Let's see a show of hands now:
How many of you are ready to query?
How many of you have edited your MS as much as you possibly can?
Do you all send out the queries before your MS is fully polished, or not really, since you know that it will likely get re-edited once an agent accepts it. Notice "once" not "if".
I've been pondering on this for some time now, eventhough I'm not quite there yet. My musings were, I don't want to say interrupted, but rather complimeted by an idea for my WIP. A way of tying up all my murders and my protagonist with a nice silk thread. More on this later.
Anyway, lemme know your thoughts, kiddies. Gotta go 'cause my flight is about to board.
Sent from my iPhone.
2.28.2010
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9 comments:
I'm not to the point of sending out a query however when I do I plan on editing it. I know that it will be edited over and over again but I would like my copy to be as good as it can possibly be from my point of view.
Have a safe flight!
Everything I've read from agents in the business has pointed to not querying for a manuscript you don't consider finished. Yes, they (or the publisher) will probably recommend changes, but it is impossible to anticipate what those might be.
DL
I will edit and revamp mine until I think it is done. Even though they may/will edit it, I would think they would rather start with a polished MS and add just have to add a few sparkles to it.
I started querying after I finished my sixth draft. I received six manuscript requests in my first go around and am still waiting to hear back on one of them. It takes a really LONG time to hear back from agents who request completes. So I haven't touched my manuscript for several months. Once I hear back from this last agent, I'm going to want to do another draft regardless of what she says. It's just been long enough that I can more easily see the weak points in my story.
Most published authors I know claim they do 12 to 15 drafts before the final published version. Given several of those drafts happen after the publishing contract is signed and are inspired by comments from an editor. But I if you think your first or even second draft is good enough, you should probably think again.
I'm gearing up. It's at least a month away, because I am doing major rewrites right now. Then letting the ms go nighty-night. Then when the bear wakes from the cave - I think its time.
Unless, I decide to redo the whole thing again.
About three drafts ago, I did submit to about three agents, but then realized it just wasn't ready. I'm glad that I stopped at that point, because I've read about people shooting theirselves in the foot.
When you are ready, do it slow, do it careful and do something else. :-)
On another note, having a fun little contest on my blog that will make you get a little creative. Come play along. The story needs a good JM twist to it.
I wish I had your quandary!! I'm still at first draft stage and learning the basics of mind-mapping/outlining.
Maybe when I get to the end of the writing journey (is there an end?), I'll look back at now like wildhood and wish I could go back to 'simpler times.'
:)
Corra
from the desk of a writer
wildhood = childhood
(stick keyboard - and also I can't type. see? the beginning!)
:P
I wasn't ready with my story so I held out on querying. Instead I started writing something new, which is in MUCH better shape than the old one. You only get once chance so I won't query until I know a story is dynamite.
I sent queries too fast the first time and regret it. But, you know, as a new writer it was sort of a rite of passage. I'm waiting now–I want it to be right this time with tons of full requests in my inbox.
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