Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Plan, Man

I think God heard my prayer this week about writing a Query Letter. Do any of you get the Writer's Digest magazine?

I've let all my subscriptions go and thought I didn't have any left on this one but evidently I did. I was happy to see the cover page. GET AN AGENT in bold letters. Plus What to do after an "Encouraging Rejection" and more.

I've got some reading to do.

But as an update--here's the plan. I lengthened my second book which is a romance, wrote a better query and plan to write a synopsis on it this next week. Then, I'm sending it out to the editor who wrote me the nice rejection in the hope that she will give this book a look over.

That's my up and coming plan. (Subject to change with a whim) What's yours?

34 comments:

Danni said...

Whats the title of your romance? I'd love to check it out. :)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

New novel. Done lots of notebook pages and computer files on research and will be doing an interview with professional, something I've never done for a fiction story before! I'm excited!

joe doaks-Author said...

This sounds like a great plan, Terri. I think half the battle is not to feel overwhelmed. The way to do that is, Ta DA...have a plan. A good one is even better.

Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I put stars and circles around my copy. :D My plan is to be finished w/ my WIP by Sept. 1. I think I can. I think I can.
~ Wendy

Stephanie Faris said...

This is the kind of work I love...work that has the possibility of acceptance. Keep at it. You're getting closer!

Tana said...

I just got my copy yesterday and emailed a bunch of agents listed in it for YA. (Please God, soon =)

Kathleen said...

It sounds like there's a bounce to your step. Something good's brewing!

Me ... my plans are always varied but oh-so intentional. Right now I'm focusing on updating my will (morbid, huh?), and putting the finishing touches to our travel plans (3 wks in Germany during Octoberfest).

Also, as my own header proclaims, I want in the worst way for the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to be pleasing to the Lord. That's a daily plan that spans a lifetime.

Keep us posted. One of these days you're going to be a HUGE success (though you already are in my eyes).

Kathleen

Great Grandma Lin said...

good for you, as long as you keep trying you haven't failed...

Susan R. Mills said...

I haven't received mine yet. Hmm...I better go check the mail box. Anyway, sounds like a great plan. My plan is to do a little more editing and revising and then start querying again. Ugh! It's such a long process!

Jessica Nelson said...

Go you! Sounds like a great magazine. :-) I can't wait to see what happens with the next romance!

Kathryn Magendie said...

Whoo Hoo! You go go go go GO!!! :)

My plan is to get my arse working Double Duty Hard on the second manuscript - the deadline is fast approaching and my stomach is tightening.....!

Andrea said...

I can't believe you posted this...I thought of you as I sat in the floor glancing at mine last night. I was waiting on my hubby and kids who were picking up furniture I was to help set up. Blessings, andrea

Lillian Robinson said...

Thank you for visiting my 'author' blog. I always see the names of the contributors in my Sunday school paper. Now I have a face to put with them. Real people... Imagine that! I will follow you on your journey. It's sound like you know much more than me about the process, but my blog has links to a lot of helpful sites.

There is one called query shark. You submit your query letter for her critique. She is to-the-point. I have learned a lot from reading her blog. A lot of others give tips, but her blog gives real examples.

I will be following your blog and reading some of your past posts. Good luck with your query process.

If you didn't live 1000 miles away, I'd drop by your shop and share some coffee.

Lillian Robinson said...

When I went back to your profile page, I noticed the corner band. Love it! I think I've been to that site before, but never had time to explore. I'm deciding which colors to use on each of my blogs!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Terri, I'm so encouraged for you!

I'm going to keep at my WIP. Must keep plugging away.

Jody Hedlund said...

Sounds like a great plan, Terri. You'll be putting your name out there and letting them know you're serious!

Robin Lambright said...

Good Plan!

Aside from working out (YUCK!) and trying to figure out how to make a hyperlink for my blog, that's my plan for today!

The Hyperlink thing, which is making my head hurt, can I just say I am not fan of HTML, it makes me nuts!

I have had a few lingering thoughts about my current witting project as well as a new idea but like all things I need to force myself to schedule the time just like I do with my workouts and other things.

