Recently I've had a writers block. Then I re-read some of my recent posts and realized that I needed to read to help myself with the block.
One of the most helpful pieces I've read is by Eudora Welty "Why I live at the P.O." It's unique and the main characters personality is different and fun than a lot of other characters I've read. Although I have read it before, just reading through it again helps me. It's funny and helps me get through my non-writing funk.
Also, any childhood book, movie or favorite novel helps a lot. I've read the Twilight Series three times, and it has helped me get into the flow of knowing what I need to come next. Any suprise, next step or plot that doesn't seem to want to flow write on paper, I get to reading any favorite novel of mine. It helps a lot.
These were just some thoughts I had on my mine during my writers block. :)
Hugs!
Brittany <3
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Help with Your Query Letter!
Hiya! I was sitting here thinking to myself of something that could help authors. I've gave some YA hero help, so I thought I might give some authors help with what comes after their novel, THE ALL DREADFUL SCARY QUERY!!! AHH! Just kidding, even thought I feel like the query is just as important as your writing, don't be scared of it, defeat it!
First off, your query shouldn't be over one page! Not 4, 6, 9, just 1! Agents get so many in that they don't have time in the day to go through forty query letters with 6 pages each! Keep it simple and don't over do it.
Do Agents read them? Yes! I'm only a junior agent but I can tell you, working for Marisa Corviserio, that we do read them. But! If it is boring, untasteful or something we are not interested in, then no we toss it to the side. Your query has to bring a short synopsis to us, in a page, with a short paragraph about yourself to us, also. It's A LOT to get in one page I know, I know! But, it's possible.
At the beginning you give your hook. This is curcial. It should be something that makes the reader what to keep going. They should say after reading the first line or two "WOW I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!"
Example: (This was my hook in Fighting Destiny)
Secondly, you need a mini-synopsis. This is when you take your synopsis and shorten it, A LOT! Take the main points of your book and list them (this is what I did). Once listed, go over them and write them into a brief summary. It helps. Also, do not leave bad endings or unhappy endings out of your query. Because, some agents do not represent unhappy endings. If the guy dies in the end, tell us, we NEED to know. (P.S. I'm not a fan of unhappy endings.) Boo!
And finally, ta da, something a little easier! Yourself. You should know a little about yourself, or enough to know what to put. We need to know your name (duh), where you went to school, or are attending, things you love to do, and anything you've ever published. This is something that jumps out at an agent, that you have been published before, this might be publish worthy, also. :)
Another something that is important, SPELLING! That's why autocorrect was made. USE IT! Have someone (not related to you) read over it, and help with the flow of the query. Also, spell query right. :) That's a good thing to do.
Some other hints for you during your mini-synopsis. Give us the time period and location, the main characters name, their goal, their trouble they have to overcome and a conclusion. We aren't the audience, we need to know the ending. This isn't your blurb, this is for someone that needs to know the book, and the ending, to see it we want to represent you!
So...that was just some thoughts on queries. Hope it helps!
Hugs!
Brittany :)
First off, your query shouldn't be over one page! Not 4, 6, 9, just 1! Agents get so many in that they don't have time in the day to go through forty query letters with 6 pages each! Keep it simple and don't over do it.
Do Agents read them? Yes! I'm only a junior agent but I can tell you, working for Marisa Corviserio, that we do read them. But! If it is boring, untasteful or something we are not interested in, then no we toss it to the side. Your query has to bring a short synopsis to us, in a page, with a short paragraph about yourself to us, also. It's A LOT to get in one page I know, I know! But, it's possible.
At the beginning you give your hook. This is curcial. It should be something that makes the reader what to keep going. They should say after reading the first line or two "WOW I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!"
Example: (This was my hook in Fighting Destiny)
When Molly Drowns is forced back to her fearful past, she finds herself face to face with her despised but desirable destiny.It has to be something that will stick, and will get the reader interested. Take the idea of your book and work with the theme. Something will come to you, I promise.
Secondly, you need a mini-synopsis. This is when you take your synopsis and shorten it, A LOT! Take the main points of your book and list them (this is what I did). Once listed, go over them and write them into a brief summary. It helps. Also, do not leave bad endings or unhappy endings out of your query. Because, some agents do not represent unhappy endings. If the guy dies in the end, tell us, we NEED to know. (P.S. I'm not a fan of unhappy endings.) Boo!
And finally, ta da, something a little easier! Yourself. You should know a little about yourself, or enough to know what to put. We need to know your name (duh), where you went to school, or are attending, things you love to do, and anything you've ever published. This is something that jumps out at an agent, that you have been published before, this might be publish worthy, also. :)
Another something that is important, SPELLING! That's why autocorrect was made. USE IT! Have someone (not related to you) read over it, and help with the flow of the query. Also, spell query right. :) That's a good thing to do.
