Some Linkage to Start Your Weekend Right

There's a pretty interesting conversation going on in the comments to Bookends, LLC most recent post, "Agency Policies." The topic is pretty basic: why do agents require personalized query letters and no mass emails? But it's nice to see the thought-out and detailed explanations by agents Jessica Faust of Bookends, and Colleen Lindsay in the comments.

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In those comments above are a couple from JJDebenedictis, whom I first encountered through a quote in Writtenwyrrd's blog. From these comments, I decided to visit JJ's blog, and one of the current posts is also addressing some basics, in this case, of writing stories. She breaks down plot points (the risk of ambiguity), subtext, backstory and the over-arching idea we all hear about at one time or another, "Show, don't tell."

It all comes down to the reader's imagination.

"Show, don't tell," according to JJ, is really just giving the reader a few key details and letting them fill in the blanks, when it comes to description. In the example of the second Star Wars movie (the new second one, Attack of the Clones), the IMAX version made the movie better in terms of action and plot. Redundant scenes were cut for length, and the love story between Anakin and Padme was reduced to a few hinting glances and touches. Viewers filled in the blanks and the relationship worked.

The post is the last of five, but works all by itself, and the examples are clear and pretty useful, I find. Even if you already know the "rules," this is a handy post to read.

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Lastly, if you haven't watched "Die, Vampire, Die," I heartily suggest it. It's funny, but it speaks to that worry in many of us (writers, artists, performers)--the awful voices in our heads that say 'it isn't good enough.' The video is embedded on the blog a few posts down.

Happy weekend,happy writing,
Sabrina

Good, Solid Advice from Janet Reid and a Sort-of Addendum from Me

First, I swung by Janet Reid's blog today. She has a pop quiz for writers looking for agents. Three questions, pretty darn firmly tongue-in-cheek. Personally, the first two are easy, but the third threw me a little. I read it and thought, "None of those seem particularly good options." The question inquired as to whether it's appropriate to call a publisher for an agent's name if one couldn't find it in the dedication or acknowledgements page of a book. As Reid informs us, though, the answer is absolutely none of the above.

Never call a publisher to learn the name of an author's agent.


MY TAKE
When it comes to using an agent's name found in the acknowledgements: (all IMHO)

I have heard the advice that writers looking for agents to query can use this as a method--find books in your genre/style (for example, humorous urban fantasy) and look at the dedication and/or acknowledgements page for an agent's name. I don't think this is bad advice, but at the same time, I think it behooves the querying writer to be careful in comparing themselves to the book from which they found the agent's name. I've heard that since agents can't take on too many writers (yay economy/sarcasm), they might not want someone who points out their work is exactly like Already Acquired New Writer X.

Also, one might rethink if the published author is really well-known--if JK Rowling's agent is looking for new writers, and your work fits what they're looking for, go ahead, but then comparing yoursef to Rowling... ~shrugs~ My feeling is, go ahead and look for an agent by checking out books by writers whose work is similar to yours, but there's no need to compare yourself (general you, of course), or mention you got their name from so-and-so's book.

Anyway, my two cents, once again. (Where and when did two cents become equated with one's opinion like this? I wonder.)

Happy Monday everyone,
Sabrina

Editing Updates <3

Here's my good mood: I finished my edits. I do believe, my dearies, that 'Hounds' is ready to go out amongst agents.

Here's my less-than-good mood: That means jumping out amonst the agents, handing over my novel, and waiting for rejection.

I like to think I am knowledgable about the publishing industry (although less so about the spelling here--knowledgeable?), but at the same time, I hate rejection. I have, one can argue, led an occasionally boring life, partly to avoid rejection. But I know rejection is part of the game, as much as I want to be confident and say, "I'll get an agent with my first query sent." People like confidence, they like certainty, they like to see that you (read: me) can handle stress and not fall apart at the drop of a hat.

Well, stress is fine, good, I can deal with that. (You guys haven't met my family. Stress is daily entertainment in this house.) I love writing. I want to write for the rest of my life, to get better with every story, to make a living out of this skill and passion. I just hate rejection.

