I suggest to this author that she consider a collection: stories from folks, also caretakers, who have walked this path. Such a book could be a  primer, a guide book,  a ‘group’ help book….

As is, I don’t see a book, I see an article.

Click here for video critique.

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In his introduction, Workshop leader Jerry Dunn described Barnaby Conrad as “a true Renaissance Man” –prolific  author, painter, teacher, saloon keeper and bullfighter.

In 1972, Barny &  Mary Conrad founded the renowned Santa Barbara Writers Conference that in its 30+ year history launched many careers and taught many how to become better writers.

Barny has 3 new books in the publishing pipeline.
Here he’s reading  from his Samples of the 101 Best Beginnings Ever Written: A Romp Through Literary Openings for Writers and Readers. http://www.amazon.com/101-Best-Beginnings-Ever-Written/dp/1884956866.

This video passage includes a mini John Steinbeck critique and Barny’s take on opening a story with emotion.

Enjoy!

Barnaby Conrad (90 seconds)

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The following is the first  Quick Query Critique session I’ve fashioned after  Marketing the Muse’s real-time workshops that run something like this: the author reads the query letter to the workshop and remains silent through critique. I always add my two cents last.

In last month’s newsletter, I asked subscribers to send a query letter, offering a complimentary critique to the first letter delivered into my e-mailbox. My MARCH 2010  Marketing the Muse newsletter posted this query letter – sans the critique -  now offered here.

QUICK QUERY CRITIQUE

In brief, several roadblocks on my first read through made me wonder if I wanted to know more about this story. Remember, the intention of the query letter is to hook the reader.

Dear Ms.

I’m writing because I’d like you to represent my novel, (title).

First sentence not needed-

Gossip flies in a small town, when over the course of a weekend snow storm, casual interactions between diverse characters snowball their lives in a new direction.  Things are not what they seem and the closer the characters come to each other, the murkier they appear.

Two long sentences (above) that don’t set up the next graph (below) about a 19 year old married to the town’s mayor.

The mayor’s wife, Jade, a nineteen-year-old girl who is more  than willing to try anything for love, leaves her husband for a suicidal mill worker, Sam J.  Sam’s landlord, Neil G, is an ex-con obsessed with tracking his tenants’ comings and goings, and he regularly steals from them.  He becomes unhinged by the girl’s arrival while her husband, Wade, drives off into the snow storm, only to find more peril.  As their stories accidentally intersect they must confront their own trappings and consider the risks of success.

Is this historical Romance? If  present day, I wonder about a mayor married to 19 year old. I also wonder about a 19 year old who leaves her husband for a suicidal worker? Do I want to know more about them? Is Wade the mayor’s name? Jade & Wade? Were they aiming for success? No hint of it here. Author says plot threads intersect but I don’t know what this story is about and therefore can’t see threads connecting.

My short fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in (names 3 journals)  and other great journals.  My story, (Title), was nominated for the 2009 Pushcart Prize.  I have an M.F.A. in Writing from (a well known liberal arts college).  I’m married and have two (children).  I am currently working on my second novel.

Impressive credentials except for me there’s a disconnect between the author’s credentials and this query letter.

Thank you for your time.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Author’s name

Last word: In my humble, this author has more work to do crafting a query letter that reflects the story she has written. For many, writing short is much more of a challenge than writing long. In real time workshops, this author is invited to ask questions.

Given the constraints imposed by this medium, I hope this quick query critique is helpful to all.  My Marketing the Muse team is working on closing the gaps between my real-time and cyber workshops.

Stay tuned and keep writing.

Marla

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I’m in my post-Women Who Write phase; the rapture part that follows so much satisfaction from spending another afternoon with Ms. Vicki and the girls, (mostly).

Vicki Abelson’s Women Who Write meets monthly. Sometimes held in NYC but mostly Vicki hosts WWW in her LA home, 4 freeway exchanges away from mine though I don’t even think about the drive.  My monthly at Vicki’s is so worth it.

