tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post6665000439186298373..comments2023-09-06T05:48:05.398-06:00Comments on Terry's Place: Pikes Peak Writers Conference 5Terry Odellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-88797018822318587842010-05-06T08:17:17.515-06:002010-05-06T08:17:17.515-06:00Stacy - I'm always happy to share. I glom onto...Stacy - I'm always happy to share. I glom onto other tidbits from other authors, so why keep what I learn to myself?Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-29042928114779518732010-05-05T21:57:30.042-06:002010-05-05T21:57:30.042-06:00So true about how subjective this business can be....So true about how subjective this business can be. And great info on the conference--thanks so much for sharing!Stacey Joy Netzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908548379784017162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-50841597729108149872010-05-05T21:10:46.603-06:002010-05-05T21:10:46.603-06:00Autumn, while I understand how many queries agents...Autumn, while I understand how many queries agents get -- easily over a hundred a week -- it's still disheartening to get those brusque rejections. Anything personalized is good. <br /><br />Maryann--I agree. Patience and Persistence are top of the job description.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-51379217675345177872010-05-05T21:05:17.228-06:002010-05-05T21:05:17.228-06:00Terry, I just recently received a similar turn-dow...Terry, I just recently received a similar turn-down letter from an agent. She said I am "a delightful writer" but she had to pass because she is not taking on any more memoirs. It is heartening to have such a positive response, but disheartening because we have to go through the query process again and wait for the response.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-38177341150926181782010-05-05T19:56:10.198-06:002010-05-05T19:56:10.198-06:00Great recap, Terri. I appreciate you posting these...Great recap, Terri. I appreciate you posting these notes. <br /><br />On the rejection, do you think agents have a writing rejections 101 class? Lol. Seriously though, and this is just my opinion, it's what the second paragraph that tells you where you stand. I think you're on your way to representation.<br /><br />Also, Rob cracked me up.Autumn Jordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14168172253998245307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-86738803697932955662010-05-05T19:42:06.894-06:002010-05-05T19:42:06.894-06:00Jemi - they hold the conference every year. You ca...Jemi - they hold the conference every year. You can come next time!Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-75912882909540225642010-05-05T18:57:07.145-06:002010-05-05T18:57:07.145-06:00Wow - sounds like such a wonderful conference! You...Wow - sounds like such a wonderful conference! You're so lucky.<br /><br />Sorry about the rejection letter. It's kind of a combination of good news and bad news. I'm sure it means it's just a matter of time for you.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-71738356230276203812010-05-05T17:29:55.067-06:002010-05-05T17:29:55.067-06:00Elizabeth - I'm not giving up on the manuscrip...Elizabeth - I'm not giving up on the manuscript just yet, but I am writing another one.<br /><br />Terry #2 - Yes, I agree. (Although it's also possible that paragraph is a boilerplate for "nice" rejections!)<br /><br />Susan - totally agree. <br /><br />April - that was an agent, not an editor.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-22812742049731423302010-05-05T17:17:20.581-06:002010-05-05T17:17:20.581-06:00Geez...subjective is right. Not only do you have t...Geez...subjective is right. Not only do you have to find an editor who "gets" your writing, now they ask you to find an agent...would that have made a difference with this editor?<br />Lots to ponder.<br />Marianne/AprilApril Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08182262164498606490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-12064609168272697442010-05-05T15:34:11.199-06:002010-05-05T15:34:11.199-06:00Rejections really are subjective, Terry, as well a...Rejections really are subjective, Terry, as well as reviews and contest judges.<br />Not much you can do about it, but hope you luck out and get someone who loves your writing and story.Susan Macateehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07476340887041053638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-30698989615628948742010-05-05T14:22:12.322-06:002010-05-05T14:22:12.322-06:00Terry#2 here. Thanks again for the conference upda...Terry#2 here. Thanks again for the conference updates. Good stuff!<br /><br />I'm not an expert, yet, :) on rejection letters but that one sounded like a good one. She took the time to write one rather than a form. She told you it was well done, just not to her taste, so I would consider it a compliment.Terry Stonecrophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726985400500572770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-18387434682506124222010-05-05T12:25:35.976-06:002010-05-05T12:25:35.976-06:00I think you're smart to move on. I have a frie...I think you're smart to move on. I have a friend who just stays stuck in sort of a rut because she can't move past one particular manuscript...and she could have written several others by now and probably sold one. It's hard, but maybe you can re-purpose the one you have later.<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-88566824341369422752010-05-05T10:36:07.101-06:002010-05-05T10:36:07.101-06:00Mary - nobody like being told their baby isn't...Mary - nobody like being told their baby isn't good enough, but it comes with the territory.<br /><br />Celia - knowing what to accept and what to ignore is part of the learning process. We don't have to do what agents suggest, but we do have to consider whether following suggestions might make our work stronger.