tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308214465210382791.post1909958385487586607..comments2024-03-26T01:28:27.414-04:00Comments on It's In The Details: Rewind Week: Super QueriesMichelle 4 Laughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876457259362839114noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308214465210382791.post-92164673646994765972017-07-16T18:11:58.739-04:002017-07-16T18:11:58.739-04:00Thanks for this--it was super helpful!
I've ...Thanks for this--it was super helpful! <br /><br />I've received a lot of great advice on queries and querying, but I think the best advice has been to always remember it's your MS, and you have the final say. <br /><br />When I was querying my first MS I got so much feedback on my query, and my first pages. Much of it was great, but a lot of it wasn't. After a while though, it can become difficult to distinguish between good and bad advice, and even some good advice might not apply to your particular book. I was so caught up in trying to please everyone else that I lost sight of what I loved about the MS. <br /><br />A lot of people will try to tell you a query should sound a particular way, or that a particular voice is needed, but as soon as you start to lose your own voice, I think that drags you down (both in terms of your passion for the project, and the quality of your work). A good many "voice-y" queries and books sound the same to me--there's a trend to write snarky, youthful, almost cinematic characters. While there's nothing wrong with any of those elements, be careful not to force your authorial voice, or your characters' voices to suit a trend. <br /><br />That said, I think all advice (with maybe some caveats) should be taken seriously and considered. If multiple people have similar issues with a query then you may want to consider making a change. <br /><br />Whatever you choose to do (whether you make a change or don't), taking a day or two to reflect on the advice is always helpful. This way you avoid that gut reaction to immediately reject feedback you disagree with, while simultaneously stopping yourself from immediately implementing feedback without considering if it applies. The source of the feedback matters too--is the person giving it fluent in your genre? If you prefer terse prose and the person giving the feedback loves purple prose, then their suggestions to add X number of adjectives may not make sense for your style.<br /><br />Aaaaanyway. Long-winded response to a simple question, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Steerpikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771660108569944264noreply@blogger.com