Search found 33 matches

by writermorris
April 18th, 2011, 3:18 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: THE WIND CRIES MARY YA Modern historical
Replies: 10
Views: 4502

Re: THE WIND CRIES MARY YA Modern historical

First, I want to say that this sounds like a book I would want to read. And I guess that is the most important thing a query can do. But here are my suggestions to sharpen it: I am approaching you to represent my YA road-trip/ drama THE WIND CRIES MARY because I read that you are drawn to novels tha...
by writermorris
April 8th, 2011, 9:21 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Treasure
Replies: 2
Views: 1848

Re: Treasure

#1 - Careful of typos. You've got quite a few of them. Typo notes are in red. #2 - You've got a lot of work to do on the substance of the query as well. The writing is careless and that wouldn't bode well for how well written the manuscript might be. Sorry to be harsh, but better to get the work do...
by writermorris
April 8th, 2011, 9:10 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query - FLIGHT - magic realism (revised)
Replies: 3
Views: 1924

Query - FLIGHT - magic realism (revised)

UPDATED AS OF 3PM EST ON TUESDAY, APRIL 18 Dear AGENT, When Maria Black experiences intense change, she grows sick and feverish until her body erupts in flames. From the fire that consumes her, a bird rises, takes flight, and returns to her human form. Her father’s death, losing her virginity, even...
by writermorris
April 8th, 2011, 9:01 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Forgotten Gods Query (Yikes-- Again!)
Replies: 4
Views: 2798

Re: Forgotten Gods Query (Yikes-- Again!)

I agree with a lot of the word-choice level edits suggested above. In general, I think you should comb each sentence and question "can I say the same thing while cutting any given word?" My best example is that you can cut "Desperate" from the second sentence without losing anyth...
by writermorris
April 5th, 2011, 11:32 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query - UTOPIA UNRAVELING - edited
Replies: 5
Views: 2364

Re: Query - UTOPIA UNRAVELING - edited

I agree with all of the suggestions posted above. So as not to repeat, the one I will add is that I feel that "botched attempt at lovers' vengeance" is both too vague and too strange to work. What did she do?
by writermorris
October 2nd, 2010, 6:00 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: query: flight - REVISED and READY TO SEND
Replies: 8
Views: 3751

Re: query: flight - REVISED

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I'm working on what is hopefully the final draft of FLIGHT and will then post a revised query. I'm having a difficult time balancing between providing enough detail to give a taste of my style and the story with keeping the summary short. I know I am not alone here....
by writermorris
October 1st, 2010, 10:50 am
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: What's your favorite song that tells a story?
Replies: 58
Views: 28912

Re: What's your favorite song that tells a story?

We studied She Thinks His Name Was John by Reba McEntire in middle school to learn about ballad poetry, so that came to mind first. But my favorite must be Dar Williams' The Babysitter's Here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pr5QE2Le6Q. And Jaime... is it amazing or embarrassing that my wedding son...
by writermorris
August 27th, 2010, 1:41 pm
Forum: Connect With a Critique Partner
Topic: critique partner for literary/paranormal manuscript
Replies: 1
Views: 1933

critique partner for literary/paranormal manuscript

If you are interested in swapping, I am looking for a beta for my WIP. My manuscripts is a 74,000 literary novel with a paranormal bent. I'm on my fifth draft and have already had one beta. The best way to describe it would be with my two paragraph synopsis... When Maria Black experiences intense ch...
by writermorris
August 27th, 2010, 1:38 pm
Forum: Connect With a Critique Partner
Topic: Urban Fantasy Female Reader 20-40 yrs old
Replies: 2
Views: 2291

Re: Urban Fantasy Female Reader 20-40 yrs old

Hi amyashley, If you are interested in swapping, I am looking for a beta as well. This is my first novel but I have been a published columnist and a I write nonfiction reports for a living. Pretty efficient at writing and editing. My manuscripts is a 74,000 literary novel with a paranormal bent. I'm...
by writermorris
August 5th, 2010, 7:16 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Share your opening sentence!
Replies: 236
Views: 86076

Re: Share your opening sentence!

From my WIP:

Maria had successfully been normal for 2,477 days.
by writermorris
July 21st, 2010, 9:53 am
Forum: Writing
Topic: Can you suggest good books with multiple POVs?
Replies: 9
Views: 3998

Can you suggest good books with multiple POVs?

I'm looking for a very specific kind of multiple POV book: one with really fluid changes in who "holds the camera." I've read plenty of books where the perspective shifts from one chapter to another or where perspective shifts are marked by breaks in the text. This is not what I am looking...
by writermorris
July 16th, 2010, 2:31 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Suggestions for Macro-level Edits
Replies: 6
Views: 2486

Suggestions for Macro-level Edits

Hi guys,

I'm trying to look at the structure of my WIP... chapter breaks, scene length and purpose, flow. Anyone have suggestions or tools for how to do this? I feel like it is so large and I am so close that I can't see properly.

Thanks,
by writermorris
June 26th, 2010, 11:55 am
Forum: Procrastination
Topic: Forum game: Random facts about you
Replies: 123
Views: 57837

Re: Forum game: Random facts about you

Too much fun and too procrastinate-y. I love it. Never saw Jaws. But I am scared of aquariums. I know, this makes no sense. I like fish, I like water, I like glass. You put fish in water inside glass and I get the worst case of the willies. And I get wicked heart palpitations and freak out if my fee...
by writermorris
June 18th, 2010, 6:14 pm
Forum: Nominate Your Query or First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Topic: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Replies: 720
Views: 451463

Re: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog

Title: FLIGHT Genre: Literary Fabulism WC: 237 Maria had successfully been normal for 2,477 days. Since the night of her second date with Joe. She was good at it and no one knew how much of a challenge each day once was. Wake up. Go to work. Chatter at the water cooler. Subway home. Make dinner. Wat...
by writermorris
June 18th, 2010, 6:07 pm
Forum: Nominate Your Query or First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Topic: Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog
Replies: 213
Views: 183290

Re: Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog

Dear Mr. AGENT, When Maria Black experiences intense changes in her life, she grows sick and feverish until she bursts into flames. From the fire that consumes her body, a bird rises, takes flight, and returns to human form. For the last 2,477 days, she has done everything in her power to avoid chan...