Some other hints for you during your mini-synopsis. Give us the time period and location, the main characters name, their goal, their trouble they have to overcome and a conclusion. We aren't the audience, we need to know the ending. This isn't your blurb, this is for someone that needs to know the book, and the ending, to see it we want to represent you!
So...that was just some thoughts on queries. Hope it helps!
Hugs!
Brittany :)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Random Things I've Noticed about Authors
Since I am an author myself, and a junior literary agent, there are things I've noticed about authors and how they roll.
I've noticed that one of the number one things authors do to hurt themselves is being too impatient. We do not want to wait the time we need to make sure our manuscript is perfect. I've seen it way too much in my own work and others. The thing that works best for me is writing, putting it down then picking it back up in a few weeks or months. You can go back and will see mistakes that you didn't right after writing.
Also, we also need to have someone look at it that isnt our family. As much as we love for Mom and Dad, Brother and Sister to enjoy our work, we need someone that reads a lot or does not have a relationship with us. In other words, someone who will not tell us our work is great when it actually sucks. I've heard and done this too. It's easy to do, but so much better if we don't and get an honest opinion.
Something I see way too much, is author's not wanting to get help from others, like agents or editors. Everyone likes to think that their work is great, but of course it makes sense to you! YOU WROTE IT!. My Intro to Nonfiction Creative Writing teacher broke me of that habit quickly. We need others opionions and we need to realize that not everything we write makes perfect sense to others. It's never perfect. Believe me.
These are just some things I've picked up on as I observe. We all need to stop and observe the things we do. Get others opionions and give our work some time. Stop being so impatient. Once our work is ready it will have it's time.
Hugs!
Brittany
I've noticed that one of the number one things authors do to hurt themselves is being too impatient. We do not want to wait the time we need to make sure our manuscript is perfect. I've seen it way too much in my own work and others. The thing that works best for me is writing, putting it down then picking it back up in a few weeks or months. You can go back and will see mistakes that you didn't right after writing.
Also, we also need to have someone look at it that isnt our family. As much as we love for Mom and Dad, Brother and Sister to enjoy our work, we need someone that reads a lot or does not have a relationship with us. In other words, someone who will not tell us our work is great when it actually sucks. I've heard and done this too. It's easy to do, but so much better if we don't and get an honest opinion.
Something I see way too much, is author's not wanting to get help from others, like agents or editors. Everyone likes to think that their work is great, but of course it makes sense to you! YOU WROTE IT!. My Intro to Nonfiction Creative Writing teacher broke me of that habit quickly. We need others opionions and we need to realize that not everything we write makes perfect sense to others. It's never perfect. Believe me.
These are just some things I've picked up on as I observe. We all need to stop and observe the things we do. Get others opionions and give our work some time. Stop being so impatient. Once our work is ready it will have it's time.
Hugs!
Brittany
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Things I've learned as a writer
When writing and we think that we have an amazing piece, short story, novel or poem, we think that nothing should be changed in our work. I learned this in Intro to Creative Writing and it's a big fault we all have.
If someone is reading our work and doesnt understand something, DO NOT brush them off. We are NOT the reader of our work, we are the creator. We know what this person really meant to say, or how we picture the character acting, replying or standing. When a reader reads our work they don't see inside our head. The thing that seems SO obvious to us, does not come so obvious to them.
Think about it. Listen to someone else's opionion. Find someone that will take your work and give you an honest answer. NOT YOUR MOM. Sorry MOm's you just think everything we do is great. *Even when it's not*
Also. When you write and you have a character going to school, going to mars, going to the bathroom! I DONT CARE, make it realistic. Even a fiction novel or piece, make the reader relate to the character.
Example.
She turned and pushed me so hard I fell onto the wooden floor beneath me. I stood up and turned around to leave. Then next day.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!! What person after being pushed down, even if doing the bigger man thing wouldn't be screaming in their head!
She turned and pushed me so hard I flew back into the hard wooden floor. MY face was burning from humilation. It took every ounce of my body to lift myself up and walk the other way. I clenched my first and drug my feet the other direction.
See the difference, we can relate to the second person, because we feel that pain and humilation that person is feeling.
Just some thoughts about writing.
Hugs,
Brittany. <3
If someone is reading our work and doesnt understand something, DO NOT brush them off. We are NOT the reader of our work, we are the creator. We know what this person really meant to say, or how we picture the character acting, replying or standing. When a reader reads our work they don't see inside our head. The thing that seems SO obvious to us, does not come so obvious to them.
Think about it. Listen to someone else's opionion. Find someone that will take your work and give you an honest answer. NOT YOUR MOM. Sorry MOm's you just think everything we do is great. *Even when it's not*
Also. When you write and you have a character going to school, going to mars, going to the bathroom! I DONT CARE, make it realistic. Even a fiction novel or piece, make the reader relate to the character.
