tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post543310242426139180..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: So, how do you get paid for your time?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20489559090968319172015-07-29T11:33:51.571-04:002015-07-29T11:33:51.571-04:00Janet,
Your post touched me in a most profound wa...Janet, <br />Your post touched me in a most profound way. Thank you. Patricia Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444149259803312730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85614712001445647782015-07-29T09:05:00.473-04:002015-07-29T09:05:00.473-04:00A few posts ago Janet said that specificity commun...A few posts ago Janet said that specificity communicated sincerity in praise, so I am coming out of lurkdom with a list of things I only started doing because of this blog: <br /><br />1. Made my reading list for 100 current books in my genre, to be read while I work on mine. (I have a tendency to reread old favorites)<br />2. Started writing Flash fiction, which is helping me understand what makes a story, what is essential in its telling. This is helping my article writing, too. <br />3. Writing when I can, because I know many authors really do write in-between jobs and family. I have four young kids, move every other year, and my husband is changing careers, but I can't use those as an excuse because other people have made it work. Others have made it work in far more difficult circumstances. So if I don't write, I only have myself to blame. <br />4. I have a plan to write my million words in the next three years (approx. 1000 words a day, but these won't all be fiction).<br />5. I used Query shark long before I will query. I actually write pre-first draft queries to help me focus on the main conflict and stakes, and update it as I revise the novel. <br />6. Realistic expectations - I know my first novel (or three novels) may not be publishable. This is hard. A few trunk novels does not equal failure. <br /><br />I probably could have found some of this from another source, but I am drawn to tough-love idealists. <br /><br />So, thank you, from all lurkers who are listening.<br />RachelErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510327163701754950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44752999545138877302015-07-29T07:53:50.521-04:002015-07-29T07:53:50.521-04:00How awesome! You are tremendously appreciated and ...How awesome! You are tremendously appreciated and it's great to see you are thankful back! A rewarding job, if little money. So glad you are here =)Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34929519564975073182015-07-29T04:39:37.379-04:002015-07-29T04:39:37.379-04:00I found this blog totally by accident. I was clean...I found this blog totally by accident. I was cleaning out a whole stack of old Writer's Digests and Query Shark was listed on the top 100 websites for writers. As a beach baby, I love sharks and hate queries so of course I had to check it out. I'm so glad I did.CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1600831177172826832015-07-29T00:55:26.977-04:002015-07-29T00:55:26.977-04:00Janet -
Thank you especially for your wise mentor...Janet -<br /><br />Thank you especially for your wise mentoring.<br /><br />PamPam Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535615408563055466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68723565839041023732015-07-28T23:00:54.711-04:002015-07-28T23:00:54.711-04:00I value the business savvy I'm gaining from re...I value the business savvy I'm gaining from reading this blog. I've made some smarter decisions thanks to general and specific advice I've gotten from Janet. <br /><br />When my query train comes to the end of its journey, I hope it stops at the station of an agent as good as Our Lady of Sharks.<br /><br /><br />(Curse you, Your Sharkness for not repping Fantasy Romance. I weep.)Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7756497332019569222015-07-28T22:49:04.579-04:002015-07-28T22:49:04.579-04:00I'm on vacation with my family (speaking of pr...I'm on vacation with my family (speaking of priceless), but had to chime in with a comment of thanks.<br /><br />The day I discovered Janet's blog was a Top 10 Day. It is inconceivable to me how much time you dedicate to this blog and other endeavors you undertake beyond your Recommended Daily Allowance of real job stuff.<br /><br />This blog inspires me to become a better writer. I'm sure you've received better compliments, Janet, but that's as good a compliment as I can dish out.<br /><br />Thank you. (Now back to charades, which is priceless in a whole other way.)John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87362954232978423852015-07-28T22:16:41.975-04:002015-07-28T22:16:41.975-04:00And so goeth my soul.
