S.M.M. (Save My Manuscript)

It’s been a week now since I finished Bob’s first draft. A whole week. And from a writing perspective, it’s been an awful interesting one.

Have I mentioned my love-hate relationship with revision? Okay, so maybe it’s just a hate relationship. But I didn’t want it to be this time. I wanted to enjoy the process, and not be so concerned about finishing the stupid thing. So I decided to come up with a new method.

Perhaps I should explain how I’ve handled revision in the past. It’s pretty simple: Write the book. Read through the book. Change the things that don’t flow well or make sense. Read through it again, change it again, and on and on, until you can’t come up with anything else to change.

I don’t like this method for a few reasons. First, it doesn’t allow for a very thoughtful approach to editing--you just dive right in, with no goggles, no wetsuit, and change whatever you feel like changing. Second, it relies too heavily on the first draft. Since you don’t plan for any major rewrites, you often don’t do any major rewrites, and the first draft’s overall structure remains largely intact.

This time, I’ve been trying to take a more thoughtful, less first-draft-oriented approach. I came up with a revision outline. I decided to focus on the biggest issue first, and then the next biggest, and then the next, until I get down to line editing the prose. But this hasn’t been working, either. I’m getting too bogged down in the minutiae when I’m supposed to be dealing with the bigger stuff. And I’m making myself batty. (Just ask my son and husband.)

So I’m asking for your help. I’d love to hear a bit about how you handle revision. How do you break down/build up your first drafts? And what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received on the topic?

Please, enlighten me.

The Prolific Blogger Award

Thank you, Myrna, for this thoughtful award. According to the award's inscription, a prolific blogger is "one who is intellectually productive, keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content." I fear I'm not quite as prolific as I'd like to be, as there are days when I feel about as intellectually productive as a mushroom, but I'm trying. And I appreciate the thought.

Here are a few other prolific bloggers worth checking out:

A.L. Sonnichsen of The Green Bathtub I'm sort of cheating with this one, since Myrna gave A.L. the award at the same time she gave it to me, but hey, out of the mouths of two or three witnesses, right?

Authoress of Miss Snark's First Victim Authoress's blog is all about critique. Submit an excerpt to her (when she calls for one, of course), and you're bound to receive at least a dozen great comments from her readers. She also hosts regular contests, with prizes ranging from query to full manuscript critiques from established agents.

Kelly Bryson of Book Readress Kelly isn't just another young adult fantasy writer--she's also a great resource for beginning and more experienced novelists. Check out her posts to pick up some great writing tips.

Liesl of Writer Ropes and Hopes Liesl isn't just another young adult fantasy writer, either. I discovered Liesl's blog after stumbling across several insightful comments she'd made on other writers' blogs, and she is just as insightful in her own posts.

Natalie Whipple of Between Fact and Fiction Of all the blogs I read, Natalie's is probably the one from which I've learned the most. She's also represented by the uber-awesome Nathan Bransford, so she's clearly doing something right.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

Word of the Week Wrap-up

Thanks, everyone, for playing another exciting round of Word of the Week. Now on to the definition!

From the Merriam-Webster: Fulgurant means flashing like lightning. Keep that in mind as you read the winning entry, from JustineDell:

"When the man who bumped into her grocery cart gave her (a) fulgurant laugh, she almost smacked him."

Ah, so many ways to interpret one small sentence:)

Two points to JustineDell--and one to Myrna Foster, whose entry I had to puzzle over the longest to understand ("I'm not going to give you the full 'grr' rant, but there are days when I think telemarketing should be illegal").

Thanks again for playing. Have a great weekend!

Interview with an Agent: Mary Kole

I’ve got another great one for you. Today’s installment of “Interview with an Agent” features Mary Kole of Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Happy reading.

KV: You've mentioned your own writing a few times on your blog. What did/do you write?

MK: I started out writing primarily YA and also did some middle-grade. I absolutely adore the conflicts that middle-grade readers face. There are a lot of forces pulling at them... they want to be individuals and define themselves, but they also want to remain loyal to their families and the kids they used to be. It's a really turbulent time. But YA also attracts me because I have naturally darker and edgier sensibilities.

KV: How did you get into agenting?

MK: While I was writing, I wanted to see the other side of the desk. I started reading slush for another agency and then, through my colleague, Jenn Laughran, started reading for Andrea Brown. I realized how much I was learning and enjoying the editorial aspects of agenting and came aboard from there. I also worked for Chronicle Books for a bit to get the editorial perspective. I think a love of books, writing and storytelling is what drives everyone who ends up in publishing.

