The Agent Minefield

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The Internet offers up a plethora of possible suitable literary agents for the aspiring author.

I write a list of possible ones and then I make a note of what the agent requires. This is an area that is quite tricky as they all request different styles of query methods.

Some require a traditional query letter, others want the writer to sell themselves as a person first and foremost. We then move to the synopsis where some agents accept one up to six pages, whilst others prefer a one page synopsis.

We then move onto the novel where the norm appears to be the first three chapters,but I have seen requests for the first ten pages or the first four chapters.

The next issue appears to be the mother of all minefields. One agent I looked at said that a writer could only query them and no one else at the same time, which I found rather off putting due to the time factor involved, and the fact that some agents don’t give a response time.

However, on the same day, I came across an agent who advised that the writer query several agents at once seeing as the wait can be as long as three months. The agent seemed to empathise with the agony of the query process.

I do understand how overwhelmed agents must be, many are closed to submissions currently, so the whole process is even harder.

Sometimes it’s easier just to compile a list of potential agents, because I know that once I start the process, there is a lot of work and heartache involved. However, having taken months to write, re-write and re-re-write a novel, I should at least take the time to query suitable agents – I have nothing to lose, and rejection isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of moving onwards and upwards.

Happy Word Flow One & All

The ever expanding mind map

/ hemmiemartin / 1 Comment

The mind map for my current WIP The Devil’s Breath is continually expanding – I am now having to stick more A4 paper together to form a poster, and soon I will need a larger wall space on which to display it during #amwriting time.

Although I have this poster, I still jot down ideas, plot twists, words and phrases on post-it notes which are scattered all over my desk. I’ve purchased a notebook to transfer all the above into so that I have a more organised record, especially as this WIP is hopefully the beginning of a series, and I will need to remember certain details for continuity.

The book on forensic science came today which I will use to ensure that the facts I use are correct.

I read in the Observer recently, an article on Agatha Christie’s writing method, and it was reassuring to read that she scribbled notes on the backs of envelopes and pieces of paper that she would leave lying around er house. Now I’m not comparing myself to the wonderful woman, all I am pointing out is that even the greatest of writers can have eccentric methods of writing their novels – so I feel there is hope for me yet.

I was wondering whether other writers have a more organised approach to their writing or whether we are all from the same bag of pick ‘n mix.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Submerging myself in crime – research

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Clarity is perhaps needed for my rather alarming title – but it has all been in a good cause, in other words, it’s for my WIP, a crime thriller.

Whilst I’ve had a few days of peace at home, I’ve been watching the crime channel -which although awash with American programmes – I have managed to find the odd British programme which I have watched with pen and notebook at the ready. I have written down phrases and procedures pertinent to this genre.

I have also scoured the Internet for sites on forensics for beginners, weaponry and CID work. There may be a lot of info that isn’t quite correct but fortunately one of my good friends is married to a policeman – I think he hides when he sees me coming – I live opposite them – poor man!

I would love to go to crime scenes – the closest I got to that was visiting young offenders in prison and attending court. I don’t feel I have the right to ask the Force if I could tag along, but if I were a published author, I may feel that I would be taken more seriously . Do any of you attend real-life research experiences?

I am planning to watch a British true crime programme tonight – should offer me some sweet dreams and hopefully plenty of hard facts.

I am truly understanding the adage – write what you know or what you’re interested in – I couldn’t do all this if it didn’t fill me full of passion.

I hope you are all doing well with your works – I may not be around much over the next few weeks as I must spend some time being a mother. Please, please forgive me if I miss your comment – they are always truly appreciated.

Happy Word Flow One & All

When your story is already written

/ hemmiemartin / 2 Comments

Oh my word, do I feel a little taken aback. I am 4,5000 words into my new WIP – The Devil’s Breath (WT), when I began reading a novel I bought the other week.

For clarification, I’ve never read anything by this author and I picked it because I wanted to read more authors in the crime thriller genre. So imagine my horror when I began reading the story and thinking, hmm a bit similar to my WIP. Anyway, I continued with my work and then today, I picked up the novel only to find that my story was far too similar.

My protagonists are different – fortunately – so I can keep them but I’ll have to change the crime scenario. I had chosen to write about young offenders as my last job was working as  forensic mental health nurse in a youth offending team – so it’s a subject close to my heart and something I know a fair bit about.

However, none of the above would hold up in court if I were being sued for plagiarism, hence I have my thinking cap on to change the plot so that it stands as my own piece of work.

Has this happened to anyone else, and if so, what did you do?

Happy Word Flow One & All

Plotting and sub-plots

/ hemmiemartin / 2 Comments

With each novel I write, I improve on the mistakes I made in the last one. The last novel was a psychological thriller and had a cast of seven characters. As I adore reading the genre of crime and thrillers, I thought I’d write a crime thriller this time.

By the nature of the theme, I have already a cast of characters that are beyond the number of my last book, hence this time I am plotting and sub-plotting a lot more carefully.

I have used the mind map format – one for the main plot and one for the sub-plots. They inevitably intertwine, so the spidery maps twist and turn, finally linking together to form the foundation of the novel.

In my experience, I follow the plot lines, but as I write, the characters do come up with their own ideas which I allow to flourish. They sometimes surprise me and so I believe they will surprise the reader too.

If I had an office, I’d have the chart pinned to a board, but as I don’t – I use a marble washstand in the lounge or a Victorian pine table in the conservatory – I have two sheets of A4 stuck together that I open up like a map. The map helps me tread my way towards another novel.

I also have a box of cue cards, each depicting traits of the character’s, so I don’t forget things such as eye colour and what phrases they tend to use. As I intend this novel to be the first in a series, it’s important that I remain consistent with the characters.

Do you have other mapping methods – I’d be interested to hear about them and perhaps improve my own method.

Welcome to the new follower and Happy Word Flow One and All.

The flash of the speed camera

/ hemmiemartin / 3 Comments

I’ d put the ms of ‘Attic of the Mind’ away after 3 edits and putting a tentative feeler out to an agent – still waiting to hear, in case you wondered.

However, my husband read the entire novel in a matter of days, finding as I hoped, that it was full of twists and surprises. One of the valid comments he made was that the denouement was to pacey – too much for the reader to digest in a short period of time.

Interestingly, I wasn’t surprised by his comment – as if I’d listened to my inner machinations – I’d have heard those very words tumble around my brain. I was so keen to get the words on the page and to read what the characters had in store for me, that I forgot to watch my speed, officer. I avoided the speed camera, but I came away with points on my licence.

Perhaps I was too hasty in letting ‘my baby’ go, but then, there may be an agent out there who may see the potential in my story and be willing to guide me through yet another edit.

Happy Word Flow One & All