tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post8222713983284305137..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: The dreaded sophmore novelJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66714880576858836412019-01-13T04:57:16.073-05:002019-01-13T04:57:16.073-05:00I wonder if it's a bit different for fantasy w...I wonder if it's a bit different for fantasy writers. After all, it takes many of them more than a year to publish the next book. For example, Patrick Rothfus: The Name of the Wind (2007), The Wise Man's Fear (2011) and the last novel wasn't published yet. G. R. R. Martin, Kristen Britain, etc.<br /><br />Wow, writing a novel in six months is... challenging. Hopefully, it gets easier. But then again, when I interviewed a playwright Robert Chafe a couple of months ago, he told me that writing gets even more difficult with time. Now that he is an accomplished writer, he has even more doubts and fears with regard to his craft.Alina Sergachovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08854955367675576927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4351444960514942552019-01-13T04:55:43.278-05:002019-01-13T04:55:43.278-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alina Sergachovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08854955367675576927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73473362455493840582019-01-12T18:02:06.933-05:002019-01-12T18:02:06.933-05:00E M,
Without good synapses, everyone would degene...E M,<br /><br />Without good synapses, everyone would degenerate into piles of goo.<br /><br />So, considering you and everyone else (on this blog) is in good shape...no worries.<br /><br />Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.<br /><br />The K-man.Kreggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07229620504046221727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90804295882378978502019-01-12T17:13:47.242-05:002019-01-12T17:13:47.242-05:00I'll be ya friend!!!I'll be ya friend!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41524794490686971482019-01-12T17:04:50.868-05:002019-01-12T17:04:50.868-05:00Colin, I'm aware that even most published writ...<b>Colin</b>, I'm aware that even most published writers are part-time, which is why I think I know the answer :)RKeelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16761835094251669865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35288350559101548932019-01-12T16:22:22.157-05:002019-01-12T16:22:22.157-05:00Colin and Elise, I can't say my synopsis scare...Colin and Elise, I can't say my synopsis scared off any agents, but I've had several proposals rejected based on synopses. So it does pay to make sure your main plot points AND emotional turning points are there. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86830344816125016332019-01-12T16:21:55.493-05:002019-01-12T16:21:55.493-05:00I just came inside from shoveling 12 inches of sno...I just came inside from shoveling 12 inches of snow, which turns out to be the day's light work. But if penning #2 is the hard work, that means editing my current ms must be more light work.<br /><br />Rejoice! Easy street, here I come.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43846549808384665572019-01-12T16:14:51.209-05:002019-01-12T16:14:51.209-05:00Just to say I recently signed up to Twitter as Jan...Just to say I recently signed up to Twitter as Janet instructed *doffs hat to the Shark* and it's much more fun than I thought it would be! Enjoying interacting with you guys on there and have discovered some great stuff to read as well.NLiuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00184714542401822508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3445889563314184272019-01-12T16:01:01.352-05:002019-01-12T16:01:01.352-05:00Maybe my habit of working on 4 things at once will...Maybe my habit of working on 4 things at once will pay off after all...CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39334031079823074252019-01-12T14:51:16.354-05:002019-01-12T14:51:16.354-05:00When I came to the book I’m working on now, I was ...When I came to the book I’m working on now, I was sure I couldn’t do it again, let alone do it better. I had to stop and tell myself that it was for my own entertainment before the story began to unfold. <br />I can think of a few authors who were shopping around 4-6 manuscripts before they sold their first one. What a lovely position for a writer to find themselves in. Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08941043145591116608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13928920129277798352019-01-12T13:08:42.152-05:002019-01-12T13:08:42.152-05:00It's rare that I get to be a voice of reason.....It's rare that I get to be a voice of reason...<br /><br />Folks, remember that's six months from when you sign the contract with the publisher. Not from when you go on submission, not from when you sign with your agent. Nor does a two book deal necessarily mean a series!