KV: How would you summarize your personal agenting philosophy? What do you expect from an agent-author relationship?

MK: I'm looking for a very hands-on and long-term relationship with each client. The best clients, to me, are writers who stay informed about the business and the market but who also yearn to grow, learn, and improve their craft. You can always tell when someone is a "lifer" and can't imagine doing anything else. Their determination and their willingness to evolve are what will make these kinds of writers successful in today's changing publishing market.

KV: What client work do you have coming out soon? What drew you to those writers and/or projects?

MK: I came to agenting through my passion for novels, so it was a surprise to me when I ended up stumbling across so many fantastic author/illustrator clients. I have two author/illustrator projects coming out in 2011 so far (Lindsay Ward's PELLY AND MR. HARRISON VISIT THE MOON from Kane/Miller and Bethanie Murguia's BUGLETTE, THE MESSY SLEEPER from Tricycle), and their art, as well as their skill with blending visuals and text in their storytelling, is what drew me to them in the first place.

I also have a YA novel coming out in 2011 (Lisa Albert's MERCY LILY from Flux) and the emotional honesty and vulnerability of the main character really made that story come alive for me.

KV: What genres do you represent? What genres do you definitely NOT represent?

MK: My favorite novels are contemporary MG and YA, often with a touch of magical realism. I'm open to lighter fantasy and some historical, though that is a very tough market right now. My favorite books are character-driven, with literary writing but strong commercial appeal. For picture books, my tastes run toward the decidedly quirky and humorous.

I tend to stay away from old-fashioned storytelling, high fantasy, science fiction and early reader and chapter book manuscripts.

KV: Are you interested in picture book writers who AREN'T illustrators?

MK: I'm interested in picture book authors but, because the market is tough right now and because picture book authors tend to be prolific, I need to fall head over heels in love with several of their projects, at least, before I even consider taking them on.

KV: What query pet peeves and/or pitfalls should writers avoid when querying you?

MK: I discuss a lot of query snafus on my blog, but the most ineffective queries, to me, aren't personalized, start with rhetorical questions or other gimmicks, and fail to make me care about the character at the heart of the story that's being pitched. Bad writing in a query also bodes to bad writing in the manuscript, so poorly-executed queries are a big red flag.

KV: What are you looking for in a manuscript right now?

MK: I'm looking for funny MG or a great MG mystery and some darker YA. A too-close-for-comfort dystopian YA manuscript, like M.T. Anderson's FEED, is still at the top of my wish list.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

MK: Send a query and the first ten pages of your novel, copied and pasted, into an e-mail to mary@andreabrownlit.com. For picture book manuscripts, include the full manuscript after your query. No attachments, please, though I'm happy to look at art samples if you can link to them on the web.

Thanks again, Ms. Kole, for these great answers. And all you writer folk, did you check out her blog yet? Because you should. Just in case you need another link, here’s one: kidlit.com. Lots of helpful information for us kidlit writers over there. And if you’re getting ready to query her, you should definitely give it a look-see first.

Good luck, queriers! And thanks for taking the time to stop by.

(Work-in-) Progress Report: Bob

Word count (to the nearest thousand): 59,000
Status: Doing a happy dance, a holy-crap-I-finally-finished-the-first-draft happy dance
Attitude: Can you be anything but happy when you’re doing a happy dance?

*Gasps* Can’t write--right now. Too busy--doing--happy dance. See you--tomorrow.

Word of the Week

It’s time for another exciting round of “Word of the Week,” my very own improv game for writers! (Which means there are bound to be a few outlandish rules and gobs of pointless points). To play, just leave a comment that uses this week’s Word, with as many--or as few--other words as you want.

Keep in mind, your comment needn’t define the Word, just include it in an amusing or unexpected way. So if the Word were cookie, my comment might be, “Cinderello surveyed the kitchen with a distinct look of distaste. ‘Oh, and did I mention I don’t cook, i.e., chop, bake, or sauté?’” Remember, though, the actual Word will never be so non-outlandish, so don’t give yourself a headache trying to be too witty--the entries tend to generate plenty of wittiness all on their own:)

And now for the rules: First, please leave only one entry. Second, please make your comment something you’d be willing to share with your grandmother, your preacher, and your preacher’s grandmother. And last, but most importantly, please resist the urge to look the Word up. Trust me, you’ll like how this turns out much better if you do.

