tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3207771615754404548..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Too much of a good thingJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61111731285922154932016-03-24T23:08:58.139-04:002016-03-24T23:08:58.139-04:00Thanks for the birthday well-wishes everyone. It&#...Thanks for the birthday well-wishes everyone. It's been a lovely day. SixthBorn made me lunch, SecondBorn made supper (rice balls stuffed with veggies--for me, pork for the others--vegetable miso salad, cabbage and peas), and FirstBorn made chocolate cake. There will be pictures on the blog next week. :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66854222643951797572016-03-24T23:08:18.294-04:002016-03-24T23:08:18.294-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91041655943529464682016-03-24T23:02:58.291-04:002016-03-24T23:02:58.291-04:00nightsmusic
it means they really do need an assi...nightsmusic<br /><br /> it means they really do need an assistant or twoJoseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77636127270523766062016-03-24T20:07:38.606-04:002016-03-24T20:07:38.606-04:00Happy Birthday Colin. As you are born in March and...Happy Birthday Colin. As you are born in March and I was born in May, you shall always be older than I.<br /><br />It's interesting to wake up in the morning to read about twelve hours' worth of "I've just woken up, caffeinate me!" and thinking I'm behind. <br /><br />But then I remember, I just woke up in tomorrow, whereas y'all are still in yesterday.<br /><br />Happy Good Friday. I'm lying here in bed listening to the rest of Australia having a quiet sleep in.<br /><br />Listening to the absence of sound is still listening.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39033573080858019642016-03-24T20:06:39.085-04:002016-03-24T20:06:39.085-04:00Wow, Opie Robert. Thanks for following up in the c...Wow, Opie Robert. Thanks for following up in the comments. If you're the Opie of the day, never apologise for being way overly long and telling us how things turned out. Honestly, we really want to know.<br /><br />I had a Notepad window open and making all my notes for comments while I read what others had to say. I had a comment worthy of being banished to Carkoon due to length, then you came along, answered all my questions and provided the answers I had hoped you would find.<br /><br />The most important one was that you might have discovered what kind of author you are. <br />Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41496744236915783332016-03-24T19:52:35.568-04:002016-03-24T19:52:35.568-04:00Robert, this reminds me of that old cartoon (in Th...Robert, this reminds me of that old cartoon (in The New Yorker, I think?) that shows a writer standing in front of the desk of someone holding out a manuscript and saying, "We love all the words in your book! Now can you just put them in a different order?" I'm sure this has been horribly frustrating for you, but I really do get the sense that you're SO close to finding representation. Hang in there, and please let us know what happens. Adding your name to those I'll be looking for on new releases in the near future.<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Colin! Hope you're consuming all the chocolate you can stand.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35850105748646436792016-03-24T19:24:06.043-04:002016-03-24T19:24:06.043-04:00Robert, you're an inspiration. I've just r...Robert, you're an inspiration. I've just read through Janet's post and all comments in its entirety (was a little confused by the timing of a couple of the posts there, but thanks for clearing up that one for me!) and have to say that I agree entirely with all those comments that said 'Congratulations, OP!' Seeing where you were, what's happened in the interim, and where you're at now, is exciting; and I'm one of those who'll be looking forward to seeing your name on the front cover of the book when I buy it in my local bookstore in the future! It's just a matter of time, now...<br /><br />Oh, and I'm thinking of you, EM, and Happy Birthday, Colin!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7425916475673508292016-03-24T19:10:16.002-04:002016-03-24T19:10:16.002-04:00Happy Birthday, Colin! I'm so happy that you w...Happy Birthday, Colin! I'm so happy that you were born, dear friend. May all your dreams come true! :D <br /> <br />Robert, it was fascinating as well as educational to read about your process. Crossing my fingers for you! <br />Lilac Shoshanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06657389796454895412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69214615866391810312016-03-24T18:59:25.206-04:002016-03-24T18:59:25.206-04:00This is totally off topic, but Publisher's Lun...This is totally off topic, but Publisher's Lunch just posted a job, Literary Assistant to Two Agents. The listing is blank. What does that say? <br /><br />hehenightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37716443696371990192016-03-24T18:44:19.045-04:002016-03-24T18:44:19.045-04:00Robert,
