tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post6155926053900055868..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: Query Letters and the ExtrovertTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-58967763264396641242008-09-04T21:41:00.000-05:002008-09-04T21:41:00.000-05:00Yes, I can see how you'd be a mix of both. For so...Yes, I can see how you'd be a mix of both. For someone to be able to live in other countries for as long as you have, you'd have to have some extroverted tendencies. I've visited lots of countries, but I would have difficulties living in them. :)<BR/><BR/>Using my characters in queries was a liberating experience for me. I highly recommend it for others having trouble spicing up their queries.Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-89742204751300609732008-09-04T17:06:00.000-05:002008-09-04T17:06:00.000-05:00I'm a weird hybrid of introvert and extrovert, but...I'm a weird hybrid of introvert and extrovert, but when it comes to writing query letters, the introvert wins hands down. All my queries were namby-pamby and full of dopey qualifications. The one comment people kept making about it was that I needed to be more forceful and use fewer hedges and qualifications, but doing this was pure agony for me. <BR/><BR/>I like your query letter. I'll try to remember to put more of my characters in mine when I start my 25th rewriting. Or maybe it's the 26th? I've lost count...Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-34262516208186867652008-09-04T17:04:00.000-05:002008-09-04T17:04:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-85050338786406542252008-09-03T20:15:00.000-05:002008-09-03T20:15:00.000-05:00Exactly! Sometimes I envy people who don't feel co...Exactly! Sometimes I envy people who don't feel compelled to write. They can actually watch 15 minutes of tv without thinking, "I really should be working on that scene."<BR/><BR/>There are moments when the writing bug almost seems like a disorder of some sort...Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-88574440632801147872008-09-03T12:44:00.000-05:002008-09-03T12:44:00.000-05:00PJ - Thanks! Hope agents and editors feel the sam...PJ - Thanks! Hope agents and editors feel the same way! :)<BR/><BR/>Anne - Thanks! It's funny how this profession requires so much balance. Balance within the writing itself, balance within the query, and balance within your life in that you need to be able to spend zillions of hours alone to write, but also be able to mingle appropriately when the time comes. Such a complicated profession we've chosen! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-58900817078722746532008-09-03T11:33:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:33:00.000-05:00Whoops - accidentally deleted my comment by rushin...Whoops - accidentally deleted my comment by rushing. <BR/>What I said was -- yes, extroverted qualities necessary for queries, and you need extroverted qualities even more when it comes time to promote your book. Another yin/yang thing in writing.<BR/>Nice analogy!Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-2167096030748405472008-09-03T11:31:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:31:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-38929676450943698572008-09-03T11:24:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:24:00.000-05:00Popped back to say - it's a great query, Tabitha!I...Popped back to say - it's a great query, Tabitha!<BR/>I'd read it for sure!PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-84349199451951566542008-09-03T11:21:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:21:00.000-05:00We crossed posts!Yes, Marcia has wise words. :) ...We crossed posts!<BR/><BR/>Yes, Marcia has wise words. :) And it is extremely exhausting, isn't it? I need a full day to recover from something like that. :)<BR/><BR/>I hope agents and editors like my query too...thanks! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-8751478059628356382008-09-03T11:08:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:08:00.000-05:00Tabitha, I love your query, and the idea of puttin...Tabitha, I love your query, and the idea of putting your character's voice in the query letter if your own voice is too shy. It really does need to reflect the tone of the story and the person telling it. <BR/><BR/>I'm not an extrovert at all, but what marcia said resonated with me: I absolutely DO whip up an extroverted personality when in group settings. It's automatic for me, and exhausting!Angie Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289117251403143766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-77042858039066946042008-09-03T11:07:00.000-05:002008-09-03T11:07:00.000-05:00Carrie - good for you for sticking with your query...Carrie - good for you for sticking with your query, even if others didn't care for it. And look what it got you? A super cool agent!! :)<BR/><BR/>Becca - I think so many writers fall in to the introverted/shy category. I had forgotten about the Shrinking Violet's site, so I'm really glad Jenn brought it up. :)<BR/><BR/>Angela - you are so right about the confidence, and about not tipping over into arrogance. And finding that balance can be really difficult. Heck, finding any kind of balance is difficult. :) I still don't think I've found the right balance in my query, but I do think that I'm heading in the right direction. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-18009136755786618892008-09-03T09:00:00.000-05:002008-09-03T09:00:00.000-05:00I think you hit the nail on the head with the extr...I think you hit the nail on the head with the extroverted thing. It is an extroverted process, because to have a successful query, you have to exude confidence. Now, some writers take it too far and start explaining why they are the next JK, how the agent would be lucky to have them, etc, etc. I can see why agents hit the auto reject.