Example.
She turned and pushed me so hard I fell onto the wooden floor beneath me. I stood up and turned around to leave. Then next day.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!! What person after being pushed down, even if doing the bigger man thing wouldn't be screaming in their head!
She turned and pushed me so hard I flew back into the hard wooden floor. MY face was burning from humilation. It took every ounce of my body to lift myself up and walk the other way. I clenched my first and drug my feet the other direction.
See the difference, we can relate to the second person, because we feel that pain and humilation that person is feeling.
Just some thoughts about writing.
Hugs,
Brittany. <3
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Hints, advice, and help with YA Heros.
So, I went to the Dallas Forth Worth Writing Conference, as *cough cough* a junior literary agent. :)
I learned how it actually is and not to be worried or freaked out. :) Especially when you're meetin your boss for the first time in person. :)
Anywho. To the point of this blog. Which I haven't blogged lately, due to a busy school, work and reading schedule.
So, when going to this conference I learned a few things when I wasnt listening to pitches. (Man it's good to say that.) Anywho.
First off, we all know Young Adult Fiction is a good selling genre right now. So, I was going to share some advice I learned and advice from myself to you authors that are having trouble or looking for some ideas.
When writing about a hero in a book, we all think about hero yay, good looking, saves the day. NO! STOP! HALT! When we look at ourselves what do we see? Perfection! No! (Well maybe some of us do, get over yourselves) We see flaws. #1 thing we need to have in a hero is flaws. We all have them and our heros need them. It brings out a sense of realization to our characters. When we go to work or school we have obstacles we have to overcome. #2 Obstacles. Our hero needs them, what would the story be about if not? #3 No one likes a story where on the first attempt the hero wins...what would be after that? THE END. Negative Ghost Writer. We need the Hero to fall down and not make it at first. We need him to struggle and just when we think he has won, something else happens and bam, he loses it.
But! TA DA! He has another chance and wins the crown, goal, girl, position, war whateves is going on in your book.
-Flaws
-Obstacles
-A rough go.
-A ta da I made it ending. :)
We have to have these things in a Hero.
We also want Romance. Let me tell you think from my point of view. I DO NOT READ A BOOK WITHOUT A LOVE INTEREST. I hate to say it but sex sells these days and people want it badly. They want the couple to end up together and skip along happily ever after!
--Those are just some thoughts I had while sitting here reading.
--Hope they helped. :)
Hugs
Brittany
I learned how it actually is and not to be worried or freaked out. :) Especially when you're meetin your boss for the first time in person. :)
Anywho. To the point of this blog. Which I haven't blogged lately, due to a busy school, work and reading schedule.
So, when going to this conference I learned a few things when I wasnt listening to pitches. (Man it's good to say that.) Anywho.
First off, we all know Young Adult Fiction is a good selling genre right now. So, I was going to share some advice I learned and advice from myself to you authors that are having trouble or looking for some ideas.
When writing about a hero in a book, we all think about hero yay, good looking, saves the day. NO! STOP! HALT! When we look at ourselves what do we see? Perfection! No! (Well maybe some of us do, get over yourselves) We see flaws. #1 thing we need to have in a hero is flaws. We all have them and our heros need them. It brings out a sense of realization to our characters. When we go to work or school we have obstacles we have to overcome. #2 Obstacles. Our hero needs them, what would the story be about if not? #3 No one likes a story where on the first attempt the hero wins...what would be after that? THE END. Negative Ghost Writer. We need the Hero to fall down and not make it at first. We need him to struggle and just when we think he has won, something else happens and bam, he loses it.
But! TA DA! He has another chance and wins the crown, goal, girl, position, war whateves is going on in your book.
-Flaws
-Obstacles
-A rough go.
-A ta da I made it ending. :)
We have to have these things in a Hero.
We also want Romance. Let me tell you think from my point of view. I DO NOT READ A BOOK WITHOUT A LOVE INTEREST. I hate to say it but sex sells these days and people want it badly. They want the couple to end up together and skip along happily ever after!
--Those are just some thoughts I had while sitting here reading.
--Hope they helped. :)
Hugs
Brittany
Monday, November 29, 2010
Great News
So, my goal was to become a literary agent. Well, that's what I wanted to be when I graduated from College. So, the agent, Marisa Corvisiero, that is helping me get my book published offered me an incredible opportunity. I am now the Jr. Literary Agent for her! Hold your applause! :) Thank you Marisa, you are amazingly awesome! :)
I've read over two manuscripts and I am looking forward to some queries tonight! This proves several things. Prayers, they really do come true. Even if you lose your storage keys, get in an arugment at work, lose your patience with World Lit test, and get tired of school. Prayers come through just in time! :)Secondly, age is just a number. It doesnt matter if you are 18 or 81, you have a chance for your dreams to come true no matter what. Never let someone think that your accomplishments or your goals aren't as good or out of reach just because of your age. Also, this proves that if you want it, all you have to do it try for it. Try Try again.
