Lynnette Novak

Show me what makes your story unique. How will this manuscript stand out? I need to know enough about the story to see this, but don’t give away the ending. #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 2/5

In a query, it’s nice to learn about cool characters, but what’s most important is for you to tell me what the STORY is about. What’s at stake? What's the protagonist’s story goal? What’s the conflict keeping him/her from that goal? #amquerying #writetip #pubtip 1/5

Replying to a rejection with a bitter comment doesn't put you in my good books. Just sayin'. It confirms I made the right decision. Come on, peeps. Keep it professional. Agents have to love the work they represent. It's as simple as that. #writetip #pubtip #amquerying

The scene goal is a goal for THAT scene, but it should be tied to the story goal in some way. Many different scenes goals (in many different scenes) are like baby steps bringing the character closer and closer to attaining his/her story goal. 8/8 #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

This also forces the character to be an ACTIVE participant instead of REACTING to things that happen. Torture your characters. Make them fight for what they want and sometimes fail in pursuit of it until they grow enough to attain their goal. 7/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

When a character causes his/her own conflict, it's much stronger because he/she has to own that. He/she has to learn from it and grow from his/her mistakes. 6/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

Basically, I want to see a character pursuing something. ALWAYS. Even if that something changes. I want to see things get in the way, but mostly because of a character flaw (internal or external issue). 5/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

Scene conflict can be internal, external, or both. But, you need conflict. The best kind of conflict? Something that the POV character causes because of something he/she said or didn't say, did or didn't do. 4/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

But, it doesn't stop there. If you have a story goal without conflict to interfere with or disrupt the pursuit of that goal, life becomes too easy for the character. Easy character life = boring. 3/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

Without a scene goal, the story can lose focus, and we can go through several scenes where nothing is happening. This kills the pacing, and prevents the story from moving forward. 2/? #writetip #pubtip #amwriting

Reminder to querying folks: If you don't spell my name correctly in my email address, I won't get it. Two Ns in Lynnette. Sanks! #amquerying #amagenting #pubtip

THIS!!! #pubtip #amwriting #amquerying

Rejections are hard. Remember, agents aren't rejecting YOU. We might not even be rejecting your writing. Maybe it's not the right story, or the right timing for that story. Don't give up. You'll get there. #amquerying #pubtip #amwriting

Reminder: A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with your MS. Sometimes I really like a MS, but if I don’t LOVE it, I can’t represent it. Another agent might go bananas over the same project. Very subjective. #BestFit #pubtip #amquerying

THIS!!! #pubtip #amwriting #amediting

THIS! #amwriting #pubtip #writers

A rejection doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with your MS. Sometimes I really like a MS, but if I don't LOVE it, I can't represent it. Another agent might go bananas over the same project. Very subjective. #BestFit #pubtip #amquerying

Rejections are hard for you and for us. We’re not rejecting YOU, just this particular project. You might send us another project that we MUST have. Or another agent might love the one we rejected. In the end, we’re all looking for the right fit. #amquerying #pubtip #amagenting

TRUTH! #amquerying #amwriting #pubtip

Querying is like being on The Voice. Mentors (agents) can't mentor (represent) everyone, but that doesn't mean they don't see promise in the ones they send home (reject). Don't give up. #amquerying #pubtip #amagenting