides the query letter, researching your agents is the most important step in the submission process and the most time consuming. You will need to read up on every single agent on your list in order to tell the agent why your MS is going to fit them personally in your query. When I say “fit”, I mean you need to know which agent you will be submitting to (some agencies house more than one agent and yes, you need to know the agents name. None of this “Dear Agent” crap), what their submission guidelines are, how to submit to them (snail mail or email), and finally, and what book sales of theirs might compare to your MS. It’s hard trying to compare someone else’s work to yours since yours is so unique, but it can, and must be done. This little tidbit of information gives the agent confidence that you’ve done your homework and tells them just how serious you are about being published.
These five steps will put you ahead of the other two thousand submissions a single agent receives every month and may even lead to that call or email you’ve been waiting for. I wish you the best of luck!
December 29, 2010
To the Writer Community...I Need Help
Dear friends of the Internet,
I'm researching agents. Yay! Not. This is the point where my query letter is finished and now I need to personalize it to every agent in my list. I'm doing this by researching the agent's sales, comparing my work to others.
Here's where I need help.
I have two perfect comparisons that I've included in my query letter for one agent. I'm not sure if there will be other books out there that can compare so well. Can I keep those two throughout my submission process for EVERY agent, assuming they know the books I'm speaking of or do I need to go even further and find different comparisons for EACH agent?
I'm researching agents. Yay! Not. This is the point where my query letter is finished and now I need to personalize it to every agent in my list. I'm doing this by researching the agent's sales, comparing my work to others.
Here's where I need help.
I have two perfect comparisons that I've included in my query letter for one agent. I'm not sure if there will be other books out there that can compare so well. Can I keep those two throughout my submission process for EVERY agent, assuming they know the books I'm speaking of or do I need to go even further and find different comparisons for EACH agent?
November 25, 2010
Mmmm...Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! To those of you who don't celebrate Thanksgiving, I'm still grateful that you are a part of my journey and hope you have a wonderful day!
I'm getting a lot of work done on the current revisions and hope to send out another round of queries beginning in December. On a side note - I read a post (sorry, I can't remember where) that explained most agents and agencies shut down queries for the holidays. Is December not a good time for querying?
I'm getting a lot of work done on the current revisions and hope to send out another round of queries beginning in December. On a side note - I read a post (sorry, I can't remember where) that explained most agents and agencies shut down queries for the holidays. Is December not a good time for querying?
October 22, 2010
Obsessed
I'm OBSESSED with The Public Query Slushpile. Since I started writing, I've been looking for someone who knows how a query letter is supposed to work, what information needs to go in it, how to format and everything in between. I can't believe it took me so long to find this site and I want to thank Rick Daley for creating this opportunity for me!
If you want a serious critique of your query letter, even some plotting, visit The Public Query Slushpile directly or through my "For Writers" page (listed under Author and Industry Blogs). I have to tell you though...if you post, I will most likely comment on your query. I find myself commenting on every entry, but it's for your own good!
This is an awesome chance to get your query letter ready for submission and all the comments I've received there have only bettered my chances of landing an agent.
Are there blogs, websites, trusted advisers out there that you simple can't help stalking?
If you want a serious critique of your query letter, even some plotting, visit The Public Query Slushpile directly or through my "For Writers" page (listed under Author and Industry Blogs). I have to tell you though...if you post, I will most likely comment on your query. I find myself commenting on every entry, but it's for your own good!
This is an awesome chance to get your query letter ready for submission and all the comments I've received there have only bettered my chances of landing an agent.
Are there blogs, websites, trusted advisers out there that you simple can't help stalking?
October 12, 2010
I Need You - 3 Of You, That Is
I need beta-readers for my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. I've only had a couple of people close to me read over this MS and it's time to get some real critism. Please don't offer if you don't have the time to get it back to me soon. I'm looking for a quick turn around (say in 14 days) from someone who is somewhat educated/educated in mystery/suspense and knows how the MS should flow. Three different readers would be great.
