Writing/Revising Query, Synopsis, 2 page

Writing and Revising Your Novel’s Query, Synopsis and first 2 pages

Elizabeth Lyon
2008 Willamette Writers Conference

Start with Fiction:

1) Revision
2) Craft
3) Marketing

Most important: Never lose creation or joy of writing or of what you have written

Writing Fiction Novel:

1) Craft
2) Art

Average – 10 year process until you get your first book published; or four books
Rejection % = 97% for Query and Submission.
A successful % is 1/3.
A good return is to say “I’m interested”, not to get a contract right away.
All writers know about odds but believe it doesn’t apply to them.

Success:
1) Being flexible
2) Seeking critiques
3) Switching genres


Query Letter

1) One and only one page
can change margins from default 1 ¼ inches to 1 inch
can use condensed font such as Times New Roman for Query letter
(300-400 words per page)

In manuscript do not use Times New Roman: (agents/publisher/editors) don’t want condensed type – want non-condensed (approximately 250 words per page).
New Courier would be good but italics don’t show up well and have to be underlined; Century or Bookman Old Style or some other non-condensed font – test; always 12 point type

Double-space between paragraphs. Block style indent popular but either okay. Each paragraph single-spaced.

2) SASE’s
a) If sending manuscript (paper) send in mailer
b) If pages send a SASE

Query like a pitch
Important – can bypass paper query by going to conference (50-60%) versus 1%.
Mid-October: Conference just over Vancouver Washington border in Surrey Canada. (80% American agents; 20% Canadian agents)

Conferences are continually as good as they were before. Don’t feel rushed. Have finished or partially manuscript done as well as you can before you pitch.

Agents won’t re-review a query if they turned it down a first time

Query:
1) 5-7 paragraphs; 5 most successful
2) 1st words most important
3) Has
a) Beginning
i) Hook
*) 2 categories - Business
Artistic and Creative
---Why Business Lead: If have recommendation from someone to send a query
---Most Agents Won’t Take Authors without Prior Publications
Eg. – Short Stories of any kind published – appeals to a career
Novelist
((In non-fiction qualifications come in last paragraph – not first ((author bio)) )

b) Middle
c) End


Artistic or Creative Lead
A) Idea – Show off your writing with creativity and art
(like artistic part of Olympic skating)
B) Don’t open with dialog or snippet from novel
Reader (agent) won’t have context to understand it
C) Set context to give background as a way to show off your writing
Great verbs (confer conflict)
- Power positions
1st words of novel or chapter and last words
Words in that position have more impact


Short middle in query:

1) 1 or 2 paragraphs

Long form:

2) 3 to 5 paragraphs – double spaced
Needs to be condensed down


2nd and 3rd paragraphs are from synopsis
Next after synopsis in query (2nd and 3rd paragraphs) -> devoted to characterization
Authors split on this:
Some pros of giving away ending: don’t have to say to agent “who dun it”
Cons: Some say leave it to the unknown

Often included in query: Say who manuscript will appeal to (conditional statement) – well-known author agent would be familiar with - Use one contemporary and one classic; Be specific
(Sales handle – this author like those authors from agent to publisher – “Does this mean authors of books of agent’s clientele?)

Communicate author is working on sequels



Query with Synopsis

First paragraph or first example leads into synopsis




Synopsis

Needs character and plot. Integrate together.
Making it all plot is biggest mistake.

Her advice: “Write synopsis first.”

Synopsis: 3rd Person – Present Tense – (Makes it More Lively)
Backstory in Synopsis – Past Tense


Make character 3-dimensional. Cardboard cut-out characters won’t make it anymore. What makes character 3-dimensional is that you show what role the character plays, the conflict, and why the character is the only one who can solve it;

Can be or maybe always need to be some kind of emotional need: (Hole in the Soul) You have to show the growth of character (how they learned something that filled the hole in the soul) when plot ends

Backstory provides a weakness and a strength (makes character 3-D)

Get hooked first and then brief. Don’t begin with dialog without enough anchors.

Reveal backstory on as needs to know basis.

Don’t open story with a dream.

Don’t open with character physically moving some way

Use or non-use of contractions: depends on agent and a lot of intangibles – be consistent


Miscellaneous:

All authors are expected to have websites and can do it before sale of 1st book – can put agents who prefer paper submissions off
2 types of agents:
a) Those who want paper submissions
b) Those who want them by email
Risky to put up your writing on your website

Can you query different editors in the same house?
Yes – if have had prior contact unless paper query – then don’t send in again

Should you mention that you’ve had a negative reaction?
No way. Don’t say anything negative.

Multiple queries – okay. 6-10 at a time a good number. It gives you room to improve before you send out new ones if you have to send out new ones.

Error: Miscategorizing

Can you supply multiple manuscripts to multiple requests? Yes at conferences.
If they want it exclusively don’t submit to multiple requests but make them put a time limit on how fast they will get to yours.


Timeline from Agent to Editor: Often have to wait a long time.

Almost everybody markets too soon. Any feedback is always good.
See her “Manuscript Makeover” by Elizabeth Lyon.

If have both short stories and novels submit each one separately.



* Pacific Northwest – Has more writing talent than anywhere else in the country