tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4559713891199044740..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Why writing your query like a dust jacket isn't always sound advice.Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62693972561815350672015-12-12T14:27:54.966-05:002015-12-12T14:27:54.966-05:00The kids will definitely be the highlight. I used ...The kids will definitely be the highlight. I used to take the boys every weekend and they loved visiting with the elders. Will was about three at the time and went from one lap to the next.<br /><br />We were in pretty desperate straits at the time and I wanted to do something to focus outward. It was good for the boys and the elders. I finally had to stop because people they grew very attached to died and it was too stressful on them. I wish I had some pictures of them. All those happy smiles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18563227875033845772015-12-12T13:57:07.273-05:002015-12-12T13:57:07.273-05:00The seniors do love kids! I'm sure they'd ...The seniors do love kids! I'm sure they'd like the cookies, but I think the young deliverers will be the highlight. :)<br /><br />It was so much fun yesterday. Sometimes, our audience will get right into the music. Others just sit there quietly, but if you talk to them afterwards, they gush. They're always so appreciative - it's just a joy to sing for them.<br /><br />These choir tours are the highlight of my Christmas season. :)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84724351400177798802015-12-12T13:42:56.896-05:002015-12-12T13:42:56.896-05:00BJ,
I love what you're doing for seniors. Goo...BJ,<br /><br />I love what you're doing for seniors. Good for you. I hope you get an extra nice star in your crown. <br /><br />A group comes to the VA home in Miles City, MT once a month for sing alongs and the guys really look forward to it.<br /><br />I've been thinking about finding a senior home here and seeing if they would let me bring in some bakery bought gingerbread men or something. I'd like the grandkids to go with to pass them out. They love kids. <br /><br />We'll see. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9110254866559683962015-12-12T09:20:23.042-05:002015-12-12T09:20:23.042-05:00Duchess, if the anti-hero's POV isn't domi...Duchess, if the anti-hero's POV isn't dominant, writing the query as if he were the main POV is bad idea. It'll mislead anyone reading the query to imagine the manuscript is going to be his POV, so agents liking that idea will be disappointed, and agents who want what you actually have may pass.<br /><br />"Our Heroine wonders why X is happening, but she must stop it because of Y."<br /><br />This doesn't work for me because the heroine is wondering, and that's so very passive. Try reconstructing it like this: When [bad thing happens], Heroine must [do something active] or [worse thing happens].<br /><br />The 'do something active' can be stopping something from happening as long as it's active, not just thinking, wondering, learning, or realizing. Anything that can be done from a fainting couch doesn't count as active.<br /><br />It doesn't matter if she doesn't initially realize that anti-hero is trying to save the world. Maybe that could be hinted at in the stakes, but keep the main focus on one character (heroine), her obstacle, and her stakes.Jenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11652680551107638557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86331978896325294722015-12-12T08:06:47.986-05:002015-12-12T08:06:47.986-05:00Hard to sub a query letter to Query Shark when I h...Hard to sub a query letter to Query Shark when I have no idea how to write the darn thing.<br /><br />Fortunately for me, the Woodland Creatures are experienced in what makes a query letter tick. That's what I was looking for.<br /><br />I think a few of them may have just given me the clues I need to try this again.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38726416917186004992015-12-11T06:17:10.815-05:002015-12-11T06:17:10.815-05:00Another flash fiction contest will put me in the h...Another flash fiction contest will put me in the hospital! John, you done yanked on the shark's tail. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-92107832799129204382015-12-11T03:42:47.179-05:002015-12-11T03:42:47.179-05:00Oh, John.
