Agent Kristin Nelson has an interesting series of blogs (starting April 25 through May 6th) on creating the pitch paragraph or paragraphs about your book for a query letter.
She shows how to discover what the plot catalyst is in your novel, then how to build your pitch around that catalyst using plot, character, background, or a combination of these elements.
Her blog is located here: http://pubrants.blogspot.com/
We both believe that the catalyst moment is the most important focus for creating either a pitch or a blurb for your book, but my method differs a bit. To read my article on creating a blurb or a query pitch, go to marilynnbyerly.com and read my articles on writing blurbs and query letters.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Buy an agent or editor's time for charity
Author Brenda Novak is holding her annual fundraiser for diabetes research. Many of the items are for readers, but writers have some interesting items to look at, as well.
Agents and editors are auctioning off their time to critique parts of your manuscript, read your proposal (partial) with a quick turnaround time, or critique your proposal (partial). Most of the agents/editors are in the romance market, but some also handle other genre and nonfiction.
The prices are mindboggling for those of us with smaller incomes, but the chance to get a major agent/editor to help you polish your book/proposal, or have an agent/editor look at your work when they normally don't read slush pile is priceless.
The auction is here: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/ To find the items of interest to writers, look at the links on the left side.
Here is a way to get the most out of your money.
First, copy and paste the page/pages of agents/editors onto a blank text document.
At the top, list the date you are doing this and note the number of agents/editors listed (number is on top of the page) so you can refer back to that number in case more items are offered.
Now, go through and delete the items you have no interest in. This would include Harlequin editors if your market isn't Harlequin, etc.
Once this is done, look over the agents/editors to find names/publishers you already know that handle the market you are interested in. Highlight those in some manner. Color fonts or bold text works well.
Is there any agent/editor there who is your dream agent/editor for your manuscript? If so, highlight them with an asterisk or something else.
Agents/editors offer either a fast read and response to your full manuscript/partial/or query, or they offer an evaluation of your manuscript/partial/query. Unless the agent/editor is your dream agent/editor, delete those items that only offer a fast response, not an evaluation.
An evaluation helps you make your book marketable so even if that agent/editor isn't interested, you will gain something more than a fast yes or no. Also, many of these editors/agents will look at your partial or query for free with a longer waiting period.
The items you've highlighted so far are of first interest.
The editors/agents/publishers you aren't familiar with will require research to find out their specialties.
One place to research agents is Publishers Marketplace
publishersmarketplace.com/
You can also Google names. Be sure to put the editor/agent's name in quotes, for example "Kristine Nelson," so that the results only include both names.
If you are a member of RWA, you may also be able to research agents and editors at the RWA site in their market information.
After this research, you will now have the information you need to make the perfect choice for your bids.
If you are just starting in your writing or your craft isn't quite there yet, writers who do critiques may be a better deal for your money. Be sure to pick authors in your own market niche. Look to see if they have any editorial or teaching experience. Those that do may be your best bet for quality feedback.
I can't suggest a price range for items. Only you can make that determination, but remember that you only have one shot at getting that book accepted by a great agent or editor so you are improving your chances of success by having a professional help you polish your work.
At least a portion of this cost may also be used as a tax write-off. I stress "may" since I'm not a tax expert, and I'm not certain if this charity is listed as such by your state or the feds.
Good hunting for that perfect item.
HAVE A WRITING QUESTION? Ask the question at my blog or via email at marilynnbyerly@aol.com.
SCHEDULE NOTE:
My mom is out of the hospital and on the way to recovery, but I'm appallingly behind in all aspects of my writing and life so my blog posts will be sporadic in the coming weeks.
Please join my Yahoogroups to receive blog entries as I post them. To join, send a blank email to ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
Agents and editors are auctioning off their time to critique parts of your manuscript, read your proposal (partial) with a quick turnaround time, or critique your proposal (partial). Most of the agents/editors are in the romance market, but some also handle other genre and nonfiction.
The prices are mindboggling for those of us with smaller incomes, but the chance to get a major agent/editor to help you polish your book/proposal, or have an agent/editor look at your work when they normally don't read slush pile is priceless.
The auction is here: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/ To find the items of interest to writers, look at the links on the left side.
Here is a way to get the most out of your money.
First, copy and paste the page/pages of agents/editors onto a blank text document.
At the top, list the date you are doing this and note the number of agents/editors listed (number is on top of the page) so you can refer back to that number in case more items are offered.
