Monday, August 22, 2011

All Day Q&A

I promised some people that I would post Q&A's once a month, and this month has almost gotten away from me!  So have a burning question about publishing or querying?  Perhaps you need to know something about the 18th century?  Or need advice from a mom writer?  Try me.  As usual I will be popping on and off and answering throughout the day and night.

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21 comments:

  1. Robyn LucasAugust 22, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    I have a good one: What is the one splurge you're planning? (just for you. something you've always wanted)

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  2. Laura BarnesAugust 22, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    I have some agent relationship questions: when you're writing your draft for book 2, do you show her any of it before it's finished or do you polish it up just like any other MS? Do you bounce ideas off of her? Does she check up on your progress?

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  3. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    I feel like I'm splurging on everything, since I'm getting a new computer and a "new" car that doesn't get 12 mpg. I think it's that I'm going to go shopping. Now that doesn't sound like a splurge, but I haven't just shopped in years. We've watched every penny, but I'm going to go to the mall and just shop without having to worry (not all the time, just occasionally) and that is amazing!

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  4. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    I think your agent is as involved as you need him/her. For me, she's not seeing book 2 until it's polished but I can bounce ideas off her anytime same as with revision. I've heard others say they were asked by agents/editors to share what they had for the next book and they shared drafts. I'm not comfortable with that, but I also work ahead of schedule as much as possible so it doesn't become an issue.

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  5. JessAugust 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    ooh, that is a good one Robyn. My question is - how long was your first draft? Did your word (or page) count change much? I'm guessing that once I get done, I'll go back and flesh it out with more detail, and that will probably change it. Is this how you work?

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  6. Emy ShinAugust 22, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I have been looking for CPs, so I'm curious: How many rounds of revision did you do for CREWEL? Did you send your ms to your CPs as you write, or did you wait until you've written and/or revised it yourself? Do you normally send the ms to all your CPs at once, or do you alternate (i.e. send ms to one CP, revise, send it to the next CP, etc.)?

    What's the one advice about the craft of writing you'd give to new writers?

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  7. Emy ShinAugust 22, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    That is, how many rounds of revisions did you do for CREWEL before querying? I'm sure you have to revise/edit several rounds with your agent/editor as well. :)

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  8. MelindaAugust 22, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    So wish I could hit the mall with you Genn. The mall and I used to be so close...but we broke up after I had kiddo numero uno. :)

    Picking a question is so hard. Hmmm...

    Maybe two? How has life changed for you and your family and do you ever wish you could go back?

    AND

    What was the biggest surprise about your whole process of landing an agent to now?

    Thanks Genn!

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  9. Laura BarnesAugust 22, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I'm asking another cuz I'm greedy :) Is book two easier or harder?

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  10. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    @Jess- My first draft was 53,000 words. It now clocks in at 93,000+ words. When I queried it was 78,000 words. So I definitely added A LOT! For me drafting starts with building a base and then applying layers. My first draft was primarily plot arc and dialog, then I went in and added more descritions, interiors, scenes, even characters! I think of it like building a person: start with a skeleton, layer in guts and muscle and tissue and skin. But I know people who's first drafts are much more complete than mine.

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  11. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    @Emy - My CPs and I are all still working out the kinks of our system. We started by exchanging the first 50, which was great because we were all still working on our manuscripts, but we got a chance to see what we were all working on. Then we did next 50. Once I felt like I had a complete if unedited manuscript (which was draft 3 for me), I sent the whole thing to them. A lot of what my CPs do is tell me when they need more or to help me work through areas I'm stuck on.

    As far as advice to new writers - just write. Don't get caught up in rewriting or revising, and don't let the blank page intimidate you. Just start writing and keep doing it. Even though your first draft will probably be riddled with typos and flaws, there is something amazing about hitting your goal and completing the arc of the story. And the other advise is to edit on paper - just trust me.

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  12. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    @Emy - I did three drafts before querying.

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  13. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    @Melinda - Well, it's changed in good ways and bad ways. I'm definitely more confident than I've been in a long time, but there are more demands on my schedule and my writing time doesn't stretch as far. We're also in limbo waiting for the advance check but having deadlines to meet. But once it comes, the kids are going to preschool so I can write full-time. Pretty big change from squeezing in a few hours at the coffee shop.

    And my biggest surprise was how fast it happened. I know it's definitely unusual, but if you would have told me a year ago that I would be an agented, soon-to-be published author who could afford to send her kids to preschool and buy a new car, I would have passed out...possibly died...of shock.

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  14. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    @Laura - both! I know my characters so well that certain things come easier, but there's new characters and new settings in book 2 that I'm still exploring. Also there is the pressure of writing something that an editor has purchased ahead of time. They call it sophomoritis and it's definitely hard to work around some times. But I don't have to query this book - that's a bonus!

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  15. MelindaAugust 22, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    So, I'll ask another...

    It would seem CREWEL is gonna be big. Is it gonna be big? :) DON'T be modest, please.

    Can't wait to read it. :)

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  16. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Can I refer that question to my publicist?

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  17. Kalen O'DonnellAugust 22, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Psst - the fact that she has a publicist is your answer. Hehehe.

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  18. MelindaAugust 22, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    That's what I was thinking! HA! Are you for real Miss Gennifer Albin?

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  19. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Everyone gets a publicist!

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  20. MelindaAugust 22, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Oh really? But it sounds so special. :)

    Oh, if questions are still accepted I just remembered the one I ALWAYS have. I can't believe I forgot to ask.

    I can't decide if personalizing each query is worth it. I feel like if I make it specific it just turns out cheesy, but I feel weird just jumping right in too.

    Thanks for being my go to girl today!

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  21. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    YES. YES. YES!

    I'm pretty sure that my personalization caught the eye of the initial offering agent. We discussed it over several emails when she asked for the full! Find something more meaningful than "you said you like romance" though. I spent at least an hour researching ever agent on my list and writing a specific intro/conclusion for them.

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