<br /><br />I figure I've got two books in the can right now. Maybe they weren't good enough to attract an agent, but I'm better now (and I'll be even better by the time I find an agent) AND said agent will, as Janet said, be there to shitallover the manuscripts. Then there's the book I'm working on now while I'm querying.<br /><br />I don't have six months to write my second book. I've had years, and will likely have months or years yet (find agent, revise book that snagged agent, out on submission, etc.)<br /><br />No hamster wheel on this issue for me. And, I hope, for most of you too, if you just take a deep breath.Casey Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592351859886981726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31862062693798409872019-01-12T12:36:03.480-05:002019-01-12T12:36:03.480-05:00How likely is it to extend the expected year deadl...How likely is it to extend the expected year deadline for book 2? Is that a rare, or even unlikely occurrence? For instance, in the case of a new baby.Tammy Pigotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981951602111082211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64218220039744806702019-01-12T12:33:00.630-05:002019-01-12T12:33:00.630-05:00Colin At this point, I think I might just offer up...<b>Colin</b> At this point, I think I might just offer up a blood-covered smear as my synopsis for the two of the ten agents at top of my list that want one. Or I might move those agents into my second 10 instead of my top 10. I am sure you are right. From what I have heard, the synopsis is just something to show the agent you have a decent structure with a good solid ending. I have that. I think. <br /><br />I am taking the oft seen advice to let my book percolate another 4-6 weeks since this final revision to make sure I have landed everything. It's killing me to wait but I don't' want to blow through my best agents with a not quite ready for prime time effort.So, going to let this synopsis lie or lay or whatever the right damn verb is, and work on dread book two for a time.E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81450975829015195182019-01-12T12:17:30.420-05:002019-01-12T12:17:30.420-05:00Elise: Talking about synopses, here's a though...<b>Elise</b>: Talking about synopses, here's a thought. Have you ever heard of an agent who rejected a query because of the synopsis? Agents will tell you they want a synopsis, and maybe offer guidelines on how to write one, but is there a Synopsis Shark out there? Someone offering advice on how to write a compelling synopsis? Stories of synopses that "didn't work"? Unless I'm missing something, the answer to that is... no. Which, I think, gives you an indication of how important that synopsis is. You do it because you've been asked to, but unless Janet has horror stories to share (as if the synopsis isn't Stephen King-worthy on its own), I don't think there is a wrong way to write a synopsis. As long as you sum up the story's highlights and tell the agent how it all ends, you've got it. Don't over-think this.<br /><br />There you go: An encouraging thought amidst all the "second book" nightmare comments. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79035871824209361342019-01-12T12:10:26.237-05:002019-01-12T12:10:26.237-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mallory Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282261391938135052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51331126739726594392019-01-12T11:59:58.605-05:002019-01-12T11:59:58.605-05:00I do adore you guys in that you are not the sort o...I do adore you guys in that you are not the sort of friends that require me to bathe and wear pants. I never do well with that sort. It is why I hang out here. And you're a bunch of damn good writers. <br /><br />Thank you, your Majesty for the slap. May I have another? The pug has informed me that she is no longer my friend. I offered to watch a neighbor's cat and now she is furious with me. <br /><br />But I needed a cat to study. Research you know. <br /><br />Have any of you discovered a cure for a synopsis? It's that part that comes right before the agent and book deal and the even more fearsome second book. No? Ok, back to banging my head on my desk. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45268633341694187722019-01-12T11:54:42.862-05:002019-01-12T11:54:42.862-05:00I tried the whole friend-building thing on Twitter...I tried the whole friend-building thing on Twitter recently. It's actually kind of addicting, once you get into it. I tend to shy away from that first contact by nature, but forcing yourself out of that little box can yield great things, like Dena Pawling's suggestion of Lee Lofland's book "Police Procedure and Investigation: a Guide for Writers." ANYONE writing a book with even a minor cop character will find it VERY worthwhile!<br /><br />And yes, I am also friends with EM on Twitter . . .<br /><br />(For now, I am shunning Instagram -- too much to handle all at once!)Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41534895719053550002019-01-12T11:45:43.165-05:002019-01-12T11:45:43.165-05:00Elise: I second/third/fourth that slap. Yes, you h...