from Market Writer If you are a writer, or an aspiring writer looking to get published, a query letter is something you should really take note of. Writing a great query letter can help get your foot in the door with some major publishers and on your way to having people view your book.
The main goal of a query letter is to the make a particular agent or publisher care enough about your protagonist and your plot that they want to read more. You are giving them just the right amount of information, without giving it all away, so they show interest in your book and want to work with you more on it. If you are a writer that writes fiction or narrative fiction, a good query letter is something you will definitely need to get an agent interested, and hopefully signing you to a book deal. A pitch, which is essentially what a query letter is, is all you have and what stands between your book hitting store shelves and it just sitting on your desktop. Although query letters are mainly for works of fiction, there are plenty of concepts in a query letter that a writer of any subject can learn from. There are agents and publishers all over the world but it is important to note that they are all not looking for the same thing. One agent may be looking for a specific type of novel and another agent something completely different. It is important to do your research and know what the agent is looking for so you do not come off as generic and as someone who does not do their research. Agents in the very first line will look for someone who took the time to find out what the agent is looking for and what makes them relevant to be signed. They may be looking for a particular writer that is talking about a certain location, plot, idea, or type of book. All of these go together to help you create the perfect letter that tells the story of, well, your story. Your query needs to talk about what you have done, what you have accomplished, but most importantly what your book is about. They need to know why your character is important, what they are fighting why, why they are fighting for it, and what their end goal is. All of this should grip the agent and once they are hooked, you are on your way to being published in no time!
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by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh: President, Word Branch Publishing After a particularly taxing few months, I was feeling extremely low on creativity. I was fatigued, and the ideas just weren’t coming. It wasn’t merely a case of writer’s block; it was all inspiration and creativity. I couldn’t even come up with original ideas for dinner.
What a frustrating feeling it was—I felt like I couldn’t work through it. But then something very odd happened. I had to pick up a prescription in a nearby small town—a very ordinary place with an ordinary drug store. The day wasn’t very inspiring; it was chilly and overcast. Even the normally beautiful surrounding mountains were covered in a layer of clouds. As I drove down our mountain road, I felt something shift in my perspective. I neared the town of Andrews, and ideas began popping into my mind. By the time I got my prescription and was driving home, my brain was buzzing with activity. So why did this mundane activity make such a difference in my thought process, mood and production? And why didn’t my usual creativity boosters (walk in the woods, yoga, taking care of my plants) work? After a little research I came up with three strategies that will work for all creative types from artists to entrepreneurs.
But I’m the type that takes comfort in consistency. Just knowing that the sun will rise and my dogs’ schedule never changes makes me feel safe. I expected that when I did my research I would find that most experts suggest a change of scenery or routine to stimulate creativity—and that is exactly what happened. So my little trip to the drugstore was just enough change that it rebooted my creativity. But to my surprise, I also found a very interesting study from Stanford that extols the value of consistency balanced with creativity: “Creativity is responsible for innovation in ideas and products. Consistency is responsible for widespread use of ideas and products. What is important is to use each for its proper purposes.” ¹ So while that change of scenery may be essential for the development of an idea, consistency is necessary for the implementation. The article goes on to make the distinction between rote actions and consistency—it’s not the mindless repetition that is positive but the application of reliable actions. 2.Leadership and exchange of ideas: One of the problems of telecommuting is that there is often little feedback and idea sharing. A recent study published in the Social Behavior & Personality Journal found that being exposed to others with similar goals can create a domino effect of creativity in group members.² All well and fine, but how do those of us in solitary creative professions—art, writing, etc-- generate the same type of scenario? Since we don’t have immediate co-workers to gather with or often a boss who can supply the leadership to guide creative folks to the proverbial watering hole, it’s up to us to seek out our own groups.
