The Query!

Anyone who likes writing queries, raise your hand.

Anyone...anyone?

Most writers I know don't care for query writing. Thankfully, they aren't always necessary, and there are creative ways to get around them. When I've had to write one, though, there are a few basics I keep in mind. What are they? I'm glad you asked. Otherwise, we wouldn't have a Monday post. :)

1) Get right to the point. Query readers are busy; they don't have time to read a lengthy dissertation.

2) Use a good, concise hook. Share the main idea, illustrating enough to whet their appetite. Write smart and tight. Make every word count.

3) Pay attention. Get the details right, editor's name, address, etc. Research the market and know the publication and/or publisher.

4) The first impression is usually all you get. Unless they know your work, the query is the same as an interview; judgments are based on what they see and hear in that letter. Best foot forward time - no errors allowed.

What else? Well, there are other considerations, like should a query be written before or after the piece is done. (I think it depends.) Or what tweaks are necessary to suit an article, story, or book query.  (Let's save those for another time.)

Need more food for thought? Check out what Laura Pauling shared in her post entitled Not Your Usual Query Tips. She encourages us to think outside the box to jump those query hurdles.

Hope Clark adds another angle to things (query and otherwise) in this post, Go Ahead, Talk Sweet to Me. Ah, yes, the benefits of doing your homework!

For even more help, get Elana Johnson's free download, From the Query to the Call. Elana's book comes out soon, so I think she knows a thing or two about the process.

Writing the query - love it or hate it? What tips have helped your query adventures?

Happy writing,
Karen

Photo credits: lumix2004  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/588373
                       tevoo          http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1329889

Writing Compelling Characters

If you missed the info, here's the background on The Great Blogging Experiment:

Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh, and Jennifer Daiker hosted the Great Blogging Trifecta a few weeks ago. They teamed up for The Great Blogging Experiment, where they invited bloggers to post today about "Writing Compelling Characters". The experiment? To prove that no two blog posts will be exactly the same. 

My first thought was that it didn't apply to me. After all, I haven't completed, okay, or really even started a manuscript. My WIP consists of copious notes, printouts, bookmarked links, images and scenes floating around in my head and a fair sized stack of research books. I don't have all the characters figured out yet, but figure I've got enough to call it a WIP, even if it is just the starting fringe.

But then I thought, why not give it a try? After all, Elana said that it would be interesting to see all the variations from this experiment. I've created characters for kid's stories, taught fiction writing to teens, and I know what kind of characters that appeal to me, so I signed up. 

Writing Compelling Characters


We need compelling characters for great stories. Setting is good, plot is important and a knack for writing is crucial too. But characters, whether people, animals, or something else - this is what the story is about. I've always thought that plot, setting, and conflict swirls around the characters. 

Five things first come to mind when I consider character development.

1) The power to draw the reader in. Love 'em or hate 'em, a character has to grab my attention. I want them to be interesting. An MC needs personality and depth. I need to see how and why they relate to the story. If not, I quit reading.

2) They need to be believable. Unless I'm reading fantasy, I want to see real people. I want them to think and feel and have all sorts of emotions, actions, struggles and consequences.

3) They need to be consistent. They can't be having jealousy issues in chapter one and suddenly become unjealous in chapter two. (Is unjealous a word?) Growth and change through a story is great, but it's got to be natural.

4) The presence of physical characteristics. I want enough description of the character to be able to visualize them. A good writer, I think, paints images that enhance the reading experience. I'm not talking elaborate or lengthy, particularly with flash fiction, just enough to complement the rest of the story's elements.

5) They need to be memorable. Main characters should be memorable. For example, I just finished reading The Preacher's Bride, by Jody Hedlund. Over the course of the past week, I kept thinking about the book's MC, Elizabeth Whitbread. Her tenacity to do what she thought right was inspiring, and I will replay her comments, actions, and emotions in my head for a long time.

There you have it. My two cents on Writing Compelling Characters. Once my WIP is finished, I'll share what I've learned. :)

If you'd like some tried and true advice, check out this Writer's Digest link featuring quick tips for developing characters.

What do you think makes a character great? What tips do you have for writing compelling characters? 


Please join me next week when I review The Preacher's Bride. This special feature will include a giveaway and interview with Jody. Happy Weekend!

Blessings,

Karen










 

 


























Blessings and Happy Weekend!

Karen


Image credit: bulleTT  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1248121

Tomorrow's Post

The Great Blogging Experiment

Instead of my regular Thursday post, I'm posting on Friday, September 24. This is why:

Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh, and Jennifer Daiker hosted the Great Blogging Trifecta a few weeks ago. Posts featured their thoughts on what makes a good blog. (It was a helpful and informative series. If you like, check it out by clicking on their names.) These three are teaming up for The Great Blogging Experiment, where they are inviting bloggers to join them in posting on September 24, 2010. The topic - "Writing Compelling Characters". They want to see each blogger's personality reflected in their posts, and expect that no two blog posts will be exactly the same. For details or to sign up, click here. 

I'm participating, so will you join me tomorrow?

See you soon!

Karen

 

Miscellaneous Monday & Texas Roads Winner

                                   Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lange at Inside Out.


The Winner is...

The Texas Roads winner is Ann Lee Miller. Congratulations, Ann! I hope you enjoy reading Cathy's book. Thanks to everyone who participated, and thanks to author Cathy Bryant for her generosity!

(Note to Ann - I emailed you Sunday. Kindly get back to me at klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com asap with your mailing address. Thanks!:) 

Coming soon!

Two milestones are nearly upon us. I have almost reached 150 followers (yay!) and will publish my 200th post soon. I think that calls for a celebration. How about a giveaway? Details to follow.