I think you're off to a pretty strong...Robert,<br /><br />I think you're off to a pretty strong start. Don't give up. I will return to <i>Far Rider</i> someday with the advice the last agent gave me. Only you know what is right. JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64570466362121089242016-03-24T18:20:35.438-04:002016-03-24T18:20:35.438-04:00Robert Ceres
Thanks for the update. It was cathar...Robert Ceres<br /><br />Thanks for the update. It was cathartic.<br /><br />I feel your pain. I’m revising after chunking my first revised manuscript. Like you I’m adding more inner dialogue and more description, knocking out whole chapters, adding more tension and conflict where I can, and who knows what else gets thrown in the mix. I don’t know if I’m underdoing it, overdoing it, missing the point altogether, or hitting a homerun. <br /><br />I also worry I’ll add 50,000 words to the story and have to delete a third of my finished product.<br /><br />I will finish the current revision and hope the world wants to read it. But, like you, there are times I say who cares if anyone else appreciates it. My obsession now is to do my best to take good writing and make it good enough to publish.<br /><br />Best of luck to you.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48268374416039876522016-03-24T16:43:54.539-04:002016-03-24T16:43:54.539-04:00Jason, you're forgetting one of the Rules for ...Jason, you're forgetting one of the Rules for Writers: Be Confident.<br /><br />And it's okay to be paranoid about the process (though it helps to have something else to focus that anxious energy on—like writing the next book). Putting our work out there is terrifying and exhilarating and anxiety-inducing and it seems like there are both no rules and too many rules to follow.<br /><br />Accept that there'll be mistakes and stumbles along the way. Learn from them and keep going, keep querying, keep writing.Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57673665871354112832016-03-24T16:11:23.921-04:002016-03-24T16:11:23.921-04:00Great rundown, Robert, thanks. It worked perfectly...Great rundown, Robert, thanks. It worked perfectly to be able to read and reflect on your initial post and Janet's advice, and then to see your follow-up several hours later. I'm certain the Shark has some telepathy going too. <br /><br />Also, this post and the discussion inspired me to send out two more queries today. With one project out on query and another with beta readers, I have been waffling about what to tackle next. <br /><br />Happy Birthday, Colin! Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81697666981328899192016-03-24T15:55:53.244-04:002016-03-24T15:55:53.244-04:00Chocolate cake? Did someone say cake? Happy Birthd...Chocolate cake? Did someone say cake? Happy Birthday, Colin!E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60856194959096011192016-03-24T15:50:35.793-04:002016-03-24T15:50:35.793-04:00The strange thing is, I can't even figure out ...The strange thing is, I can't even figure out what made that song get stuck in my head... Oh yeah! It was the link Julie Weathers had about not acting like an adult... That sent me down a bad path Julie... I listened to parody songs for a good two hours because of that comment and picture. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10279775404794792090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63342321142475619192016-03-24T15:45:48.027-04:002016-03-24T15:45:48.027-04:00Ha! I guess eating the cake is also acceptable.Ha! I guess eating the cake is also acceptable.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10279775404794792090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23636430982835480182016-03-24T15:32:28.021-04:002016-03-24T15:32:28.021-04:00OK -I apologize in advance for the rant.