I was on the right track by using yoga as a way to increase creativity. In Christine Buckenham’s article Creativity and Spirituality: Two Threads of the Same Cloth, she theorizes that there is an intrinsic connection between a spiritual life and creativity.³ Indeed, extreme creative spells are often compared to religious experiences—almost an out-of-body sensation. It’s a paradoxical awareness: an outward rush of creativity that feels like it originates in our core. How to get there is highly individual and dependent on your own belief system. But whether you get there in a mosque, a sweat lodge, a cathedral, on a yoga mat or a mountain top at sunrise, letting the spirit of an outside force wash over you is a certain path to the creative spirit. So what’s the key to unlocking our creativity? As I see it, it is a procession of activities and ideas. Keeping the mind, body and spirit active is essential, but so is the routine of polishing your craft. It’s feeding the soul with company of like minded people, but being open to the new ideas of others. It’s looking beyond the boundaries to discover what is within. ¹The Principle of Consistency and the Conditions for Creativity. Robert E. Horn ²CONTEXT AND CREATIVITY: THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE MECHANISM: JIN NAM CHOI ³Creativity and Spirituality: Two Threads of the Same Cloth: Karen Buckenham by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh Recently, I ran across a book that I’ve used as inspiration in the past--The Creative Spirit. This is a companion text to the PBS series of the same name in the early nineties, and it is still available through Amazon. Since the book chronicles some astounding research and philosophies about creativity, I thought I’d write a few blogs applying the concepts to writing.
The writers point out that one of the stumbling blocks of being creative is the fear of making a mistake (Goleman 43). None of us wants to look stupid in public or to fail at something we love, and this nagging thought freezes up the ability to produce creatively. It sounds like writer’s block, doesn’t it? We all know it; that horrible hovering of hands over the keyboard as the chest tightens and the brain buzzes. My guess would be this is why a lot of writers who have a successful first book block on the second one. It doesn’t even have to be that dramatic. Simply being good at anything can prevent a potential writer from producing. We fear failure and people pitying our attempt at creativity. Getting over the fear isn’t easy but possible. The authors cite the creator of the cartoon character Wile E. Coyote, Chuck Jones. Jones believes that Wile E. Coyote is so popular because we all identify with his failures. Again and again he tries to catch the road runner with ever-complicated plots but never succeeds at anything but looking foolish (Goleman 44). The fear in all of us is to become Wile E. Coyote. But unlike most of us, Mr. Coyote continues his quest, each time being more creative. He is fearless. “Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity,” says Jones, but having the courage to soldier on is how we become better—more creative (Goleman 44). In my own experience as a writer, I can tell you that I suffer from anxiety every time I hit the WordPress “post” button or when I upload to Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I fuss and I rewrite, but the truth is that I’m never completely happy and I constantly obsess over mistakes and perceived mistakes. My anxiety pushes me to become better. Writing should be, and most often is, a joy. Nothing is more satisfying or blissful than the act of creating. But that gnawing feeling of imperfection and fear of failure can be the catalyst that you, as a writer, need to work through to the next step of creativity. Goleman, Daniel, Paul Kaufman, and Michael Ray. The Creative Spirit. New York: Dutton, 1992. Print. by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh: President, Word Branch Publishing I woke up this morning knowing I should write a blog, but the ideas just weren’t flowing. Coupled with an allergy headache, I simply wasn’t in the mood. But I knew I had to soldier on, so I started Googling to get ideas. I did and from unexpected sources.
Almost all the hits on the first page were writing ideas for children. I almost blew it off as not serious enough, but I thought I’d take a peek out of desperation. The intended audience ranged from grade school to high school, and they were surprisingly thought-provoking, poignant and just plain fun. “Time Savers for Teachers” listed 100 writing ideas ranging from “I have a disability” to “I will tell you a story that is only half true.” I smiled at the idea of, “When I become an adult this is what I will be like,” and wondered how the response to “my future spouse” would change as a child aged. Houghton-Mifflin’s EduPlace had some compelling ideas for grades one through five that I thought would make good topics for adults. “Fireworks” is a charming subject for a second grader, and as a topic for an adult it might range from artistic description to explosive emotions. Mrs. Dell’s Writing Ideas gives a list of possible thesis statements as well as circumstances and titles. “My favorite vacation” works well for just about anyone. So why would an adult contemplate writing ideas aimed at children? Because when we change our perspective, it triggers the imagination. It forces us out of a box with limited vision and into someone else’s world. So next time writer’s block attacks, consider taking a different view to make the ordinary special. by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh Busy is a good thing, and in a time of double digit unemployment, it’s a really good thing. But when does the work/leisure balance tilt too far? In my case, it tilted too far last week, and something had to go. What went was a writing job that had potential but also added enough stress that it interfered with the real joys of my life.
