I really didn't think this needed to be said, but as I talk to more and more aspiring writers, I realize that this is not self explanatory. Firstly, I'll give you the advice anyone should be giving you, if you want to be published, research. You've already done hours and hours of research and traveled to Rome and South America and the Antarctic and spent five months in silence with a Buddhist Monk for you 200,000 word fantasy novel? Guess what? The research isn't done.
For one, if you were informed, you would know that no one is going to look at your 200,000 word novel no matter what genre it is. Nothing over 100,000 words please (yes there are some exceptions for world building, but please don't go too far over that, 20,000 words max).
Alright, here's a recent anecdote which has led me to this blog post. A few months ago I had been working with another agent in the agency, and had come across a vampire-fantasy-detective novel. The title was good, the concept was good--good enough to stick with me--but the writing wasn't up to snuff. So it was ultimately rejected. Last week, I'm going through my boss's queries (same agency mind you) and I see a familiar title. Same title, same man, same story, same writing. Different Dear so-and-so at the top.
Not allowed! If you query an agent at an agency and are rejected, do not query another agent at the same agency. You will be caught. You will be made the fool. The man was rejected again. Now his name is imprinted on my special little list. Should I ever receive a query from him in the future, I'll be raising my brows, scoffing in my head, and clicking the shiny red reject button.
Agents live by the same rules when we submit your manuscripts to editors. One editor per publishing house. It would reflect badly on us if we blindly send to everyone in the department, and it won't get your manuscript sold.
Below are some tips for aspiring authors. Even if you think you know what you are doing, read them, consider them, and do them. You are not the exception to the rule. No matter how amazing your manuscript is, you must play by the rules.
1. Read blogs by authors who have successfully been published--blogs are the most up to date information you will get.
2. Attend conferences and talks given by recently published authors--again I stress the recent. Publishing is changing rapidly, and someone might give you out of date information.
3. Read about publishing--I recommend The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published. I'm serious. Sounds silly? It's not. When I started my internship with an experienced agent, she told me to read it. There was so much more to publishing than I had realized! Look around on Amazon and check out other blogs to see which publishing and writing books are favored.
4. Read about publishing--wait, I already said that? I'm not blond, I'm just reemphasizing a point, so it must be important, right?
5. Join writer's groups, online chats, Publishers Marketplace, critique groups--listen and take notes, introduce yourself (not only does this give you information, it also gets your face out there for people to see).
Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Voices in my head
Alright, so everyone always talks about needing voice in your stories. And your story has voice, right? I mean, there is a character and he talks and has original thoughts. Everyone will love him/her! I've been reading for what seems like forever, and recently, with my internship and all the reading I'm doing, I thought I knew what voice was.
Now, under my list of job titles and achievements, you might notice that "writer/author" is not present. Before you say "wow, she really doesn't understand our side of the story since she doesn't write", I'll tell you that I do write, but just for me and a friend and not for the goal of publication. A while ago, I finally finished my first full length novel, and sent it to a friend for him to read (since then it's gone through seven rewrites). Well, he only read about ten pages and all he could say was "I don't know who this character is." I batted the comment away like a pesky mosquito, thinking "you're an engineering major, you don't know what you are talking about" (which I'm sure plenty of writers do). But the other day I was sitting in my car, delaying going into work by listening to my book on tape. Now, not only does this book have the best first line and title I've ever come across, but it has voice. And I got a light bulb turned on right over my head: my character has no voice.
Well, there it is again. Voice. What is it? Well, other than the personality we see when the character interacts with other characters and responds to certain situations, there is a certain inner monologue. Now, this can be third person, first person, even second person. But the narrator needs a voice. The characters need thoughts. They can be sassy, crazy, sarcastic, deeply wounded and dark... anything really. (More on character quirks in a subsequent blog)
Your homework, read a book. Pick up your favorite book, a book you haven't read, something on the best seller list, but read with voice in mind. What are you learning about this character when he/she is not interacting with others? What does his/her inner monologue sound like?
And try this: after you finish reading, put the book down and think "Do I remember what POV it was in?" For a full five minutes I couldn't remember if I had written my story in third or first person (warning bells), and another manuscript I'm reading right now I had forgotten if it was first or third (warning lights). So go find your voice, stick it in your story, have someone read it, and ask them "Who is my character?"
Now, under my list of job titles and achievements, you might notice that "writer/author" is not present. Before you say "wow, she really doesn't understand our side of the story since she doesn't write", I'll tell you that I do write, but just for me and a friend and not for the goal of publication. A while ago, I finally finished my first full length novel, and sent it to a friend for him to read (since then it's gone through seven rewrites). Well, he only read about ten pages and all he could say was "I don't know who this character is." I batted the comment away like a pesky mosquito, thinking "you're an engineering major, you don't know what you are talking about" (which I'm sure plenty of writers do). But the other day I was sitting in my car, delaying going into work by listening to my book on tape. Now, not only does this book have the best first line and title I've ever come across, but it has voice. And I got a light bulb turned on right over my head: my character has no voice.
Well, there it is again. Voice. What is it? Well, other than the personality we see when the character interacts with other characters and responds to certain situations, there is a certain inner monologue. Now, this can be third person, first person, even second person. But the narrator needs a voice. The characters need thoughts. They can be sassy, crazy, sarcastic, deeply wounded and dark... anything really. (More on character quirks in a subsequent blog)
Your homework, read a book. Pick up your favorite book, a book you haven't read, something on the best seller list, but read with voice in mind. What are you learning about this character when he/she is not interacting with others? What does his/her inner monologue sound like?
And try this: after you finish reading, put the book down and think "Do I remember what POV it was in?" For a full five minutes I couldn't remember if I had written my story in third or first person (warning bells), and another manuscript I'm reading right now I had forgotten if it was first or third (warning lights). So go find your voice, stick it in your story, have someone read it, and ask them "Who is my character?"
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