Comments on: Some Basic Questions

By: Kori

Kori — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:40:39 +0000

Hi Lilith,

Is there a rule I don’t know about when sending out queries to multiple agents at one time? I’m in the middle of sending out queries and would like to send out more than one at a time to different agents. I know that it isn’t right to send your full manuscript to more than one agent at a time, but what about just queries?

Thanks!

By: PantaRei

PantaRei — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:11:45 +0000

I find outlines useful if I get stuck or if I’m writing something short. If I get stuck it often helps to map out the next few steps until I get to a point where things start to move on their own again. If everything’s progressing nicely I usually see now reason to interrupt the flow with too much planning.

If I write something short, I tend to plan, essay-style, in much more detail in order to avoid editing later. I know the general advice is the exact opposite but that’s how I work best.

Then again I’m not actually an author, not even a wannabe one (I have a day job and I’m quite happy with it). I just like to write. So I guess I can do whatever I want…

By: Jeff Somers

Jeff Somers — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:56:02 +0000

Whoa. . .there is actually something called “novel-writing software”? Holy crow. Is there an AUTO button that just grinds out 80,000 words? ‘Cuz if there is, we’re both rich. Rich I tell you!

L
J

By: tanya

tanya — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:01:12 +0000

thank you for such a quick response to my questions…it is much appreciated.

By: PJ

PJ — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:43:14 +0000

I’m a pantser myself, but I’m wondering what you do when editors want an outline of future books in a series? Make something up then do whatever the work tells you to when it’s what you told the editor or not? Or has this never come up for you? There’s conflicting advice out there and this is yet another thing I fret/torture myself about.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:05:42 +0000

–I find that too much structure kills the story–I need it loose enough to breathe, loose enough to be surprised. Trusting the work is my big thing.–

*sigh of relief* I’ve always done this and tried to justify it to a world that insists having an outline is essential to good writing. I like to be surprised by the story, to feel that sense of wonder when you’re “in the zone” and the work takes on a life of its own. To me, that’s the greatest joy of writing (or any creative process).

That being said, how do you handle the synopsis? I’ve read several writers say they write the synopsis before the novel as a form of outline. I’ve tried working with outlines, but like you, have ended up tossing them aside halfway through the novel as new ideas and developments occur in the story. I get to the same endgame, but lots of detours open up in the process and some of them are just too intriguing not to follow.

By: John Ginsberg-Stevens

John Ginsberg-Stevens — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:57:10 +0000

Some excellent advice here. I wish I could take all of it. Sadly, as a writing teacher and editor for several years it is very hard to not stop and correct my work, even when in the throes of an awesome idea or a solid stretch of drafting. But as I forge ahead I’ll use the advice on action tags. It really does make the writing work better.

I tried an outline on my first foray into novel-writing and it did not work well. Now I’m just writing and putting side-notes in a separate doc , and will go back once I have more of the story and character interactions on the page. I find that other than a very brief sketch I cannot do much with characters until they start to act and interact in the story.

I have looked at some of the writing tools, and I find them too flashy and distracting. Words on page is what needs to be done, and a word-processor lets me get them out quickly. I am finally feeling this lesson in my bones: the key is to write, to get your thoughts on the page where you can work with them. I appreciate the fact that most of your advice comes right back to that. Thanks!