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There are good reasons for this, my friends.
Answers:
- There has to be a way for agents to sort through the multitude of manuscripts they receive on a daily basis. By doing the hard work, and writing a great query, you can set yourself above the rest and get a request for a full or partial.
- If you have trouble summarizing your book, it may be a sign that you need to look at the plot again before it's ready to send out.
- First impressions mean everything. It's cruel in a way, but true. When you go on a job interview, you strive to make a good impression. Well, your novel is making that impression, and if it wasn't hard to do, everyone would do it. Of course, it seems that everyone does do it, but the truth is that many people never even finish one draft of a book, let alone revise until their eyes bleed and research and agonize over the query letter.
So there you have it. Anything to add? Pat yourselves on the back if you've struggled with the query letter, and remember it's tough, but tough is good. And now you know why.
I think it's also how you sell your book. Whether you keep a part of that blurb on your website, it's important to know what to focus on and how to say it so people want to read your book, including an agent/editor.
ReplyDeleteLet's see: query-writing doesn't stop when you get an agent? Every time I have a new idea, my agent tells me to query her with it! It helps me hone the conflict, and it helps her think about how she might pitch it. I think it's a great exercise in discipline and focus--though I have to say, I kinda hate it.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard and I dislike it greatly, but has helped me with the plotting issues in the end.
ReplyDeleteAs much as we hate writing them, they are valuable tools, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely hard. I always write a draft query letter before I even start the book, because that way I'll have something basic to refer to if I get bogged down with how to summarize. I tweak as I go along, but I always keep that original paragraph. I agree, though~a great title and query letter can make a much bigger difference than I used to think :)
ReplyDeleteWhat Laura said! Writing a blurb that pulls the reader in is just/more difficult than writing a query - and is what your agent will have to do to pitch it and get it sold anyway. Polishing those pitching skills will help you in so many ways as an author.
ReplyDeleteI read advice some time ago that it's a good idea to start writing that query long before you finish the book, because it will help you find and keep the story on track. If you can't summarize the story in a few sentences you don't know what your story is about and neither will your reader.
ReplyDeleteYou've definitely nailed the reason for the great query hunt. I often think I should write that darned thing first, and then write the book! It's the old cart-horse issue in my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt took me some time to get queries. After participating in contests and workshops to help me with them, I love writing them. It's such a challenge to pique interest for your story in 250 words or less. Now, the synopsis is a different story (yuck). <3
ReplyDeleteJames Scott Bell offers this great advice: before you start your project, think of your logline. This helps to keep you focused. Another great idea is to use the snowflake method. The first step is to boil the project down to one sentence, and then one paragraph. This also helps when it comes time to query. And of course, it helps to have brilliant critique partners (like you and Leslie!) to help tweak it until it's just right.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Queries can be nightmarish! I've found a few very helpful folks & sites which have helped, but they're not easy to write at all!
ReplyDeleteLast year I was one of many judges for a writing competition that included the synopsis or query at the start, and then the first 10,000 words.
ReplyDeleteFirst impressions are very, very important.
Great point. I'm working on what feels like my millionth query draft, so it was good to be reminded why it's the way it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on the pitch for editors, and I'm struggling so much! LOL.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, I guess hard is good! :D
That second one hits home! I found that it's easier to write the pitch before hand because it keeps me focused while writing the novel. I would only add that there are great resources out there, agents who put up examples of queries and even talk about what they like and dislike. Those are like gold mines!
ReplyDeleteAnd yay Monica for being on editor sub soon! I hated writing my editor pitch, ugh!
Great advice. I am just now beginning this stage, but I can see the value of writing your query before you write the book (of course it will change) but it helps you focus on what is needed for your book. I feel fortunate to have received such helpful tips and advice from other bloggers and sites I have joined.
ReplyDeleteI am writing my query now. I don't expect to send it for a while, but I've learned my lesson about waiting until the last minute. It's still torture, but now it's a controlled sort of torture!
ReplyDeleteI feel my blood pressure rising just thinking about the Q word. Second in stress to the more fearsome S word (synopsis). As usual you've hit the purpose chord beautifully.
ReplyDeleteOh man...queries are the hardest to write, but you are sooooo right on with this one Lisa! If the query is *too* hard to write, then you definitely need to go back and examine your plot. But at the same time, they're hard because of the pressure you can feel by knowing that what you're writing is what's going to be the first impression you give a possible agent.
ReplyDeleteGreat WHY post, Lisa! :)
Queries, pitches, synopses...they've never been easy for me to write, but I write them faster nowadays and I have a greater sense of the story when I do.
ReplyDeleteYou make good points. If I was an agent, I would have to sift through those piles of queries somehow, and I would look for quality.
As Medeia said, queries, pitches, and synopses are tough. However, I do find that when I nail them, I have a better sense of my novel. Writing the pitch or the hook or even the synopsis before writing the novel keeps me focused.
ReplyDeleteQueries are tough alright and I promise myself to celebrate like crazy the day mine would land me an agent.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more to add but you nailed everything right on. Thanks. :)
Queries are tough I think because of the pressure. We know so much rides on the query and it can be difficult to infuse the essence of a awesome plot and engaging cast in such a small amount of words. I think this is why everyone should try to practice their one line pitch as much as possible, and really understand what their book is about!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
It's definitely hard! I posted Thursday nite my first draft of one and boy is it tough! I'm also getting conflicting advice, just like in MS critiques, yay me :P But, knowing that many don't even get to this stage, or even bother to try to hone it, encourages me. I'm giving myself to the end of December to get my query down pat and a kickass title...
ReplyDeleteQueries are my nemesis. I hates them.
ReplyDeleteThe pressure to get everything in there kills my voice and I have an impossible time trying to make a complex plot make sense. Seriously, the feedback on my query letters is always "I'm confused."
I suck, suck, suck at query letters. LOL!