Those pesky priorities, if ya don't make it one it won't be one.

Blessings
Robin

Jeanette Levellie said...

Ooooh, Terri, you are so mature. Most people would lick their wounds and go on to the next editor.
I love your attitude--a sterling example!

I am finishing my partial this weekend to send to the agent who is interested in seeing it. After that, take a deep breath and start sending out some articles.

Happy Weekend, Jen

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I thought of you when this came into my inbox from TWG in Canada.
Steeple Hill is actively looking for writers. If you are interested, click on "
Steeple Hill." I clicked on it and great stuff came up including
NEW writing opportunities! Kimani Press, Harlequin Teen, Harlequin Historical Undone, Nocturne Bites, and Nonfiction Editorial are accepting submissions—check out their new guidelines! Not sure if you knew about this but maybe ..... Sarah

Jill Kemerer said...

You are awesome!! Have a great weekend!

Melissa Amateis said...

Great plan, Terri! My plan is to get started writing this weekend on my fourth novel and keep submitting my other novel.

BTW - my mom, also a Christian writer, started a blog that I thought you might enjoy:

http://reflectionsbycarole.blogspot.com/

Greg C said...

My plan is a little shorter. I plan on going home soon and relaxing. After that, who knows.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Congrats on your new plan! I love having a goal/direction.

As of this morning, this SOTP writer is taking yet another shot at plotting a novel. Sigh. Pray for me. This is harder than writing. Two hours later, and I've got one page of notes on my MC.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kimbra Kasch said...

I love Writer's Digest.

Kathryn Magendie said...

Hi Terri - to answr your question you left in my comments - the ms is due at the summer's end, but, I have a little wiggle room - early fall latest!

Ginny said...

I admire your strengths and forging on qualities!
I am looking forward to vacation. We leave on the 21st to South Carolina. Yesterday my hubby had intensive heart testing. He is going in for a knee replacement in Oct. and his ekg had some grey areas, so they sent him for a lot of diagnostic tests yesterday. He is very fatigued still today. My son in law who is an anesthesia nurse was in the ER today for irregular heart rhythms and vertigo. Sheeesh!!..........We are supposed to be going with them to SC, so I hope he is better. If not, then, well I guess I will be cleaning my basement and getting ready for Fall.

Mary L. Briggs said...

Sounds like a great plan you have. Me? I've got two WIP to finish up~both very close. Then, lots of editing. Also have two new projects I'm sort of chomping to get busy on, but they're on the back burner for now.

LisaShaw said...

Hey Sweet Sister, glad to see you are continuing to press in. I came by to say Hi and to let you know I was thinking of you.

Praying for you and your husband.

Love you.

Pat's Place said...

Great plan. Good luck!

Nancy said...

It sounds like your plan is a winner. I hope this query comes through for you.
My plan is to get my "batch" of personal priorities in the past column and then think about rewriting and sending out one of my novels.

Susan R. Mills said...

Add to your plans to come by my blog and pick up an award. :)

Unknown said...

God is always at work in you. . . . .I am confident your efforts are not in vain. I am so encouraged to write after reading your blog - thank you so much for sharing your journey!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My plan for the next week is to sit and ponder an outline for my next WIP. I know where I'm headed; I just need time and quiet to sketch it out ... two things drastically missing over the summer but now seem ample enough for the work.

My heart is hurting tonight, but Monday's coming...

Thank God for Mondays and new beginnings; new seasons and new words; new thoughts to go with some old dreams.

So glad to be walking this journey with you! Congrats on the small windows that seem to be opening regarding your writing. You are an obvious and welcome source of encouragement for all of us in blogland.

peace~elaine

Terra said...

Writers Digest magazine is very helpful, and I subscribed for many years, perhaps for ten years.
I cancelled my subscription to 3 of the 4 writers mags I subscribed to. At a certain point I couldn't keep up with this reading and putting into practice all the good info.
I need to keep time open to write :)
The writing magazine I still subscribe to is Christian Communicator.
One nice feature in it is Sally Stuart's Market Update. Sometimes I see a market there to query.