When I look back at the month of August, I see little else than researching and rewriting: two chores I usually enjoy. In this case though, they became a monster. This monster consumed my days and weekends and even invaded my sleep. Other jobs either gathered dust or were not given the time they deserved. But most of all, this monster killed the joys in my life. Perhaps kill is too strong of a word, but it certainly severely battered my joys. Even my two blogs suffered, and I missed writing them. I realized at a certain point that my monster had the best of me, but, hey—I’m no quitter. I stubbornly plodded on. One day last week I told my husband that I got another job, and with a raised eyebrow, he said, “What are you going to let go?” It didn’t take me long to decide, and once I made the decision, I felt light. I have always loved work especially when my work was writing, but the lesson here was that not all writing is a good fit. I felt a pang of irresponsibility; although, I knew I was a pool of a large group of writers and wouldn’t even be missed. But I take pride in being a professional and my ability to conform to any situation, and I had to accept that I needed to revise that statement to almost all situations. It was only the second time in my life that I walked away from a job feeling that I didn’t fulfill my commitment even though both times, the commitment was to only to me. Now I feel that the balance has returned, and I was reminded that none of us can take on everything. In order to be a good teacher, writer, and employee, I have to set and meet reasonable goals. by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh: President, Word Branch Media This week, I’ve had more deadlines than I care to think about. I have project deadlines, personal deadlines, grading deadlines; I even have birthday shopping deadlines. As I write this, I feel pressured to finish quickly because I have even more deadlines.
So what do we do with all of these deadlines? How do we avoid getting sloppy because we’re in a rush? And most of all, how do we avoid old destructive habits that can make the deadline dilemma even worse. I’m a list maker. Lists help me keep my sanity and sort out my life, and I particularly like the granddaddy list maker of all time: Micro-Soft One Note. OneNote is part of the Office 2007 package, and it has become my all-time favorite organizational tool. It allows me to create new categories and store information in ways that work for me. But there are dozens of tools on the market that can help you with organization—the key is to find the one that works for you. And don’t negate old school: a pen and notebook can work as well as anything. After you organize, setting priorities is a necessity. It goes beyond which chore is due first; it takes a hard look at goals. If career building is your main goal right now, those deadlines take center stage. If your ten year old has a championship soccer game . . . well, need I say more? Although an afternoon at the golf course or a day at the spa may seem more appealing, avoiding the deadline will only make it worse. We can make monsters out of the simplest job just by delaying it. So while you’re making your list, set time limits. And don’t forget the need for reward as an incentive. It might be as simple as a piece of chocolate or a walk around the block for small projects, or you may reward yourself with a golf game or spa day for the large ones. As for me, I’m rewarding myself for finishing this blog by giving myself twenty minutes to walk in the woods with the dogs. by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh: President, Word Branch Media It’s 2:00 a.m. and your article [paper, ad copy, proposal . . .] is due at 9:00 a.m. You drink more coffee; you write a few disconnected words; you play computer solitaire.
Sound familiar? So NOW you want advice as to how to conjure the muse? I suppose I could say, “I told you so,” but let me be a little more helpful. Here’s the bad news: the muse of writing is mythology. It’s fiction. Writing is about hard work, a little bit of talent with some skill mixed in, and, yes, joy. So waiting until the muse comes to visit is like waiting for Santa to bring you a Porsche. Let’s back this scene up a few days. Your boss gives you a project to work on that involves, for example, writing an article about the new CEO for the employee newsletter. You smile confidently and accept the challenge, and you hope that your boss doesn’t hear you quietly sobbing in your cubicle as she leaves. For the rest of the afternoon, you surf the net for basic information on the CEO and sit at your computer, fingertips hovering above the keyboard, ready to type wildly as inspiration descends on you. The next morning finds you in the same position. Here’s where you made your first mistake: you didn’t have a plan. A lot of people skip this step because it seems like a waste of time. Actually, taking twenty minutes to sketch out a rough plan will save you hours in the long-run. How formal your make your plan depends on the complexity of the project and your own personality, but make a plan. The next step is to write. What? It couldn’t possibly be that simple, but it is. Most of us assume that what we write has to be perfect, and anything else would be a waste of time (see previous “waste of time” comment). So who is your favorite author? Do a quick Google search to find out about that author’s writing strategy, and I’ll bet it includes plenty of rough drafts and extensive rewrites. If a professional writer doesn’t write perfect copy the first draft, what makes you think you can? After some intensive rewrites, let’s bring you back to 2:00 a.m. the night before the project is due. This time you are sleeping peacefully, dreaming of the big promotion you are going to get after this successful project. Your article is sitting on your boss’s desk, ready for her glowing approval first thing in the morning. Now get to it! by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh: President, Word Branch Media Busy is a good thing, and in a time of double digit unemployment, it’s a really good thing. But when does the work/leisure balance tilt too far? In my case, it tilted too far last week, and something had to go. What went was a writing job that had potential but also added enough stress that it interfered with the real joys of my life.