If you're interested, please email me! I can send the MS in PDF format and will give permissions to make notes in the margains or we can work something out in Word if you can't use PDF.
If you're interested, please email me! I can send the MS in PDF format and will give permissions to make notes in the margains or we can work something out in Word if you can't use PDF.
Click here for my revised query in case you want a little more information and tone of the MS.
October 9, 2010
Sharing
As many of you know, my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, is out for submission to a handful of agents. I wanted to share my query letter with all of you and get some feedback if possible. I've posted the original to The Public Query Slushpile and hope you'll take part! Here is the first revision. Apparently, I'm having trouble with genre. Where the heck does this book fit in?
In other news, this weekend unraveled a lot within my current W.i.P, My Demonic Love. I fixed a few details in random chapters, trying to make the plot run more smoothly and ended up adding a whole other chapter. This is the only way I can explain EVERYTHING and now realize that I won't have any trouble getting to 90,000 words (I was a little apprehensive).
I've found that I work more efficiently when I'm switching between two projects at once. This gives me the opportunity to take mental breaks from one MS while working on the other and I think my writing is getting better in the process :)
How many projects do you work on at one time?
In other news, this weekend unraveled a lot within my current W.i.P, My Demonic Love. I fixed a few details in random chapters, trying to make the plot run more smoothly and ended up adding a whole other chapter. This is the only way I can explain EVERYTHING and now realize that I won't have any trouble getting to 90,000 words (I was a little apprehensive).
I've found that I work more efficiently when I'm switching between two projects at once. This gives me the opportunity to take mental breaks from one MS while working on the other and I think my writing is getting better in the process :)
How many projects do you work on at one time?
September 26, 2010
Bring Me To Life
Between studying for an awful quiz for today, writing my little heart out this weekend and working on a paper for class, my brain is fried. But I thought I'd share a few musings with all of you.
Characters are the life blood of novel writing. Sure there is suspense, romance, humor, but what makes that all come together? Your characters. So consider this for me: What makes your characters come to life for you?
Is it their name? That photo you found on the internet? A scent? An encounter with a stranger or someone you know in reality?
Sometimes it's all of those for me, but mostly a photo. I will find my favorite actor/actress/celebrity at that point in time and almost build a story around them. It all just seems to fit together. I even use their real first or last name or part of a name they've used on the big screen in order to keep things simple. But then there are characters of my own making through research and culture.
I'm still in Queryland for my second novel, All Because of You. I did receive a request for more material, but learned this weekend that my first chapters just didn't cut it. No problemo. I submitted to another 5 agents on Saturday and look forward to hearing back from them in the next few weeks.
The current WiP is coming along nicely. Still having a few hiccups in the research department, so I'm writing around those scenes for now (Chapters 7 and 8). Maybe some day I can find exactly what I'm looking for, but it doesn't seem to be on the internet. I fulfilled my goal for the month of September and hope my October goal will include the completion of my first draft for My Demonic Love. Let's hope.
I started with the second in my Afterlife Series, My Mortal Eclipse, this weekend and wrote about 4,000+ words. It seems when I'm having trouble with the current WiP, I just need to work on something else. It helps!
What do you writers out there do when you have writer's block or you feel like you just can't write any more?
Characters are the life blood of novel writing. Sure there is suspense, romance, humor, but what makes that all come together? Your characters. So consider this for me: What makes your characters come to life for you?
Is it their name? That photo you found on the internet? A scent? An encounter with a stranger or someone you know in reality?
Sometimes it's all of those for me, but mostly a photo. I will find my favorite actor/actress/celebrity at that point in time and almost build a story around them. It all just seems to fit together. I even use their real first or last name or part of a name they've used on the big screen in order to keep things simple. But then there are characters of my own making through research and culture.
I'm still in Queryland for my second novel, All Because of You. I did receive a request for more material, but learned this weekend that my first chapters just didn't cut it. No problemo. I submitted to another 5 agents on Saturday and look forward to hearing back from them in the next few weeks.
