This was great, thank you so much. Clear and concise. Helps me to face some of my own issues, which is an overriding plot arc. That plus tone. One thing I’ve noticed that, because it can take so long to write a novel, the tone and voice can change as our lives change.
I'm glad you liked it, Tim. You're absolutley right, the tone and voice can change. I've read some where it read like two different people wrote it. Hopefully it's a change for the better and you just have to go back and update the first half.
Thanks Renee; very useful in terms of the Man-child story I have completed yesterday. First off the story has dragged into 3 parts, instead of 2. So my job next week is to bring half of part 1 into part 2, and half of 3 back into part 2.
That way it keeps a steady pace, plus it splits the story evenly.
Wow. This one was so, so good, Renee. I’m glad I’m ending my night with it.
Jumbled thoughts:
1. I can’t wait for the webinar. I will hype that baby up for you!
2. Question: from the agent side, what actually constitutes for 10, 50, 100 pages? Is it single-spaced Word doc, something else, etc.? I’m just curious.
3. The point you make about asking for the synopsis is really interesting. I think/know I was messing up with that *and* my shitty first draft when I went 0-for-200+. I rushed everything, though. Mostly out of excitement. But I feel bad bc of all the time I wasted — mine and agents. So many of the mistakes you mention here were obvious to me only when I slowed down.
4. This is also another one example of how recruiting is similar to querying. As a recruiter, the 1-2 page resume was the ticket to getting the interview and then investing several hours with a candidate. It may not necessarily be right or fair but it *is* the process and that needs to be respected to get recognized, when, like querying, you are up against hundreds if not thousands of other people. The lesson: Take the synopsis as seriously as the manuscript. Not only can it clarify so much about your story but it makes it more likely you’ll get a request for something like a full manuscript. At least I imagine that’s how it would be. I’d tell my recruiting clients that the process was a domino effect and the first domino they needed to fall was the resume. I can see that being the case with the synopsis.
Thanks again for everything you write, Renee. I appreciate it and you very much 🙏
Wow, Colin, this is you ENDING your night? :) Let's unpack this:
1. Thank you. I can't wait to give it. I'm working on a few more Substack things, so hopefully we'll have the webinar in the next few weeks. I appreciate the support.
2. Good question on the pages. This refers to the manuscript (often abbreviated as "ms") page count in the normal format of: double spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman.
The pages of your ms and the pages of a formatted book aren't off by a lot. The average word count on a book page is 250. So to get an idea how many pages your "book" would be when it's printed: take your word count and divide by 250. An 85,000 word ms would translate into approx 340 page book. Fairly standard.
There is no "deadline". Rushing it, as you learned, doesn't get you anywhere. Worse, it eats up the one chance you might have had with an agent. Not saying this to discourage you. If enough time passes (6-8 months minimum) and you really work to improve the book. You'll be OK and can usually submit again.
The synopsis helps me to determine if the story arc works - whether they rushed it or they think it's highly polished.
4. Good analogy, Colin. Though your QUERY letter is what gets you the interview. The synopsis summarizes the book from beginning to end in 1-2 pages (including spoilers).
It can't be stressed enough just how important a solid query letter is. You can have a fantastic manuscript, but then you ramble in the query, or fail to write an intriguing plot summary, or do something else that doesn't highlight your ms, you won't get the interview because you haven't shown the agent what they'd be missing by passing on it.
I like to save the good stuff for when I’m not being called in every direction by the girls 🤣 that usually means late at night or early in the morning.
You’re very welcome. I’m going to be providing the webinar sign up sheet soon that will provide the date(s). I’ll have updates and will send out a dedicated post.
Great advice. I’d love for you to give (non-mystery) novel examples. Some books that were huge successes and made into a movie or TV series bored me which then made me angry that I spent $25 on a hardcover. Ie: A Gentleman in Moscow.
CK, I'd be happy to include non-mystery novel examples... what type of examples do you want me to illustrate?
So wait... did the book or the movie bore you -- you watched the movie/series first then bought the book?
I didn't read A Gentleman in Moscow -- I have a difficult time getting into books with international locations. I don't know why. Maybe it's just Russia. As soon as I see "Interpol" in the summary, I'm out. I don't mind reading books based in Italy and Paris though.
I found a Gentlemen in Moscow boring too. Surprising, I enjoyed Amor Towles earlier book Rules of Civility. Maybe international settings are turn off for me too? (Rules of Civility was set in New York).
This was super helpful! And I’d definitely be interested in the webinar.
Glad it was helpful. Stay tuned for updates on the webinar :)
This was great, thank you so much. Clear and concise. Helps me to face some of my own issues, which is an overriding plot arc. That plus tone. One thing I’ve noticed that, because it can take so long to write a novel, the tone and voice can change as our lives change.
I'm glad you liked it, Tim. You're absolutley right, the tone and voice can change. I've read some where it read like two different people wrote it. Hopefully it's a change for the better and you just have to go back and update the first half.
There’s an entire MFA program in this.
Thanks Renee; very useful in terms of the Man-child story I have completed yesterday. First off the story has dragged into 3 parts, instead of 2. So my job next week is to bring half of part 1 into part 2, and half of 3 back into part 2.
