I am more excited for you than ever! That guy is awesome!!!!
And the feedback you got is incredible. They seem really interested in the story and would jump at the chance to read it after you've made a few minor changes.
Hi Heidi, I thought I would comment here instead of at Nathan's blog but I thought your query was great and Nathan's comments really revealing. What was impressive was how he titled it. "The IMportance of Recognizing Your Selling Points." He thinks you have great selling points that you did not play up in your query. That's great!
With regards to your query, you have the best title lead in paragraph I've seen to date through all the trolling in EE's and Miss. Snark's blogs. I loved that second paragraph! I think it set a great tone for your letter. Your next paragraph is great too! But would you consider some thoughts I had? If you get rid of the next paragraph starting with "Quiet, sensitive..." and moving straight into "But plans can fall apart. (take out next sentence and move to) All they wanted..." it would be stronger. And then, of course, work with your selling points! I do think you want to play up the Mennonite angle because I don't think it makes it a religious novel, what it does is make people curious about a religion and culture that they may know nothing about and for that alone, it is worth the price of admission. I'm betting that once you refine and play up, you will be getting requests for partials because I would definitely be interested in this! Best of luck to you!
Go to my comment site and look for “a paperback writer.” I still don’t know how to do this link stuff, but she is a writer too. And she is postulating on YA fiction. That is, if you haven’t already met her. If not, you might get some more ideas – or not.
17 comments:
Oooooh!
How interesting!
Yeah! I know!
I'm learning a lot, I tell you!
Absolutely cool! Very constructive and helpful.
Unlike me.
I sit in box. I feel shame.
Keep it up, and keep it going.
I'm very proud of you.
yeharr
Pirate, you are not sitting in a box!!!!!! No shame! No!!!
Isn't it cool, how he dished out advice? I will keep going. I will take your pride and carry it but not in a box!
(Hey, aren't you supposed to be sleeping? It's past your bedtime. OOps. Past my bedtime too. Now git! Go on, git!!!)
cool!
I am more excited for you than ever! That guy is awesome!!!!
And the feedback you got is incredible. They seem really interested in the story and would jump at the chance to read it after you've made a few minor changes.
Awesome, Heidi! That is freakin' awesome!
WoW! That was fascinating stuff! Good luck! Have you noticed that all my sentences end with an...oh shit.
he's good. i would love the book, so go do what you have to do and then i can go buy it.
I know. He's so great! I wish even more he could be my agent!
But you know what, I'm actually glad he turned it down, because now I'm better prepared to make it the best it can be.
If it had been a Yes right away, I'd have jumped at the chance and possibly still had doubts about the end result.
All these little steps...
I'm relieved that just from those few paragraphs, people might want to read more. That's what I need.
Heidi, honey, I am soooo impressed with you and how you handled yourself. I still can't wait to say, "I know that author."
Heidi Lou - You've done well, you are learning lots and that book will be a success. Plug away!
Hi Heidi,
I thought I would comment here instead of at Nathan's blog but I thought your query was great and Nathan's comments really revealing. What was impressive was how he titled it. "The IMportance of Recognizing Your Selling Points." He thinks you have great selling points that you did not play up in your query. That's great!
With regards to your query, you have the best title lead in paragraph I've seen to date through all the trolling in EE's and Miss. Snark's blogs. I loved that second paragraph! I think it set a great tone for your letter. Your next paragraph is great too! But would you consider some thoughts I had? If you get rid of the next paragraph starting with "Quiet, sensitive..." and moving straight into "But plans can fall apart. (take out next sentence and move to) All they wanted..." it would be stronger. And then, of course, work with your selling points! I do think you want to play up the Mennonite angle because I don't think it makes it a religious novel, what it does is make people curious about a religion and culture that they may know nothing about and for that alone, it is worth the price of admission. I'm betting that once you refine and play up, you will be getting requests for partials because I would definitely be interested in this! Best of luck to you!
Ello, thanks! Um, I mean, THANKS!
I'm going to go through that query and do a few experimental rewrites, just to see how it works. It's like a puzzle!
Nathan's critique has been an amazing experience. I'm glad I gave him the go-ahead to share it on his blog.
I AM MUCH LESS AFRAID OF MY OWN BOOK NOW!
Cindy, I really feel like I'm on the right track!
Coffeypot, you're impressed already?? This is good!
I really want this. But wanting isn't enough. I have goals to reach and I have a long way to go yet, but I'm getting there!
Go to my comment site and look for “a paperback writer.” I still don’t know how to do this link stuff, but she is a writer too. And she is postulating on YA fiction. That is, if you haven’t already met her. If not, you might get some more ideas – or not.
Your perseverance is impressive Heidi.
Just like learning how to ride a horse?
coffey- thanks, I have met Paperback Writer and will probably go read there more often!
Corky, yes, it is like that. Frustrating and difficult and empowering and fun!
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