*shakes head sadly*
It's a damn go...Oh, John.<br /><br />*shakes head sadly*<br /><br />It's a damn good thing we like you in spite of . . . all this.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14836146291322550342015-12-11T03:06:31.625-05:002015-12-11T03:06:31.625-05:00John...welcome back, you were missed. Now, for the...John...welcome back, you were missed. Now, for the love of all that is holy, stop encouraging her to make things difficult.<br /><br />Some people's kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36378131610120030642015-12-11T02:28:07.016-05:002015-12-11T02:28:07.016-05:00Boy are you gonna be surprised this morning John F...Boy are you gonna be surprised this morning John Frain!Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76292745224904835402015-12-11T01:44:18.547-05:002015-12-11T01:44:18.547-05:00Makes me wonder if QueryShark has ever tried a blo...Makes me wonder if QueryShark has ever tried a blog reader with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.<br /><br />Also, just in case I wake up to a flash contest, I'd like to invoke the name of Mark Twain who never said "Janet Reid's flash fiction contests are easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words."John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61762323551958680212015-12-11T01:05:41.342-05:002015-12-11T01:05:41.342-05:00I'm not going to answer query letter structure...I'm not going to answer query letter structure questions here.<br />That's what QueryShark is for.<br /><br />QueryShark loves blog readers. <br />They're VERY tasty.<br /><br />Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5227950946314059772015-12-10T23:41:03.887-05:002015-12-10T23:41:03.887-05:00Your Grace, if I may . . . are you saying that if ...Your Grace, if I may . . . are you saying that if the Anti-Hero loses, the universe dies? Or is he deluded in that belief? Because saving the world is sort of a heroic thing to do. Usually. Are you sure he's the Anti-Hero? Who wins this battle? And why?<br /><br />Sounds like you've set up your Heroine with a negative goal-- that is, she wants to stop something rather than wanting to make something happen. That's hard to pull off. Really hard. We want to root for a character who actively wants something. Look at your story again and see whether there's something she WANTS (other than normality). What makes her keep trying in spite of opposition? What prompts her to fight when things get tough? What makes her want to win? Is she defending someone or something other than "normal?" I suspect you know the answers to all this, you just haven't put it into words yet. Then again . . . if she wins, does that mean the universe dies? Because that sort of makes her the antagonist. That would be a really interesting story too. Kind of like Macbeth on the scale of interesting.<br /><br />Find the point in the story at which your Heroine sits up and says, "Oh, hell no, this is not okay. I need to DO something about this." That's where you'll find her motivation and conflict. Hint: It won't be about passively yearning for a normal life. The hero's (heroine's) journey begins with "normal" and ends with "return to normal, only different." Story is all about the conflict and struggle that happens in between.<br /><br /><br /><br />[And I've now gone waaaay over my comment-word allotment for the week. I'm considering it an early birthday present to myself. See you all next week!]<br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20118425499474165422015-12-10T23:28:34.359-05:002015-12-10T23:28:34.359-05:00A dust jacket entices a reader to read on using te...A dust jacket entices a reader to read on using testimonials/blurbs from authors readers may have heard of and establishing that the novel is the kind of novel that they like to read.--<br /><br />Unfortunately, and I may one day regret these words, I don't read the blurbs even by friends and authors I respect. I want to know what the book is about not what someone said probably as a favor to someone else to get a blurb for their own book.<br /><br />Blurbs irritate the pee waddling out of me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10548324034411428562015-12-10T22:44:41.127-05:002015-12-10T22:44:41.127-05:00Your grace, some thoughts on your query:
The way ...Your grace, some thoughts on your query:<br /><br />The way you have it here, it sounds like the Heroine is only reacting, not acting. The reader of your query needs to know what she's actively doing.<br /><br />I think you need to include the Anti-Hero's reasons in your query - though you don't necessarily have to tell us who he is.<br /><br />I think your query would involve:<br /><br />1. Our Heroine<br />2. Wants to stop the interfering jerk but can't because<br />3. the interfering jerk is trying to save the universe<br />4. If she stops the interfering jerk, maybe she'll have her ordinary life... or maybe the universe will end.<br /><br />You don't have to give all your secrets, but it seems to me the major conflict will wind up being Our Heroine's wish for an ordinary life versus the end of the universe.<br /><br />This isn't meant to be your 'new query', but maybe it will help you see your query in a different light.<br /><br />Megan V: Thank you! I'm sure going to try. :)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50999882311845666132015-12-10T21:49:53.177-05:002015-12-10T21:49:53.177-05:001. Lucie, it's already Friday here. Hallelujah...1. Lucie, it's already Friday here. Hallelujah.<br />2. Colin, you crack me up. I wish I could write flash like you.<br />3. Your Sharkness, you're driving me nuts because...