I recently finished a YA novel, called The Awkward Afterlife of Jeanie McNeal! I have done a lot of editing, and now, let the query process begin!
I have worked extensively on my query, trying to make it perfect, but I'm not sure it will ever be as good as I want it. This is an extremely stressful experience as I completely and totally believe in my work, I think it's a good story, an interesting premise, and that it's unique and pertinent. But how do I convince an agent of those things? How can I use just one page to tell them just what a great book this is?
It paralyzes me, not getting it right, and I keep my query for weeks and weeks, tweeking little words and editing sentences, wondering if it's good enough. But then I saw this: http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2011/11/notes-from-incoming-query-holding-pen.html
In this post the wonderful Janet Reid talks about the importance of the stories, that it doesn't need to be perfect (even if it would be nice) to get a 'yes.' And so, with that in mind, I'm sending out my queries with more confidence and hope that sometime soon The Awkward Afterlife of Jeanie McNeal finds an agent that is looking for this kind of story.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hi!
So... a little about me.
I hope to one day write many books, that very many people read. And if I can do that without ever having to speak to a room full of people, that would be preferable. Though I suppose if push comes to shove, I wouldn't want to disappoint my new found fans.
Anyway, as a writer I find myself in all sorts of interesting situations. I beta read for other hopeful authors, and this blog may contain posts about that. I work to research people who are mostly likely to fulfill my career dreams. I spend a lot of time writing, editing, querying, feeling sad, querying again, feeling better and hopefully one day I'll get published. Until then, this blog is about the struggle, after that... I imagine it will be about how great and awesome and easy life is once you're published (even if we all know that isn't the case). Then I'll probably write about my new struggles. Also, I may occasionally post some stories or chapters.
So, those are the things I'll blog about as a writer. But I am also a the proud foster mom of an extremely nervous dog who is looking for a permanent home, and I will probably be sharing stories about that. I am also a tutor/volunteer at a youth center in New Orleans and I hope to blog about that as well.
If this strange combination of things is exactly the type of blog you were hoping to read, then I have just started the perfect blog for you!
-Rebekah Ember
I hope to one day write many books, that very many people read. And if I can do that without ever having to speak to a room full of people, that would be preferable. Though I suppose if push comes to shove, I wouldn't want to disappoint my new found fans.
Anyway, as a writer I find myself in all sorts of interesting situations. I beta read for other hopeful authors, and this blog may contain posts about that. I work to research people who are mostly likely to fulfill my career dreams. I spend a lot of time writing, editing, querying, feeling sad, querying again, feeling better and hopefully one day I'll get published. Until then, this blog is about the struggle, after that... I imagine it will be about how great and awesome and easy life is once you're published (even if we all know that isn't the case). Then I'll probably write about my new struggles. Also, I may occasionally post some stories or chapters.
So, those are the things I'll blog about as a writer. But I am also a the proud foster mom of an extremely nervous dog who is looking for a permanent home, and I will probably be sharing stories about that. I am also a tutor/volunteer at a youth center in New Orleans and I hope to blog about that as well.
If this strange combination of things is exactly the type of blog you were hoping to read, then I have just started the perfect blog for you!
-Rebekah Ember
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)