Actually, I'm coming to ...And so goeth my soul.<br />Actually, I'm coming to love KennedyCo. Unfortunately, as I do, the plots are growing more and more complex and lengthy.<br /><br />This...<br />is not a good thing.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37419846902735411872015-07-28T22:15:40.763-04:002015-07-28T22:15:40.763-04:00Colin, what I _love_ won't _SELL!_Colin, what I _love_ won't _SELL!_Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43906959165152503642015-07-28T21:36:27.635-04:002015-07-28T21:36:27.635-04:00Julie: Yeah yeah... "write what you love"...Julie: Yeah yeah... "write what you love"... blah blah blah. Just write what Janet tells you. It'll be awesome. ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14857613945368427752015-07-28T21:28:20.310-04:002015-07-28T21:28:20.310-04:00Julia, hahahaha !
I ain't no misfit.
I's...Julia, hahahaha !<br /><br />I ain't no misfit. <br />I's a misfish and proud of it. :)Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29663997089958283982015-07-28T21:18:31.016-04:002015-07-28T21:18:31.016-04:00@2N - I ain't no misfish.
And then all of my ...@2N - I ain't no misfish.<br /><br />And then all of my great follow-ups came out wrong:<br />I's a Mr. Fish.<br />I's a Mr. Shark.<br />I's a Mrs. Shark.<br />I's a Mrs. Whale.<br /><br />So I give up.<br /><br />Nighty-night.<br /><br />And to Julie: Devil Dogs are yummy.<br /><br />That is all.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83178864437737602062015-07-28T20:51:55.006-04:002015-07-28T20:51:55.006-04:0080 comments in, 9 at night, I am sorry but I have ...80 comments in, 9 at night, I am sorry but I have no time to read everyone's wonderful words. To bed early tonight and out early tomorrow...again. Ugh. <br />I have to chime in.<br /><br />Janet, I have been around these parts for a long, long, and long time. When I say these parts, I mean writing, learning and reading blogs about what it is we do. You, my dear, stand out because of what YOU do. Not only do you not get paid for your time but you hand out, to all of us, every single day, freebies, that make the difference in our careers and dreams of careers. All the accolades your way, some may say, is us sucking up. <br />IT.<br />IS.<br />NOT.<br />For many of us, you are our lifeline. It is to you we go when we need answers because of the trust you have shown us, the honesty you hand out and the humor you allow us to express when we highjack this blog and go sooooo off topic.<br /><br />When the day comes, and you swim up to the pearly gates, they won't ask you how many books you took on that made money, how many authors did you make famous. They will ask you, how many people with dreams of success, how many folks with a passion for words and a love for communication did you help and guide along the way? <br />Your answer will be "...all the ones I didn't chump on and spit out".<br /> <br />They will let you in with resounding cheers from us, your school of 'misfish'.<br /> Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79557836573525354382015-07-28T20:09:06.889-04:002015-07-28T20:09:06.889-04:00Lovely, Janet, lovely. :)Lovely, Janet, lovely. :)Gingermollymarilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684318210445109786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77112476074803569162015-07-28T20:05:24.877-04:002015-07-28T20:05:24.877-04:00Ms. Janet, thank you for providing this incredible...Ms. Janet, thank you for providing this incredible blog that teaches the wee, furry creatures of the forest so much. As much as we profess our appreciation and fealty, it will be years for some of us before we truly realize the incredible value of what we learn here.<br /><br />Where else could we openly discuss dino porn, Buttonweazer genealogy, and Carkoon lima-bean monoculture? <br /><br />Thank you, thank you, thank you.Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17335923263777449916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82516653049640439972015-07-28T19:58:33.801-04:002015-07-28T19:58:33.801-04:00Criminy, I dreamed I got "the call" from...Criminy, I dreamed I got "the call" from Janet. She didn't want to talk about the fantasy or the Civil War book, but she did want to discuss the book about devil dogs. The phone kept disconnecting and I couldn't tell her I wasn't writing a book about dogs.<br /><br />She was pleasantly persistent about wanting to discuss these Marine mascots. Maybe it's a sign.<br /><br />I got nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43974365208394216952015-07-28T18:40:59.888-04:002015-07-28T18:40:59.888-04:00Among the things money can't buy - great libra...Among the things money can't buy - great libraries, sunshiney summery days, the dewy kiss of lake mist in the morning, and the ability to sit and pray one's manuscript into perfection in 36 hours.<br /><br />But.<br /><br />What money fortunately <i>can</i> buy is an awesome weekend in NYC learning how to WRITE ALL THE THINGS!<br /><br />And maybe... just maybe...