tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6490618043415911403..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Do overs!Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49115055892695606972016-07-01T09:08:54.927-04:002016-07-01T09:08:54.927-04:00E.M.--Not backasswards at all. Sometimes I'll ...E.M.--Not backasswards at all. Sometimes I'll write the query paragraph(s) when I'm still figuring out plot points, to make sure they all check out.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-451531580915871052016-07-01T07:01:47.875-04:002016-07-01T07:01:47.875-04:00If your contact with an agent is at a level were t...If your contact with an agent is at a level were they're actually opening your e-mails, even offering cordial tips on your pitch; that's seems a position where you have something to lose by harassing them with a re-wording of something they've seen previously. If the feedback wasn't so cordial, well at least they replied and in both cases, it's fairly safe to assume they'd know their own mind on the decision without receiving same pitch.<br /><br />My reading of the 'however' er--however, is that there's room for a second bite of the cherry in more circumstances than you might think. Because--the reality of processing an inbox, means that a lot of material isn't going to get the examination it warrants. Consequently, not only are viable projects, not going to receive due consideration, there's room for a re-do in circumstances where you can be reasonably sure, no one read past the first line of your letter.DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35051179595089924232016-07-01T03:32:26.500-04:002016-07-01T03:32:26.500-04:00Shelly, that's a great post about why Janet ha...Shelly, that's a great post about why Janet has reached goddess status among writers. Some even go as far as asking questions on twitter as if twitter were a chapel.<br /><br />Linda, great question.<br /><br />Diane, If you want to read a few chapters I'd love to know what you think.<br /><br />Last night at dinner two scientists (we always have scientists at dinner) compared how babies and adults brainwaves differed while recognizing sounds. The conversation warped into how someone becomes excellent in their field. By chance a European championship game was on. These scientists said in order to reach excellence you must practice. Constant practice makes for muscle memory. I asked how can you apply this to a writer. Someone who consistently writes excellent fiction. They didn't know how to explain the muscle memory in constant creativity. The writer's muscle memory is butt in the chair.<br /><br />Though I cannot explain it I know that learning how to concentrate takes practice. Learning how to detach from the physical world and enter into that creative space takes practice. The more you do it the faster you can relax into the mental space and concentrate on writing, or art, or editing query letters. <br /><br />...<br /><br />I think one of the biggest problems in today's world is the immediacy of our actions. And the lack of reflection before we act. Once you send that email you cannot retract it. <br /><br />Mabye that is why Angela James, evil editor nice mommy, calls her editing course Before You Hit Send. <br /><br />Once you vote it's done. You can get a do-over in the next election or referendum or query. Consider the consequences of re-querying. Maybe it's better to query something fresh six months from now. angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38770134097179095922016-07-01T02:34:50.147-04:002016-07-01T02:34:50.147-04:00P.S.: Happy EOFY, fellow Australians!P.S.: Happy EOFY, fellow Australians!Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4161501934351920092016-07-01T02:33:07.219-04:002016-07-01T02:33:07.219-04:00Thanks. I needed to hear this.
I queried over thr...Thanks. I needed to hear this.<br /><br />I queried over three dozen agents with a query that didn't get any love. None at all.<br /><br />The query sucked, obvs. So I've rewritten it. Wasn't sure what to do with it, as most of my researched agents had already No'ed or NORMANed. (And I so wanted to win one of them over.)<br /><br />However, after this post I might resend it to them... after #QueryWars. <br /><br />Yep, I'm gonna throw my ms in the ring and see what happens. Then if I don't end up winning grand prize, I'll go back to the trenches with the New'n'Improved and see what happens. <br /><br />For those who rejected pages (for sure), I might give them a miss. For those I don't know if they even got to the pages (or didn't ask for them as part of the query), I'll hit up again.<br /><br />I figure they won't remember my first query.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73082241309602528752016-06-30T23:00:54.679-04:002016-06-30T23:00:54.679-04:00Craig I know your pain. It is a call of nature to...Craig I know your pain. It is a call of nature to make last second bonehead changes. Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5526920070863803922016-06-30T20:15:20.781-04:002016-06-30T20:15:20.781-04:00I can't tell an agent to suck it up. I'm C...I can't tell an agent to suck it up. I'm Canadian. I could, however, say something like, "I'm so sorry I wrecked your day with my thoughtless query. I'll know better next time."<br /><br />Dena: The year is half over? Here's hoping this half year was the worse part of the year for everyone, and that the rest will be much better. No matter how good your first half was. (Mine wasn't.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85948101614707730682016-06-30T18:57:30.160-04:002016-06-30T18:57:30.160-04:00OMG, Sherry! Jeff "Somersault" has got t...OMG, Sherry! Jeff "Somersault" has got to be the best auto-correct blooper EVER. I'm still wiping tears of laughter from my eyes. Thank you, I needed that. Also, your post was lovely and very well done.<br /><br />Janet, thanks for once again talking us down from a ledge some of us didn't even know existed. I swear, the things I didn't realize I needed to worry about... thank you for asking that question, Linda.<br /><br />And that picture! Never mind the ducks, I want to know how anyone got dogs to sit still in a bathtub.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34819248466541074382016-06-30T18:04:16.455-04:002016-06-30T18:04:16.455-04:00Oh, thank you Donna and Julie.Oh, thank you Donna and Julie.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45579510685446399372016-06-30T17:59:33.980-04:002016-06-30T17:59:33.980-04:00I do sooo resemble this question. I did once send ...I do sooo resemble this question. I did once send the Queen a query and then redacted it. I like to think that the reason lies in one of my many bad habits.<br /><br />The bad habit in particular is that I tinker. There is nothing in this world that is safe when I'm around. That includes my own queries. I have had some that were close and I buried them by the light of the new moon, danced and chanted naked around them and dug them out when they were properly aged.<br /><br />I set down in front of a computer with it and prepared to send it out. Then I would see something I could improve on and fucked it up. Usually I then delete them and start over again. One got away though. Maybe I should have just let it run free.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12553728993821301352016-06-30T17:10:17.217-04:002016-06-30T17:10:17.217-04:00Woofs and quacks make me smile.
Only reiders would...Woofs and quacks make me smile.<br />Only reiders would understand.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69471696944252035472016-06-30T17:06:53.318-04:002016-06-30T17:06:53.318-04:00I'm with Beth - that 'hit delete twice?...I'm with Beth - that 'hit delete twice?' quote of Julie's is going to go on my wall too :)<br />Oh, and that 'John Manuscript Frain' had me guffawing and my cherubs eyeing me sideways, mentally questioning my sanity. But it's school holidays and I don't care!<br />Happy writing, everyone!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69731242764308091862016-06-30T13:23:38.124-04:002016-06-30T13:23:38.124-04:00That picture of double dogs getting their ducks in...That picture of double dogs getting their ducks in a row made my morning. While it's important to spend the time it takes to get it right, knowing that a single misstep might not be fatal makes it easier to take that step. <br /><br />Julie summed it up perfectly. <br /><br />"Sometimes you just have to be fearless.<br /><br />What's an agent going to do? Hit delete twice?"<br /><br />I may have to print that out and post it on the wall. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27861477137688639832016-06-30T13:11:43.657-04:002016-06-30T13:11:43.657-04:00Sherry,
Loved your blog post on 10 reasons to bec...Sherry, <br />Loved your blog post on 10 reasons to become a Reider.<br /><br />I bet autocorrect drives Jeff Somersault crazy some days. And other days, he just rolls with it. (Oh c'mon, who could resist that?)<br /><br />Even on a day celebrating do overs, I wouldn't change that line. It was a fun post to read, and Jeff's somersault made it even a little more fun.<br />John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1733221992581616142016-06-30T13:11:32.927-04:002016-06-30T13:11:32.927-04:00Donna,
I certainly didn't mean to insinuate C...Donna,<br /><br />I certainly didn't mean to insinuate Colin doesn't have common sense. It was a general remark. If an agent says specifically don't send me this, it might be best not to fly in their face with exactly what they don't wantJulie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22278689275293650822016-06-30T12:38:01.635-04:002016-06-30T12:38:01.635-04:00"Common sense is a good thing."
