Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Query First

I had a really hard time writing the query for my first book. In fact, I'm still tweaking it, so I decided to try something different. While I'm writing the book or even before I write the book, I write the query.

Crazy you say.

I actually find this really helps. It allows me to identify any problems, whether that be conflict, plot, character, or voice. Plus by the time I've finished the book, I won't have to spend a lot of time writing the query.

What do you think? Do you ever write the query first?

PS: In the What's Happening on the sidebar, Laural Garver's book is being released tomorrow. Stop by her blog and congratulate her.

14 comments:

Angela said...

I think it's awesome that you write the query before the book. I need to try that myself. And congrats to Laurel. I've read her book it's fabulous! So moving.

Carolyn V said...

I love your query.

I've heard that if you write the query first, it is better than waiting. I'm really going to have to try that!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I create a pseudo back cover blurb. It helps me get a feel for whether the story has staying power.
~ Wendy

Emily R. King said...

I've actually heard that's the way it's supposed to be done. It can help with the headaches of revisions later on because you know your story inside and out.

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Good luck! you're off to a good start!

Stina said...

LOL Didn't we have this conversation yesterday outside the restaurant?

I prefer writing the query early, to get it out of the way. Which reminds me. I still have to write it for my WIP. :P

Anne Gallagher said...

I don't query anymore, but I did find the exercise helpful to write it somewhere around the first third of the book. Now, I find it helps with cover copy.

Heidi Willis said...

I completely agree!! I found after my last book that the query was really what I wanted the book to be about, but the book was not as focused - or was focused in the wrong ways.

Writing a query first helps focus the story - something some writers don't like the constraints of but which help me immensely when I'm looking at a blank screen!

Laurel Garver said...

This is what so many authors under multi-book contracts do. It can help you focus ahead of time. But...for serious pantsers, it might flop when the characters pull in new, better directions.

Thanks for the shout out for my book! Much appreciated!

Romance Book Haven said...

I think it's fantastic that you write the query before the book. Then you have an outline on paper to start your mss. And congrats to Laurel.

Nas

Caryn Caldwell said...

I've heard that's really helpful, but I've never tried it. Great idea! Not only does it make you distill your book down to a few central ideas (so the book itself isn't all over the place), but then you have the query over with - or at least the first draft of it.

Peggy Eddleman said...

I think that's a great idea! One I've never actually done, but I've always thought it would be great to do. :)

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Dropping by to say hello.

Robyn Campbell said...

I write the synopsis before the book. It acts as a mini outline. But love your idea, you genius woman you. Yay Laurel!!! Yay Lynn!