<br /><br />I won't even say it. Or type it.<br /><br />Looking forward to meeting one or two of you there.<br /><br />Gosh - I'm here again. Library closes in an hour twenty. Maybe I can hide and they'll forget I'm here, although I doubt it - they all know who I am.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29671015401542264132015-07-28T18:28:17.519-04:002015-07-28T18:28:17.519-04:00Colin, I will gladly hand over the Dino Porn to Br...Colin, I will gladly hand over the Dino Porn to Brian. I hear they're hiring at the Carkoon Cineplex where they show old B&W westerns and our own Julie W. can be seen as the stunt double. I can't remember the last time I had a box of popcorn!LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64144117016355289592015-07-28T18:16:34.116-04:002015-07-28T18:16:34.116-04:00I value all the wonderful advice you give to write...I value all the wonderful advice you give to writers. Thank you, Janet. As my 16 year old would say YOU'RE A STAR! (If we ever meet in person I will give you one of her you're a star pencils. She gives them out to friends who do great things.) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697166619478748131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59744729044523922172015-07-28T18:11:54.046-04:002015-07-28T18:11:54.046-04:00Janet,
You are one classy lady! I mean it sincere...Janet,<br /><br />You are one classy lady! I mean it sincerely. I can't tell you how many times I've thought you've gone beyond what anyone would expect you to do for writers who aren't your clients. Every WIR amazes me because of the time you've spent, not only reading each comment, but responding to many of our questions. <br /><br />Each one of us here has been blessed when we found your blog. The wealth of information goes without saying, but you're probably not even aware how important this community has become for us. From my own experience, several people here have helped me with my query and have offered to be beta readers. And I know others have had similar experiences. This wouldn't have been the case if you hadn't let us go a little crazy and be ourselves.<br /><br />Time is precious, so thank you for all the time you give us. I think I can speak for everyone here and say we are grateful. <br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7419318825974900552015-07-28T17:07:25.443-04:002015-07-28T17:07:25.443-04:00Thank you for your time.Thank you for your time.Melissa Guernseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17600843092899229226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37162800380111732942015-07-28T17:05:12.401-04:002015-07-28T17:05:12.401-04:00Duly noted Julia, your Hide is Bound henceforth. I...Duly noted Julia, your Hide is Bound henceforth. In future I shall say 'well butter my parsnips I'll be darned like an old sock if I don't wish to read your fantasmagorical novel now! Marc Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14655107171881634183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87364585197625837962015-07-28T16:34:03.257-04:002015-07-28T16:34:03.257-04:00What a wonderful post.
Makes me want to dust off...What a wonderful post. <br /><br />Makes me want to dust off that thriller I've set aside and re-write it into something fabulous that will earn both of us gobs of money. Well, I can dream.<br /><br />Thank you for all the (unpaid) heavy lifting you do. I hope you continue to find it valuable. We sure do.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50924884617035813252015-07-28T16:33:50.074-04:002015-07-28T16:33:50.074-04:00Er.
OK. Well, I retract. You may darn, dang, or ot...Er.<br />OK. Well, I retract. You may darn, dang, or otherwise inoffensively attempt to toss my hide into the flames. But there it ends, Marc, there it ends.<br /><br />In other news, I taught in a school in AR once in which a parent took offense to the line in <i>some</i> book, not sure what, probably junk, but anyway, she wanted the book stricken entirely from the curriculum, or at least the words changed.<br /><br />I remember the line, if not the trashy novel, and she wished the line changed to this: "Out, darn spot!"<br /><br />I don't <i>think</i> she was successful with the school board; but, then again, I could be mistaken.<br /><br />In any case, I keep trying to remove my post, but it repeatedly lists it as the Carcharodon's post, and I seem to recall it usually listing them as mine when I try to do that. This makes me nervous, so I'm leaving it with my above retraction.<br /><br />SpongeMcBathJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52724866476389388692015-07-28T16:14:01.188-04:002015-07-28T16:14:01.188-04:00SD: In part, that's what makes me wonder about...SD: In part, that's what makes me wonder about how agents make money--especially new agents. I can't imagine they would have time to work a second job, but they don't yet have the client list to live off their 15% cut. The other part is the fact I'm incurably inquisitive. Dang my hide! ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com