Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Insanity by Query

You wanna know what happens after you've written 9 versions of a query and your CP says 9 is worse than number 8? Well, the truth is to be able to answer that ? my brain would still have to be forming coherent thoughts. It's not.

So I think it's best if I just relay the following set of events.

Briana, my mc's overachieving older sister, got so frustrated by my thoughts she wrote this.

"Dear Agent:

Your arbitrary process is grating on my creator's nerves so badly she is ready to start killing off my family members, that punk next door, and myself. This is a rather unfortunate situation but as you know I protect my family, so if I'm forced to I will resort to using the book. The problem is I don't know whether to use it on you or my creator. I trust you will remedy this.

Thank you,
Briana

Which got a rise out of Brandi and before she passed it to me to be mailed she screamed (as only a teenage girl can) "Quit calling him a punk!" Yes, that's love.

Of course, I'm not nearly crazy enough to mail something like that. (Though, if you've read this far you're probably questioning that).

But Briana's letter really did lighten my mood. And all I could do was think if Briana were in this situation what would she do. I laughed because I knew what Briana would do and that inspired query # 10. (Which, if I were being honest I would have to admit I've though more than once. However, I need an agent so this blog does not promote honesty. I've never thought this. It's merely part of my query inspired insanity and tomorrow I will remember nothing about it).

Dear Agent:

Phantom Fires is way better than Twilight. The heroine is not an overly altruistic 30 year old woman trapped in a 17 year old girl's body. The hero is not dead (though I must admit I have a thing for hot dead guys that sparkle and shine). No one is drained, or even threatened of being drained and it has fire. If you would like 15% please call me. If not, peace out. *flash to Beth pulling Armani shades over icy blue eyes as she single handedly pulls a cherry jollyrancher lollypop out of her mouth to blow you a kiss*

~Beth~

Disclaimer: I'm terribly sorry if I have offended any well meaning, arbitrary system using agents. In a moment of honesty, I'm sure they would understand just what queries can do to a person who already walks a fine line with sanity.

7 comments:

  1. Do you read Slushpile Hell? I'm sure your queries are a lot better than what's posted there.

    I love how your characters are yelling at you and each other. How do you get anything done?

    Good luck with that query. You'll nail it, I'm sure.

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  2. LOL! Did you see the link I posted on YALitChat's Query Kickaround? If not, check it out... it's all the what not to dos for queries.. a really helpful list compiled by a writer after extensive research from actual agents.

    I'm gonna see if I can find your query.

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  3. LOL! Love it!! I sooo feel your pain ~ query writing is almost worse than revising...almost. It's just lucky it's on a smaller scale or I'd have to call it a tie. So, is 10 the good one? If not, here's hoping for #11! :)

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  4. Hahahaha. Thanks for making me smile. Love your query, btw.

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  5. In the death of midnight dreams
    Silent like death at night
    The silhouette of a headless horseman
    Against the shimmering brook
    Here it comes to take ye lover
    To stab your pining heart with a thousand knives
    Here comes the Phantom Fires!!!!

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  6. You made me laugh! Good luck with the query writing and landing a fantastic agent.

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  7. On thing's for sure-you have a wicked sense of humor. Good luck with your query!

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