tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post503746921602756435..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Would you help someone who is a terrible writer?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52116036210039101582016-03-26T09:56:52.783-04:002016-03-26T09:56:52.783-04:00Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers and suppor...Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers and support, EM, Colin, Lisa, NM, SD, Donna, Julie, Celia, SiSi, Adib, Mark, Jason, Karen, Panda, 2Ns, Lennon (and you're very welcome!), Brigid, KD, Christina, Dave, Megan, Kae, Sam, and all you wonderful people. I truly appreciate them. This place is a very special place, full of kind and supportive people. Thank you.<br /><br />Julie, that's a beautiful verse. And the bunny! The bunny! Thank you.<br /><br />Jason: So inspirational! Good for you! Like you, I didn't have a lot of support from family... although, once I proved I could make money writing (technical writing), my Dad got more interested. Even a week before his final illness, he was asking me what was happening with my book. And congrats on your first query!<br /><br />Brigid, that really is beautiful. Yesterday, the family was talking about him (of course) and it came out that he was a stubborn shit-disturber who was good at getting people pissed off at him. Not because he was grumpy or anything, but because he knew what was right and he would stick by that (and he often wound up in leadership positions, where that quality often is and often is not appreciated, by different people). We're proud of our stubborn shit-disturbers in our family. And I realized then that the main character in my series has that very quality and, in his case too, it's made him enemies and friends. I'd never put the that character together with my Dad before. I have a whole new appreciation for both of them now.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74987616678312238762016-03-26T06:30:45.963-04:002016-03-26T06:30:45.963-04:00BJ, I'm so terribly sorry about your Dad. xoxBJ, I'm so terribly sorry about your Dad. xoxSam Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549251130820223139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25173201943914976732016-03-26T02:04:27.791-04:002016-03-26T02:04:27.791-04:00BJ, so sorry for your loss. Sending *virtual hugs*...BJ, so sorry for your loss. Sending *virtual hugs* your way. EM, too. Hang in there, you two.<br /><br />Congratulations Jason for your first query! You can breathe easier now :)<br /><br />Re the autism comments: my seven year old is autistic. High functioning, but still. He's now verbal, too, and is communicating with more and more ease each day. And although we initially tried keeping the idea that he was 'autistic' a secret from him, he now knows it and claims it. <br /><br />How much does he understand of what it means? Hard to tell. We tell him that his brain, his thinking, is different from the way that others work. <br /><br />Does he comprehend the ins-and-outs of what that means for his life, now and into the future? Of course not - he's seven. No seven year old could; autistic or not. <br /><br />Will he when he's older? Who knows. All I can do as his mum is to gently expose him to different situations, experiences, and ideas as I can, in ways which are safe and that he can cope with, age-and-stage appropriate. And really, that's the same with my Miss11 and my Miss8 as well, neither of whom have autism.(Kind of like how we treat our characters, really, exposing them to different situations to see how they cope.) Build resilience in them so that when they eventually encounter difficulties in the big wide world, their personalities are strong enough to handle it. <br /><br />I can't speak for Alex, or for Mr Furkles' Fred, and I dare not say that these people ARE autistic, but for my own boy, I would say that honesty is always the best policy. A gentle explanation, using examples and analogies that my boy can understand, always helps him to identify with how the other party (in Alex's case, the agents in question) are feeling.<br /><br />Just my two cents.Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42761981803355721772016-03-26T01:11:02.989-04:002016-03-26T01:11:02.989-04:00It's a sad thing to learn about an aspiring wr...It's a sad thing to learn about an aspiring writer whose grammar and plots are not up to par; and not realize it after many rejections. I understand Janet's situation where the bare truth may not be appropriate, but what, exactly will happen to the agent who lays down the bare truth?Barbara Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00610140328527165017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6940887698748544482016-03-25T22:16:49.315-04:002016-03-25T22:16:49.315-04:00BJ