The current WiP is coming along nicely. Still having a few hiccups in the research department, so I'm writing around those scenes for now (Chapters 7 and 8). Maybe some day I can find exactly what I'm looking for, but it doesn't seem to be on the internet. I fulfilled my goal for the month of September and hope my October goal will include the completion of my first draft for My Demonic Love. Let's hope.
I started with the second in my Afterlife Series, My Mortal Eclipse, this weekend and wrote about 4,000+ words. It seems when I'm having trouble with the current WiP, I just need to work on something else. It helps!
What do you writers out there do when you have writer's block or you feel like you just can't write any more?
September 17, 2010
It's Friday
Hello, friends. I have some good news. Well, a couple pieces of good news.
#1. It's Friday! Oh, how I've longed for this day for so long. It seems this week was the longest of my life for some reason.
Good news #2. I received a partial request on my second novel, All Because of You!
This round of submissions only included about 7 agents. I have a list of about 50, but I'm too busy (*clears throat* ...lazy) to finish the rest of the research I need to do for each agent. I'd received two rejections prior, but yesterday, I opened my inbox and viola. A request :)
Now, since this is a Friday post, it's time to tell you how the week went. I'm up to about 70% finished with the first draft of My Demonic Love. This is my first try at a paranormal romance and it seems I've been having to do A LOT of research for it. If you've read my post below, I had a hard time researching the daily life of a cardiac surgeon, but with the help of one my of loyal followers, Anne, I was able to get through it! Thanks, Anne! Now, I'm onto researching vaults. Specifically a vault that will store an ancient book or document. I haven't come across a lot of information on the subject. I remember Dan Brown, in his novel Angels and Demons, chose the Vatican as his location for his MC to study ancient documents and that's the type of vault (archive, safe, etc) I want. However, when I try to Google for information, all I get is what's supposedly inside the Vatican archives. I don't want that!
Anyway, enough with the rant :)
I haven't really been working much on my short story, Relief, this month. It's supposed to be ready to submit to a contest at the end of the month, but seeing as how it's the first chapter from my first novel (and I'm kind of sick of my first novel), I haven't really been motivated to work on it. Suggestions?
What is your good news this week? How did your writing go? Any fun plans for the weekend?
#1. It's Friday! Oh, how I've longed for this day for so long. It seems this week was the longest of my life for some reason.
Good news #2. I received a partial request on my second novel, All Because of You!
This round of submissions only included about 7 agents. I have a list of about 50, but I'm too busy (*clears throat* ...lazy) to finish the rest of the research I need to do for each agent. I'd received two rejections prior, but yesterday, I opened my inbox and viola. A request :)
Now, since this is a Friday post, it's time to tell you how the week went. I'm up to about 70% finished with the first draft of My Demonic Love. This is my first try at a paranormal romance and it seems I've been having to do A LOT of research for it. If you've read my post below, I had a hard time researching the daily life of a cardiac surgeon, but with the help of one my of loyal followers, Anne, I was able to get through it! Thanks, Anne! Now, I'm onto researching vaults. Specifically a vault that will store an ancient book or document. I haven't come across a lot of information on the subject. I remember Dan Brown, in his novel Angels and Demons, chose the Vatican as his location for his MC to study ancient documents and that's the type of vault (archive, safe, etc) I want. However, when I try to Google for information, all I get is what's supposedly inside the Vatican archives. I don't want that!
Anyway, enough with the rant :)
I haven't really been working much on my short story, Relief, this month. It's supposed to be ready to submit to a contest at the end of the month, but seeing as how it's the first chapter from my first novel (and I'm kind of sick of my first novel), I haven't really been motivated to work on it. Suggestions?
What is your good news this week? How did your writing go? Any fun plans for the weekend?