Great Giveaway Sites

Carman Boley, at Christian Book Giveaways shares links featuring the latest book giveaways. From historical to contemporary, there's something for everyone. I love to hop over and see what she has posted each week. Be sure and say hello to Carman when you stop, I'm sure she'd appreciate it!

Many of you are already familiar with Lynda Schab's writing blog, On the Write Track. But have you been to her other one? Great Christian Book Giveaways shares listings of nifty book giveaways. It's worth a peek if you're in the mood to enter a contest.

The Great Blogging Experiment

Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh, and Jennifer Daiker hosted the Great Blogging Trifecta last week. Posts featured their thoughts on what makes a good blog. Good stuff! I highly recommend checking out the week's posts.

These three are also conducting The Great Blogging Experiment, where they are inviting bloggers to join them in scheduling a post on September 24, 2010 about "Writing Compelling Characters". The idea is that they want to see each blogger's personality reflected in each post; they expect that no two blog posts will be completely alike. Matter of fact, Elana is willing to bet a kidney that they won't be. So for her sake, we ought to participate, don't you think? For details or to sign up, click here.

You don't need to be an expert on character development to join in. I'm not, but I think it will be an adventure. I'm in, how about you?

Are you thinking about joining the experiment? What other writing adventures are on the list for this week?


Happy writing!


Blessings,
Karen

More Goodies

I decided to continue with the goodies theme for another post. Why not grab a popsicle and join me!

If you have time, check out the comments from Monday's Writing Goodies post. There are lots of good writng sources from my faithful blogging gang. Thanks, guys! :D


Agent Myths

Jennifer Lawler responds to misconceptions that writers often have in the article Five Myths You Shouldn't Believe About Agents. Lawler addresses things like: Can I ask them questions? If I don't hear anything, does that mean they don't want to represent me? When on the agent quest, we might as well be informed, don't you think?

 
WriteOnCon

WriteOnCon is a free online writing conference for children's writers. Scheduled for August 10-12, 2010, it is the brainchild of Elana Johnson, Jamie Harrington, Casey McCormick, Shannon Messenger, Lisa and Laura Roecker, and Jen Stayrook. There will be workshops, chats, contests, and a lot of good stuff. Did I mention that it was free? Click here for more info.

Excellence in Writing

In her post Raising the Bar to Excellence, Kathryn Lang discusses things writers can do for greater success and productivity. Her tips are aimed at freelancers, but I thought that they have a general writer appeal with points such as "Today is the time to pursue the dream." Kathryn also had interesting things to say in a recent interview on Susan J. Reinhardt's blog Christian Writer/Reader Connection.


Speaking of excellence in writing, what do you consider key elements to writing success?


Happy writing, and happy weekend!

Karen

The Meeting

The Person Behind the Blog

There's a bit of a theme here lately with our discussions about the benefits of blogging. Everyone agreed that meeting other writers ranked at or near the top of this list. How many of us have had the privilege of meeting another blogger in person?

Well, since you asked...I have! Heather Sunseri of Balance With Purpose and I recently got together. Since we live about an hour away from each other, we chose a spot in the middle that just happened to have a Starbucks. Wasn't that convenient? I know, I'll take any opportunity for a tall Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino.

We had a great visit, getting to know each other better and discussing blogging and writing. Books, articles, queries, conferences, writing classes, we covered a lot of ground. And it was all good. One of the best things about the visit, in my opinion anyway, was knowing that Heather 'gets' the writing life. Family and non writing friends can be very supportive, but only another writer 'gets' it like we do. After several hours we went our separate ways, but not without discussing getting together again. Thanks, Heather, it was a blessing to meet you.

Finish Strong

If you need some encouragement for the writing journey and can't meet with a blogger friend in person, check out Elana Johnson's guest post over at Sara Larson's blog. Elana candidly shares part of her writing adventures, including the rejection part, and tells us to Finish Strong. Quite inspiring.

So Tell Us!

Have you met other bloggers in person? At a conference? Over the phone? In a writing class? Share your experiences with us; we're all ears.

Happy weekend, and of course, happy writing!

Blessings,

Karen

Blogging Thoughts

Since I passed the one year blogging milestone in March, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my blogging routine, style, layout, and goals. Where am I headed? Do I keep going the same way or change things up? Can I still keep up my blog visiting schedule and maintain my sanity? The progress on my quest for answers has been slow, but these blogging friends have provided great food for thought.

Elana Johnson's recent posts have been similar to my thoughts. Blogging For You touches on viewing blogging like sitting around a table and talking with friends. Another post, More to Consider, offers more thoughts about what makes a good blog. Elana encourages us to consider the time factor; our visitors' time is at a premium, so make their stay at your blog effective and efficient.

Jody Hedlund has offered good blogging tips too. A recent favorite was How Can We Tell if Our Blog is Good?  Jody touches on followers, blogging and selling books, and how to measure how good (or bad) our blogs are. Key points worthy of consideration, she says, are numbers, connections, and feedback. The million dollar question that she poses to readers is "What makes a 'must read' blog?"

So what do you think? What elements are key to a successful blog? What do you like to see when you visit a blog? How do you build and maintain your followers? As always, I welcome and appreciate your input.

Coming next week - an interview with author Gayle Roper, hope you can join us!

Blessings and Happy Weekend:)

Elana Johnson's Fabulous Contest

The fabulous find of the week would have to be Elana Johnson's  

Pay It Forward Query Critique Contest.

The winner gets a query letter critique by one of five terrific literary agents.

As a bonus, five other winners will be awarded Elana's eBook,  

From the Query to the Call.

Sounds like a grand deal to me:)

Hurry over to Elana's blog!

  Contest ends Sunday, February 21, 2010.

 

Happy Writing!