<BR/><BR/>What I mean by confidence is a striaght-forwardness in the query that shows that <I>This is my product, I feel excited about it and I believe you will too--let me show you why. </I> No writer's fear, neediness, butt kissing or fake enthusiasm. Just like a novel must convey a tight plot, authentic characters and an unique voice, its imperative that the query also come across as completely genuine.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-33193113982352049252008-09-02T20:59:00.000-05:002008-09-02T20:59:00.000-05:00Great analysis of why queries are so hard for most...Great analysis of why queries are so hard for most writers. I, too, fall into the introverted-and-shy category, so all of this makes sense to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-59449475058311164592008-09-02T17:15:00.000-05:002008-09-02T17:15:00.000-05:00I've never thought of it this way, but I completel...I've never thought of it this way, but I completely agree. I fought hard with my critique group to keep that voice in my letter, even if it meant using language that was casual and unprofessional in my letter. I did, however, limit the slang to the description of the book and made sure that when I addressed the agent, I was professional. I figured (hoped) she'd get the idea that I can write but am not a complete flake! Anyway, that's my take on it. Interesting discussion here!Carrie Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14893023777471521703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-13098802592714591722008-09-02T13:17:00.000-05:002008-09-02T13:17:00.000-05:00Beth, I put my query up for you! Hope you find it...Beth, I put my query up for you! Hope you find it useful. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-76707263115421732462008-09-02T13:04:00.000-05:002008-09-02T13:04:00.000-05:00GWG - great point. :) We writers need to learn h...GWG - great point. :) We writers need to learn how to put ourselves out there or we'll be huddled in a corner with our laptops for the rest of our lives. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-49970144504127102222008-09-02T08:36:00.000-05:002008-09-02T08:36:00.000-05:00Sorry for being so late in replying. Yesterday wa...Sorry for being so late in replying. Yesterday was Labor Day, and I had some quality time with my family. :)<BR/><BR/>PJ - I think it often happens the way it happened to you. We just keep trying new things until something begins to work, then we pay attention to what we'd just done. :) Kind of like writing a novel, actually. :)<BR/><BR/>Beth - absolutely, I'll share! I'll append my query to the original post, and add a few comments about what I'd changed.<BR/><BR/>Shari - glad you enjoyed it! :) I find it so much easier to use my character than myself. Probably because I'm pretty boring, and my characters aren't. :)<BR/><BR/>Jenn - thanks! That's a fantastic site. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-5842843589046291722008-09-01T17:31:00.000-05:002008-09-01T17:31:00.000-05:00Marketing ideas and overall moral support for intr...Marketing ideas and overall moral support for introvert writers can be found at<BR/><BR/>http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>--Jenn HubbardJennifer R. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03408588432492354248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-45041674558943344882008-09-01T11:28:00.000-05:002008-09-01T11:28:00.000-05:00Putting your character on the page sounds perfect ...Putting your character on the page sounds perfect -- definitely easier for us introverted writers, and a great way to convey the voice/tone of the story.<BR/><BR/>Great post - thanks!Shari Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12495151345889657066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-47751142366991971322008-09-01T10:16:00.000-05:002008-09-01T10:16:00.000-05:00I have been *struggling* to figure out how to inje...I have been *struggling* to figure out how to inject voice into my query. I like the introvert/extrovert analogy. <BR/><BR/>I'd love to see what your query looks like with your character's voice. Would you consider sharing?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-40021011731698876832008-09-01T09:48:00.000-05:002008-09-01T09:48:00.000-05:00I noticed when I actually "got it" on the queries ...I noticed when I actually "got it" on the queries was when I started getting way more positive responses. And the thing was at that point, I loved loved loved my query letter almost as much as my novel. I wanted to frame it.<BR/>Voice definitely is a part of it, and you're right on about putting something special in there that breaks the professional boundary.PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-32808324739244397622008-09-01T09:06:00.000-05:002008-09-01T09:06:00.000-05:00It's so wonderful to hear this insight from a publ...It's so wonderful to hear this insight from a published author. Thanks for sharing!! :)<BR/><BR/>All you other published authors reading this blog, I hope you'll share your stories too!! :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-54752630579305646972008-09-01T07:24:00.000-05:002008-09-01T07:24:00.000-05:00Isn't it interesting how that post uses "cover" an...Isn't it interesting how that post uses "cover" and "query" letter interchangeably? (Actually, so do I; the only usual difference in mine is that the query asks to send it while the cover accompanies pages already in the envelope.)We're told, though, that these are business letters and s/he seems to disagree.<BR/><BR/>But I do think the tone has to be in the letter. For example, a funny book's query should show that humor. It follows that this shouldn't be the case for funny books only. <BR/><BR/>One thing that has helped me extrovert in queries is practice extroverting at speaking engagements. (Yeah, the query that sells the first book has to come before your first speaking gig, but one keeps learning. :)) When I "got" that speaking engagements are acting -- deliberately calling forth a more extroverted personality than I have -- the more extroverted parts of a writing career became more manageable for me. Great post! :)Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.com