<b>Elise</b>: I second/third/fourth that slap. Yes, you have friends! :)<br /><br /><b>RKeelan</b>: If by "part-time writers" you mean writers who don't write full-time, I hope you're aware that even for published writers, that's the norm. You might be surprised how few writers can write full-time without some second income source. This is not a high-earning industry, unless you're among a very small percentage who write the right book at the right time and get the right deal with the right people. I have a blog article up at the moment about that if you're interested. (My blog is linked in my Blogger profile.)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18930038784500633212019-01-12T11:43:44.480-05:002019-01-12T11:43:44.480-05:00On one hand, my experience (and apparently Jeff So...On one hand, my experience (and apparently Jeff Somers's) is that online activity doesn't translate very directly to sales. On the other hand, I've discovered Donna Everhart and Kari Dell here, and several other authors from various review sites and mentions, so it must work sometimes. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69043726170753025972019-01-12T11:38:07.449-05:002019-01-12T11:38:07.449-05:00Hi, longtime lurker, rare commenter. But I had to ...Hi, longtime lurker, rare commenter. But I had to make sure: is it six months from the date of signing the book deal for your series? Or from the publication of book 1? (I have a hunch as to which one, since nothing is ever easy in the world of writing, but I thought I'd double check.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05590152458425319708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73522462244440508662019-01-12T11:26:10.895-05:002019-01-12T11:26:10.895-05:00Not to say it's easy, but you might be surpris...Not to say it's easy, but you might be surprised what you can do when someone (a publisher) lights the fire of a PAYING deadline under you. It's one thing to take 5 years writing book 1. You need to be sure it's good enough to garner attention; you need to hone your craft; you need to develop your voice - all of that takes time. Once you have a winner tho, all those tools are at the ready. You're not swimming in uncharted waters any more and you have a friend (agent) by your side. That make writing book 2 a whole lot easier.KariVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824650323413004291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35720604517901911522019-01-12T11:17:48.018-05:002019-01-12T11:17:48.018-05:00>>By making friends I mean following people ...<br />>>By making friends I mean following people on Twitter and engaging with them; same with Instagram.<br /><br />I have a blog and Twitter. Am I correct to understand you that Twitter and Instagram are the currently-preferred social media? This is semi-good news, since I LOATHE [the strongest word I can think of this early on a Saturday] Facebook. Does Twitter and Instagram also apply to MG writers?<br /><br /><br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-555977889197688742019-01-12T11:00:57.101-05:002019-01-12T11:00:57.101-05:00E.M. I'll happily be your online friend. I'...<b>E.M.</b> I'll happily be your online friend. I'm also getting ready to wade into the SFF trenches, we can share what we find. :)<br /><br />Listen to Her Sharkliness. Any good news you get, post here and we'll go swimming to pick it up. (You were networking without realizing it! The best, most genuine kind!)Sam Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12069749673374661798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50775194393686064782019-01-12T10:47:07.987-05:002019-01-12T10:47:07.987-05:00Anyone who posts a comment on this blog saying the...Anyone who posts a comment on this blog saying they have no friends <i>stern side eye at one particular pug wrangler</i> will be gnawed.<br /><br />I am your friend.<br /><br />And I daresay many of the people who also read this blog would count themselves your friends.<br /><br />THIS is social media at its finest. You come here, you comment, you make friends.<br /><br />*steps down from soapbox and swims off to torment elsewhere*Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12203456290837506522019-01-12T10:38:03.102-05:002019-01-12T10:38:03.102-05:00Folks, it is Saturday, quit trying to be depressin...Folks, it is Saturday, quit trying to be depressing.<br /><br />Also, quit selling yourselves short. The problem with the first book is that writing it is like wandering into an unknown wood on a dark and moonless night.<br /><br />Finding positive feedback for your first work is a mother. People will tell you what is wrong, but they will not venture into giving you direction.<br /><br />The writing of the second book will come with all kinds of benefits, you will have professional people to help you.<br /><br />It is still Saturday, go out and amaze yourself, please.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.com