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-23804280632710877102010-05-05T10:12:01.053-06:002010-05-05T10:12:01.053-06:00TERRY--I think I have this one in my files.Yes, it...TERRY--I think I have this one in my files.Yes, it sounds very familiar. It's a difficult decision whether to re-write for an editor (agent) or not. My believe, after having a few years of submitting under my belt, if the editor doesn't love/like it as it is,she won't when I finish rewriting to her specifications. I know editing takes patience to work through each odd POV or passive writing, or even a line or paragraph here and there, but to "begin the story here," and "delete the entire middle," etc. just isn't worth it time-wise, as a general rule. Even though this has happened with me, too, I have found other publishers who were looking for just that kind of ms. Subjective--oh, yeah. And we all read and write with that perspective, too. Thanks for shharing our rejection letter--that was brave of you!! CeliaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-67236644481353176902010-05-05T09:59:01.244-06:002010-05-05T09:59:01.244-06:00Ah rejection, it's what makes out books even b...Ah rejection, it's what makes out books even better!<br />But it hurts. I'm for the sympathy for each other day too!Mary Ricksenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12676306822821614446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-23960046518540259402010-05-05T09:28:36.283-06:002010-05-05T09:28:36.283-06:00Jacqueline, maybe we should have a 'share the ...Jacqueline, maybe we should have a 'share the good and bad rejection letter' day. <br /><br />Turning pages is the #1 goal of any writer, I think.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-60526058100351026162010-05-05T09:21:20.218-06:002010-05-05T09:21:20.218-06:00Hi, Terry,
Like Rob, I could wallpaper my home wi...Hi, Terry,<br /><br />Like Rob, I could wallpaper my home with rejections if I wanted to. Some were impersonal, some were very specific. Bottom line: the work was rejected. We just move on from there. I'm convinced persistence equals success in the long run. And rejection builds character; it keeps us humble.<br /><br />The advice regarding not giving away too much too soon in a novel is excellent. I agree that no matter what type of book you're writing, it's best to provide some mystery to encourage your readers to keep turning those pages.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-81657321817135360082010-05-05T09:18:57.078-06:002010-05-05T09:18:57.078-06:00Franny - very true - somewhere in the haystack is ...Franny - very true - somewhere in the haystack is that golden needle.<br /><br />Carol - the library is really great. Will be going back--the 'get a card' desk was closed when the program was over.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-48263373071632002292010-05-05T09:09:55.027-06:002010-05-05T09:09:55.027-06:00Great post. Enjoy the library run.Great post. Enjoy the library run.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-53375858437687737332010-05-05T08:59:21.488-06:002010-05-05T08:59:21.488-06:00I agree with you, having had many rejections in my...I agree with you, having had many rejections in my day. The second rejection you listed is excellent and you can squeeze a lot from it. That doesn't mean to say you can't find another agent who is interested, it just means that that particular person was looking for something they didn't find in the manuscript. <br /><br />The best thing to do: NEVER SURRENDER! NEVER GIVE UP!<br />You'll do well and remember: send the agent a thank you because that way they'll remember you if you submit again. Courtesy goes a long way in this business.<br />Hugs<br />Franny Armstrong-ParaNovelGirlFranny Armstrong-ParaNovelGirlhttp://www.paranovelgirls.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-69049845825200483112010-05-05T08:28:51.432-06:002010-05-05T08:28:51.432-06:00Rob- I've had some doozies as well. And I actu...Rob- I've had some doozies as well. And I actually brought them all with me when we moved. (And they're also good proof to the IRS that you can take all those business writing deductions even if you're not making money)Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-45946175735895416412010-05-05T08:27:28.684-06:002010-05-05T08:27:28.684-06:00Terry, I think you'll have to be Terry#3 -- th...Terry, I think you'll have to be Terry#3 -- there's already another Terry S who comments here! Thanks for commiserating.<br /><br />PL-Glad my sharing helped you. I have to agree with the agent--there are a LOT of best sellers that leave me cold.<br /><br />Mason - totally agree--of course I wish more of MY books were out there to give folks a chance!<br /><br />Lou - there's no way to quantify the subjective, is there? <br /><br />Nightingale--have some chocolate, a bubble bath, and yeah, move on.<br /><br />Debra - thanks. I think we write because we HAVE to, so giving up isn't an option.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-61911021513865301752010-05-05T08:26:05.719-06:002010-05-05T08:26:05.719-06:00Terry et al....over the years, I have piled up eno...Terry et al....over the years, I have piled up enough rejection letters to paper a three bedroom home with them, and you would not believe some of the crazy stuff I have gotten back...one was for an historical novel about the home-grown terrorist attack at Harpers Ferry, VA brought on by John Brown from his daughter's point of view, right? The letter back for this fifty page proposal was ADDRESSED to Dear Mr. Brown....routine typical turn down but it was turning down a guy dead for what a hundred fifty years. Have also had some like this oen you display here -- all these wonderful remarks but bottom line NO THANKS. Then there was the one that said, "This is just the kind of crap we would never publish!"<br />Best, RobAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01250914060366610106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-38846231043762280282010-05-05T08:23:10.744-06:002010-05-05T08:23:10.744-06:00Ah, writing an reading is so subjextive isn't ...Ah, writing an reading is so subjextive isn't it? It's part of what makes the business so tough.<br /><br />Good luck with yoiur agent scouting. I'm sure you'll find one that's perfect for you and your work! Don't give up.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-43175924429441422522010-05-05T07:56:50.789-06:002010-05-05T07:56:50.789-06:00Thanks for sharing this. I received a rejection t...Thanks for sharing this. I received a rejection that said, "just didn't get into your writing," and I was devastated. Still, as you said, move on.Nightingalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557206288038501578noreply@blogger.com