tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2858257011554661277..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Just FYIJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4999150912560279252009-02-18T16:18:00.000-05:002009-02-18T16:18:00.000-05:00Ha! Just found these comments. Love the "cowgirl f...Ha! Just found these comments. Love the "cowgirl from Surrey" bit. :)<BR/><BR/>Julie: This? "I think that is the whole secret of a good conference. Be yourself and have fun. Learn what you can and apply it." I'd say you're dead on there. Yes, yes. <BR/><BR/>Having Janet at a conference helps immensely too, though.Susan Adrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10730673696950405605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90595225511137536052009-02-17T16:15:00.000-05:002009-02-17T16:15:00.000-05:00Awesome tip! Thanks so much.Awesome tip! Thanks so much.amberargylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058327741777322247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79249847257737700482009-02-16T22:42:00.000-05:002009-02-16T22:42:00.000-05:00Steve, I haven't gone through to edit it after cha...Steve, I haven't gone through to edit it after changing to Courier, but the story definitely does have a different feel: more critical, maybe, less creative (in my mind only - I know I'm strange). <BR/><BR/>It's similar for me when drafting. I always handwrite my drafts, because I *feel* more creative that way, the story seems to flow more. When drafting using a keyboard, the stories I write come out far differently, with a different feel to them, perhaps a different style. <BR/><BR/>Did I mention I'm strange?BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67018114712194274732009-02-16T21:40:00.000-05:002009-02-16T21:40:00.000-05:00OooOoOoo, thanks for the tip! I love it.OooOoOoo, thanks for the tip! I love it.Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73453585161123217652009-02-16T13:56:00.000-05:002009-02-16T13:56:00.000-05:00Interesting discussion. I compose in Bookman Old ...Interesting discussion. I compose in Bookman Old Style or Garamond 12pt. I always single space, skip indents, and then double space between paragraphs. Makes for a mess when I'm done, but when I'm finished, just reformatting the piece allows me to spot errors easily on edit. I do this for my schoolwork as well.<BR/><BR/>Thank gawd for computers, which makes it so much easier to customize submissions to editor/agent specs, and yet still allows someone to write in a way that is most comfortable for the writer. Gotta love it -- everyone ends up happy in the end.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11705320883615938075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70031084259346104742009-02-15T23:22:00.000-05:002009-02-15T23:22:00.000-05:00Adam,"Julie: I'm glad you liked it. I know there's...Adam,<BR/><BR/>"Julie: I'm glad you liked it. I know there's a number of roads into gaming companies, but for designers/writers, none of them are easy. Mostly because everyone figures they can write a video game ;-)"<BR/><BR/>Agreed. I wouldn't dream of the designing phase per se, but I would like to write the stories of the worlds. Some of the games have very rich story lines.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76582441912612870722009-02-15T21:54:00.000-05:002009-02-15T21:54:00.000-05:00Julie: I'm glad you liked it. I know there's a num...Julie: I'm glad you liked it. I know there's a number of roads into gaming companies, but for designers/writers, none of them are easy. Mostly because everyone figures they can write a video game ;-)<BR/><BR/>Steve: I've noticed that too. When I finish my first draft and go into revision, I plan on changing my manuscript to 12-point font and 1.5 or double-spacing for that very reason.Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16853669394753688832009-02-15T17:04:00.000-05:002009-02-15T17:04:00.000-05:00After the conversion, I found myself making edits ...After the conversion, I found myself making edits because my story in Courier felt like it wanted to be slightly but distinctly different than my story in TNR. Can anybody relate to this, or do I need to get out more?--<BR/><BR/>Beth Shope actually advised people to convert their manuscripts to another font. Your eye picks up things you haven't noticed on previous sweeps.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20320318230368274832009-02-15T13:14:00.000-05:002009-02-15T13:14:00.000-05:00Adam, whoa. What an awesome site. Thank you so muc...Adam, whoa. What an awesome site. Thank you so much for pointing it out to me.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17209909895841075102009-02-15T13:04:00.000-05:002009-02-15T13:04:00.000-05:00Adam,Actually, I am interested.http://tinyurl.com/...Adam,<BR/><BR/>Actually, I am interested.<BR/>http://tinyurl.com/Brice-Broaddus is a friend of mine. Fabulously talented artist and creative person. My game plan is to get something published so I have something to offer gaming companies and get a job writing for one.