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Agents
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Sammy
 11 Aug 2010, 15:40 #96106 Reply To Post
Quote: JemimaJemina, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 14:00
Hello Kate

Sorry, I'm new to this site.
I take it a 'free will' is a free reading of first or a few chapters of what I've written?
The only reason I haven't uploaded anything to 'be taken seriously' (to quote one of the replies to my initial post) is that I need to re-think how to present the first chapters if the agent is right about 'not being drawn in' sufficiently. I already think I've done a good job.

My gut feeling, however is that he just didn't like it - (maybe I'm trying to fit into the wrong genre - maybe it should be reclassified as 'chick-lit'?) This agent I heard back from seems to represent non-fiction and 'literary' crime fiction.
The reason I chose Irish agents is because I'm Irish and am writing about things from the basis of a small town in the Republic. That is specific.

I look forward to reading your works posted. I like the title!

Many thanks

Jemima



I'm not sure I understand your reluctance to let others on this site read your work. You obviously think it's good enough to submit to agents...and the people on here aren't even after 15%!

Your work doesn't have to be perfect to post. That's the whole point. It's about improvement.

I think the problem lies in your line: 'I already think I've done a good job.'

That's what you think. And you may well have done. But a professional has told you it could still be better.

Why not see what others have to say?

If you are prepared to accept that there is nearly always room for improvement in a piece of writing, and genuinely want constructive criticism, then you have nothing to lose.

If you want to hang on to the idea that your book is perfect as it is, stick it in the bottom drawer and never let anyone read it.

Or, as the oracle Mr T might say: 'Less jibber jabber. Post!'


'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
KLM7640
 11 Aug 2010, 17:05 #96115 Reply To Post
Sammy, I couldn't agree more. I sent my book out to 3 agents last summer almost immediately after finishing it. Husband said "I think you're sending it out too soon..." I ignored him

10,000 revisions and a complete change to my storyline later I have to admit he was right

My point being that I thought my book was Just Right at the time. What an idiot.
JemimaJemina
 11 Aug 2010, 17:12 #96116 Reply To Post
Hello Kate. No reluctance to post - just newness to the site and getting used to how it works. Have posted now.

Many thanks

Jemima

sulcus
 11 Aug 2010, 17:42 #96117 Reply To Post
Quote: KLM7640, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 17:05
Sammy, I couldn't agree more. I sent my book out to 3 agents last summer almost immediately after finishing it. Husband said "I think you're sending it out too soon..." I ignored him

10,000 revisions and a complete change to my storyline later I have to admit he was right

My point being that I thought my book was Just Right at the time. What an idiot.


you made 10,000 revisions in the space of a year?
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

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Sammy
 11 Aug 2010, 18:18 #96118 Reply To Post
Quote: KLM7640, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 17:05
Sammy, I couldn't agree more. I sent my book out to 3 agents last summer almost immediately after finishing it. Husband said "I think you're sending it out too soon..." I ignored him

10,000 revisions and a complete change to my storyline later I have to admit he was right

My point being that I thought my book was Just Right at the time. What an idiot.


I did exactly the same with previous books. Sent them off to agents when, reading back, they were pretty raw still (raw being the polite term for crap!)

The problem is, no-one tells you and agents don't offer feedback so, what to do?

Hang on. I've got an idea. Create a website where people can offer honest and objective reviews of each others' work, helping them hammer it into shape for submission (if that's what they want to do) and improve as writers.

I think I might be onto something here!

'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
Sammy
 11 Aug 2010, 18:21 #96120 Reply To Post
Quote: JemimaJemina, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 17:12
Hello Kate. No reluctance to post - just newness to the site and getting used to how it works. Have posted now.

Many thanks

Jemima



Hope you didn't feel bullied into posting!

Trust me. It's all good. Anyway, everyone might rave about your work and tell you the agent was talking crap!

At the very least you'll know whether it's worth a re-write or not.

x
'Stay away from your potential. It's like your bank balance. There's never as much of it as you think.'
JemimaJemina
 11 Aug 2010, 18:34 #96121 Reply To Post


Not at all. It's always good to have perspective and rewriting is sometimes what it's all about.

Many thanks Jemima


KLM7640
 11 Aug 2010, 20:48 #96129 Reply To Post
Quote: sulcus, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 17:42
Quote: KLM7640, Wednesday, 11 Aug 2010 17:05
Sammy, I couldn't agree more. I sent my book out to 3 agents last summer almost immediately after finishing it. Husband said "I think you're sending it out too soon..." I ignored him

10,000 revisions and a complete change to my storyline later I have to admit he was right

My point being that I thought my book was Just Right at the time. What an idiot.


you made 10,000 revisions in the space of a year?

well, technically it's 10,243 but I thought I'd round it down.
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