On Friday, I’ll reveal the definition, announce the winning comment (or comments), and award as many--or as few--points as I choose. And then we’ll all have a good laugh and give the winner (or winners) a virtual pat on the back.

All right, you ready for the Word? It’s fulgurant, which is an adjective.

Interview with an Agent: Holly Root

Boy, do I know how to pick ’em, if I do say so myself:) Today I give you Holly Root of Waxman Literary Agency. Enjoy!

KV: How did you get into agenting?

HR: I started out working as an editor in Nashville, my hometown. When my husband and I moved to NYC, I wasn't completely sure I wanted to keep going as an editor, but I knew I loved working with books. I found agenting and knew that was it.

KV: How would you summarize your personal agenting philosophy? What do you expect from an agent-author relationship?

HR: I think my agenting philosophy and my life philosophy are basically the same--do good work and do right by others. I hope to work with people who are out to do the same. I also believe that you never stop learning--as an agent, a writer, an editor--and like to work with others who see it that way too. I expect my clients to be brilliant writers, and to be professionals who can work respectfully with me and their team whether everything's going perfectly or when it gets trickier.

KV: What client work do you have coming out soon? What drew you to those writers and/or projects?

HR: You've just opened the door to my favorite subject: My clients' books, and why they rock! These three months coming up are huge months for client releases:

In March:

Susan Kearney's JORDAN (Grand Central), the third of her SF romance series The Pendragon Legacy, which plays with Arthurian legends in a futuristic, space-travel setting--I honestly think these books are some of Sue's best writing yet, they are so unique and create such amazing worlds.

Addison Fox's WARRIOR ASCENDED (NAL), the beginning of a new paranormal romance series about the Warriors of the Zodiac--I initially signed Addison on the strength of a YA project, so she's definitely multitalented, and this is the beginning of many exciting things for her as a writer.

HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins (Hyperion Books for Children), which is a debut paranormal for young adults; I knew within 50 pages that I would just cease to exist if I did not get to represent it. How lucky am I that Rachel is just beyond fun to work with to boot!

AND FALLING FLY by Skyler White (Berkley), which is a dark fantasy that blends vampires and neuroscience in a steampunk-tinted world. I pitched this one to the editor by saying "I need you to trust me and just read this book that is so brilliant I almost can't describe it" because Skye's vision is so singular that it really just has to be experienced.

Jenny Gardiner's WINGING IT: A Memoir of Caring for a Vengeful Parrot Who's Determined to Kill Me (Gallery), which is just the funniest and most surprisingly touching account of owning a parrot with a serious attitude problem. I'm a bit of a birdaphobe but Jenny, who is also an exceptional novelist, kept poking me about this bird book she wanted to do. So finally I caved and told her to send it, and then had to eat my words with whipped cream on top because it was so funny and heartwarming. It did not, however, change my opinion of be-winged terrors.

In April:

Libby Malin's MY OWN PERSONAL SOAP OPERA (Sourcebooks), which is a smart backstage comedy set at a floundering soap opera--sort of a 30 ROCK meets ROMANCING THE STONE. Libby has such a knack for taking high-concept rom-com setups and imbuing them with unexpected depth and pathos.

Next up is Kay Cassidy's debut contemporary YA, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (Egmont), which is a girl-empowering story about a high school secret society out to change the world for the better that anyone who loved Meg Cabot would totally dig. Kay is the embodiment of everything the Cinderella Society is about and you will most definitely want to be a Cindy too when you finish this book. Kay also created a program for libraries called The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, which you can check out at kaycassidy.com/hunt.

And then Lori Devoti's urban fantasy AMAZON QUEEN (Pocket/Juno), which is her second book about a family of modern-day Amazons. Nab the first, AMAZON INK, too for the full experience of Lori's fabulously character-driven take on the original tough chicks. Another great example of an author taking the conventions of a genre and bringing her own strengths to it in a way that feels completely fresh.

In May:

Chelsea Campbell's THE RISE OF RENEGADE X (Egmont), which is a hilarious boy-narrated YA novel about a world of superheroes and supervillains and the one boy caught between the two. We just optioned film rights to this one to Disney and it is honestly laugh-out-loud funny. Chelsea's voice is compulsively readable, and her main character, Damien, made me maybe want to be a supervillain too.

