Creative Writing and Publishing FAQ
Creative Writing and Publishing FAQ
1. How can I improve as a writer?
Read, read, read. Read a wide variety of genres and authors, read books from diverse perspectives, and read recently published works. As you read, try to make mental notes of what’s working for you, what you find frustrating, how the author is structuring their work, how they’re holding (or losing) your attention. Then bring all that to the table when you sit down to write.
Also, offer to critique a friend’s writing, and see if they will read and critique for you in return. Aside from being a big help to the person you’re reading for, reading and critiquing for others is one of the best ways I’ve found of improving my own writing skills. Just remember to be kind and constructive — “this sucked” doesn’t give your critique partner much to work with, but “I was confused by X” or “I wish we knew more about Y” gives them a road map to improve.
2. Can you read my manuscript?
I am honored that you’d want my opinion on your writing, but unless I know you personally and have already offered to read for you, unfortunately, the answer is no. However, I think it’s wonderful that you want someone to read for you, and I encourage you to keep looking!
Personally, I’ve had great luck finding critique partners through local writing groups, conferences, and even through social media. Good luck!
3. How can I find a critique partner?
For me and the other writers I know personally, critique partners are an invaluable part of the writing process. A great critique partner (or critique group) can help you find the weak spots in your story, brainstorm through tricky plot tangles, cheer you through writing slumps, hold you accountable to your goals, and help you hone your writing craft.
I found my first-ever critique partner through Twitter (RIP). I didn’t know any local writers, so I just messaged someone I interacted with frequently and knew I got along with and asked if she’d be open to exchanging writing for critique, and she said yes. (This was extremely odd for both of us, as we are both very introverted. Must mean it was meant to be!)
Eventually, I met other writers through local book signings and book events, local SCBWI meetups, writing conferences, and writing retreats. The unifying thread through all of this is that I had to invest in my local writing community by going to support other writers first, and through doing that, I made connections with other writers who were in a similar stage as me and were also looking for the same sorts of relationships I was. There are also plenty of virtual ways writers can connect now, if you don’t have much of a local writing community (although you may have one and just not be aware of it — check with your local library and ask if they know of any writing groups in your area who are open to new members!)
Whether you find your critique partners online, in person, or a mixture of both, my experience has always been that the best way to get others to invest in you is to be willing to invest in others. I hope you find your people.
4. How did you get your agent?
I actually went to college with my agent, although we didn’t know each other well at the time, and when I first started querying, I also had a referral from one of her existing clients. But… she still wound up passing. The book I’d written just wasn’t strong enough for her to sign me.
So I wrote another book, and I queried her again, and that book (which was not I'll Stop the World) was the one that convinced her to represent me. Long story short, all the personal connections in the world still can’t get you in the door if the writing isn’t there yet. The work has to stand on its own.
5. Can you refer me to your agent?
My agent is brilliant and if you believe she (or any of the other amazing agents at Root Literary) would be a good fit for you and your work, I recommend you query them according to the submission guidelines at the Root Literary website.
That said, I can’t personally refer you if I don’t know you and/or haven’t read your work. But don’t let that discourage you — good work is always enough!
6. How do I write a query letter?
The best resources I have found to learn everything you’ll ever want to know about writing query letters are Query Shark and literary agent Eric Smith's Perfect Pitch page. There is no piece of advice I could give you that is better than what you'll find on those sites.
7. How do I write a synopsis?
Writing a synopsis is the bane of my existence. That said, this post from author Susan Dennard is the best tool I have found for creating a synopsis. The questions in her worksheet can be fleshed out as much as you want, so while her tutorial is specifically for a one-page synopsis, you can go longer if you’d like.
8. I have a great idea for a book. Would you like to write it?
If you have a great idea for a book, YOU should be the one to write it! No one will ever write your idea the way it is in your head. Take, for example, the premise “A man wakes up to find that he’s living the same day over and over, and must figure out how to break the cycle.” That idea can give you Groundhog Day, or Edge of Tomorrow. Ideas are just a starting point; the story comes in the execution.
So if you have a great idea, that’s awesome! But I am not the one to write it. YOU are the one best equipped to develop that great idea into a full-fledged story. If you think, “but I’m not a writer,” just try it and see. You may be surprised.