About Words for Writers - Query Reply Form Tips

□ Mechanics (format / grammar / spelling) -- if there are misspellings, grammar errors such as run-on sentences, or formatting errors, this box will be checked. If there is just one typo, it is usually not checked. Formatting is not considered until a Word document or paper submission is received.

□ Pacing (keep story moving forward) -- especially at the beginning of a book (which is the portion being evaluated), the reader's attention must be kept by moving the story forward. This usually means there is too much back story and/or telling. Anything that stops the story should either be removed, cut, or moved to another part of the story. For a faster pace, use short sentences and short words.

□ Plot (clear beginning, middle, end) -- every book needs to have a "problem" that needs to be solved, and a resolution for the problem at the end of the book. The storyline should be clearly defined and should stay on track for the entire book.

□ Needs a hook to draw reader into the story -- the first scene should have a "hook" that draws the reader into the story and makes them want to read more. "Start where things begin to go wrong." --Marion Zimmer Bradley

□ Characterization (develop characters more) -- good characters make good fiction. Without fully developed characters, the whole book becomes flat and uninteresting.

□ Setting (use more of all five senses) -- the setting should be as much of a character as the main character, and the best way to do that is use as many of the senses as appropriate. Vision is usually the only one used, but smell and touch especially should be included. Use particular, detailed adjectives and nouns, as well.

□ Premise / plausibility / motivation -- the premise of the book is an evaluation of the overall plot, and must make sense. Plausibility is closely related to the premise. Would the characters do this? Do they have proper motivation to do what they do?

□ Drama / suspense / tension -- often a book has drama, but doesn't follow through with the execution of it, thereby losing suspense and tension. This is often associated with telling and pacing problems.

□ Focus (rambles, doesn’t stay on plot) -- anything that doesn't move the story forward or keep it on plot should be eliminated.

□ Too short / Too long (~100,000 words) -- a first-time author should keep their book between 80,000 to 100,000 words, and certainly no more than 120,000 at a maximum. When writing your book and editing it the first time, don't consider the word count. Cut or add for word length only after the book has had the first editing pass. A book usually ends up being the right length if properly plotted out and edited.

□ Too much back story / info-dump -- too much information and explanation stops the story. Anything that stops the story and gets the reader thinking too much rather than involved in the story should be cut, especially in the beginning of a book.

□ Repetition (usually too much telling) -- trust the reader to get it the first time. Don't say the same thing three different ways.

□ Point of view (1st difficult, same for scene) -- although not point of view, first person and present tense make a story much more difficult to write and read. Stay in the same character's point of view for each scene, and limit the point of view characters to three or four at the most, for the entire book. Start the first chapter in the main character's point of view so the reader will know who to connect with.

□ Dialogue (stilted, not natural, telling) -- don't use dialogue to explain or tell things. Use dialogue to move the story forward and characterize. No dialogue is also a red flag.

□ Telling vs. showing (passive voice, “was”) -- without a doubt the most often checked box, telling a story is how we are taught to write as children. But telling about something happening distances the reader from the characters and the story. Look for "to be" verbs, adverbs (words ending with -ly), and other words such as "felt" and "-ing" words.

□ Originality / marketability -- is the story an original one? Can the agent sell it? They say there are no new stories, and if you think of it in general terms, perhaps this is true. But agents are always on the lookout for a fresh new voice or style, and a new "take" on a story.

□ Need a synopsis to evaluate plot, premise, focus & marketability -- include a one page synopsis covering the main plot points of the book and introducing the main characters.

□ Include ending in synopsis to evaluate plot & premise -- include the ending to show the resolution of the "problem." (See Plot above.)

□ Needs editing - see (list of books below) and/or find a supportive critique group and/or hire an independent editor. Free writer’s resources and advice compiled by us is available online at: http://writers.aboutwords.org

We have personally reviewed and highly recommend the following writing reference books:
Stein On Writing, by Sol Stein (great all-around writing book)
Getting The Words Right, by Theodore Cheney (the best book on general editing)
Write In Style, by Bobbie Christmas (editing with your word processor & other tips)

The Elements of Style, by Strunk, et al (the original and still best on grammar & punctuation)
On Writing, by Stephen King (inspirational and educational)
Writing The Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass (how to write a best selling novel)
Writing The Breakout Novel Workbook, by Donald Maass (the companion workbook)

Writing Creative Nonfiction, by Theodore Cheney (the best for memoirs & bios)

Children's Writer's Word Book, by Alijandra Mogilner (important for age appropriate vocabulary)




