Saturday, April 19, 2008

Favorite quote of the day

Funny, but it turns out there is nothing
a credit card and sledgehammer can't fix.



This came to me in a follow up email from a querier who'd sent a requested partial in green.

We both had a good laugh cause it came about sixty seconds after I posted that thing on "make mistakes."

For all of you who think a dropped word, misplaced piece of punctuation, or font error means instant rejection, know this: I read the entire partial happily. Why? It's damn good writing.

I can fix anything except voice and style. If you've got that, we're good. I certainly prefer that you don't send things in green ink on purpose (she didn't) and you're going to raise the bar to airless-heights if you start sending weird ass things like glitter and query letters in haiku, but if you write well, I will read it.

15 comments:

astrologymemphis.blogspot.com said...

It's great that things worked out for Ms. Goodwriter, but how on earth can you not know you've printed something in green ink? It's the color of money, for heaven's sake. I would notice!

Merry Monteleone said...

To play devil's advocate, maybe her printer goofed the first time and she didn't notice until it was all printed, then she fixed the problem and printed a second but accidentally put the wrong pages in the envelope... once it's sealed, I wouldn't notice... not until I found the right pages on my ridiculously unorganized desk.

Either way, though, she got lucky... there are a lot of agents that wouldn't look past the green ink to even read the pages I'm sure... Fantastic that you did.

Janet Reid said...

ahem.
Think ELECTRONS.

This partial wasn't printed, it was sent electronically.

I frequently get things that are oddly formatted because people leave their "auto format" function on.

The green ink was a new one though.

astrologymemphis.blogspot.com said...

Oh. Duh. Consider me sufficiently chastised. And of course, best of luck to Ms. Goodwriter. Coming from you, she received high praise, indeed.

Julie Weathers said...

Wait! No glitter?

But I've spent months working on this electronic glitter.

Yeah, well that's why I cringe at the thought of transmitting electronic submissions. I notorious for being technically challenged. I'm just now figuring out how to save numbers in my cell phone.

Glad to hear, it all worked out for the lady, though.

Merry Monteleone said...

oops, color me stupid... and let me go fix my 'auto format' while we're on the subject...

Mags said...

Sounds like a writer who can take good advice. Creative interpertation and you're not likely to forget her partial!

Okay, so green's already been done...

Linda said...

Better green than cerise or puke brown or yellow. Glad you both have a sense of humor and that the writing was damn good. Peace...

John Arkwright said...

Janet,

I stopped reading agent blogs a couple of months ago when I realized that it had been a long time since I had read any new advice. I used the time to read and write fiction.

Today I was bored and decided to read agent blogs. I loved your "More Mistakes . . . " post. I have spent too much time honing everything to perfection and have taken too few risks.

I know that does not apply to this topic, so that's my first mistake!

Kelley said...

Yes, it is, indeed, very possible, especially if it's a hard drive issue...which would explain the credit card and sledgehammer.

Though, if we're talking mistakes, the only thing worse that I can think of, that she could have messed up, was if she'd forgotten to attach the ms in the first place.

Now that would be quite spectacular. Messing up to that degree. :)

Though, maybe it actually was for the best. She'll work that much harder, try that much harder, to prove to you she is a damn good writer, and won't repeat the wrong mistakes. Just the right ones.

Besides, southern writer is right-on, I love green. It reminds me of money. And I'm partial anyway--that whole Kelley green thing. Yes. Green is beautiful. But in moderation.

SWILUA said...

Damn. What am I gonna do with that haiku now?!

Mags said...

Kelley. Twizzle. Me. said...
...was if she'd forgotten to attach the ms in the first place.

Playing hard to get with an agent? That's just awesome!

Chris Eldin said...

These stories of forgiveness make my day, because I tend to obsess over these kinds of mistakes. Thanks for posting!
:-)

A Paperback Writer said...

But surely a query letter written in haiku would at least give you a reason to smile as you send off the rejection e-mail.....
Hmmm.... how about querying in haiku with green electronic glitter? No? What if it's a romance novel about e-fairies? Still no?
Dang. What a bummer.

Sha'el, Princess of Pixies said...

Me: Bill! What's that all over your face?

Bill E. Goat: Lipstick.

Me: No it isn't! That's glitter. Have you been in Arpita's art stuff again?

Bill: I can't lie, so I can't say ...

Me: Bill, why are you covered in glitter?

Bill: I'm trying to attract agents ...

Me: Well, you have. I'm calling the livestock auction agent right now ...!

Bill: No! Wait! I'll do the dishes to make up.

Me: (Pausing to think)

Bill: ... Okay, so I'd have to lick them, but they'd be clean-looking when I was done.

Me: A bath ... You need a bath ...

Bill: But I'm so much more attractive with sparkelies .... (running away) Quick someone call the RSPCA! Call the police! This is animal abuse! ... (calls over his shoulder) Besides, what will Janet say if she doesn't get her daily dose of glitter?