Just que...OK -I apologize in advance for the rant.<br /><br />Just querired an agency that asked for a cover lettering containing synopsis and contact into, attach 50 pages. So I did.<br /><br />Got an auto reply that says "we don't accept queries, only a synopsis and 50 pages, so if you send a query, we will ignore it."<br /><br />I am so confused. My query contained a brief synopsis of course (whole thing under the recommended 250 word limit). <br /><br />I started today strong, but this makes me want to bang my head on something hard- like the sidewalk in front of their agency.S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73432672330301667622016-03-24T15:31:57.163-04:002016-03-24T15:31:57.163-04:00Okay sorry it takes quite awhile to get a telegram...Okay sorry it takes quite awhile to get a telegram from Carkoon to earth so sorry about the tardiness. <br /><br />Colin Happy Birthday brother!<br /><br />OP I am now officially paranoid about the whole query,agent, editing process.<br /><br />What to do when you have three people say lets see what ya got. I can only ope that I get that kind of response from my books. <br /><br />Is the writing good if I tear up even though I wrote the scene myself? Or is that just me being attached to my characters?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83899010820253964642016-03-24T15:16:13.872-04:002016-03-24T15:16:13.872-04:00Wow. Thank you, Robert, for your follow-up! So m...Wow. Thank you, Robert, for your follow-up! So much information you shared and with Janet's post, we are going to file this away for the future. This blog and comments of the Shark's are a gold mine of information. And congrats for waking up and moving along; so difficult to do at times. Looking forward to seeing your name in the bookstore soon because you will be on my list to read :D<br /><br />Don't know about you Reiders, but today's post and Robert Ceres followup comment motivated me to grasp time by the hands and take her for a swing down my writer's path. It's been pretty brambly lately, and I'm tired of hacking away (editing). I'm going to use my time like a chainsaw... :o ! <br /><br />Happy Birthday Colin; may you make it such a good one that you will remember it for years to come. Those are the best birthdays, and we wish you the same!<br /><br />And I have hot water. Amazing when Maslow's theory is put to the test, and it passes muster! <br /><br /><br />Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23830527214628178622016-03-24T15:07:41.411-04:002016-03-24T15:07:41.411-04:00Happyhappy birthday, Colin. And chocolate cake? Yu...Happyhappy birthday, Colin. And chocolate cake? Yum. <br /><br />Robert, thank you for sharing the rest of the story. It is helpful to hear how the process works for other folks.<br /><br />Hm, I wonder if I have any good chocolate around here? Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45516741928594071922016-03-24T14:42:23.002-04:002016-03-24T14:42:23.002-04:00I didn't have time to read comments earlier so...I didn't have time to read comments earlier so had to jump back on to say Happy Birthday Colin! S.P. Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746614009206426805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1376489907723809222016-03-24T14:26:51.346-04:002016-03-24T14:26:51.346-04:00Robert!
Bravo! That was great stuff to read your ...Robert!<br /><br />Bravo! That was great stuff to read your follow-up. And most impressive by the telepathic BJ to know it was coming. (Kind of you to pretend she's as human as the rest of us by acting like you revised your note -- she almost blew her cover there.)<br /><br />Loved reading your updated story. So now I have advice: Follow Janet's three rules, but in a different order...<br /><br />1. Keep writing<br />2. Start querying<br />3. Think about nudging if you have to<br /><br />YOU KNOW you're so much better now than when you created that story that garnered so much interest from agents. We all know it. (Especially BJ, but that's another story.) It's right there in your words. Write the next one, and I bet we'll be reading your success story. John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72069192643907370932016-03-24T14:06:29.654-04:002016-03-24T14:06:29.654-04:00Lennon: Someone mentioned SCBWI. I think you'l...Lennon: Someone mentioned SCBWI. I think you'll find a lot of resources - including conferences to attend - through them. I've heard nothing but great things about that huge organization. See if you can find a branch in your area (they have them everywhere, even in Canada).BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28937126252965619092016-03-24T13:46:08.385-04:002016-03-24T13:46:08.385-04:00Great post. Robert - I loved reading your respons...Great post. Robert - I loved reading your response/ update, too. It's always encouraging to hear others' process through the trenches. <br /><br />I know I'm late to the game, but does anyone have any recommendations for good conferences to improve a YA wip as Janet mentioned in the post? I've been looking around recently, but there are so many. <br /><br />Happy birthday, Colin!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63182046019556349962016-03-24T12:31:40.375-04:002016-03-24T12:31:40.375-04:00Happy Birthday, Colin. Somehow I always suspected ...Happy Birthday, Colin. Somehow I always suspected you were an Aries. According to one horoscope, you are "naturally creative and sympathetic." Listen, if you think fifty-eight is tough, wait till you hit sixty-three. Sixty is a milestone, sixty-two you can get early Social Security, sixty-five you retire in earnest. Sixty-three: zilch. <br /><br />On the OP, to have written something aimed at young readers and have it come back as too literary is indicative of real talent, and I think OP should reach for the literary stars. Mark Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262292085318047939noreply@blogger.com