Any sen..."Common sense is a good thing."<br /><br />Any sense at all, common or otherwise, would be good for me on any day.<br /><br />I imagine our dear Colin has a healthy dose of common sense when it comes to querying. Anyone who would ignore blatant rules relative to the subject matter vs a particular genre is liable to be listed under "author asshat." Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32183065861936494812016-06-30T11:36:50.023-04:002016-06-30T11:36:50.023-04:00Colin,
That's true to an extent, but if an ag...Colin,<br /><br />That's true to an extent, but if an agent says I don't want to see rape, child abuse, killing animals it's probably best not to query and try to get a nibble than miss a chance. Sending said agent a query opening with a graphic child killing may get you blocked.<br /><br />Common sense is a good thing.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56087659488558733792016-06-30T11:30:16.442-04:002016-06-30T11:30:16.442-04:00... and just to reiterate: Janet's #mswl is: &...... and just to reiterate: Janet's #mswl is: "It's better to try and not get a nibble than miss a chance." :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14290312660213894192016-06-30T11:20:13.875-04:002016-06-30T11:20:13.875-04:00I love the dogs and ducks. We used to train our Au...I love the dogs and ducks. We used to train our Aussies on Indian Runner ducks who flock much like sheep so they're good for training herding dogs. We go from ducks to sheep to cattle. We had an orphan kitten who showed up and used to watch us training puppies on sheep. The kitten stayed around around the puppies so I assume she thought she was a puppy, but at any rate she thought she was big stuff.<br /><br />One day she decided she was going to work sheep. Unfortunately, sheep don't much care about kittens mewing at them. So, she jumped on the side of one of the sheep and off they went. It was kind of amazing to see a kitten put a bunch of sheep through a gate. That was pure accident as she was just along for the ride, but impressive none the less.<br /><br />Sometimes you just have to be fearless.<br /><br />What's an agent going to do? Hit delete twice?<br /><br />For those thinking about querying, agents and editors are posting their manuscript wish lists on twitter today on the #mswl hashtag. Don't pitch them on twitter. Query the regular way, but this gives you an idea what they're looking for.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30739775175832540122016-06-30T10:58:34.732-04:002016-06-30T10:58:34.732-04:00Aargh!
JMF aka JDF
Could the world get a do over,...Aargh!<br />JMF aka JDF<br /><br />Could the world get a do over, please?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14226720665890665661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62140193702224616562016-06-30T10:51:52.770-04:002016-06-30T10:51:52.770-04:00Clarification! "it's okay, I'm going ...Clarification! "it's okay, I'm going to screw up. Go back out there and try again." <br />Did not mean - 'try again and screw it up' although that may happen anyway, sigh...<br /><br />Meant 'try again and get it right'<br />And as JMF reminds - do it with a grin!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14226720665890665661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55618180391515818562016-06-30T10:45:48.233-04:002016-06-30T10:45:48.233-04:00John: I don't think I have enough hair for a d...<b>John</b>: I don't think I have enough hair for a do-over... ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13924625771697839052016-06-30T10:43:58.552-04:002016-06-30T10:43:58.552-04:00Claudette Thank you for your kind words. It was ha...<b>Claudette</b> Thank you for your kind words. It was hard to let go of the last book, but I probably should have done so sooner. It was finished and I so wanted it to sell. Starting over is hard, but it is also redeeming with so many new possibilities. A lovely automatic do over. Provided I can avoid sphincter shaped head gear during my next foray into the query trenches. <br /><br /><b>Linda</b> Keep on trying. Everyone messes up now and then. My first queries were abysmal. I got a lot of traction on my last book, but ultimately no cigar. You will find that perfect agent in time. Remember there is no such thing as a failure who keeps trying. <br /><br /><b>John Manuscript Frain </b> I have often wanted a do over for my whole life. If there was a bonehead move to make, I made it. If there was a new and colorful way for me to shoot myself in the foot, I blasted off an entire leg. If there was an opportunity staring me in the face, I put my head in the sand and ignored it. Now I thank God for all I missed and all the wrong turns I seem to have taken because they led me here. And here, wherever here might be, isn't a terrible place to be. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10427045933230739412016-06-30T10:36:42.618-04:002016-06-30T10:36:42.618-04:00ALL aspects of life should include do overs. Becau...ALL aspects of life should include do overs. Because ALL people in life need do overs on occasion.<br /><br />Already this week, I've needed one on the occasion of Monday occurring and the occasion of Tuesday showing up. Thankfully, Wednesday allowed me both do overs. And ... here comes Thursday. Worried about a theme here.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30791590730157156002016-06-30T10:06:47.500-04:002016-06-30T10:06:47.500-04:00After careful viewing of an enlarged version of th...<br />After careful viewing of an enlarged version of the sayonara snookums photo of your keyboard, I am pleased [altho very surprised] to note the lack of teeth. That is very encouraging.<br /><br />=)<br /><br />And now back to staring at news reports of yet another active shooter at a military base. I texted my son and he texted back, so I'm good.<br /><br />The year is half over today. Time flies.<br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.com