So post a question. I'll pop on throughout today to answer.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
All Day Q&A: Dieting Sucks edition
So I'm dieting, and it sucks. This is not a post about dieting though, if it was I might whine about wanting chocolate or why I still look pregnant in pictures a year later or...wait, I wasn't going to do that. Let's try again.
It's an all day Q&A. Have a question about querying, writing, teaching, 18th century British society, my pet peeves/secret desires/world-domination plans? I'm your woman. Also I have fake cake for those of us just window-shopping for desserts these days. Feel free to share some drool-worthy pics yourself.
So post a question. I'll pop on throughout today to answer.
So post a question. I'll pop on throughout today to answer.
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World domination plans? Do tell!
ReplyDeleteQ: Do they include cute, little minions and a freeze ray?
No really, what's the best way you like to edit?
Oh yes, minion #`1 is going to charm everyone while minion #2 steals their wallets.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that I absolutely have to print my ms off and do a hardcopy edit. It's too difficult to work with 300+ pages on a computer. Also, someone recommended using colored post-it notes to address specific, recurring issues throughout the text, and it's really working. Although I may want to buy stock in post-it's.
If you use beta readers, do they play a large role in the revision and editing process, or do you rely on them mostly for catching typos and minor tweaks?
ReplyDeleteHere's a question from a total newbie. I love to write, I have an idea for a book, now how do I get started? Don't tell me to just jump in! (that's what you'll tell me, right?) Do you have any steps? Encouraging words? Good resources? How do I know if my idea is good? Do I flesh it all out before beginning to write, or cross each bridge as I approach?
ReplyDeleteHi K, I do use betas and critique partners. I don't ask them to catch my awful typos, but they do give me feedback. Basically, they tell me what's working/what's not. They ask questions about the plot or characters and then I go in and fill in the holes, so that the reading experience is stronger for future readers. My critique partners are integral in helping me when I have an issue with a plot that I can't fix.
ReplyDeleteugh, Jess, you're going to hate me. You really do have to jump in, but I'll do you one better. You need to commit to finding an hour or two alone to write everyday. Hand the kids off to your husband head up to Starbucks and write. Don't think too much, just write. My first draft was almost entirely dialogue. I went back and layered in more plot and more worldbuilding, etc. For me, part of writing is discovery. The more you build the novel, the easier it will be to develop and add layers. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMy question is how did you find your critique partners, and then how did you know they were the right fit for you? I've had a few offers, but I just don't know how to let go, and trust a practically perfect stranger. I just know that I do need one.
ReplyDeleteAmber: Well, I have three critique partners and I came by them three different ways. One is a friend I made while we were both running small home businesses. We became very close and then we discovered we both harbored secret desires to be writers and were working on books, so she was my first CP. Then I became friends with another mom who was helping me run a c-section support group and who had just graduated with her BA and a concentration in creative writing. Guess what? She was working on a book. So at the risk of seeming overly forward, I made a private facebook group for the three of us and hoped it worked out and it did. (Except I suck and need to get on top of reading for one of them). My third critique partner is a recent addition. I met him on querytracker and we've been exchanging emails and chatting online for almost 2 months. I was hesitant on sharing with him for a while, because I had a good thing going and because I didn't know him as well as my girls. However, it became increasingly apparent that he knew his stuff, so I finally asked if he'd read for me and it was a good decision. So met two online and one in person.
ReplyDeleteMy advice? Reach out, join writer communities, and see if anything clicks. It's ok to take a chance.
How did you come up with your fantastic title? I've got a guess, but I need the validation of knowing I'm right :)
ReplyDeleteMindy, Crewel is a form of embroidery...and the play on words is delicious.
ReplyDeleteHeya Gennifer - How many rejections would you collect before you went back to look at your query? AND What kind of ratio of queries to requests for partials/fulls shows that you are on the right track? 1 in 10 - 20 - 30...
ReplyDeleteOops - just noticed I'm a day off. Sorry about that. Good luck on your diet - I'm suffering through one of my own. Ah, the lure of chocolate.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I am going to probably shock you and say that I personally wanted to see a fifty percent request rate. I've heard agents advise as high as 75%. If you are researching your agents and your query is strong, you should aim for a high request rate. I would send out a first patch to a mix of agents, and make sure some of them are fast responders. There are agents who take 2 months or more to respond, which is a long time to wait to see if your query is working. Definitely utilize sites likes querytracker for this.
ReplyDelete