That way it keeps a steady pace, plus it splits the story evenly.
The book name will also change !
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you, Karl. :)
Spot the mistakes, correct the mistakes. 1 week on top of 8mths, it will be interesting !
The life of a writer :)
Wow. This one was so, so good, Renee. I’m glad I’m ending my night with it.
Jumbled thoughts:
1. I can’t wait for the webinar. I will hype that baby up for you!
2. Question: from the agent side, what actually constitutes for 10, 50, 100 pages? Is it single-spaced Word doc, something else, etc.? I’m just curious.
3. The point you make about asking for the synopsis is really interesting. I think/know I was messing up with that *and* my shitty first draft when I went 0-for-200+. I rushed everything, though. Mostly out of excitement. But I feel bad bc of all the time I wasted — mine and agents. So many of the mistakes you mention here were obvious to me only when I slowed down.
4. This is also another one example of how recruiting is similar to querying. As a recruiter, the 1-2 page resume was the ticket to getting the interview and then investing several hours with a candidate. It may not necessarily be right or fair but it *is* the process and that needs to be respected to get recognized, when, like querying, you are up against hundreds if not thousands of other people. The lesson: Take the synopsis as seriously as the manuscript. Not only can it clarify so much about your story but it makes it more likely you’ll get a request for something like a full manuscript. At least I imagine that’s how it would be. I’d tell my recruiting clients that the process was a domino effect and the first domino they needed to fall was the resume. I can see that being the case with the synopsis.
Thanks again for everything you write, Renee. I appreciate it and you very much 🙏
Wow, Colin, this is you ENDING your night? :) Let's unpack this:
1. Thank you. I can't wait to give it. I'm working on a few more Substack things, so hopefully we'll have the webinar in the next few weeks. I appreciate the support.
2. Good question on the pages. This refers to the manuscript (often abbreviated as "ms") page count in the normal format of: double spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman.
The pages of your ms and the pages of a formatted book aren't off by a lot. The average word count on a book page is 250. So to get an idea how many pages your "book" would be when it's printed: take your word count and divide by 250. An 85,000 word ms would translate into approx 340 page book. Fairly standard.
3. Did you read my article "DELAYED LITERARY GRATIFICATION"? Give it a look if not. Read it again if so https://reneefountain.substack.com/p/delayed-literary-gratification?r=2qsmnk
There is no "deadline". Rushing it, as you learned, doesn't get you anywhere. Worse, it eats up the one chance you might have had with an agent. Not saying this to discourage you. If enough time passes (6-8 months minimum) and you really work to improve the book. You'll be OK and can usually submit again.
The synopsis helps me to determine if the story arc works - whether they rushed it or they think it's highly polished.
4. Good analogy, Colin. Though your QUERY letter is what gets you the interview. The synopsis summarizes the book from beginning to end in 1-2 pages (including spoilers).
It can't be stressed enough just how important a solid query letter is. You can have a fantastic manuscript, but then you ramble in the query, or fail to write an intriguing plot summary, or do something else that doesn't highlight your ms, you won't get the interview because you haven't shown the agent what they'd be missing by passing on it.
I like to save the good stuff for when I’m not being called in every direction by the girls 🤣 that usually means late at night or early in the morning.
Thanks for all the feedback. You are wonderful!!
Thanks, Colin. Right back at ya!!
Thanks so much for this guide! I, too, am interested in the upcoming webinar.
You’re very welcome. I’m going to be providing the webinar sign up sheet soon that will provide the date(s). I’ll have updates and will send out a dedicated post.
So helpful! Loved the part about deepening the impact of tension/stakes in the story.
Thanks, Paige :)
Great advice. I’d love for you to give (non-mystery) novel examples. Some books that were huge successes and made into a movie or TV series bored me which then made me angry that I spent $25 on a hardcover. Ie: A Gentleman in Moscow.
CK, I'd be happy to include non-mystery novel examples... what type of examples do you want me to illustrate?
So wait... did the book or the movie bore you -- you watched the movie/series first then bought the book?
I didn't read A Gentleman in Moscow -- I have a difficult time getting into books with international locations. I don't know why. Maybe it's just Russia. As soon as I see "Interpol" in the summary, I'm out. I don't mind reading books based in Italy and Paris though.
I tried the book first. Snoozer. Then the TV show. Hubby and I raided the cookie cupboard instead.
I found a Gentlemen in Moscow boring too. Surprising, I enjoyed Amor Towles earlier book Rules of Civility. Maybe international settings are turn off for me too? (Rules of Civility was set in New York).
I really enjoyed Rules of Civility
Bravo! Such amazing, actionable advice. Really savored this.
Thanks, Karin
This was such a helpful article. Thank you for sharing these insights.
Thank you, Christine. I appreciate it.
These are great tips for scene by scene checking. Thanks, Renee.
I suddenly realized that the word 'unpublished' does not fit the descriptor of my novels, which are self-published. The soul cries out.
Then I guess you'll have to write another one :)
For now, i will just stick with developing my series. Book four is imminent. Thank God!
Nice! Keep at it! :)
Incredible resource, as always Renee. I've bookmarked this to come back to as I continue to revise my novel. Looking forward to the webinar!