Now, go through and delete the items you have no interest in. This would include Harlequin editors if your market isn't Harlequin, etc.
Once this is done, look over the agents/editors to find names/publishers you already know that handle the market you are interested in. Highlight those in some manner. Color fonts or bold text works well.
Is there any agent/editor there who is your dream agent/editor for your manuscript? If so, highlight them with an asterisk or something else.
Agents/editors offer either a fast read and response to your full manuscript/partial/or query, or they offer an evaluation of your manuscript/partial/query. Unless the agent/editor is your dream agent/editor, delete those items that only offer a fast response, not an evaluation.
An evaluation helps you make your book marketable so even if that agent/editor isn't interested, you will gain something more than a fast yes or no. Also, many of these editors/agents will look at your partial or query for free with a longer waiting period.
The items you've highlighted so far are of first interest.
The editors/agents/publishers you aren't familiar with will require research to find out their specialties.
One place to research agents is Publishers Marketplace
publishersmarketplace.com/
You can also Google names. Be sure to put the editor/agent's name in quotes, for example "Kristine Nelson," so that the results only include both names.
If you are a member of RWA, you may also be able to research agents and editors at the RWA site in their market information.
After this research, you will now have the information you need to make the perfect choice for your bids.
If you are just starting in your writing or your craft isn't quite there yet, writers who do critiques may be a better deal for your money. Be sure to pick authors in your own market niche. Look to see if they have any editorial or teaching experience. Those that do may be your best bet for quality feedback.
I can't suggest a price range for items. Only you can make that determination, but remember that you only have one shot at getting that book accepted by a great agent or editor so you are improving your chances of success by having a professional help you polish your work.
At least a portion of this cost may also be used as a tax write-off. I stress "may" since I'm not a tax expert, and I'm not certain if this charity is listed as such by your state or the feds.
Good hunting for that perfect item.
HAVE A WRITING QUESTION? Ask the question at my blog or via email at marilynnbyerly@aol.com.
SCHEDULE NOTE:
My mom is out of the hospital and on the way to recovery, but I'm appallingly behind in all aspects of my writing and life so my blog posts will be sporadic in the coming weeks.
Please join my Yahoogroups to receive blog entries as I post them. To join, send a blank email to ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
Saturday, April 12, 2008
SCHEDULE NOTE
A family member is critically ill so I won't be posting for a time.
Join my Yahoogroups if you'd like a hear about the return of the regular blog.
To join, send a blank email to ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
In the meantime, please check out my earlier blog posts and all the articles and short stories available on my domain site http://marilynnbyerly.com
Marilynn Byerly
Join my Yahoogroups if you'd like a hear about the return of the regular blog.
To join, send a blank email to ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
In the meantime, please check out my earlier blog posts and all the articles and short stories available on my domain site http://marilynnbyerly.com
Marilynn Byerly
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Shifting between Types of Point of View, CRAFT
QUESTION: I want to use first person point of view for my hero, and third person for my other characters. What do you think?
As a rule in popular fiction, you don't switch from first to third POV or vice versa.
Some writers have done this, and many readers and reviewers don't seem to like this because they find it so jarring it knocks them out of the story.
This would be a particularly dangerous for a newer writer who doesn't have the experience and control to handle these changes, or the reader's trust that they know what they are doing.
I can't suggest which type of POV to use. Only you can decide on that. Consider your comfort level with the different viewpoints, and the ease of telling the story with that POV.
With first person, you must also be certain you can hear the main character's voice well enough to stay in that voice for the whole novel.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
As a rule in popular fiction, you don't switch from first to third POV or vice versa.
Some writers have done this, and many readers and reviewers don't seem to like this because they find it so jarring it knocks them out of the story.
This would be a particularly dangerous for a newer writer who doesn't have the experience and control to handle these changes, or the reader's trust that they know what they are doing.
I can't suggest which type of POV to use. Only you can decide on that. Consider your comfort level with the different viewpoints, and the ease of telling the story with that POV.
With first person, you must also be certain you can hear the main character's voice well enough to stay in that voice for the whole novel.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Maintaining the Tone of a Scene, CRAFT
QUESTION: I have very abbreviated writing time so I can only work in spurts so my mood comes into the text sometimes. How can I stop that?
The trick with holding the tone of the scene is to remember that you are the viewpoint character. You are seeing what she sees and feeling what she feels. Writing character is like immersion or method acting where you become the character.
