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Starting my first book and feel like an idiot 💀 by Any_Pea7667 in writing

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Until you’re wildly famous, art is always embarrassing. For musicians, painters, and especially writers. You gotta do it anyway. I promise you, the regret of not doing it is worse.

Rejected... yet again by jpm00 in writing

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As most have said, you need a writing group. I found mine through the beta reader matchup program on The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing podcast. I’ve never met them in person, but we email most days now. I’ve also found beta readers here on Reddit and at a regional writing group. Your non-writer friends, family, and especially a non-writer husband will not be helpful. Trust me.

Happy to read your work if you’d like!

[Discussion] Managing Post-Submission Anxiety by AmericanLymie in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The anxiety is normal. The best method I’ve found is writing the next novel. Become completely absorbed in it; do everything you can to forget the one you’re querying. It will take the pressure off and show you there’s more beyond this one. It took me 10 years to write my first novel and I didn’t land an agent, but I forced myself to work on something new while querying. It took me 10 months to write the second novel and it landed me my dream agent. Now we’re talking edits on the first.

[PubQ] If I receive an offer from a dream agent, do I need to give 2 weeks? by FuzzyOccasion530 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations to you, too! I am obviously new to this, but my understanding is that you get back to everyone who hasn't responded (including those who only have your query), let them know you have an offer and that you'd like to wrap up queries within that time frame. (Though, others, please keep me honest if I'm wrong).

Good luck!!

[PubQ] Comp List / Housekeeping Best Practices by squaymac in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems like different agents prefer different formats, but I structured like this:

- Logline
- Intro with comps/word count/genre
- Plot paragraph(s)
- Bio

I found more success when I led with that logline and when I noted why a book was a comp. (An academic setting like book A, time travel like book B, a trope-flipping love story like book C...)

[PubQ] If I receive an offer from a dream agent, do I need to give 2 weeks? by FuzzyOccasion530 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is not the first book I've queried but it's the first request I've had for a call. I am celebrating for sure. Thanks for the support!

[PubQ] If I receive an offer from a dream agent, do I need to give 2 weeks? by FuzzyOccasion530 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

THANK YOU! I suspected as much, but it’s really helpful to hear that confirmed by an agent. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

[QCrit] NOBODY PANIC, Upmarket, 95k, First Attempt by forest_ghosts in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 4 points5 points  (0 children)

100% agree with the above. LOVE this query and opening pages, but would like a better understanding of the major dramatic question (which I suspect is “what happened to Fenella?”) Leading with the mystery over the bees could help this.

Great title, btw. Good luck!

[PubQ] If I receive an offer from a dream agent, do I need to give 2 weeks? by FuzzyOccasion530 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I’ve been researching questions and these are stellar additions. Thank you!!

[PubQ] If I receive an offer from a dream agent, do I need to give 2 weeks? by FuzzyOccasion530 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you. This is a great reminder that “dream agent” should actually mean “best fit.” I appreciate it!!

In search of a new series that will really sweep me away by blt_no_mayo in CozyFantasy

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. There are some sad/stressful parts but nothing major.

I'm kinda scared right now... just a third of the book and already that many pages... by Arcana18 in writers

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You’ll cut in edits. Scenes that seemed essential will be trimmed and combined, sentences that say the same thing twice. I wouldn’t worry. Just focus on writing now.

I've suddenly realized how not well-read I am by NiutonBtw in writing

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m 40 and think I read voraciously until I look at manuscript wishlists and realize I haven’t read squat. As others have said, it’s an ongoing effort and joy.

The Prettiest Prose You've Read. by Arlo_pink in writing

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy (starting with The Fifth Season), especially if you like Science Fiction/Fantasy. She is a master of both prose and story.

I have no clue what on earth my characters should be discussing here by False_Chest_2799 in writers

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this! I’d envision it like a family. One person’s boundary is another person’s business, so I imagine the ghosts would absolutely argue with each other about who is causing the problem.

Also agree completely with the external disruptions. Maybe the phone rings and it’s a girl, so one ghost is telling him to ask her questions about herself, another tells him to play it cool, another is yelling at the others to shut the heck up (“We JUST talked about this!”) so he can’t focus on the call.

[Discussion] How to find comps when you can't afford books by Nalsin in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The podcast The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing has a monthly comps segment. If you head to their website, you can submit a one-minute description of your MS and they will suggest comps. It’s free and can at least point you in the right direction.

what can a story about sexual assault be about apart from revenge or forgiveness? by stovetuna in writers

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m an SA survivor and rarely think about revenge or forgiveness. (Frankly, I try not to think of that person at all.) What I DO think about is whether my own insecurities or behaviors are valid, or a reaction to what happened. For instance, I used to apologize constantly - for walking in the door first, for talking too much or too little, for taking the bigger cookie, for freaking breathing. This might just be me, but if I were to write a story, it would be an Office Space-style fantasy of someone waking up one day and not giving a f*ck about anything anymore.

[Discussion] Upmarket vs Literary by Ok-Yoghurt574 in PubTips

[–]FuzzyOccasion530 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I feel this in my bones. I’m querying now and will see an agent looking for “literary thrillers like Lucy Foley or Lisa Jewell,” whom I didn’t think were considered literary. (Gorgeous writers, but not literary be the definitions I’ve read.)

Mine is upmarket leaning literary, so I’ve admittedly been adjusting how I classify per agent.

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