Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I'm sure your Query is already Awesome

And because I'm so sure, you won't need to go to Jenn Johansson's blog to get a query critique. Even though she's been dubbed the queen of queries, I'm positive you don't need her help.

And because I'm so sure, you shouldn't check out writeoncon.com, because you don't need eight fabulous agents to tell you that your query is already awesome.

But I do.

On another note:

Calling all authors who write MG or tween – I need some advice

What do you think about writing in first person present for these categories?

10 comments:

Laura Pauling said...

I think it can be done, but I also think that writing first person present is extremely hard to get right. I think you have to look at the reason for doing it - if it's just to do it then I'd write in the past tense. Honestly, I don't read many mg that is written that way though I'm sure they are out there.

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmmm, seems like first person is big in YA but I'm not so sure about MG.
What about first person past? You could change the tenses if you had to.
Thanks for the links.

lotusgirl said...

I like both first person and third person narration. It depends on how you want to present the character. With first you really have to get into their head.

For the tense, I prefer past tense, but present, if done really well, can be gripping.

Angela said...

I LOVE first person present, it is my favorite voice to read. But I think I may be the exception rather than the rule.

Melissa Hurst said...

I need all the help with my query letter that I can get!

Heidi Willis said...

I'll have to check out the query blog! I'm back to trying to figure mine out again as I revise.

BTW - you're idea that a query has to explain the consequences of the character's choices made me really think hard about how that's actually lacking a bit in the story itself. SOooooo.... now I'm revising that, and it is SOOOOO much stronger a book!! So thanks! :)

Katie Ganshert said...

When it's in first person, I tend to prefer present tense, as that feels more real.

Anonymous said...

I like to read in first person present. I've read too many, though, that seemed to be self-indulgent (if that makes any sense) and focused too much on the inner angst rather than the relational stuffs going on. But, that might just be a personal thing with me. I like to read it in first person, but I want to feel like I am in the WHOLE story, not just the narrator's head. (I'm probably making myself as clear as mud.)

Stina said...

I love reading and writing in first person present, but I only read and write YA (and romantic suspenses, but they're in third person past tense).

The Happy Whisk said...

Have you tried to write a chapter to see if you enjoy doing it that way?