Revising After Querying

I'm in the middle of a set of revisions after querying. This happens.
Something isn't right.

Either the query letter isn't hooking the readers of the slush pile, or the first pages don't hold up. Something is off.

You can usually tell, if after the first ten to fifteen queries, you only receive form rejections. This isn't a hard and fast rule--it always depends on which agents you query. It might be a fluke that none of them are interested in the exact story you have pitched, but that another agent will be. Nonetheless, if you query ten to fifteen, and are receiving only form rejections or complete radio silence, it may be time to revisit the query, the first page, and the first chapter.

Sometimes, though, you will get requests, but they also result in rejections. Maybe the query is okay, perhaps the first page and first chapter are great, but it falls apart after that. One hint is if you receive a lot of partial requests that result in rejections. Occasionally, if you queried an agent who was hooked by the query but found the subsequent pages lacking and they have the time, they will send you a personalized rejection letter. You should never expect it, but it does happen once in a while.

I'm in the middle of a revision on a manuscript, in which I have known something was off for a while. I knew it slowed down after the first chapter, but didn't quite see how to fix it. Even with some personalized rejections, I wasn't getting much feedback on how to correct this. Then I received one of those coveted detailed letters. I poured over it. I let it sit for a week and reread the letter. Then another week and reread it again.

Then I picked up the manuscript to read it--and was able to see the plot issue and how to fix it. Notice that I didn't go back to the manuscript right away. When I did, I printed the manuscript in its entirety, and did a lot of red pen work:

My number one mistake that I have made with my manuscripts is pushing the "send" button on the query letter too soon. It's not that I don't read and reread my manuscript multiple times, make changes suggested by critique partners and notes from beta readers. It's that I don't let it simmer for a while.

It was a good five months between the last time I read the full manuscript (while I was querying) and when I picked it up again to revise, and time and distance were major factors in being able to see what needed to change. It also helped for a lot of minor issues that I simply never noticed but were there (my major typographical errors are missing words or wrong verb form, which happens when you revise a sentence or a scene but don't carefully reread what you've revised. These are likely to be missed by a Word grammar/spelling check).

Another personal issue in my writing is that I have written nonfiction for so long, I am used to circling back to the original point, which in fiction means I'm saying the same thing again.

Sometimes, when the querying isn't going well, take a break. Work on something else. Write something else. Then, after a few months, come back and reread. Make revision notes and revise again.

Also important: find new readers. Sometimes our great critique partners and beta readers simply miss something that another reader will not. And sometimes our friends are just too nice.

A final word: There's no need to be "brutally" honest. But honesty helps. Leave out the brutality. Keep this advice when you're asked to read. Be constructive, consistent, and make comments that are helpful rather than harmful. Because no one wants to hear, "I stopped reading on page two and I would never buy this book in a million years" (exact words on a previous manuscript from a reader). What did I take from that comment? I reread and rewrote those first pages, but I never asked her to read again.

Critique Partners

What is a critique partner?

A CP reads your manuscript and critiques, offering feedback on what works and what doesn't, some suggestions for changes, or places to expand, and may ask questions to help clarify what you are trying to write. As someone who worldbuilds in her head (and has since an early age when I had four imaginary friends in kindergarten) it's easy to think that the reader sees what I'm seeing, when I may not have conveyed that as clearly. A CP can also do line edits (correcting grammar/punctuation).

The way my CP and I work is that we often trade off a chapter or two. I read and critique hers, she reads and critiques mine. We use Microsoft Word and track changes.

I did not have a CP for my first manuscript, but I did hire an editor. The editor helped me to see my common grammatical errors and overused metaphors, along with tightening my sentence structure and working on passive voice. Nonetheless, that manuscript is on a shelf right now, but it was a good learning experience.

Currently, I have three CP's reading through my latest manuscript, but I entered the first chapter into the critique portion of Cascade Writers, where I had six others looking at my manuscript. It was incredibly helpful to have that may eyes on my first pages, to make sure I was starting in the right place, and using the right voice for that age group and genre. The problem with my first manuscript (among many, but this was the chief one) is that I didn't start in the right place, and I didn't have a critique partner helping me to understand that.

So if you don't have a critique partner, find one! The Twitter community #ontheporch is a great place to find other readers and critique partners for your age group and genre. It is also a supportive community who offer tips and encouragement, and sometimes have had agents or authors host tweetchats for you to ask your questions and seek advice.

Cascade Writers

Last weekend, I attended the Cascade Writers Conference in Tacoma. I went to the conference last year and attended two of their day-long workshops.

I love this conference because they are small, and they make an effort for us to get to know each other. We often try to have meals together, not just as writers, but with agents and editors. At larger conferences, agents and editors are often separated out, available only for pitch sessions and panels. At Cascade Writers, they hang out with us during meals and at the bar.

I met both of my current critique partners through Cascade Writers, and found a great new group of beta readers in this year's critique session. Some of our class teachers are new authors themselves who were once like us a few years ago as attendees. There is a lot of encouragement and support, and recognition that we are all human beings who love writing and books.

I enjoyed my time at Cascade Writers very much and have made new friendships through them. I encourage other writers to attend writing conferences, but be on the lookout for smaller conferences, where you might have the opportunity to find critique partners and beta readers, and have smaller sessions with authors and agents and editors. For me, Cascade Writers has provided the support, encouragement, and critical feedback that I have needed as an author.  Visit www.cascadewriters.com for more information.