The Waiting Game

Waiting to hear back from editors and agents can be a draining task.  I recently sent out a proposal in which the editor received but said it would be 6 months before they responded.  6 MONTHS!!! Torture, pure torture. 

So, I sent off the second book in the series just be ahead in the game.  But I'm not putting all of my eggs in one basket, I'm sending elsewhere and will pursue agents as well.

One that that has gotten easier in regards to submitting proposals is that most are electronic. You don't have to print out all of those pages, go to the post office, make sure you have a SASE. Nope, just a click of a button and you're set.

For my adolescent series I'm going the agent route. Adolescent novels have taken off since the debut of Harry Potter and now with Twilight and Hunger Games, the genre has changed. Books are grittier, violent, appeal to adults and children. It's interesting how a genre that includes Little House On The Prairie can shift so much.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

To Read Or Not To Read

Okay, I apologize for the title, but I'm a big Shakespeare fan and since I'm an English teacher, I should be. However, the subject of reading while trying to write is a tricky one. Should we read books that are a different genre then what we are writing?

If I am reading a historical and writing a historical, will the tone, ideas, and characterization seep into my writing? I tend to think not. Mainly because I feel that all authors have their own writing "voice". My tone would not mimic the other authors writing because if it did, wouldn't it be a carbon copy of the book? Also, many writers plan their plot, GMC, and characterization prior to writing and that helps direct them more than reading another book.

I do find reading books of the same genre I am writing beneficial because it tells me what editors have purchased and perhaps their manuscript personality. I may have in insight to a specific editors love of Pirates or Highlanders. Also, books do have a tone. Are they funny? Highly sensual? Or over-the-top dramatic? When searching for a publisher, these are all things to consider before submitting a book. I've done workshops on targeting your manuscript and truly investigating a publisher is important so you are not wasting your time or the editors time.

So, what is your opinion? Do you find it distracting to be reading and writing in the same genre?

That's it according to Maddy ~

Tootles,
Madelyn

Writer's Tools

In many of the workshops I present, I talk about "writer's tools" and "writer's toolbox". I feel that with each bit of knowledge we build a repertoire of contacts, skills, and tips. This post will be filled with some information that writers can use and keep in their toolbox.

Romance Writers of America - The queen of all RWA writing chapters and a great resource for all writers no matter your expertise.

2008 Writer's Market - a resource that is valuable past it's year because address and phone numbers rarely change. If an editor leaves a house, it is still fine to call and see who takes their place. -- However, for a resource that is updated frequently, here's the url Literary Market Place

Association of Authors' Representatives - Looking for an agent? Go here to check them out and see if they belong.

Guide to Grammar and Style - Need grammar help--this is the site to use!

Trying to up your writing output? - This page tracker located on the home page of my website and created by Kresley Cole is a wonderful tool to use and push yourself for maximum output (directions are on tab #1).

Favorite blogs I visit often:
BookEnds Literary Agency
L.Perkins Agency - Jenny Rappaport
Knight Agency


If you have any other resources, please add them in a comment.

That's it according to Maddy ~

Tootles,
Madelyn