Stephen Betchen's MAGNETIC PARTNERS: Discover How the Hidden Conflict That Once Attracted You to Each Other Is Now Driving You Apart (Free Press), has wonderful information for anyone looking to understand their relationship better. Steve takes some high-level concepts and makes them so accessible; his approach to guiding couples to greater happiness is truly empowering.

Maureen Lipinski's NOT READY FOR MOM JEANS, which is a sequel to her A BUMP IN THE ROAD and a guaranteed laughfest for anyone who's deep in the new-mommy trenches. I was lucky to nab Maureen very soon after my move to Waxman and she has been keeping me in giggles ever since, both in her books and on her utterly charming blog (nowthatyoumentionit.typepad.com).

That actually tells you just about everything you'd want to know about what I represent. It also tells you that no, I will not in fact be sleeping for the foreseeable future! Not every month is like these, so I'm choosing to enjoy it.

KV: What genres do you represent? What genres do you definitely NOT represent?

HR: I do both fiction and nonfiction. For fiction, commercial women's (I'd love to see more projects with book-club appeal along the lines of my client Lisa Patton's WHISTLIN' DIXIE IN A NOR'EASTER), romance (mostly paranormal although not exclusively), and a very select few mysteries. I love young adult and middle grade fiction, which is a growing portion of my list, particularly middle grade. If you've got a good one please do think of me!

On the nonfic side, I tend to know it when I see it, but a strong sense of voice, a great platform and the ability to make me really think are essentials for both prescriptive and narrative projects.

I don't rep hard SF or epic fantasy, thrillers, picture books, true crime, poetry, or screenplays.

KV: What query pet peeves and/or pitfalls should writers avoid when querying you?

HR: Focus on the story. I don't need to know how long you've been writing, or what demons writing helps you exorcise, or any of those things. Just tell me a story and I'll go with you.

But if you must have a peeve, I am a relentless devil's advocate so if you ask me a rhetorical question in a query, you can bet I'm on the other end of my computer screen responding obstinately.

KV: What are you looking for in a manuscript right now?

HR: I am always looking for something that will truly transport me--make me ignore the cats and husband (temporarily) because I just cannot stop reading (they're used to it, don't worry). I love humor, but am tough on anything that tries too hard to be wacky. I love finding writers whose words just ooze confidence and make the reader know they're in excellent hands. Notice how subjective all of that is? :)

As far as specifics, I mentioned above that I'd love to find a middle grade. It doesn't mean I'm not looking for other things but there's definitely a nice opportunity there if you've got a killer MG ready to go.

KV: What’s the best way to query you?

HR: E-mail, with ten pages in the body of the e-mail below your query, to hollysubmit@waxmanagency.com.

Thanks for these great answers, Ms. Root--and for adding about a dozen books to all of our to-read lists:) If you’ve got a polished manuscript that fits her tastes, send her a query. Right away. Honestly, Ms. Root is one of the agents at the tip-tip-top of my list, and she should be at the top of yours.

Good luck to all you queriers! And thanks to all you readers for your great feedback and advice.

A Few Good Contests

Just dropping in to inform you that a few good contests have popped up around the blogosphere.

First, check out Myrna’s FABLEHAVEN giveaway. Bestselling author Brandon Mull stopped by her little corner of southern Nevada this week to give a speech at the elementary school, and while he was there, she snagged a signed copy. Now she’s passing it on to one of us. To enter, just leave a comment on the aforementioned post. The contest closes on Friday, March 19, at noon, so hop to it!

Next, Callie Forester of Chimera Critiques is hosting their first contest. They’re giving away a twenty-dollar gift card to a bookstore AND a first-chapter critique. To enter, write a short paragraph--you’ll find the prompt in the contest post--and leave it in the comments. This one closes on Saturday, April 10, at midnight, so you have some time to come up with an entry.

The Tenners are also having a fun giveaway. The gift basket’s huge, so I’ll let you look up the contents yourself. To enter, just tell them what book you’re reading right now. This contest closes tomorrow, March 18, just before the stroke of midnight, so you’d better hurry.

Finally, if you haven’t entered Nathan Bransford’s Bracket Challenge, you have a few more hours to do so. The prize is fantastic: a partial critique from one of the industry's finest, or a book by one of his clients. What's even better is that that partial doesn't have to come from a finished manuscript. And don’t worry--no prior knowledge of anything having to do with college basketball required. Pointing and clicking, while not recommended in the voting booth, is still a fairly reliable method for picking March Madness winners:)

Well, there you have it. If there are any others I’ve missed, feel free to talk them up in the comments.