AgentQuery Connect

Things seem to fall into your lap just when you need them. I am eternally working on my query letter and I've just discovered AgentQueryConnect.

AgentQueryConnect has a neat feature where you post your query letter and/or your synopsis and fellow writer members critique them. Within minutes of posting my, what I thought was polished query, I had my first critique. Don't forget, I have been researching and working on this Query for months and months.

When I wrote my first manuscript, a mystery novel, I went to 'Of Dark and Stormy Nights' mystery conference, in Chicago. I had a novel critique with a published Mystery author and her words to me were, "Would you like the name of my agent?"

I then, in true newby fashion, sent off a query letter (with absolutely no idea what one was) and, to make matters worse, without a finished manuscript in place. I was near finished, I was barely edited and I knew I had plotting problems.

This time around, I have worked for four years to learn plotting, character, everything I possibly can to make this book the best I can do. I have spent the last two years, while waiting for it to perk in my head and be critiqued by others, researching all the editor/agent/writer blogs for what makes a good query/synopsis/longline, you have it. But, there is always room for improvement and my first critique on AgentQueryConnect proved that to me.

I'm off to bed now, although I literally slept most of the day today, and hope to get back to polishing my query in the morning.

LESSON TO LEARN: Do NOT send your query off first to your very favorite pick of an agent. If you do, you will be sorry five queries later when you discover that it needs to be polished more.

Query day and Madness

Now that the manuscript for Moon Tree Brothers is complete, revised, edited and it's logline is done, it is time to work on my Query letter.

First, never think your logline is done. None of these submission documents are ever "done". They are just complete until you look up the next agent and see what they like and then you can emphasis the things in your novel that "the current submitting to agent" likes.

I think that makes it a bit easier to write them. It's like having an assignment in school and knowing that the teacher is really fond of (gosh, all I can think of here is chocolate), well that would work if chocolate is in your book, so okay, you emphasis the chocolate instead of the spaghetti this time around. But, you still need an original really good synopsis, query, etc to work from.

Late last night I came up with a good way to do it. Well, I didn't http://marcussakey.com/articles_querygoround.php did. Sorry it's not linking right, just Google Marcus Sakey. One of my book loves is mystery and I have turned to Marcus Sakey to figure out this Query in simple terms. "Just the facts, Ma'am."

Summing up your newly finished beloved baby in 3-5 lines is not easy. He says to "focus on the drama and the stakes and leave out the minor characters"...themes/complications. Check out his article if this is not clear enough for you. It seemed clear at 2am. But, I am tired now, from being up that late so nothing is seemingly clear.

The point of the Query, he says, "Just show them you know how to tell a story." Now, that is simple. I have also seen it described as sitting down to tell your manuscript as a short bedtime story. After all, that is what we are selling: We are great storytellers!

That said, I love Madness. Book two , Moon Tree Madness, is going well. I may have mentioned it already but I had this great idea for a character based on Dawn French. She just seems to flow from my fingers. I usually "cast" my characters early on. Even if it is a photo from a magazine of someone I have no idea who they are, I seem to see something in their face that makes them come alive for me.

So, I'm off to finish my basic query, so that I can get back to Madness. Have a great day.

Final Step before sending out Synopsis - #5

READ THE SYNOPSIS OUT LOUD, FROM A HARD COPY PRIOR TO SENDING IT OUT!

I could leave it at that but I do not wish to be hung.

Another option is you can check its plausibility by having someone, who has not read your manuscript, read the synopsis, then tell the story back to you. Even better, have them tell it to a third party who then tells it to you and a fourth party.

What you are checking is things like:
Have you mentioned too many names for people to keep straight?
Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist?

QUESTIONS TO CHECK BY YOUR READING IT ALOUD:

1. Is my synopsis in the present tense and the third person, regardless of the tense and voice of the book itself?
2. Does the opening on my synopsis read too much like the book? Don’t forget, the same person is reading the first thirty pages of your book in the same sitting.
3. Does my synopsis read too much like a list of events? It should be like a story. Hey, it is a story! It should build suspense and give you quiet moments to recover inbetween.
4. If the reader had no information about my book other than the synopsis, would the story or argument make sense? Here is where those reading friends come in handy.
5. Does the synopsis make the book sound compelling? You definitely want that editor/agent eager to read your manuscript.
6. Does my synopsis present actual scenes from the book in glowing detail, or does it merely summarize the plot?
7. Is it clear who the protagonist is?
8. Is it clear what is at stake for the protagonist?
9. Is it clear what my protagonist wants and what is at stake for him/her.
10. Is it clear what obstacles stand in my protagonist way?
11. Does my protagonist come across as interesting, unusual person-involved in an interesting, unusual situation?
12. Have I mentioned too many characters in the synopsis? Are they each memorable?
13. Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist? Or does it merely list all of the events in the book in the order they appear?
14. Does my synopsis make the book sound just like other books currently on the market, or does it come across as original?