September 10, 2010
September 5, 2010
Progress Report
This week I've been focused on my second novel, All Because of You, and getting it ready to submit to agents. I have my list of about fifty agents to submit this work to and I'm researching each and every one to see which will be the appropriate homes for my book. Lots of fun :/
I've still been working on my current work in progress every now and then, treading through the murky waters of the middle of the novel and think I have a solution. The middle of novels are just filler really. The most important parts of a book being the middle and the end. Well, I always write the beginning and the end first, leaving me to deal with the filler, something I hate. The newlywed feeling of a new work in progress is gone at that time and you really have to motivate yourself to keep going. But keep going you must, or it will never be finished. It's going well though.
I've completely outlined my first try at a Sleuth, called Never Too Early, and just might start working on that book next. Right now, its fourth on my list, but I'm really excited about it and may start early.
So far only one person has commented on my contest for the month! You guys need to get it in gear if you want a chance to get Lean Mean Thirteen for free!
Hope you guys are having a good holiday weekend!
I've still been working on my current work in progress every now and then, treading through the murky waters of the middle of the novel and think I have a solution. The middle of novels are just filler really. The most important parts of a book being the middle and the end. Well, I always write the beginning and the end first, leaving me to deal with the filler, something I hate. The newlywed feeling of a new work in progress is gone at that time and you really have to motivate yourself to keep going. But keep going you must, or it will never be finished. It's going well though.
I've completely outlined my first try at a Sleuth, called Never Too Early, and just might start working on that book next. Right now, its fourth on my list, but I'm really excited about it and may start early.
So far only one person has commented on my contest for the month! You guys need to get it in gear if you want a chance to get Lean Mean Thirteen for free!
Hope you guys are having a good holiday weekend!
August 28, 2010
Goals...What Goals?
August's goals:
1. Reach 50% completion with current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
2. Finish synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Work on short story for Chapbook competition, Relief.
Accomplishments in August:
1. 50% completion with My Demonic Love.
2. Finished synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Worked on Relief
Yep, August goals have come and gone. Yay! For September, the goals include:
1. Finish Relief for competition deadline of September 30th.
2. Reach 75% completion for current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
3. Final read through and start of querying for All Because of You.
1. Reach 50% completion with current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
2. Finish synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Work on short story for Chapbook competition, Relief.
Accomplishments in August:
1. 50% completion with My Demonic Love.
2. Finished synopsis of All or Nothing.
3. Worked on Relief
Yep, August goals have come and gone. Yay! For September, the goals include:
1. Finish Relief for competition deadline of September 30th.
2. Reach 75% completion for current work in progress, My Demonic Love.
3. Final read through and start of querying for All Because of You.
August 21, 2010
Checking In
The past couple days have been very productive. The completion of my August goals are in sight and looking better with every passing day. I finished another chapter of My Demonic Love last night, making a total of 8.5 complete. This morning, I was up bright and early working on the synopsis of All or Nothing, which, of course, I put off till the last of the month. I have about two paragraphs of that written, with another 6 or 7 to go. If I put my mind to it, I can finish the thing before August 31st, which was my original goal. I also worked a little bit on my new short story, Relief, my contest entry into the Pudding Chapbook contest and first chapter of All Falls Down. In the original chapter, I have the hero, Daniel Banvard, released from prison, but not a lot from his POV. That is changing. I am making the ENTIRE chapter/chapbook from his POV. There are a lot of emotions playing around in that kind of situation and I intend to explore all of them in this revision.I'll be posting the short story on my "Other Works" page when I'm through and hope to get some feedback on what my readers think. It's not due till Sept 30th, so don't hold your breath.
Yesterday, I heard from my beta-reader about All Because of You and he gave me some great advice when it comes to my characters. I was surprised he didn't have more to say, but am a little relieved at the same time. I'm hoping September will be the month to start submitting to agents for this MS. I have a read through I need to do apparently, but then it's out to query.
Yesterday, I heard from my beta-reader about All Because of You and he gave me some great advice when it comes to my characters. I was surprised he didn't have more to say, but am a little relieved at the same time. I'm hoping September will be the month to start submitting to agents for this MS. I have a read through I need to do apparently, but then it's out to query.
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