So sorry for your loss. May your father's ...BJ<br /><br />So sorry for your loss. May your father's memory be a source of comfort during the hard times and may his life be a story that is everlasting.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62599218548261241672016-03-25T21:12:31.388-04:002016-03-25T21:12:31.388-04:00Sorry to hear about your dad BJ. Sorry to hear about your dad BJ. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15386864487659606283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86569056621286022102016-03-25T21:12:24.185-04:002016-03-25T21:12:24.185-04:00Sorry to hear about your dad BJ. Sorry to hear about your dad BJ. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15386864487659606283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56550315774592357852016-03-25T20:24:43.322-04:002016-03-25T20:24:43.322-04:00Thank you, S.D.!Thank you, S.D.!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22543905158992420652016-03-25T19:11:28.149-04:002016-03-25T19:11:28.149-04:00BJ, I just read your earlier post. I'm so, so ...BJ, I just read your earlier post. I'm so, so sorry for your loss. May your father's memory be eternal. (((((hugs)))))<br />Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29918261829371438202016-03-25T19:02:17.925-04:002016-03-25T19:02:17.925-04:00I am just going to point out that deserts and dess...I am just going to point out that deserts and desserts are two differnt words, and leave it at that. ;)<br /><br />*don't worry, I already have my ticket for the Carkoon red-eye.Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45711528207809735852016-03-25T18:17:37.568-04:002016-03-25T18:17:37.568-04:00Thank you my Queen for all you do for us. I know t...Thank you my Queen for all you do for us. I know that you have and still do enrich me by sharing your wealth of knowledge in the writing industry.<br /><br />My condolences to all who feel the pain of loss at this time. If you wish to talk I will listen. Especially those with fresh losses.<br /><br />On Topic:<br />In many ways I too could be Alex. When I was young(er) and dumb(er) I toss out some horrid queries for project that where halfassed. Then I found salvation in this blog. Sing a hallelujah for me. I learned that I had more (a lot more) work to do. That caused me to refrain from querying. It is almost time though.<br /><br />If you look at any writing forum you will find six or eight like Alex. Some have boring story lines, some have bad grammar and some can't carry a thought through a whole plot. Many of them know that they have no hope but they do keep trying and that is admirable.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34913237194704935502016-03-25T17:56:57.244-04:002016-03-25T17:56:57.244-04:00BJ, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending big vi...BJ, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending big virtual hugs your way.<br /><br />I have nothing to add on topic, other than to say Janet's response to this OP was gracious and sensible. As are the comments. Me, not so much (this one provoked the surly, snarly beast I try to keep leashed).<br /><br />I had to look up "just deserts" (I sort of vaguely thought "desserts" was correct) and was surprised by the archaic meaning of "deserts." I knew the meaning of the phrase, from context, but I'd never really thought about the origin. So I learned something today.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60901982176692577002016-03-25T17:38:51.197-04:002016-03-25T17:38:51.197-04:00Oh, BJ. May his memory be eternal. I hope you writ...<i>Oh, BJ. May his memory be eternal. I hope you write your favorite parts of him into a book one day.</i><br /><br />Brigid, that's the loveliest wish for a bereaved writer I've ever seen.InkStainedWenchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218141346324970504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12174025771962691522016-03-25T17:13:00.880-04:002016-03-25T17:13:00.880-04:00"Priscilla, Queen of the Just Desserts" ..."Priscilla, Queen of the Just Desserts" - and there went breakfast over my keyboard!<br />Love love LOVE this blog!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40092881017651317472016-03-25T17:02:22.438-04:002016-03-25T17:02:22.438-04:00"No" is sometimes the kindest thing to s..."No" is sometimes the kindest thing to say. It is as important to know what isn't your job as it is to know what is your job.Pam Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535615408563055466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59815095472182555542016-03-25T16:58:24.210-04:002016-03-25T16:58:24.210-04:00Lennon,
SCBWI is a great resource and even if you...Lennon,<br /><br />SCBWI is a great resource and even if you are not a member, you can still take part in the discussion boards.<br /><br />Go to their website and click on "resource library" then scroll down to "blue boards". You can create a profile and then connect with thousands of others and follow the discussions. There are always lots of updates on agents and publishers and also lots of info on magazine publishing.<br /><br />Best wishes. Glad to know there are some other kid-lit writers among the Reiders.S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18451027499964943472016-03-25T16:32:00.773-04:002016-03-25T16:32:00.773-04:00Hey you guys...... I did it.... I just queried my ...Hey you guys...... I did it.... I just queried my first agent!!! <br /><br />I want to query peter but I am so scared that my query is crap and oh gosh what if he showed it around and Janet saw it.<br />Janet might say:<br />"He's one of my woodland creatures and he sent you that awful query? Oh he is banished beyond Carkoon.