My teacher told me that passion would get you farther in life than talent, but since you have both you are unstoppable! This made my entire week. Hearing Miss. Bloom tell me this, I just knew everything would be good! :)
So the lesson for today is 'Don't Stop Believing,' even if you are a small town girl, living in a lonely world.
Haha. Okay, a little cheesy I know, but I had to say it! :)
Hugs,
Brittany
I've read over two manuscripts and I am looking forward to some queries tonight! This proves several things. Prayers, they really do come true. Even if you lose your storage keys, get in an arugment at work, lose your patience with World Lit test, and get tired of school. Prayers come through just in time! :)Secondly, age is just a number. It doesnt matter if you are 18 or 81, you have a chance for your dreams to come true no matter what. Never let someone think that your accomplishments or your goals aren't as good or out of reach just because of your age. Also, this proves that if you want it, all you have to do it try for it. Try Try again.
My teacher told me that passion would get you farther in life than talent, but since you have both you are unstoppable! This made my entire week. Hearing Miss. Bloom tell me this, I just knew everything would be good! :)
So the lesson for today is 'Don't Stop Believing,' even if you are a small town girl, living in a lonely world.
Haha. Okay, a little cheesy I know, but I had to say it! :)
Hugs,
Brittany
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Shut up and wait! :)
So, I'm suppose to be doing homework right now. But, I feel this is just as important.
This is some words of advice to the clueless. Which, I'm not far from clueless myself. I was just slapped in the face with reality not to long ago. I mean a good hard smack right in the middle of my forehead.
So, first off. I would like to say. When I finished Fighting Destiny I was like 'hey, I better send this into some publishing company and see if they want it.' Wrong. No, I suggest, no advise anyone looking to get anything published find a good agent.
Another problem. When looking for an agent DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Seriously, yes, I know it sounds boring as crap, but it's not. For myself I looked for an agency looking for immortal series, and I fond TA DA "Lori Perkins Agency," yay! So, after sending my query in by email I recieved a email that night from Marisa. Yeah yeah! She's a boss. Which, asked for a synopsis and a partial. Then, wait for it..... the entire manuscript. Okay, so I was thinking what's next presenting it to the company. Snicker Snicker. No silly.
Next step. Perfection. Being who I am, I have SO MANY GRAMMER MISTAKES. And that is the stage I am at now. editing. Letting Marisa read over to see if I need a professional editor. If you're a new writer I will say that you will do a lot of WAITING. But, believe me trust your agent and it will be rewarded. I know this. Well, I'm getting there at least.
So. Another important thing to add. Make a beast of a query letter, which there are steps to that online. I'm not an expert to tell you this, but pull your agent (whoever is reading it) in by making a beautiful and perfect first sentence. You need something that will pull them into your world, and spit them back out when they are finished reading, but they will be thristy for what happens next. HAHA, Thirsty like a vampire.
Anywho. Just some thoughts I had on my mind while I was supposed to be doing my Meterology Homework. Oh, well the weather can wait.
Kisses,
Brittany Boo
This is some words of advice to the clueless. Which, I'm not far from clueless myself. I was just slapped in the face with reality not to long ago. I mean a good hard smack right in the middle of my forehead.
So, first off. I would like to say. When I finished Fighting Destiny I was like 'hey, I better send this into some publishing company and see if they want it.' Wrong. No, I suggest, no advise anyone looking to get anything published find a good agent.
Another problem. When looking for an agent DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Seriously, yes, I know it sounds boring as crap, but it's not. For myself I looked for an agency looking for immortal series, and I fond TA DA "Lori Perkins Agency," yay! So, after sending my query in by email I recieved a email that night from Marisa. Yeah yeah! She's a boss. Which, asked for a synopsis and a partial. Then, wait for it..... the entire manuscript. Okay, so I was thinking what's next presenting it to the company. Snicker Snicker. No silly.
Next step. Perfection. Being who I am, I have SO MANY GRAMMER MISTAKES. And that is the stage I am at now. editing. Letting Marisa read over to see if I need a professional editor. If you're a new writer I will say that you will do a lot of WAITING. But, believe me trust your agent and it will be rewarded. I know this. Well, I'm getting there at least.
So. Another important thing to add. Make a beast of a query letter, which there are steps to that online. I'm not an expert to tell you this, but pull your agent (whoever is reading it) in by making a beautiful and perfect first sentence. You need something that will pull them into your world, and spit them back out when they are finished reading, but they will be thristy for what happens next. HAHA, Thirsty like a vampire.
Anywho. Just some thoughts I had on my mind while I was supposed to be doing my Meterology Homework. Oh, well the weather can wait.
Kisses,
Brittany Boo
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