Deborah Nemeth

Some good craft tips here about the importance of cohesion and resonance in writing.
#pubtip #writetip

Please be specific in a synopsis. Avoid generic phrasing such as "secrets that tear them apart." Instead, reveal what the secret is. #pubtip

A closely related opening-scene issue is immediately backtracking into a flashback, instead of propelling the story forward. #pubtip

Too much exposition can rob that important opening scene of its energy, slowing the pacing & making the ms too easy to put down. #pubtip

Readers don’t always need a lot of world-building or details about protags’ backgrounds to follow along. Layer in more detail later. #pubtip

Reading submissions today! A top reason I stop reading many manuscripts: too much backstory/exposition in the opening scene. #pubtip

It’s a challenge to include many characters in an opening scene without losing focus on the protagonist’s goal, motivation, conflict #pubtip

What doesn’t belong in a cover letter/query for genre fiction submission: the author’s age, marital status, # of children. #pubtip

A query/submission cover letter should also mention the ms's genre/subgenre & word count, and the author’s publishing history. #pubtip

Other things I look for in a query/submission cover letter: a succinct blurb that conveys hook, main characters, conflict & stakes #pubtip

I love it when submission cover letters include recent comparable titles. That’s always very helpful! #pubtip

Authors, if any of you struggle with pacing, here are some tips you might want to check out: carinapress.com/blog/2015/08/f… #writetip #pubtip