<BR/><BR/>Of course, actually making a living a a novelist would be fantastic, but I don't think that happens much with a debut author.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate you looking that up. I'm going to go check it out.<BR/><BR/>JulieJulie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48585636773900852742009-02-15T07:02:00.000-05:002009-02-15T07:02:00.000-05:00I do everything in TNR 12. I would be scared to wr...I do everything in TNR 12. I would be scared to write in another size or font, then do a conversion before sending off a ms. Why? Because for me, anyway, font and size contribute to the <I>feel</I> of the words on the page - the pace, the tempo, the setup, the payoff, etc. I was once asked to submit something in Courier. After the conversion, I found myself making edits because my story in Courier felt like it wanted to be slightly but distinctly different than my story in TNR. Can anybody relate to this, or do I need to get out more?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71135203079343797632009-02-15T04:24:00.000-05:002009-02-15T04:24:00.000-05:00Julie: You probably don't care, but I found it. It...Julie: You probably don't care, but <A HREF="http://www.fantasy-art-and-portraits.com/fantasy_art_icewind_dale_gallery.html#PORTRAITS" REL="nofollow">I found it</A>. It was from a computer RPG called Icewind Dale.<BR/><BR/>That link is to a slideshow of all the avatars from Icewind Dale (yours is a ways in - human female fighter 1). They're pretty good, if you have time to flip through them.Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1577481928096524672009-02-15T03:56:00.000-05:002009-02-15T03:56:00.000-05:00I've read some research on how different fonts are...I've read some research on how different fonts are processed, and it seems that a seriffed (serifed?) font is more "fixed" onto the page, which makes it easier to read for people who have dyslexia or dyslexic tendencies (like me), or who have a condition that I have where it's impossible to focus on one point for too long (if I read when I'm tired, my eyes start to move erratically and so the text looks like it's squirming around on the pages, so I have to close one eye and then all is usually fine). So I much prefer TNR, and find it much easier to read than Ariel.<BR/><BR/>However, for non-dyslexics, and for people with steadier eyes than mine, a non-serif font is usually clearer, which goes some way towards explaining why there's this continual disagreement about which font is the best. <BR/><BR/>Just thought you might like to know.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50939996821627578092009-02-15T03:36:00.000-05:002009-02-15T03:36:00.000-05:00"Julie, I keep meaning to tell you I love your pro..."Julie, I keep meaning to tell you I love your profile pic. Was that from Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale?"<BR/><BR/>No idea. It was on a free avatar site and it reminded me of my main in PALADIN. It's really hard to find a fantasy picture of a female who isn't wearing a plate bikini.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89617573615733938632009-02-15T03:13:00.000-05:002009-02-15T03:13:00.000-05:00I write in TNR 10-point, because my eyes haven't d...I write in TNR 10-point, because my eyes haven't died yet and I like to see as much of the text at once as possible. But I always, always send in TNR 12-point (unless something else is requested for some reason).<BR/><BR/>I never like seeing my work in Courier. Fixed-width fonts always feel so... screenplay. The novels I read aren't in fixed-width, why should my manuscript be, you know?<BR/><BR/>Julie, I keep meaning to tell you I love your profile pic. Was that from Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale?Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19107678282384244172009-02-15T03:01:00.000-05:002009-02-15T03:01:00.000-05:00Janet, I'll confess here, the bantering with you r...Janet, I'll confess here, the bantering with you really did set me at ease. I was nervous going up there and wondered if I had lost my mind.<BR/><BR/>That first, "Julie Weathers! She who..." completely erased all my misgivings.<BR/><BR/>Lisa Norman caught Donald Maass in an elevator and smiled brightly. "Hmmm, here I have you trapped in an elevator and no book to pitch."<BR/><BR/>He growled at her and they laughed.<BR/><BR/>It was an extraordinary event.<BR/><BR/>I really am glad to hear you liked my query letter. I studied your archives as well as several others to try and get a handle on it. The blogs you agents put together do make a difference.<BR/><BR/>JulieJulie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16073460579452076712009-02-15T02:52:00.000-05:002009-02-15T02:52:00.000-05:00I didn't think you were rude at all. I just wanted...I didn't think you were rude at all. I just wanted to meet you cause I liked your query letter and you are a cowgirl.<BR/><BR/>And I was right, I do like you.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1057253103914838612009-02-15T02:46:00.000-05:002009-02-15T02:46:00.000-05:00T. Anne,I went to Surrey to gain some knowledge ab...T. Anne,<BR/><BR/>I went to Surrey to gain some knowledge about writing. I didn't even plan to pitch at first, but KC said, "What do you have to lose?"