When I look back at the month of August, I see little else than researching and rewriting: two chores I usually enjoy. In this case though, they became a monster. This monster consumed my days and weekends and even invaded my sleep. Other jobs either gathered dust or were not given the time they deserved. But most of all, this monster killed the joys in my life. Perhaps kill is too strong of a word, but it certainly severely battered my joys. Even my two blogs suffered, and I missed writing them. I realized at a certain point that my monster had the best of me, but, hey—I’m no quitter. I stubbornly plodded on. One day last week I told my husband that I got another job, and with a raised eyebrow, he said, “What are you going to let go?” It didn’t take me long to decide, and once I made the decision, I felt light. I have always loved work especially when my work was writing, but the lesson here was that not all writing is a good fit. I felt a pang of irresponsibility; although, I knew I was a pool of a large group of writers and wouldn’t even be missed. But I take pride in being a professional and my ability to conform to any situation, and I had to accept that I needed to revise that statement to almost all situations. It was only the second time in my life that I walked away from a job feeling that I didn’t fulfill my commitment even though both times, the commitment was to only to me. Now I feel that the balance has returned, and I was reminded that none of us can take on everything. In order to be a good teacher, writer, and employee, I have to set and meet reasonable goals. by Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh-President Word Branch Media The last week has been hectic: I’ve ended a semester, and a five-year teaching job; we traveled three hundred miles to find a new house, and we have been rushing to sell our current house. On top of that, I have been keeping up with CRT Writing Services. I feel as unfocused as my slightly hyper Australian Sheppard who thinks he’s a large Jack Russell Terrier.
However, I have to focus. I don’t have the luxury, as Ozzie does, to let it go until after I take a nap. I have deadlines to meet and responsibilities to other people (see previous blog!). And through my own trial and error process, I’ve found that helplessly staring at the keyboard really doesn’t get the job done. So what’s a frazzled writer/teacher/new-home owner to do? As you may have gathered, I am a list maker. Technologically sophisticated or shockingly simple, making a list gives me guidance. You may feel that lists confine you; you simply can’t be helped by anything as mundane as a list! I beseech you to give it a try; listing can make the most intimidating set of tasks look manageable. And don’t forget to prioritize. Watching all the recorded TiVo sit-coms may be at the top of your list, and possibly the more appealing option, but it probably won’t get your more pressing tasks done. Once you lay out your plan of attack, stay calm. I find that if I have a clear head, I am more able stay on task. This part is very individual. Some people need absolute quiet while others work best with heavy metal blaring through an MP3 player. I need a window close by with natural sunlight for my work area, but other people find a window too distracting. Ask yourself honest questions about your own behaviors and create a workspace that makes you comfortable and at ease with the least amount of distractions. I’m a yoga person. I find even just twenty minutes of yoga puts everything into perspective, evens out my breathing, and unkinks tight muscles. I feel focused and refreshed. There are even many yoga workouts that you can do at a desk, and at work, without attracting too much attention. My favorite online yoga workout source is www.yogadownload.com. You, however, may not be a yoga person, but there are a number of yoga-like techniques that can help your focus. The GYGO Breathing Ball add-on for the Windows’ sidebar is one of my favorite quick fixes. This is a graphic of an expanding and deflating ball to which you match your breathing. I find that even a few breaths clear my head and enable me to focus better. There are dozens of free, or nearly free, gadgets that can give you the same affect. If there is that one nagging chore that is preventing you from focusing on all of the other chores, then get it out of the way. Chances are that you are focusing on it because it is either unpleasant or seems too trivial to bother with. If it is the latter, get it out of the way. It’s not trivial if it is preventing you from doing other tasks. If it the former, consider why it is unpleasant. Often, mildly disagreeable jobs become monsters in our minds. The longer they are not dealt with, the bigger they grow. If you’re able to do it immediately, get it over with so you can move on. If it has to wait for whatever reason, get it into perspective. It probably isn’t as bad as you think it will be. And never underestimate the power of rewards. Even a short walk or a small treat can help you focus on the next project. Although you may use this advice freely, the writing is copyrighted and may not be used without the express permission of Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh. Email me at catherine@crtwriting.com for more information. |
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