Plausibility issues:

1. Does my synopsis make the story I’m telling seem plausible?
2. Is there an indelible image that the reader can take away? You definitely want it memorable (in a good way).
3. Is the synopsis absolutely free of errors of any kind?
4. Does my synopsis support the image of the book I want the agent or editor to see?
5. Do I need to modify it slightly in order to match the interests of the agent/editor, while retaining the truthfulness of my book?

Fantasy land and a chart to fill out - Synopsis Part #4

I am writing an Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy and due to the fact that it is written in a non-standard world, we Fantasy writers are allowed a bit of leeway, in the synopsis, to:

o Show your world building and plot
o Description must keep interest level up
o Needs to be germane to the plot
o Involving protagonist in description keeps it interesting

That said! I am finding it helpful to fill out the answers to these points to help clarify what to include in the synopsis, as a whole.

1. What is the prime conflict for your protagonist? Show prime motivation and resolution of all conflicts
2. What are the Plot points? – summarize between them to connect. Show the primary conflicts and what is at stake for your protagonist.
3. Where are the red herrings?
4. What is main character’s good moments?
5. What is the main character's big crisis?
6. What is the story's climax? Must show ending
7. What's the hook?
8. What's the tone of the story?
9. Show Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
10. Show Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
11. Show Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
12. Tell Ending: Tell the resolution. Never leave the editor guessing.
13. Bring back to full circle, as your book should, echoing an element from the beginning in the ending.

Books are about Characters so it is extremely important to tell them WHY your characters do what they do and how they react.

CHARACTERIZATION: For each action/reaction of hero make sure you tell WHY

1. Who are the main characters? Briefly identify each and answer the questions for each.
2. What he wants
3. What is in his way
4. What is at stake if he does not attain his goal?
5. What are the main characters' blackest moments?
6. What are their motivations?

Next and final post on Synopsis (maybe): A final check before sending out your synopsis

Synopsis should retell your story - part #3

I have already mentioned and want to remind you that you are sending out a packet to submit your manuscript for publication. This is highly serious stuff. You have very few words with which to capture their attention, so do not waste words by repeating them.

Presuming you are sending the first fifty pages of your manuscript with your synopsis, remember that they are, hopefully, going to be reading at least the first few sentences of each.
Do you really want those first few sentences, that will make or break your chances, to be identical? That cuts, by half, the well crafted words you have written that they read.

OPEN YOUR SYNOPSIS WITH:

o Set up context of story
o Who is main character
o How old is main character, in the case of writing for youth,
o The setting
o The Events or circumstances that open your story
o Include actual scenes in glowing detail, not just a summary
o Connect the dots with your own summarizing

YOUR WRITING:
o Include indelible image in first couple of paragraphs to WOW them
o Use vivid, sensual images
o Portray, actual scenes in glowing detail, not just summary
o Surprising juxtaposition of words
o Fresh emotional element
o Make it compelling
o You may gloss over the premise, since the editor/agent will be reading those first fifty pages (which includes premise and introduces protagonist), but be very sure to make it very clear how it all fits into the overall arc of the book

YOUR GOAL:
o to convince agent or editor that the rest of your manuscript is every bit as interesting and action-packed as first fifty pages
o To summarize the entire book and show conclusion
o To make work come alive and show it is unique and interesting

SHOW:
o you have vision and tenacity to take compelling characters through first chapter to satisfying conclusion
o Point of view ie first-person/third-person omniscient/etc
o Build suspense, relieve it

THIS IS A retelling of your story, in your voice, showing conflicts and challenges of your characters.

Next post: A list of questions to answer to get your synopsis started in the right direction.

The Mechanics of your Synopsis - part 2

Hey, you are a writer. You should know that everything needs to be formatted properly and that you need to be professional. BE PROFESSIONAL! Avoid the gimmicks, folks! No, pink flowery paper or eye popping graphics, or humongous boxes.

Editors and Agents read thousands of words every day. They are looking for the next “great” whatever manuscript. They are professionals. It is not the time to be entertaining.

I am amazed at some of the things the editors/agents have written they receive. I mean, would you show up for a job interview in a clown suit, well, I guess if you were applying to Ringling Brothers, but you get my point. Proper attire for your manuscript is a necessity. And, that includes your synopsis. It needs to be formatted properly and here are my notes on formatting: (again from many sources)

AND, always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the submission requirements of the agent/editor where are submitting, and fulfill those requirements.

