Writing Wednesday
On Wednesdays I like to share bits of information that I picked up on my journey to publication and preparing to be published again. The kind of information I wish someone shared with me back then.
It’s also the first Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for the monthly meeting of the:
Insecure Writers Support Group
Purpose of the group: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Welcome to October’s IWSG! The co-hosts this month are Susan Says, Beverly Stowe McClure, Megan Morgan, Viola Fury, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Angela Wooldridge.
The Insecure Writers Support Group is having a contest!
The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free. Word count: 3000-6000 Genre: Fantasy Theme: Hero Lost.
Visit the website for submission information! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
The question of the month is: When do you know if your story is ready?
What a great question! I always start with an outline so in most cases I know what the beginning, middle and end of my stories will be, usually. Once I start writing it isn’t unusual for the direction of the story to change and for an organizer like me that can be tough. I am getting better at letting my stories tell me where they want to go. I work with an editor I trust (after one that wasn’t the best fit for me) and when she says I wouldn’t change another thing, often the 3rd draft, that’s how I know my story is finished and it’s time to create a query letter.
The Query Letter
Writing the query letter is probably my least favorite thing to write but it’s so satisfying when you end up with one that feels just right.
The letter should be no more than one page. The writing needs to be as good or better than the writing in your novel/book. It is after all how an agent and or publisher will judge if they want to read your work.
You may want to write several versions of your query letter. They should be personally tailored to each agent or publisher on your list. Have you created a list? You want to learn as much as you can about each agent. Are they looking for what you wrote? From reading their bio and reading about the other authors they represent do you get a feeling you could work with them and will they be interested in what you are selling? Are they on social media? Follow them and learn as much as you can. Do they have a dog or cat or any piece of personal information that you can identify with and use to personalize your query to them.
Don’t ever pitch them on social media. Always follow the submission guidelines found on their website to the t!
You don’t want to promise them more than you can deliver. Never say everyone will love your book, because they won’t. Start your letter with a great hook, the conflict and the resolution. An agent doesn’t want to guess where the story goes or how it ends. Don’t leave anything out. You don’t have to do long, drawn out introductions of your characters. You may just want to write a short description of the main two characters.
When it comes to your bio just include information that pertains to writing the book you are querying. What makes you the perfect person to tell this particular story? Don’t reveal too much personal information such as your age, marital status etc…
At what process in your writing do you create your query letter?
Happy writing,
Doreen
30 thoughts on “A Group for the Insecure and who loves Writing Query Letters?”
I like the quote about getting ahead by getting started. So true. The more pre-prep I do before writing, the better I do, but there is a point where I need to just start writing the story.
Here’s my October IWSG post: Top 10 Ways to know if you’re ready to share your writing
I agree, there is a time to sit down and write!
I so admire people who can publish. My friend has now published two books and is on to her third. I think the query letter would be the most difficult – I would not cope well with rejection but I suppose that is all part of writing a book. Rejection, rejection, acceptance – YAY!
I don’t think I will ever get used to the rejection. It’s awful.
I’m pretty neurotic, but not a neurotic writer. In fact, I am at my least neurotic when I write. Go figure.
You are a natural writer. I’m less neurotic when I’m writing too, just not query letters.
Rejection is my middle name. I almost thrive on it. If I haven’t been rejected at least a dozen time a week it means I didn’t try hard enough. Always great info here. I’ll be venturing into self publishing soon, not wanting to go back to my NY publishing house for the project I’m working on.
I cannot imagine anyone wanting to reject you. They are out of their minds:)
I’ve written one query letter and that was hard–as was writing the synopsis I had to send to one agent. Ugh. But necessary. It teaches you how to pitch and look at your story in a different way.
The synopsis is my second least favorite thing to write.
I have a book in me…I guess I need to just start!
You definitely have a great book in you! You are welcome to call me for a free consultation on how to get started.
Great information, Doreen!
Thank you Cathy.
Thanks. I find most publishers have advice on query letters too. It’s all handy when submitting. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
That is one of the most important things, read the submission requirements and follow them.
Yuck. Query letters. No one likes them. But on the fun side… Fantasy! Love it!
I’m starting to enjoy a little fantasy every now and then. It’s a good escape.
Great advice, Doreen. The info on query letters is excellent. I’ve written more than my share (and gotten rejections). The hard part is determining whether you’ve written a crappy query or if the story is crappy.
That’s true, it is so hard to tell. It really does involve a lot of luck.
Does anyone LIKE writing query letters? And there seems to be no consensus on what makes a good one (Though you have some great suggestions). One of these days I’m going to have to try again.
IWSG October
I really believe it is 99.9% luck!
There are so many layers to being a published author Doreen – I find your posts so interesting because they cover the whole journey – not just the “wow I wrote a book!” part.
Thank you Leanne. I always said I would pay it forward if I was lucky enough to get published.
I admire anyone who can drag all their words through this God awful process and actually get published. That’s why I am a blogger, I just have to ask ME if I am ready. lol
I like just asking me too!
Good points on when your story is done. Working with an editor is important.
It is and a lot easier when they are good!
Writing query letters isn’t nearly as much of a pain to me as writing multiple synopses of varying lengths to comply with the various requirements of different agents. I HATED doing that. Maybe that’s why I ended up self-publishing… 🙂
I hear you. I wish their was a standard submission requirement.