| Author |
Message |
    
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
934
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 06:21 pm: |   |
One day last week I got a rejection letter stating the characters were very well presented but the plot was full of holes.
The very next day, I got a rejection letter, same MSS, stating that the story line was wonderful but the characters were flat!
Both NY agencies and both passed, of course.
Oh, both were e-mailed because I didn't send SASE.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1358
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 07:18 pm: | |
Bill
If they're actually reading your manuscripts, you're making progress. |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2156
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 07:29 pm: | |
Save two different versions of the manuscript, one where you make the characters full, and the other where you fix the 'plot holes'...submit them again (to the respective agencies), pointing out how you had fixed the manuscript per their previous critique...
I'm with Dennis...if they're actually giving you feedback, that's a start.
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
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Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
935
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 08:06 pm: | |
Well, I've gotten some "not for us" love notes, too.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3686
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 08:39 pm: | |
Oh Bill. That reminds me of agent letters I've received.
One agent said I did a good job of showing the characters and locations, but the genre was not their forte.
Another agent said it was the right genre but I TOLD about the characters and locations and did not SHOW them.
I agree with the other guys. If you got any sort of direction at all and not an overcopied sideways copy of a xerox copy, that's progress.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
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Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
832
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 09:43 pm: | |
You guys are lucky. The rejections I receive are almost always "Dear Author" form letters. If it gets any worse, they'll start addressing them to "Occupant".
http://www.fdungan.com/heidi.htm |
priceless1
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
509
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 09:59 pm: | |
Opinions are like bellybuttons; everybody has one. Same goes for editors and agents. Some are "inny" and some are "outies" |
Matt Dinniman
Wandering Member
Post Number:
285
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 10:21 pm: | |
I've gotten rejection letters where they just took the first page of the submission, stuffed it in my SASE and wrote "No" on them. |
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
833
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 10:27 pm: | |
Any more "outie" and they'll be playing right field for the New York Mets.
If they can send me a form letter rejection notice, why can't I send them a form letter manuscript, i.e. a hackneyed genre-driven, fill-in-the-blanks piece of pulp?
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Snarzler
Hunger Member
Post Number:
70
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 12:13 am: | |
Because you don't write screenplays? ;)
Andrea
Dakler's Dilemma:
If you hit two keys on the typewriter, the one you don't want hits the paper. |
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
938
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 07:39 am: | |
Andrea,
LOL. You hit it on the head.
And, Fred, it's because of the Golden Rule...Them that has the gold, makes the rules.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Steven Shrewsbury
Unity Member
Post Number:
1190
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 08:39 am: | |
Recently, a S&S mag rejected a BEDLAM tale of mine, saying they thought it was too violent and it did not work for them.
The next day it was accepted overseas. Shrugs.
Some bears dance. Others don't.
www.stevenshrewsbury.com
GODFORSAKEN
Behler Publications |
F.E. Mazur (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: dialup-4.225.5.45.dial1.cincinnati1.level3.net
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 12:12 pm: | |
Bill, you're failing to understand the message in those rejections, so allow me. Rewrite that manuscript so it reveals a half-assed story with half-assed characters, and, voila, you're in. |
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
944
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 01:22 pm: | |
Frank,
You may be right. I thought that was my problem, but it might be the answer.
Bill Nelson
RISEN, ISBN 1-93301616-4
Behler Publications |
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
835
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 01:52 pm: | |
I like to refer to POD writers as the direct descendents of 19th century dime novelists. As such, we can learn the following lessons from them:
1. There is no place for $5 words in a dime novel
2. Grind them out without deviating from the genre template
3. Keep dialogue to a minimum - load the story with action
4. An active imagination is a fitting substitute for research
5. Make the cover as garish as humanly possible
6. Never attempt to write when sober
7. Sequels are our bread and butter
8. Refer to yourself as "professor", regardless of your schooling
9. Never hesitate to steal a storyline from a colleague
10. Embellish the truth whenever possible
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
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