This takes a bit of practice, but after a bit, you can switch between characters and personalities with ease as you change POV for a scene, and you can also inhabit the other characters in the scene so they continue to act as you've conceived them, and their dialogue is in character.
You also have to remember that your character should be reacting to what is happening at that moment rather than constantly sliding into introspection about the rest of her life. If you and she remains in the moment of the scene, neither of you will lose the right voice or tone of the scene.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
The trick with holding the tone of the scene is to remember that you are the viewpoint character. You are seeing what she sees and feeling what she feels. Writing character is like immersion or method acting where you become the character.
This takes a bit of practice, but after a bit, you can switch between characters and personalities with ease as you change POV for a scene, and you can also inhabit the other characters in the scene so they continue to act as you've conceived them, and their dialogue is in character.
You also have to remember that your character should be reacting to what is happening at that moment rather than constantly sliding into introspection about the rest of her life. If you and she remains in the moment of the scene, neither of you will lose the right voice or tone of the scene.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Making a Fight Scene Seem Real
QUESTION: I'm writing a fight scene, and I'm having a horrible time making it real. I've never hit anyone or been hit. How do I make it real?
That's a good question. If the scene and actions don't seem real to you, you can't make it real to the reader.
One way to make a fight real for you is to choreograph it by yourself or with the help of a friend or family member.
You play the hero and have the other person be his opponent. Don't just figure out the blows and what the other person will be doing.
Imagine yourself hitting that person. What are you feeling? Where would your hand hit? How would that feel to you?
If your hero is a trained fighter, how would his feelings differ?
Imagine how it would sound. To do this, hit your fist hard against your other hand and listen.
Also ask friends if they have ever hit someone and how did it feel?
The research lists I mentioned in a recent blog are good resources for asking questions about fights because many of its members are police and military who have experienced it first hand.
You may never have been hit, but you have been hurt. Remember how it felt when you were hit in the face while you trying to diaper a rowdy toddler who clobbered you with his foot. Or that baseball that hit you in the face or chest. Increase the sensation, and you've got some idea of what it feels like to be hit in a fight.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
That's a good question. If the scene and actions don't seem real to you, you can't make it real to the reader.
One way to make a fight real for you is to choreograph it by yourself or with the help of a friend or family member.
You play the hero and have the other person be his opponent. Don't just figure out the blows and what the other person will be doing.
Imagine yourself hitting that person. What are you feeling? Where would your hand hit? How would that feel to you?
If your hero is a trained fighter, how would his feelings differ?
Imagine how it would sound. To do this, hit your fist hard against your other hand and listen.
Also ask friends if they have ever hit someone and how did it feel?
The research lists I mentioned in a recent blog are good resources for asking questions about fights because many of its members are police and military who have experienced it first hand.
You may never have been hit, but you have been hurt. Remember how it felt when you were hit in the face while you trying to diaper a rowdy toddler who clobbered you with his foot. Or that baseball that hit you in the face or chest. Increase the sensation, and you've got some idea of what it feels like to be hit in a fight.
SCHEDULE NOTE: Blogs for the next few days may be delayed or not posted because of a family health problem.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Genre trends, MARKET
"Writer's Digest" has its popular fiction report available online.
It looks at recent trends in romance, mystery, thrillers/suspense, horror, science fiction and fantasy. Well-known agents, editors, and authors also guess at the direction the market trends will take.
Be sure to click the link directly below the title that offers a further breakdown of types of books. It has an excellent list of the types of romance, mystery, etc. Some are less than accurate, however.
Link to the article:
http://writersdigest.com/article/The_Popular_Fiction_Report
THIS BLOG AVAILABLE THROUGH EMAIL. If you'd like to receive this blog through email, send a blank email to
ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . This is an announcement only list which means you will only receive the blog, not emails from members.
It looks at recent trends in romance, mystery, thrillers/suspense, horror, science fiction and fantasy. Well-known agents, editors, and authors also guess at the direction the market trends will take.
Be sure to click the link directly below the title that offers a further breakdown of types of books. It has an excellent list of the types of romance, mystery, etc. Some are less than accurate, however.
Link to the article:
http://writersdigest.com/article/The_Popular_Fiction_Report
THIS BLOG AVAILABLE THROUGH EMAIL. If you'd like to receive this blog through email, send a blank email to
ByerlyWriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . This is an announcement only list which means you will only receive the blog, not emails from members.
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