I commented on a post on Sherwood Smith's journal once, a few weeks back--the topic revolved around conversations, conventions and introverts, but it reminded me of this feeling I struggle with from time to time. I shared my example. For introverted me, stepping into a conversation is like a game of double-dutch jump rope, rocking back and forth, waiting for the right moment. Unfortunately, my "right moment" never seemed to come. I would stand there rocking, waiting, and someone else would jump in on the other side.

I don't want writing to be another missed opportunity. [And my writerly instincts scream at all the 'I' statements.] But I need to screw up the courage (a weird cliche out of context), and just do it. Query is ready, book is done and edited, and there's an excel sheet with a good number of agents and their requirements listed, just waiting for me.

Everything waiting for me. ~cue scared kitty again~ I think I'll be okay once I start. So here I am, watching the rope as it slaps the hot pavement. Someone nearby sings a silly rhyme. I'm gonna jump...now.

Writers vs. Agents: Thunderdome!

I won't claim to have read every queryfail or agentfail post, nor every post of the same ilk that seem to pervade the internet lately. I try to follow the big discussions and get the gist of things. But the writers' side of the (it isn't a debate, but perhaps "trend" works?) writer vs. agent trend has a new addition, this "Talent Killers" post by a writer of three published books.

Her basic Letter to Editors seems to blame agents for not accepting manuscripts which are considered mid-list literary fiction. Thus writers like herself don't get their mss. to editors, who then cannot publish these novels. The comments are long, but there are writers who agree, writers who disagree and a few agents who have included their two (or ten, or more) cents. Nathan Bransford has a lot to say (with humor, too, which I am enjoying--one can only wonder where the yearly agent conspiracy meetings are held, and whether they have cake), along with Colleen Lindsay and Janet Reid. The writer, Mary, specifically linked to two of them (NB and JR). Jodi Meadows, Jenny Rappaport's assistant, also commented with her own blog post.

Mary said that she wrote the post knowing it would start a flame war, or at least opposing comments. What I wonder is what she felt the benefit would be to post it? Many fellow writers pointed out how the post could hurt her chances of future publication. I can empathize with the frustration of not getting published, but to blame agents and then post about it bitterly (I try, when it comes to posts like this, to keep a more objective perspective, but I can't help but agree with others' comments regarding her tone)--well, it isn't something I would do (not that I am any kind of voice of authority).

Likewise, many have told her writing is a business, and she's had as much chance as anyone. [I know I was going to continue that thought, but then I lost whatever I was going to say. Alack. Wait, no I remembered. She mentioned how one of her books needed an editor who will help improve/edit her book. Am I wrong in thinking [if] she referred to a publishing company editor, that those editors don't do line-by-line edits? And she also mentioned being a big attendee of writing groups, so I wonder why those groups didn't help with the smaller stuff? But that's just my random thought in response.]

My sense is that complaining online, however articulate the complaint, will not help one get published. (Although she doesn't seem very concerned about that.) My other sense is that it's too generalizing to blame a single aspect of the industry for not getting published. True, many agents may pass on a query for literary fiction, but some may take those writers on, and it's the editors and publishers who then pass. And even if one is published with a large publisher, if that book doesn't sell, there's a good chance one won't have a subsequent book pubished. Everyone is impatient for books to make it big. Just like a lot of television shows aren't getting brought back for a second or third season (all the ones I love, too), many books of various genres, including lit fiction, aren't earning out their advances or going into reprints.

Anyway, there is my one cent of opinion, with a handful of links to satisfy the curious.

I for one think agents are indredibly useful as a go-between for writers and publisjers/editors. And they are people too, with their own passions and busy lives. Just as writers must make time to write, so much agents (whose days are filled with work for the writers who are already their clients) make time to read the queries from strangers looking for a chance. Agents do the best they can, just as any writer worth the air they breath tell the best story they can.

Now I am off to bed, because I've decided to go with my brother to campus tomorrow. Apparently the lecture he has to attend is part of the Celebrate Reading Program, which they do every year to stimulate reading among middle school, high school and college students. Kate Elliot will be there, as will be Christopher Moore. Also, a few professors and students in the English Department whom I know will be performing. I am enthused (as long as there is no pre-reg, so my sister, a Moore fan, and I aren't thrown out--then we would cry ;) ).