<br /><br />There is a special place for former woodland creatures that send out awful queries to my fellow co-workers.<br /><br />And boom I'd be lost in space forever. <br /><br />Oooo if only I knew if I were ready yet. What do I do. WHAT DO I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.........?????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43073010298161918732016-03-25T16:10:21.688-04:002016-03-25T16:10:21.688-04:00@Mr Furkles, I will say the autistic kids I know u...@Mr Furkles, I will say the autistic kids I know understand autism quite well—including strengths, weaknesses, and differences. Depends on the individual, of course. Just a note, since we're writers, and we like reflecting stories accurately.<br /><br />I can't imagine telling Alex, "Your stories stink and you need to stop this." I can imagine telling Alex (if he were a friend) something like, "Buddy, you have to stop re-querying, it's rude to the agents." Or, "You may want to pay a professional editor, since it turns out agents really value grammar and syntax in querying." <br /><br />I often say, "Oh hey, it turns out..." or "so I just learned..." or "I came across a cool thing! Did you know..." when correcting my mother.<br /><br />- - -<br />Oh, BJ. May his memory be eternal. I hope you write your favorite parts of him into a book one day.Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13768090206152536761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26893286864677683652016-03-25T16:07:23.173-04:002016-03-25T16:07:23.173-04:008 years! Wow, congratulations for that Janet. Si...8 years! Wow, congratulations for that Janet. Since I began querying, with this place in mind I always look for agents who 'help' writers, either through blogs, interviews, truly informative websites, etc. That is the kind of agent I hope to get. Here is to many more years as an awesome agent! *raises toast of my McDonald's coffee* *it would be alcoholic if Janet were actually here*<br /><br />Can't think of anything else to add to poor Alex's situation that others haven't already mentioned... And yes there have been many times when I've wondered if I'm an "Alex." I think the difference is moving ahead. If you're taking steps to improve yourself, you still may not (ever) be successful, but you're not an Alex. <br /><br />WElcome, Lydia D., to the Shark infested waters!! <br /><br />BJ - very sorry to hear about your dad. That is how I grieve, too - I want others to take my thoughts away for a while. Praying for your & your family's peace. On a much less somber note, thank you yesterday in the comments for giving me the SCBWI pointer. My power/ internet went down last night with a storm till this morning. Now it seems a bit trivial to mention it but I did want you to know I appreciated that. Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21546441943161944622016-03-25T15:48:06.870-04:002016-03-25T15:48:06.870-04:00BJ, so sorry, Thinkin' 'bout ya.BJ, so sorry, Thinkin' 'bout ya.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5767038442771812312016-03-25T15:43:51.277-04:002016-03-25T15:43:51.277-04:00Well said, Panda!Well said, Panda!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47403291817921091692016-03-25T15:33:05.566-04:002016-03-25T15:33:05.566-04:00BJ and EM, so sorry to hear your sad news. Just be...BJ and EM, so sorry to hear your sad news. Just because we know that everyone has to go sometime, it doesn't make it any easier when they do. And it doesn't matter if you had a good relationship with the departed or a bad one. It still rocks you to your core.<br /><br />I doubt there is a single writer or artist in the world who doesn't think that they are "Alex" some days. But the fact that we are here learning from Janet and each other makes it that less likely that we are quite so clueless. That doesn't mean we will all get agents, get published, have successful careers and houses in the south of France. But as long as I can drag myself out of bed each day, I will keep trying to do what I want to do, and to do it better than I did yesterday.<br /><br />And then I will have cake.<br />Bring on the chocolate bunnies!<br />Huzzah!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72152950871698136702016-03-25T14:57:02.101-04:002016-03-25T14:57:02.101-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Marie McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11405271051226910312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85977468917786857052016-03-25T14:56:36.156-04:002016-03-25T14:56:36.156-04:00I'm a little freaked out by this, if I'm h...I'm a little freaked out by this, if I'm honest. The constant worry that I'm deluding myself is never far from my mind. I guess when there are enough signals that are telling you you need to change, you have to take notice. I suppose the problem lies in not learning and therefore not improving. Hope you all have a good Easter. Marie McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11405271051226910312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56030794295650989552016-03-25T14:37:49.762-04:002016-03-25T14:37:49.762-04:00Thinking of you, B.J. So sorry for your loss.Thinking of you, B.J. So sorry for your loss.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.com