Agents

Like every other aspiring writer out there, I've read a multitude of books written to help unpublished authors successfully query agents and pen a concise synopsis of their work. I have also found a plethora of agent blogs that showcase query letters, both good and bad. The bad ones really need no comment ... once you read them, the agent doesn't really need to tell you why they decided to pass on that particular piece of work.

It's the ones they find compelling enough to request more from that I find titillating. One blog I read showcases successful query letters on a regular basis.  The letter is printed in its entirety, then the agent describes what it was about the letter that led them to request all or part of the manuscript, which in most cases, led to an offer to represent them and a publishing contract.

Reading the letters and the agent comments only reinforced my decision to be a writer, as I would not be a very good agent. They have the ability to select works that don't appeal to their own personal taste, but know what is selling, and those are the ones they select.

As a rule, I do not enjoy paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi plots. You know the Twilight Saga that made a gazillion dollars in books, movies, posters, t-shirts, etc.? I would have passed on that and missed out on all that money. I probably wouldn't have even had the courtesy to respond to the query with a "no thank you" ... I would have rolled my eyes and hit delete.

I did, however, read and enjoy The Hunger Games trilogy. Although it probably falls into the "fantasy" category, it read to me as though it was set in the future, and the things described were plausible.

That's what I look for ... plausible. No ghosts, no vampires, no fairies or other non-existent things. While there is a HUGE audience for that kind of work, it just doesn't do anything for me.

I would not be a good agent, but I am a good writer. Writing for me is easy, finding an agent, however, is not. A lot of famous and fabulously wealthy authors have been passed on by agents who did not see the value in their work, and ended up missing out on a real gravy train.  Knowing it's hard does not deter my quest for the elusive unicorn ... er ... agent! I just have to find an agent who sees the potential in my work. He/she is out there ... I just have to find them :)

Phones and books

I am still working through some issues on my phone. It's not exactly what I'd design myself, but it's good enough.  I can live with the things I don't like (not that I have a choice), and look for applications to replace the ones I'm not thrilled with.

And ... on a completely unrelated note ... I just finished an excellent book by one of the most prolific writers of our day, whom I shall simply call "Author". Author doesn't generally write the type of books I tend to read, but every great once in a while, Author will write a book that does appeal to me. Regardless of whether or not Author writes "my" kind of book, Author is a master storyteller.

Although the subject of this particular book piqued my curiosity, and I was very interested in reading it, it hinted at political undertones ... and Author and I are polar opposites when it comes to politics. I began reading, hoping Author didn't go off on a rant against everything I believe in, which would completely turn me off and force me to quit reading ... because I really wanted to know how the book turned out ... and to my surprise, Author handled the subjects with more diplomacy than I expected. Author's political views came out loud and clear, but they stopped short of cramming them down my throat ... and there were far fewer than I anticipated. I finished the book in record time, and although I was able to predict most the plot twists ... and the ending ... it was still a very good read. One plot twist, however, was very unexpected. I can't go into detail without revealing the Author and the book, but it made Author's political views looks quite bad! I hadn't expected that. I was certain Author was using this novel as a soapbox for why I'm on the "wrong side". I was wrong ... and I'm glad.

More than that, though, I found two major goofs in the book. One where Author said something about not ever needing something the male protagonist had purchased (hence, the money the protagonist had paid was spent for nothing) ... but the item had been used. An entire paragraph described the difficulty the protagonist had using it.

The second, and the biggest goof, was using the last wrong name when speaking of the female protagonist. That's a pretty big goof!  Regardless, the book was excellent.

I'm ashamed to admit, but it made me feel a little happy inside to find those errors! I know how they occurred ... it's easy to change one tiny thing and forget you referenced it later, so the two parts of the story don't match. That is frighteningly easy to do. Where Author got the name wrong, it was an understandable error ... the protagonists last name was very similar to another last name that came up often. So why did it make me "happy"? I will tell you ... because if someone as famous as Author, and with the kind of staff and resources at Author's disposal, even Author's books can go to print with blazing errors ... and I won't have to feel like a total failure if an error is discovered in one of mine.

I've read a few other books with big errors like that ... one where some people are running away from an explosion and pass a treasured acquaintance running as well, and is relieved to see that so-and-so made it out safely, too. A few paragraphs later, they are watching the resulting fire, mourning the loss of their friend (the one they saw running out) who surely perished in the explosion. Another had an identical paragraph in twice ... word for word ... with one paragraph in between them.  Both of these authors are very well respected, best-selling authors, too.

