No, not with my husband. Okay, well, yes with my husband...but that's not the point.
I'm in love with the Query Shark. Most of you have already heard of her, I'm sure, but for those that haven't, QS (aka Janet Reid) is awesome. Her blog is full of great information through the posting of hundreds of query letters. A few are awesome and have gotten it right from the very start; most, however, are not.
Through each letter she gives wonderful advice, telling the author how to fix what's wrong and, more importantly, why it's wrong. She isn't just being a class-A you-know-what. Her only job is to help those of us working on query letters to get stronger. Oh and she's funny while doing it.
Here's a great tip:
There's a simple way to figure out what goes in the first paragraph of a query.
1. What is your main character's name?
2. What problem/choice does the character face? (20 words or fewer)
3. Who wants to foil the main character's plan and why? (20 words or fewer)
These three questions are the blueprint of your query. You don't write the answers and send it as a query any more than a real estate agent posts blueprints instead of photographs of a house for sale.
You USE these questions to guide you on what to include (action/plot) and what not to include (description/character list)
Think of it as a writing exercise. Answer each of these questions. Use as many words as you need, then pare down to 20.
Another point Janet says: do NOT write a QL from the POV of your character. Most agents see this as a gimmick, and they aren't interested in gimmicks. They are interested in your book.
And lastly she say, "The SOLE purpose of the query is to get me to read your book." If you can write a QL that leaves 'em wanting more, you've done it! Plain and simple, right?
Yeah, not so much. :)
I'm in love with the Query Shark. Most of you have already heard of her, I'm sure, but for those that haven't, QS (aka Janet Reid) is awesome. Her blog is full of great information through the posting of hundreds of query letters. A few are awesome and have gotten it right from the very start; most, however, are not.
Through each letter she gives wonderful advice, telling the author how to fix what's wrong and, more importantly, why it's wrong. She isn't just being a class-A you-know-what. Her only job is to help those of us working on query letters to get stronger. Oh and she's funny while doing it.
Here's a great tip:
There's a simple way to figure out what goes in the first paragraph of a query.
1. What is your main character's name?
2. What problem/choice does the character face? (20 words or fewer)
3. Who wants to foil the main character's plan and why? (20 words or fewer)
These three questions are the blueprint of your query. You don't write the answers and send it as a query any more than a real estate agent posts blueprints instead of photographs of a house for sale.
You USE these questions to guide you on what to include (action/plot) and what not to include (description/character list)
Think of it as a writing exercise. Answer each of these questions. Use as many words as you need, then pare down to 20.
Another point Janet says: do NOT write a QL from the POV of your character. Most agents see this as a gimmick, and they aren't interested in gimmicks. They are interested in your book.
And lastly she say, "The SOLE purpose of the query is to get me to read your book." If you can write a QL that leaves 'em wanting more, you've done it! Plain and simple, right?
Yeah, not so much. :)
4 comments:
An excellent post, Marcie, with solid advice. And who said it wasn't possible to fall in love with a shark?
Michelle
I love queryshark too! I spent at least two weeks reading all 200+ posts. Great info!
It really is plain and simple, Marcie. Excellent post.
My friend Michelle Fayard, who interviewed me a few weeks ago when I was on my blog tour for my first published memoir, said I might like to meet you, and vice versa. So I cam over.
I hope you don't mind my saying this, but if you could darken your text to black it would be much easier to read, especially for my aging (I'm 71) eyes.
I love your family picture. I love it when bloggers post family pictures. I'm very focused on family, too. Family is everything!
Ann Best, Author of In the Memoir, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
I don't mind at all, Ann. In fact, I'm experimenting with backgrounds right now and have to change the color of the text depending on the background. I don't EVER mind tips, hints, critiques, etc. It only helps me. :)
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