Women Who Write was born from passion that seeps through Vicki Abelson’s every pore; passion for family, friends and creative expression all blend into one powerhouse of a woman. Each month, we gather to hear women share their art. Almost always, Vicki’s guest speakers include at least ‘one name to drop.’  Last month, SNL founding cast member,  Laraine Newman read from her work in-progress: thoughtful prose mixed with so much funny and signature Laraine Newman. This month, her song writer sister Tracy Newman sang a love song  about her baby sister titled ‘Laraine’ that made me  mist up.

Jackie Collins joined us this month and though the woman who has sold over 400 million books – by right - took top billing, everyone on Vicki’ Abelson’s family room center stage shines. Kelly Carlin read from Dirty Laundry.  a collection of essays written by writers connected to famous people.  George Carlin was her dad. She  first realized he was famous when she was 9 years old which she writes about in her contribution. Candy Somoza read from Olivia Slept; more misting in the room. Vicki read chapter 16  from her novel, Don’t Jump, which is getting some attention. Not surprising; her protagonist’s voice demands attention–funny, hip, smart and riddled with self doubt. Jackie Collins read from her latest, Poor Little Bitch Girl,  by introducing the  four characters telling this  naughty vs. nice tale that’s vintage Jackie Collins.  Afterwards, she stood in Vicki’s kitchen signing lots of books and hanging out; one of the girls for the afternoon. 

Vicki wrapped up this month’s  Women Who Write by announcing that Jackie Collins volunteered to write a blurb for Don’t Jump. Won’t Ms. Vicki’s publisher be pleased?

In my earlier post,   The Future Is Here, I shared  highlights of David Mathison’s keynote address at SCWC, www.writersconference.com .  The author of bestselling BE THE MEDIA – launched by TWITTER connections – advised authors on the road to ”Do something remarkable.”

Vicki Abelson,  founder of WOMEN WHO WRITE and author of Don’t Jump is doing just that. 

Kelly Carlin, Vicki Abelson, Jackie Collins

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Writers often confuse memoir writing with other narrative non fiction which includes autobiographical writing.

So what is a memoir?

Think of it as a turning point—that time in life when crisis catapulted you in some significant way. Read good memoirs. Favorites of mine include Drinking: A Love Story and Eat, Pray Love. Commonalities to both: pivotal moments that anchor the telling of these tales. For Caroline Knapp, it was the day she almost killed her friend’s daughter during a drunken spree. For Elizabeth Gilbert, the night she ended up in the fetal position on her bathroom floor sobbing; a wretch of a woman she’d become in order to stay in her marriage. That night on her bathroon floor became her turning point.

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A recent business experience led me on a search for stories about fighting the good fight against those who know most writers have little recourse except to take what they dish out.

If you have a story to tell, or know a writer who does, tell us about it in the comments. Or if you’d like to remain anonymous, please get in touch. We may be able to use your story in an upcoming muse-letter.

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At the 2008 Santa Barbara Writers Workshop, a writer asked about platform building and branding. Here’s a good example of both. This publish-on-demand author found her market and built her platform squarely on it. Study her website for clues.

Lois Stern is a publish-on-demand author who branded herself as a lay person expert on plastic surgery. One of her speaking engagements resulted in an interview that was included in a NYT story. Hard work over time is what it takes. A good book doesn’t hurt either though plenty bad ones have sold millions as we all know. With the plastic surgery market growing as we grow older, Stern’s timing is spot on.

Lois W. Stern, Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY

http://www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com

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1. In Russia the overwhelming majority of writers first start to write, then fail, then think: maybe I have to study the craft and the publishing business before I start writing. Is the story the same in America?

   Sometimes, this is the case and why university extension writing programs are quite popular in the U.S. People working days jobs enroll in craft courses they hope will help them realize their dream of becoming a published writer. However, there aren’t many courses designed to focus on the business side of our industry. That’s really why I developed Marketing the Muse workshops-to focus on craft as it relates to the business of writing.  In today’s market, if you want to be published, you must understand the craft and business of writing.

2. What is the writer’s gift and how does it correspond with studying the craft? What is more important for success?

   Voice is a writer’s greatest gift in my humble. I don’t believe one can study this facet of craft. A writer can learn how to identify, nurture and develop voice in their work but no book that I know of provides a tutorial. The voice of a piece drives it; point of view is the vehicle. But it all begins with voice.