<br /><br />I've been beating my head against the wall over a next-project query for the past six months while I wait on a previous WUS. I just can't get the query right. I've been workshopping it and getting feedback, most of which says, "It ain't working."<br /><br />I confess I've been aiming my query to sound like jacket copy (after all, this is a Fantasy novel), but I'm wondering if I'm approaching it all wrong. I've been trying to construct my query based on the textual plot structure of "Our Heroine wonders why X is happening, but she must stop it because of Y." This mystery structure is serving the novel well, but is falling down miserably in the query.<br /><br />Am wondering if I should approach it more from "Our Anti-Hero is making X happen because of Z. He just needs to overcome Y. If he doesn't, the universe will die."<br /><br />My problem with that is that the anti-hero's journey is all subtext for the novel, only coming out in the last chapter. If I take this path, I feel like I'm pitching with spoilers, which is generally a no-no.<br /><br />However, when I look at the general structure for a good query and apply the plotline of the novel:<br />1. Our Heroine<br />2. Wants a normal life but can't because<br />3. someone is interfering.<br />4. If she doesn't stop him from interfering, she'll never have a normal life.<br /><br />And that's dull. That's why my query is failing. No silk purse from this sow's ear.<br /><br />My question is, would it be a bad thing if I pitched the query from the catalytic anti-hero's storyline, even though we never get to see his POV until the end? I wouldn't want to entice an agent on his story then have her wonder why his POV is absent in the ms, though the anti-hero's hand is very much present in Our Heroine's POV.<br />Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79036529714076310752015-12-10T20:09:12.746-05:002015-12-10T20:09:12.746-05:00Missing in that example are a specific antagonist ...Missing in that example are a specific antagonist ("the Nazis" is too vague), why Stahl wants to make the movie, what's at stake for him if he fails, what he's willing to sacrifice to succeed. Basically, conflict. The way it reads, Stahl might be so horrified by the entire situation and daunted by being attacked that he just says "to hell with this" and goes home. Makes some other movie.<br /><br />Story is conflict. If you as a writer can't tell me (an average reader) what your protagonist wants, what he'll lose if he fails, what he's willing to do to succeed, who is stopping him and what they want and the consequences of <i>their</i> failure -- that tells me you don't understand conflict and story structure and probably your novel is lacking the framework to make it compelling. I imagine it tells an agent the same thing. <br /><br />From what I've heard (for whatever that's worth), agents will often take a query and use it either in whole or part to make their pitch to editors, who in turn send that to marketing and PR, who in turn use it as copy for enticing bookstore buyers. And whoever else in is the long chain before it gets to readers. Those people are too busy to read your entire book before they make decisions. What you write in a query could very well have far-reaching consequences, way beyond whether it lands you an agent. You're the writer. Wouldn't you rather be the one who writes that copy? <br /><br />And I agree, many of the descriptions over at Amazon are far more similar to queries than a lot of dust jackets are. Depending on genre and author fame.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45463371110421207702015-12-10T19:43:48.916-05:002015-12-10T19:43:48.916-05:00BJ—That sounds lovely! Hope your day is brightened...BJ—That sounds lovely! Hope your day is brightened as you sing. <br /><br />Re: The Original Post<br /><br />I think the key differences between a query and a dust-jacket are target audience and method of reaching that audience. <br /><br />A query entices agents, editor, and readers to read on, using the story itself to shout READ ME. <br /><br />A dust jacket entices a reader to read on using testimonials/blurbs from authors readers may have heard of and establishing that the novel is the kind of novel that they like to read. <br /><br />Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91437433501181703622015-12-10T17:56:07.011-05:002015-12-10T17:56:07.011-05:00Welcome back John Frain! *waves*
Unless something...Welcome back John Frain! *waves*<br /><br />Unless something really, really odd happens tomorrow, I won't be here. Which is the only part of tomorrow that makes me sad. Because I'll be happily singing in seniors' and care homes, hopefully brightening up their day with Christmas music. We have 7 performances out of town tomorrow, and we'll be on the road from 7:30 am to 10 pm (that's not counting me getting to and from the tour bus by city transit).<br /><br />So I'll be late reading tomorrow's post. I look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday.<br /><br />Have a great Friday, everyone!BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29152364014682963502015-12-10T17:54:32.493-05:002015-12-10T17:54:32.493-05:00PS: To embiggen the text size, press your Control ...PS: To embiggen the text size, press your Control or Command key, then the plus sign - it's easy to do and doesn't involve changing anything globally.Bonnie Shaljeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13067442140631504611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38773715163046743172015-12-10T17:50:48.561-05:002015-12-10T17:50:48.561-05:00That Furst book is brilliant - I bought it as well...That Furst book is brilliant - I bought it as well as another of his. And where did I hear about them? On the royal Facebook page. Better than queries and flap copy combined. And you get pictures too... Bonnie Shaljeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13067442140631504611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24623451878755032642015-12-10T17:07:36.905-05:002015-12-10T17:07:36.905-05:00Well, in my writing career I've been rejected ...Well, in my writing career I've been rejected by the best (JR once stopped reading and passed on the 25th word of my query). No sour grapes; that's how we learn.