Writing...

Ahhh, the query letter. The writer's bane. I don't know (yet) if I've conquered the letter writing process, but I did manage to write another one over the past few weeks and now--with just a bit of trepidation--I am on the verge of submitting it. I've read hundreds of sample query letters online and in the writing books resting on the shelf above my desk. I've seen all sorts of variances and suggestions. Some say the pitch paragraph(s) should come first, others say put the nuts and bolts of the letter first (title, genre, word count etc), while still others like to be told why you're submitting to them (a little bit of schmooze perhaps?)....but the bottom line is, and while this may seem like a -DUH- moment, what all the agents are really looking for is 'great' writing. Some might even be willing to settle for 'good' writing. And all of them are looking for something they can fall in love with AND SELL. Shocking news, I know. And yes, I know -DUH!

And while I never did do any of the following, I've noted that agents also state all the things they DON'T want in query letters -- photos, candy, gimmicks, chocolates....Really? Are you seriously saying that a query letter attached to a box of chocolates wouldn't get at least a second glance? Okay....right. (And no, I did not try that approach though personally, if someone sent me a box of chocolates I wouldn't mind so much! Neither would my wife. She LOVES chocolate.)

Anyways....instead of turning the query letter writing process into a dreaded task (I know, it really is) I tried to look at it as a new kind of challenge. While it is a business letter at heart, it also needs to woo. It needs to entice. It needs to sell your writing. It needs to lift those drooping eyelids, brighten those blurry red-rimmed eyes--it needs to grab that agent's attention and make him or her eager to read more, more, more....

Did I achieve that? I don't know. Yet. I hope so. We'll see.

The writing adventure continues...I'll keep you posted on the results.

Have a great weekend, All.