Search found 38 matches

by SmurfHead
December 17th, 2009, 6:18 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: the secret to writing a query
Replies: 13
Views: 7434

Re: the secret to writing a query

Oh, I get what you guys are saying now. It's kind of like blacklisting adverbs and "was" verbs. True in most cases, but not always. I know a "rule": Don't tell anyone you're a first-time author. I heard that on a few message boards, and there were various reasons behind it. It's ...
by SmurfHead
December 17th, 2009, 5:30 pm
Forum: Finding An Agent
Topic: the secret to writing a query
Replies: 13
Views: 7434

Re: the secret to writing a query

I understand what you're saying about confidence. Actually, I think that could apply to a lot of things--work your butt off, put your best effort out there, and be willing to see what happens. It sounds a lot like what Diana Peterfreund said in her blog once (trying to dig up a link somewhere) that ...
by SmurfHead
December 14th, 2009, 3:24 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Naming Characters
Replies: 14
Views: 8493

Re: Naming Characters

Hmm... I've found it helpful to look at census records for popular baby names. If I'm going for a character with a more modern name, I'll pick the years surrounding their birth, but if I'd like something a bit more classic, I'll go back a few decades. Also, my next WIP has a heroine of Persian desce...
by SmurfHead
December 14th, 2009, 2:59 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Hand vs. Type
Replies: 24
Views: 9554

Re: Hand vs. Type

I know what you mean, trini. As a kid, I was always typing at school or at home. My penmanship is fine, but I really think I've been groomed to think at typing speed. But then again, my husband (who is my age) had the same experience and his typing speed is atrocious, so he's a hand-writer. I guess ...
by SmurfHead
December 14th, 2009, 2:04 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Do you have a writing routine?
Replies: 14
Views: 7260

Re: Do you have a writing routine?

I didn't used to have a writing routine. Honestly, I don't think that having one has really changed my daily word count that much, but it certainly has made my life a lot easier. I write in the morning. After a few espresso shots, I'm awake and ready to go. Ready, but not always willing. Anyway, I f...
by SmurfHead
December 14th, 2009, 1:54 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Hand vs. Type
Replies: 24
Views: 9554

Re: Hand vs. Type

I'm a typist, all the way. I do some outlining by hand, but mostly I use Scrivener so most of my outlining is done on the computer. I'm not opposed to writing by hand, but I can never quite keep up with my brain. I type a whole lot faster, so those snatches of dialogue and action don't just disappea...
by SmurfHead
December 14th, 2009, 1:48 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: Critique/Review Sites and Groups
Replies: 22
Views: 10085

Re: Critique/Review Sites and Groups

Not sure if this helps, but I've submitted an early draft of my query to Evil Editor and posted my third-ish draft in this forum. Both have been really helpful for getting fresh perspectives on the letter. As far as online reviews of the manuscript itself, I haven't availed myself to anything online...
by SmurfHead
December 13th, 2009, 4:25 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query: YA Victorian Fantasy
Replies: 8
Views: 5013

Re: Query: YA Victorian Fantasy

I don't think that your categorization is too convoluted--I really like it, actually. It's succinct and it tells you everything you need to know about the story, which I would certainly appreciate if I were reading queries all day. I'm also really enamored with your last sentence. It made me want to...
by SmurfHead
December 10th, 2009, 5:21 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Let my mistakes be your guide. QL evolution
Replies: 7
Views: 3716

Re: Let my mistakes be your guide. QL evolution

Awesome post! I really admire how candid you're being. I think it's really helpful to see how a letter has evolved throughout several drafts. I know it certainly would have made me feel better while stumbling around with the first few drafts of my query. I'm still drafting, but I thought I'd share t...
by SmurfHead
December 10th, 2009, 12:14 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: When I grow up I want to be...
Replies: 19
Views: 9395

Re: When I grow up I want to be...

Let's see... I guess the only two careers I ever really wanted was international spy or fiction writer. Really. Even after years of such fun sentiments as, "Oh, you write? But you're not even published?" and "That's a cute hobby, but don't expect to be successful at it," I'm stil...
by SmurfHead
December 10th, 2009, 12:06 pm
Forum: Writing
Topic: A question for outliners
Replies: 12
Views: 6876

Re: A question for outliners

(1) How long do you normally take to write a detailed outline? A day? A week? A month? It depends on how you look at it, I guess. From the time that a story is percolating in my brain to the time I finish the outline, it could be a month or so. But actually writing the outline is usually about a wee...
by SmurfHead
December 10th, 2009, 10:45 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: Revised Query... please help...
Replies: 14
Views: 7029

Re: Query please help...

Cool idea. Alien vampires? Sign me up! Let's hear a little more about what Connor does on his journey, though. Right now, there's a lot of TELL and I'd like to see more SHOW. I know, I know... everyone says that, but here's what I mean: Echtra means “Adventure or journey by way of magick that often ...
by SmurfHead
December 10th, 2009, 10:05 am
Forum: Queries
Topic: The Light of Epertase
Replies: 18
Views: 9840

Re: The Light of Epertase

I remember you from Evil Editor! I liked your concept then and I like it even more now with the info about the evil tentacles. Who doesn't love evil tentacles? I see you've already had some really useful feedback on this version of the letter. I agree that the first paragraph feels more like back-st...
by SmurfHead
December 9th, 2009, 6:31 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: 1st round of rejections
Replies: 16
Views: 8560

Re: 1st round of rejections

Very cool. I adore all things YA and urban fantasy/paranormal. It's like peanut butter and jelly--they go so well together! I actually find the occult themes to be really intriguing and unique. I'm seeing a lot of YA books about monsters and such (*tucks away own query about angsty werewolf girl*) b...
by SmurfHead
December 9th, 2009, 5:47 pm
Forum: Queries
Topic: Query Critique: YA Urban Fantasy
Replies: 9
Views: 5470

Re: Query Critique: YA Urban Fantasy

I guess I see what you mean, Ryan. It would be simple enough to just slice out that part of the sentence, though without it, I wonder if my insane lack of writing credits is more obvious. Or maybe I'm just being paranoid. I guess it does come from a desire to say, "I don't have writing credits,...