<br /><br />So, with guidance from her CrimeBake 2015 workshop outline, I followed the formula for my new WIP, distilling it down to 131 words. When I start querying this novel in the new year, we'll see if the proof (like the truth)is out there. <br /><br />As always, thanks JR for giving us nuggets of wisdom to ponder. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714778117954527535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56727713142548957042015-12-10T16:32:37.490-05:002015-12-10T16:32:37.490-05:00What a day this has been. I thought I posted a com...What a day this has been. I thought I posted a comment, but apparently the dragon ate it again. I think the gnomes fed it to him. The problem with gnomes is they have gnomercy on writers when it comes to feeding words to dragons. Food for thought isn't the same as food for dragons, but try explaining that to a gnome.<br /><br />Anyway. YES! Laurie McLean brought this same thing up in her master class on pitches and queries. Jacket copy doesn't necessarily make a good query examples. The blurb in places like Amazon about a book is often better. Sometimes those blurbs are the same as the jacket copy, but not always.<br /><br />The jacket copy for GAME OF THRONES was so boring and generic, I wouldn't have bought the book based on it. A friend highly recommended it, so I decided to try it.<br /><br />I usually pick up a book, read the first few pages, random interior pages, and something close to the end. I loved the GoT prologue and couldn't wait to see what happens to the characters and they were throw away characters.<br /><br />Diana Gabaldon writes her own jacket copy to get something she feels is enticing.<br /><br />When agents say, "Write a query like jacket copy." it doesn't trigger quite the image they think it will. I doubt many agents would appreciate it if I sent them a query with:<br /><br />"Weathers breathes life into a menagerie of historical characters you only thought you knew!"<br /><br />"An unusual tale of spies, lies, and southern humor set against the backdrop of the Civil War! A must read."<br /><br />"If you like your history spiced with a dash of romance and a lot of derring do, this is the book for you."<br /><br />Really. Look at the books in your bookcase. Probably half or more have nothing but blurbs from authors and reviewers that tell you almost nothing about the book. I paraphrased those off some actual book blurbs. <br /><br />Just thinking about this makes my head hurt. I need a Shiner Bock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34326484166410470052015-12-10T15:02:05.465-05:002015-12-10T15:02:05.465-05:00The AT&T tech dude finally restored my Interne...The AT&T tech dude finally restored my Internet, and just in time for Colin's flash! Exquisite. The timing and the entry.<br /><br />I'd been having to use one of my branch offices (you might know it by its other name: the library) since Sunday just to see contest results and read the blog. Grrr.<br /><br />Admitting that this dust jacket doesn't work as a query, here are two things I love about how it breaks rules still.<br /><br />1) It uses a wee bit of passive voice, and <br />2) It includes an 82-word sentence! Yowza.<br /><br />I only bring those up to say that they have their place. Just like telling versus showing has its place. Most parts of your narrative work better as a scene, but sometimes you'll have good logic for telling over showing.<br /><br />Oh, it feels good to be back in the neighborhood. Hi, everybody.<br />John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32916010271103409922015-12-10T12:53:06.562-05:002015-12-10T12:53:06.562-05:00Colin,
Italics are the new heroin.
sorry—emdashes....Colin,<br />Italics are the new heroin.<br />sorry—emdashes...ellipses and exclamation points! Kreggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07229620504046221727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83744148516879890772015-12-10T11:27:17.098-05:002015-12-10T11:27:17.098-05:00I have nothing else to say on the topic, but I'...I have nothing else to say on the topic, but I'm in the mood for some flash. So...<br /><br />100 Words<br />5 Mandatory Words: back, copy, dust, jacket, flap<br /><br />"Johnny’s back." Silence filled the room. Captain Oversight let the dust settle. "That's the word. He works incognito, but the signs are there."<br /><br />Oversight acknowledged the flapping hand.<br /><br />"Who's Johnny?"<br /><br />Oversight smiled. "You're new to Literary Police, Tim, so I'll give you a break. Johnny Angle. He uses italics."<br /><br />Tim frowned. <br /><br />"Italics may be small-time drugs to you, boy"—Oversight threw off his jacket—"but people copy Johnny. And then it's not just words. Sentences. Paragraphs. Hell, whole chapters in that evil slanty text!"<br /><br />Tim's frown deepened. "We chase after italics pushers?" <i>Really?</i><br /><br />All eyes fell on Tim.<br /><br /><i>Crap.</i><br /><br />:) <br />Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com