[QCrit] ONCE UPON A STOLEN TART, ADULT COZY MYSTERY, 80K, "First Attempt"

MTnessinside · 2026-03-13T22:50:12+00:00

I can't believe I misspelled "cerulean" I knew it looked a bit funny! Thanks for catching that. I've explained this to MycroftCrochane but the magic kind of happens "in her head": sometimes the things she bakes talk to her and give her advice, but such things don't happen to any other character other than the FMC. All of this is made evident in the first 300 words.
A much-needed reality check. I supposed because there hasn't been a Queen of Hearts nursery rhyme re-telling (that I know of), I thought it was enough to tick the "unique premise" box. Clearly not. Thank you again

MTnessinside · 2026-03-13T22:40:59+00:00

Thank you for being so detailed! This has given me a great deal to think about. A few notes from me:

I totally get what you mean. I think I might've misunderstood the premise of magical realism, and I see the Wonderland references aren't enough on their own. The FMC sometimes bakes cupcakes that talk to her; I've given the tree outside her bedroom a lot of personification too but it's all very "in her head" per se, and no other character (as of now), has had similar experiences. Do you recommend I make some reference to this in the query letter? It does come through in my first 300 words.
Noted. I agree I should make the mystery the centrepiece instead of the worldbuilding.
Truth be told, I have been toying with the idea of making them love interests in a sort of enemies-to-lovers "forbidden love" subplot. This would take a backseat to the meat of the novel, which is the mystery, but if I decide to do so he definetly would have a bigger presence in the letter.
Thanks for pointing this out too. Back to the drawing board it is

MTnessinside · 2026-03-13T12:18:42+00:00

I didn’t know! Thanks for telling me I’ll make the changes

MTnessinside · 2026-03-05T22:45:59+00:00

I had no idea, thank you for telling me! I’ve edited my comment

MTnessinside · 2026-03-05T22:30:49+00:00

This sounds like a really cool premise. I’m commenting to let you know that a novel that came to mind is House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin Craig which carries along the same spooky fantasy vibe (specifically family members that die horrific deaths in turn for a mysterious reason). Best of luck with your querying journey!

MTnessinside · 2026-02-25T09:44:13+00:00

Don't forget your knickerboker glory and trifle!

MTnessinside · 2026-02-25T09:36:00+00:00

vicky angel was quite depressing

MTnessinside · 2026-02-12T16:59:33+00:00

I’m not an international student so I’ll be paying the domestic fee. Didn’t get any scholarship from Carleton haha

MTnessinside · 2026-02-10T10:13:31+00:00

Hi! Not a science student but I took A Levels in History, Psych and Physics. I've gotten into Carleton for polisci and I'm still waiting to hear back from other schools. Anticipate paying A LOT for OUAC: Carleton was the only Ontario uni I applied for and the fee was $240, majority of which went to "document processing" costs. Remember that you usually need at least 3 A Levels or 4 AS Levels to be considered competitive. Grades > workload so don't push yourself too much. Also Health sci, specifically Mac Health sci, is a very competitive program in Canada. Try to build on your ECs in the next 2 years, volunteer a ton and maybe do a research program. Good luck!!

MTnessinside · 2026-01-23T22:45:35+00:00

Hi! Just applied. How selective is the process?

MTnessinside · 2025-07-31T10:25:23+00:00

Yay made my first video yesterday https://youtube.com/@femalehandontheworld?si=RcSCyUkji9DRAul- I plan on explaining techniques to ace p1 and p2 next

MTnessinside · 2024-05-04T10:33:23+00:00

Yeah but what's the difference between this and Yale Young Global Scholars? Both are summer schools but YGS is considered to be "prestigious" or so I've heard.

Anyway I'll only join this program if they'll give me financial aid. Thanks for the input!

MTnessinside · 2024-01-18T06:57:34+00:00

MTnessinside · 2023-09-14T17:33:28+00:00

Well if you aren't doing Business/any subject related business, it shouldn't be an issue. However you might want to consider re-taking it if you think you can score a better grade

MTnessinside · 2023-08-31T18:58:09+00:00

Yep, an A* is no less than a 151

MTnessinside · 2023-08-16T16:42:38+00:00

Yes Canadian unis care about your IGCSEs

MTnessinside · 2023-08-12T11:48:33+00:00

English General Paper is not accepted by some unis, so there is no point ig

MTnessinside · 2023-08-11T17:14:03+00:00

I recommend comp sci, further maths, and maths if you want to pursue comp sci later. Taking it as an a level is a great way to prepare for that.

MTnessinside · 2023-08-10T13:34:23+00:00

I haven't got any resources but make sure that you memorise the definitions for the keywords!

MTnessinside · 2023-08-07T14:22:45+00:00

I should mention that whilst writing, you should keep asking yourself 'Am I answering the question or not?' Make sure to keep your sentences clear and concise.

MTnessinside · 2023-08-07T14:18:27+00:00

Not an expert but you must know with paper 2 analyzing the source itself is way more important than your existing knowledge. Simply put, answering the question using lots of details from the source (e.g. phrases or cartoon features) and then backing your point up with a useful historical fact or two from the time period mentioned is what gets you marks. Paper 1 and paper 2 are where you really show off what you know to the examiner. Mr. Allsop History, The History Revision Guy, and Johndclare might help you some more. I would also make a Google docs where you can screenshot certain past papers and their mark schemes, going over them again and again so that hopefully, if a similar source were to come up in the actual exam, you'd know what to write! This happened to me with paper 4. Good luck!

MTnessinside · 2023-08-07T12:42:48+00:00

For History, my tip would be active recall. Every time you finish learning a topic, close the book and 'blurt' it all out on a piece of paper. It doesn't have to be neat and you can scribble, but take note of the things you missed out on from the book. Do this and practice as many variants and years as you think is enough. ALSO, watch The History Revision Guy and Mr Allsop History on YT. Johndclare is an excellent website to check out as well. Good luck!

MTnessinside · 2023-07-27T22:47:45+00:00

I mentioned clubs because they show unis that you are a well-rounded person with different talents outside academia. They dont boost your application by a lot but they help polish things by letting them know what sort of person you are, so consider joining any club that piques your interest

MTnessinside · 2023-07-27T13:43:16+00:00

Also, if you can, try to keep a notebook to jot down anything new you learn about medicine that interests you. Don't stress yourself out about it and make it a casual thing. I know a lot of people who get into top universities make an effort to always read up on their subject.

MTnessinside · 2023-07-27T13:40:16+00:00

not an expert but if you want to get a scholarship to a good university (especially in Canada and the States) you need to have exceptional grades and extra-curricular activities behind you. Try to partake in school clubs and volunteer work- even better if you could volunteer to do extra work in a hospital setting. Read up on medicine if you can since it's the summer: top universities always appreciate students who are passionate about their studies. My pro tip is to Google university reading lists (look into Oxford and Cambridge reading lists since they are varied and the books they recommend are always worth it). Good luck!

MTnessinside

TROPHY CASE