1. Double spaced, standard margins, submit s 2 to 3 page synopsis unless otherwise requested.
2. Header with TITLE/YOUR LAST NAME/(word)SYNOPSIS and to right Page numbering. I have read varying on this, but only in that your last name should go first and then the title. Otherwise they all agree on the header.
3. Write in present tense (walks/rides/is), use active voice and few adverbs or adjectives
4. The synopsis should reflect the tone and voice of your manuscript. Mine is serious with a little humor so I am working on doing the synopsis in the same way. Can you imagine Terry Pratchett’s synopsis???
5. Do not include dialogue and avoid the words: AND, THEN
6. And, MOST IMPORTANT = DO NOT use the opening of the book as the opening of the synopsis. They will be reading the first 50 pages of the manuscript, hopefully, with the synopsis, so you do not want any repetition in the packet you send. You want to give them as large a sample, as you can, of your writing.
7. IN ADDITION: Write as though you are genuinely excited about this book and eager to market it. I am presuming here, that you are.
8. Include Action Scenes and Development Scenes that are important to the plot.
9. Include illuminating setting information, characterization, and theme and leaving out almost everything that does not serve this end. If it is not plot, really THINK why you are including it.
10. Everything must be shown. You should NOT say someone “found a surprise” or “has psychic power.” You must show this and tell what the surprise is, etc.
11. And, again, OCCASIONALLY, you will alter the synopsis to suit the agent’s interests you are submitting to.

Next post: Point by point details to include in your Synopsis.

The dreaded SYNOPSIS!!! OH NO!!!

This is from a compilation of sites I have found and use regularly for help. They include some of my favorite sites, and I am including a link to a few of them but this is by no way an inclusive list of where I have gotten help.

Brooklyn Arden:
Editorial Anonymous:
Author! Author!

And, just about every other list on my links list.

I put the following together from my list of things to do right when compiling the dreaded synopsis.

First, I know that you need several variations.
There is the logline (1 or 2 lines, as you would read in TV Guide)
A paragraph to include in your query letter, which may be altered depending on the agent you send it to.
Then there is the standard one to two page Synopsis that will probably be requested.
And, the perhaps four to eight page synopsis that you may be requested to provide.

I started on the long synopsis, thinking it would be easy to go to the short one, but I am now thinking that it may be easier to work from the logline up. I am not sure yet.

MY CHECK LIST FOR SYNOPSIS: (from a lot of sources)

THIS IS FROM FAQ (the members of the Del Rey Digital Writing Workshop's first synopsis focus group (August-September '01).
Start: With a one/two-sentence summary encapsulating "what the story is about"
Then: establish the setting and identify the main characters.
Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
Ending: give it away. Never leave the editor guessing.

That is as concise as I have seen and what do you leave out?

Start by leaving out almost everything not mentioned above, except you must not forget that the point of the synopsis is to entice an editor/agent into requesting your full manuscript. Your synopsis should be able to stand alone. Look at it as if you were writing a short story or telling a child a five to ten minute bedtime story.

Avoid including any character unless they are absolutely essential to the plot. Too many names can be confusing and you want everything clear. You want them to see where you are going with this clever plot you have created.

You also want your world to come alive, so you need to drop bits about that, especially if it is fantasy.

While you want the synopsis to WOW them, REMEMBER, they are reading for content and not really savoring your style. So, write for clarity so that they can see where your plot is going.

Next post, proper synopsis formatting and excitement!

#2 on the list of things to have ready for submission

This is like fingernails on a chalkboard and I really have no idea why. It is a synopsis and, as near as I can tell, you need to be ready with two of them and an outline.

The first is one page, single spaced or double spaced.
The second is more in depth, two to three pages
and the outline can be a paragraph for each chapter.

Anyone who knows different, please correct me, because this is what I am working on.

As in everything you submit, be it logline, synopsis or query, or ANYTHING, you need to make it alluring, intriguing and make the agent or editor sit up and say, "I WANT TO READ THIS."

So, do not think this is going to be a quick thing to write. Sure, you can do the old school thing of Sally went to the store and ran into Tom. Then, they did this and then she stabbed him because he suggested she should write a synopsis, but that will not cut the mustard here, folks.

Nope, we are talking serious revision and exciting verbs and I will post my most helpful finds for a Synopsis in the days to come. Right now, I need to go clear my head of debri, and keep working on my synopsis, synopses, synopsi.

About Time!

Remember me? I'm the long lost blogger of this blog. I have a good excuse for my absence this time. I have finished my book. Let me say that again, as it has been a long time coming.

I have finished my book.

Well, the first in a series. I have zipped off the final edition, after a bazillion edits to my Master's Daughter and there is a hard copy floating around the house as the boys were anxious to read it.

So, now I must:

1. Finish my web site revision
2. write an outline of the series
3. write a short synopsis
4. write a long synopsis
5. write a short bio
6. write a long bio
7. write a blurb
8. write marketing points.

You know what? I think I better go through my files a make a definite list of everything I have to have ready to send it out. I will share that list with you in a day or two, as well as the new title and header that I will be using on my web site.

Whatever I have to do now, I'm anxious to get onto outlining book two. But, that's a ways down the road.