tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post6852729542026872390..comments2024-03-06T09:18:35.326-07:00Comments on Crossing the Helix: The Query QuandaryR.C. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694900270053314978noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-61024658026160143902010-07-01T11:08:59.480-06:002010-07-01T11:08:59.480-06:00Query writing is no fun, but it's worth it to ...Query writing is no fun, but it's worth it to work on it until it shines.<br /><br />I have an award for you over on my blog, if you'd like to stop by to collect it. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-76776484754696607622010-06-25T15:23:15.702-06:002010-06-25T15:23:15.702-06:00RK, I've always thought of a query that way, t...RK, I've always thought of a query that way, too, but it only intimidates me more. I've never thought of myself as having salesperson skills. But I'm learning, I hope.<br /> <br />Pete ... boo. :-P Probably true, though.R.C. Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15694900270053314978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-70157814413886600662010-06-25T14:57:53.821-06:002010-06-25T14:57:53.821-06:00If a query can garner a request for a read by aski...If a query can garner a request for a read by asking "wanna see it?" then it's clear that there are no rules.<br /><br />Heh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-26412098842064915902010-06-25T14:46:17.749-06:002010-06-25T14:46:17.749-06:00I always, ALWAYS think of the query as a sales too...I always, ALWAYS think of the query as a sales tool, first and foremost. If you start to think of it in this context, it becomes a bit easier: What are the key elements of a good sales letter? A couple would be emphasis and also emotional words. In a sales letter, you want to get their attention, then pique their interest, then activate their desire to ask for more, then get out as fast as possible while they're still wanting. <br />The same thing you want to do in a query. I think sometimes the word query makes writers think synopsis for some reason. And a query is not that, for sure.<br />Anyway... awesome post, RC!!! :-)RKLewishttp://needlecity.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-50355174324716922432010-06-25T14:08:32.354-06:002010-06-25T14:08:32.354-06:00Cat, I'm glad *someone* likes writing them. ;)...Cat, I'm glad *someone* likes writing them. ;)<br /> <br />And I definitely agree with Litgal. But I think a good query is one of those things that's easier to describe what it isn't, at least to a degree. Isn't five pages long, doesn't spend three paragraphs quoting your mother extolling the virtues of your writing, doesn't include the sentence "If you don't sign me, you'll be the one missing out" ...<br /> <br />Cat's right that some things are closer to the gray area, though. I think with this post I'm hoping to clarify what the target is during the query-writing process, but the exact location of the bull's-eye will vary by project.R.C. Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15694900270053314978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-70944716000733081202010-06-25T13:51:01.033-06:002010-06-25T13:51:01.033-06:00Litgal--I love your comment. I don't think yo...Litgal--I love your comment. I don't think you can put a finger on what works or what doesn't, because it is different for every story. But, when you see a great query, you know it.<br /><br />Cali, good point on the voice. I firmly believe that to represent your query in a way that will garner agent interest, but that doesn't share the same style, voice, etc as your manuscript, is shorting both you and the agent. My philosophy: why waste time if you're afraid they'll dislike the style of your manuscript? I'd like to get that out of the way before the second date.<br /><br />And, RC, I love writing queries. I just hate sending them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-17643116651516485652010-06-24T10:05:03.579-06:002010-06-24T10:05:03.579-06:00The longer I hang about AQ and the more of my frie...The longer I hang about AQ and the more of my friend secure representation, the more convinced I become that a good query is like obscenity -- hard to define but we all know it when we see it.<br /><br />LitgalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-87892173001677705312010-06-24T09:33:32.096-06:002010-06-24T09:33:32.096-06:00Calista, definitely. Getting voice in there was t...Calista, definitely. Getting voice in there was tricky for me at first. Something about the idea of writing a query kept putting me in "professional business letter" mode, which tends to make me all formal.R.C. Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15694900270053314978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-66300754882423602122010-06-24T07:13:13.869-06:002010-06-24T07:13:13.869-06:00Nice post, RC! It really is important to find tha...Nice post, RC! It really is important to find that balance.<br /><br />I'd also add that you need to grab the reader's attention and leave them wanting more.<br /><br />Another important part is for the query to have voice, and for it to be similar to the style in your novel. If the voice in your novel is fun and light, don't write a query that's serious.<br /><br />But the true test for whether you got it right is your request rate when you start querying. If it's not around 20%, then it's back to the query drawing board.Cali MacKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860615677199216262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2224377501657529009.post-69858560827967299352010-06-24T06:50:44.683-06:002010-06-24T06:50:44.683-06:00Nice post, RC!Nice post, RC!Cheryl B. Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04278782212826383478noreply@blogger.com