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 ratfalls of Writing
It is a belief that I hold dear that writers are born and not made. Now don't get
me wrong, anyone can be trained to write. However, that fire in the gut that drives you to sit for hours on end typing away while you create people, is a talent
(or curse) that I believe you're either born with or not.
Some writers are perfectly content to jot down their words in private journals or
files that they will never allow anyone to read. I envy those people. Others are
driven by that insatiable monster that demands recognition. Sooner or later every writer must come to terms with that beast. This page is for those of
you who are starting that battle.
 riting Tips
Here's what you need to know to get started:
What's a query? A query is a short letter that tells an editor who you are and what your
book is about. It should be short and to the point, give all the necessary details. Try not
to get cute in a query letter. Yes, you want to hook the editor, but cute will often offend
the editor instead.
What's a hook? A hook is a sentence or paragraph that is so compelling the editor or
reader is dying to know what happens next.
What's a partial? A partial is the first three chapters of the book, a synopsis and a
cover letter.
What's a synopsis? A synopsis is a miniature version of your book and it should read
like a book review. Try not to write one over ten pages. It's usually in your best interest
to keep this as short as possible. Focus mostly on the main characters and tell how the
plot develops and is resolved. You must include the ending. The old, you'll have to
request my book to see the ending doesn't work.
What's a cover letter? A cover letter is a miniature query. It tells the editor who you
are, how many words your book is and what kind of book you've written.
What's a requested manuscript? That is a manuscript an editor has asked for.
What's an unsolicited manuscript? That's a manuscript an editor hasn't requested. For
point of interest, it's never a good idea to send an entire manuscript to an editor unless
they've requested it. Doing so is not only expensive, but also frowned upon.
What's over the transom? The transom and slush pile are both terms used to describe
unsolicited manuscripts.
Do I need an agent to get published? Absolutely not. There are houses that will not
take submissions from unagented writers, however there are still a lot that do. For those
who refuse unagented manuscripts, you can query to see if they're interested in looking at
your partial. I know it's unfathomable, but a lot of very successful writers don't have
agents. I believe Stephen King said it best, "You'll know when you need an agent."
Should I call an editor after a few weeks to make sure my manuscript arrived?
Only if you want to get rejected. They have very hectic schedules. Leave them alone.
How long does it usually take to hear back from an editor? Honestly, it takes less
time to conceive and birth a real child. The time for a response can be anywhere from
overnight to infinity, but six to ten months really is about average. On the other hand, go
out of town for awhile. Editors seem to like to call with offers at times when you can't get
near a phone.
How long will it take me to get published? See the previous response.
How many rejections can one human take before they quit? That is like asking how
many licks does it take to reach the center of a tootsie-pop sucker--the world may never
know. Stamina is the name of the game. If you're not strong, this is not the career for
you.
Where do you get your ideas? Everywhere. Television, kids, songs, movies,
conversations, observing people on the street. I seem to get a lot while
driving in the car or doing dishes (please don't tell the latter to my hubby
lest he insist I do them more often).
How do I know which idea will work best in a book?
You don't. Write it, rework it, then submit it. If it's rejected, rework it, submit it. Follow this formula until you go blind
or get published, at which point it starts all over.
How do I find out what's selling? You can't tell the trends by what's on the shelf. The
books on sale today were bought eighteen months ago. If you read them you can see
what trends were hot back then, not what trends are currently being bought. That you
can only find out by networking with other writers and learning what they're selling right
now. But, there is a word of caution. Trends come and go, so think long and hard
before you sit down and spend a year of your life working on something for a trend that
might have passed before you're ready to submit. For your sanity's sake, write a timeless
book you can live with.
How do I submit my work? First you have to finish a whole book. If you don't, you
can't sell it. No one buys a partial from an unknown author. Once you finish the book,
then you need to get a writer's market and a book on manuscript format. They will give
you all the information you need.
Good luck!
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