3. If you could change the past what would you do differently in your literary efforts?

   Believe in myself more than I did. I came from a very traditional American working class home raised during a time, the late 1950’s & 60’s, when a girl’s options were restricted to motherhood, teaching and nursing. First I became a nurse, then mother, and now I’m a writer and teacher. I was first published at age thirteen in our daily newspaper.  I was not published again until my late 30’s. My path is common to many writers regardless of geography. I think most writers possess an equal measure of arrogance and humility; arrogance in believing what you write must be read and humility in feeling that you have a lot of nerve thinking anything you write should be read!

4. You teach writing classes. Can you tell right away who of your students have potential and who have not? What are the signs?

   Usually, I do have a good sense of who’s got the ‘writing chops.’ Writers in my classes most always possess three traits I’ve shared here: voice, arrogance and humility. It could be that the work they read is god awful-craft-wise- but there’s something in it that captures our attention. These writers keep coming back to classes and most always find writing groups somewhere. They just believe that what they have to say is worth reading.

   However, let me add that I’ve been wrong. I have thoroughly disliked concepts that have gone on to sell I can think of one writer-a mega successful businessman – who wrote about success and the cosmos in a new age-y  style that read like a grandiose love letter to self.  I encouraged him to narrow the concept. He didn’t. A few years later, he sold it and made sure I was notified. Much of our business is luck that comes by way of hitting a trend as it emerges. There’s no way to plan for this which is why my advice to writers is simply write what you know.

   I also tell them to be very careful about the advice you take.

5. Do you believe that it is possible to learn how to write beautifully? Please, explain.

   I believe our art form is evolutionary; the longer we pursue it, the more evolved our writing becomes. That’s the beauty of the writing life and I believe it’s intrinsic to the practice. One of my mentors, Shelly Lowenkopf, www.lowenkopf.com refers to it as “The process.” Beauty is found in all story forms, literary, commercial, fiction and non fiction.

6. What are the most important things aspiring authors have to know before they try to sell their books to the publisher?

   Most publishers will not purchase directly from a writer so that’s lesson #1. Unless a writer self publishes-essentially becoming their own publisher—a writer will need a literary agent to sell.

   How to get a literary agent? Begin with a story that is compelling.

   Here’s an example: A few years ago, Stacey O’Brien, author of New York Times best seller, Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl came to my Marketing the Muse Workshop that I was teaching at the Southern California Writers Conference, www.writersconference.com. At that point, her book was in an early draft form. Stacey was not a writer. She was, and is, a zoologist who was writing this incredible tale about her 20 year friendship with her pet owl. The story was there but the craft wasn’t. I introduced her to Sally Van Hiatsma, a San Diego based literary agent. Sally is known for nurturing writers along. She also has an eagle eye for good story. She knew Stacey had one. The rest is history. Stacey applied herself, learned how to write this story and voila! Wesley the Owl is climbing up NYT’s bestseller list.

   It always begins with a good story.

7. Can you give any advice for young authors?

   I developed the Young Writers Program during my tenure as Assistant Director of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, www.sbwritersconference.com because our youngest writers, teenagers, don’t have many communities where they can go to for support. I’m an enormous fan of writers finding literary homes. Young writers need support.

   In this country, those that get what they need during critical formative years are generally those lucky enough to attend private schools.  My daughters all attended a wonderful private grammar school but when time came for high school, family funds couldn’t stretch that far so they enrolled in our local high school. I live in an affluent part of the U.S., Newport Beach, California. I say that because schools in my community rank at the top and I was (and am) appalled by the lack of literary support offered in class.

   My advice to very young writers, look for a writing group that feels like family. At SBWC, writers ages 14-18, spend a week with writers of all ages and levels. At the end of that week, these kids leave fortified and more confident. They also leave feeling more humble after a week of being critiqued. Like I said, writers are an equal mix of arrogance and humility.

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At about 500 words, Michelle’s query letter was an ideal length. Divided into four paragraphs, each one delivers necessary information needed to hook an agent.

Following the letter, Jeff identifies portions that caused him to request the manuscript.

To view Michelle’s query letter & our analysis, www.thewritermag.com

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TC Boyle shows writers how to give an interview.

Watch and learn during this mini-interview with Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the NYT Book Review where they discuss his new novel The Women.

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