I may not be perfect, and my novels may contain errors (although I hope not!), but if the big dogs can publish works with errors, perhaps I shouldn't worry myself half-sick that mine will go to print with an error ... and if they do, it's a forgivable offense.

Author Book Signing in Franklin, TN on May 18, 2013

I'm a member of Music City Romance Writer's, the Nashville, TN chapter of the national organization of Romance Writer's of America, of which I'm also a member.  I will be there with eight other MCRW members who are published authors.  I haven't met all of the authors, but  ha've met a few and am looking forward to meeting the others.  I recently attended a Writer's Retreat in Natchez Trace National Park in Tennessee, and all of the women I met there were amazing writers and very nice, and I  had a blast at the retreat with them!

Information on the Author Signing is available on the MCRW website by clicking here Music City Romance Writers Meet & Greet.  If you're in the area, stop by and say hello ... and perhaps pick up a good book or two!

Really Bad Writing

Over the years, I have read many pitches and excerpts from aspiring authors.  Some were quite good, amazing actually … while others left me feeling like I had taken a drink of milk long past its expiration.  After reading those, I couldn’t help but question my own validity as a writer.

Reading really bad work from fellow writers fills me with self-doubt.  They are so proud of what they’ve written, and I’m thinking “Well, bless your heart”, which is southern-speak for “Oh my, that was dreadful” or “You poor thing”.  Writers who asks other writers to critique their work believes in their skills, myself included.  We all believe it to be good and relevant and that people will want to buy our work and rave about our latest novel to their friends.  We all imagine that any agent who passes on this work will live to rue the day they declined the opportunity to ride this gravy train to the top!  Remember … Stephen King and Nicholas Sparks were querying agents and racking up rejection letters at one point.  You know the agents who threw their work into the slushpile have to regret it.

For every good author out there writing long into the night and seeking representation, there are many, many more who are truly awful, and have no idea that when someone reads their work, they throw up a little in their mouth.  I have actually felt sorry for the writers of some of the things I have read by fellow wanna-be’s.

Reading the work of a really bad writer leaves every aspiring author wondering … am I that bad and I just don’t know it?  Do people feel sorry for me when they see my excitement, then read what can only be described as drivel … or pathetic … or embarrassing?

I’m reminded of the American Idol auditions, where hopefuls get up on stage and sing in a way that makes your teeth hurt and dogs howl.  They seem completely oblivious to the fact that the judges are all making faces like someone just farted … or outright laughing.

I follow several literary agent blogs.  I literally laugh out loud at some of the sample query letters some of them post, knowing (hoping!) none of mine become blog fodder/entertainment.

I guess that’s what drives authors to seek representation.  We need the validation of an industry professional.  We need someone with “credentials” to tell us “Wow, you’re really good!”   Without it, we can’t help but wonder if we’re delusional, that our writing is awful … atrocious … but no one has the heart to tell us.

When I ask people to read my novels, I ask them to tell me the truth.  I tell them I want them to be brutally honest … and I mean it.  I don’t want someone telling me what I want to hear just because the truth might hurt my feelings.  I realize my friends and family are biased, but I do have one friend who has the courage to be honest with me.  Case in point … I once made a comment that “I look pregnant in this dressed, don’t I?”, to which he replied “Yeah, kinda!”  I didn’t get mad … he was right … I DID look kinda pregnant in that dress!  So when this friend tells me not to give up, I know he sees genuine talent in my writing.

I have also asked acquaintances with specific areas of expertise to help me edit … there is nothing like a teacher, red pen in hand, to point out grammatical errors, typo’s, and inconsistencies!!  Some I have asked to critique the dialogue and plot ... is it realistic?  Are those feelings consistent with both the character and situation?

I know I’m on the right track when someone tells me they got really mad (at me or the character) when “I allow” a character to hurt one of the protagonists.  That’s exactly what a good writer is supposed to do … they are supposed to immerse you into the world created in this book to the point you are protective of the characters … that you get angry when they are hurt or betrayed … that you cry when they’re sad and thrilled when they are victorious.

When someone can create a world that draws you in so tightly that you feel the emotions of the protagonists … that’s the mark of a good writer.  You want … need … readers to be emotionally invested in your book … so when someone tells me they choked up in the emotional parts of my books … particularly men who don’t read romance novels and never cry … I feel like I’ve just won an Academy Award!