<BR/><BR/>I responded, "My pride, my dignity, my lunch?"<BR/><BR/>Even after I set up the appointments, I had no hopes of anything coming from them. I decided just to be myself and have fun.<BR/><BR/>I think that is the whole secret of a good conference. Be yourself and have fun. Learn what you can and apply it.<BR/><BR/>And, Janet will deny this, but she really is a sweetheart. Her impersonating Rachel Vater was hilarious.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84554003993949844812009-02-15T02:34:00.000-05:002009-02-15T02:34:00.000-05:00BJ, I heard a lot of good things about the class a...BJ, I heard a lot of good things about the class and I really am sorry I missed it. Several friends were in there and they let me know I screwed up.<BR/><BR/>I think an A+ is something to be very proud of. I did need that class, as queries are hard for me, but it was a case of how to be the least rude.<BR/><BR/>JulieJulie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32644661161465673272009-02-15T01:29:00.000-05:002009-02-15T01:29:00.000-05:00Julie, Sounds like you came out on top. G...Julie, <BR/> Sounds like you came out on top. Good luck to you! BTW, good boots, a nice hat and a lil' bit of begging never hurt anything either. Godspeed.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84678894171914981432009-02-15T01:21:00.000-05:002009-02-15T01:21:00.000-05:00Note to self: When pitching at Surrey, wear denim....Note to self: When pitching at Surrey, wear denim. You get noticed, and if you spill water all over yourself, it will dry faster.<BR/><BR/>I remember Janet looking for you in the master class, Julie. All I could think was, 'I wish there were an agent who would miss me.' I think you had a lot of folks in the class wishing they were you. I'm sure there were a few thinking they should turn their name tags around and pretend to be you. Not me, of course. By the time we got to you, I'd already had to say who I was. Lucky me, I was the (very nervous) first customer. But I can proudly say that I was the first victim of Janet's class, and I survived! (with an A+, which I am also very proud of!)BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88458680148868650432009-02-15T00:38:00.000-05:002009-02-15T00:38:00.000-05:00"Suddenly, I'm wishing I was a "cowgirl from Surre..."Suddenly, I'm wishing I was a "cowgirl from Surrey" whatever that might be."<BR/><BR/>I met Janet at the Surrey IWC in October. I signed up for her query writing master class, but on a whim, I also submitted a bit to Jack Whyte's master class.<BR/><BR/>I was really torn about what to do, but since Jack's class was very limited, I knew I would be noticed if I didn't show. I assumed Janet would never notice I was missing and would just toss my query.<BR/><BR/>Ummm, yeah. That worked out well. <BR/><BR/>She noticed.<BR/><BR/>She did forgive me after I begged on bended knee and later asked me to send pages.<BR/><BR/>As for the cowgirl part. I decided to just be myself and be comfortable, so I showed up in hat, boots and jeans. No one tossed me out at least. Paul Stevens commented about horses when I pitched to him.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72796648495536555222009-02-15T00:27:00.000-05:002009-02-15T00:27:00.000-05:00Marjorie, I am so sorry.It's really hard to tell w...Marjorie, I am so sorry.<BR/><BR/>It's really hard to tell when someone is joking or not via the written word. <BR/><BR/>Frankly, after following agent comments for a while, nothing surprises me. Some of the things people do and send are amazing. Just when you think it can't get worse, someone posts about something else that tops the list.<BR/><BR/>Someone said recently they had to treat all queries seriously as they never know when a person is sending a prank query or not.<BR/><BR/>Sorry the show didn't go well. Hopefully, it will pick up.<BR/><BR/>JulieJulie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69160953535541614742009-02-15T00:17:00.000-05:002009-02-15T00:17:00.000-05:00You are willing to read 100 pages in TNR? Bless y...You are willing to read 100 pages in TNR? Bless you, for you are a paragon among agents! In my book, that's almost six complete chapters.<BR/><BR/>*Sigh* If only you did YA fantasy...tbroszhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12123163403101344169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66050631381616905042009-02-14T23:42:00.000-05:002009-02-14T23:42:00.000-05:00I prefer to write my novels in arial 16 font parti...I prefer to write my novels in arial 16 font partially because I'm blind as a bat and the font appeals to me. However, I gladly convert to TNR whenever I send out partials. I just sent one via email and one paper copy last week. I couldn't help scoffing over and over about the paper copy. Probably because I had to get out of my PJ's and venture out in the world on a rainy day, but really, isn't email almost always better?<BR/><BR/><BR/>Suddenly, I'm wishing I was a "cowgirl from Surrey" whatever that might be.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.com