This is the detailed explanation of the query reply form you receive when you send a submission to About Words Agency. □ Mechanics (format / grammar / spelling) -- if there are misspellings, grammar errors such as run-on sentences, or formatting errors, this box will be checked. If there is just one typo, it is usually not checked. Formatting is not considered until a Word document or paper submission is received. □ Pacing (keep story moving forward) -- especially at the beginning of a book (which is the portion being evaluated), the reader's attention must be kept by moving the story forward. This usually means there is too much back story and/or telling. Anything that stops the story should either be removed, cut, or moved to another part of the story. For a faster pace, use short sentences and short words. □ Plot (clear beginning, middle, end) -- every book needs to have a "problem" that needs to be solved, and a resolution for the problem at the end of the book. The storyline should be clearly defined and should stay on track for the entire book. □ Needs a hook to draw reader into the story -- the first scene should have a "hook" that draws the reader into the story and makes them want to read more. "Start where things begin to go wrong." --Marion Zimmer Bradley □ Characterization (develop characters more) -- good characters make good fiction. Without fully developed characters, the whole book becomes flat and uninteresting. □ Setting (use more of all five senses) -- the setting should be as much of a character as the main character, and the best way to do that is use as many of the senses as appropriate. Vision is usually the only one used, but smell and touch especially should be included. Use particular, detailed adjectives and nouns, as well. □ Premise / plausibility / motivation -- the premise of the book is an evaluation of the overall plot, and must make sense. Plausibility is closely related to the premise. Would the characters do this? Do they have proper motivation to do what they do? □ Drama / suspense / tension -- often a book has drama, but doesn't follow through with the execution of it, thereby losing suspense and tension. This is often associated with telling and pacing problems. □ Focus (rambles, doesn’t stay on plot) -- anything that doesn't move the story forward or keep it on plot should be eliminated. □ Too short / Too long (~100,000 words) -- a first-time author should keep their book between 80,000 to 100,000 words, and certainly no more than 120,000 at a maximum. When writing your book and editing it the first time, don't consider the word count. Cut or add for word length only after the book has had the first editing pass. A book usually ends up being the right length if properly plotted out and edited. □ Too much back story / info-dump -- too much information and explanation stops the story. Anything that stops the story and gets the reader thinking too much rather than involved in the story should be cut, especially in the beginning of a book. □ Repetition (usually too much telling) -- trust the reader to get it the first time. Don't say the same thing three different ways. □ Point of view (1st difficult, same for scene) -- although not point of view, first person and present tense make a story much more difficult to write and read. Stay in the same character's point of view for each scene, and limit the point of view characters to three or four at the most, for the entire book. Start the first chapter in the main character's point of view so the reader will know who to connect with. □ Dialogue (stilted, not natural, telling) -- don't use dialogue to explain or tell things. Use dialogue to move the story forward and characterize. No dialogue is also a red flag. □ Telling vs. showing (passive voice, “was”) -- without a doubt the most often checked box, telling a story is how we are taught to write as children. But telling about something happening distances the reader from the characters and the story. Look for "to be" verbs, adverbs (words ending with -ly), and other words such as "felt" and "-ing" words. □ Originality / marketability -- is the story an original one? Can the agent sell it? They say there are no new stories, and if you think of it in general terms, perhaps this is true. But agents are always on the lookout for a fresh new voice or style, and a new "take" on a story. □ Need a synopsis to evaluate plot, premise, focus & marketability -- include a one page synopsis covering the main plot points of the book and introducing the main characters. □ Include ending in synopsis to evaluate plot & premise -- include the ending to show the resolution of the "problem." (See Plot above.) □ Not a category the agency represents (no poetry, religious, true crime) □ Needs editing - see (list of books below) and/or find a supportive critique group and/or hire an independent editor. Free writer’s resources and advice compiled by us is available online at: http://writers.aboutwords.org We have personally reviewed and highly recommend the following writing reference books: Stein On Writing, by Sol Stein (great all-around writing book) Getting The Words Right, by Theodore Cheney (the best book on general editing) Write In Style, by Bobbie Christmas (editing with your word processor & other tips) The Elements of Style, by Strunk, et al (the original and still best on grammar & punctuation) On Writing, by Stephen King (inspirational and educational) Writing The Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass (how to write a best selling novel) Writing The Breakout Novel Workbook, by Donald Maass (the companion workbook) Writing Creative Nonfiction, by Theodore Cheney (the best for memoirs & bios) Children's Writer's Word Book, by Alijandra Mogilner (important for age appropriate vocabulary) ABOUT WORDS.ORG \| ABOUT WORDS AGENCY \| ABOUT WORDS FOR WRITERS \| ABOUT WORDS BOOKSTORE Copyright © 2007 About Words Agency All rights reserved.